Captain Gundam

Captain Gundam is a fictional character from the SD Gundam series. He has appeared in earlier works such as G-ARMS but is most famous as one of the heroes in the anime series "Superior Defender Gundam Force". He was voiced by Doug Erholtz in the original English release and by Hiroshi Kamiya in the Japanese version. Given the military style of G-ARMS, it is implied that the Captain in his name is a reference to military ranks and not superheroes, such as Captain America.

D Gundam Force

Beginnings

Captain was created by Kao Lyn for the secretive Super Dimensional Guard, as the first member of their Gundam Force to protect the future city of Neotopia from the impending invasion of the Dark Axis, robotic invaders who conquered alternate dimensions. Captain's look was inspired by the very thing that had tipped off Neotopia to the impending danger, Zero the Winged Knight. A refugee from the recently conquered Lacroa, Zero's arrival in their dimension prompted the Neotopia government and scientists to research his origins. Zero himself did not associate himself with them and chose to keep his existence hidden.Captain was trained by a robot veteran defender who had previously worked for the Neotopia police force. Under this strict but capable teacher, Captain grew into a capable warrior. Finally the day would come where his training would be put to the test.

The conflict begins

The Dark Axis finally made their move, launching a Koumusai containing a Zako platoon commanded by Zapper Zaku into their dimension. The Koumusai accidentally landed in a nearby field instead of the planned city centre, which was a lucky fluke as the SDG wished to keep the conflict secret so as not to induce mass panic. A pair of Ball and GM police officers attempted to arrest the invaders and were quickly met with Zako machine gun fire. A similar fate awaited a human who had also stumbled on them, a young human by the name of Shute. As a Dark Axis Bagu Bagu swarm (capable of petrifying organic matter) advanced on him, Shute was saved after the timely arrival of Captain. After assuring Shute's safety and alerting him he was specially certified to use a firearm in the usually weapon-free Neotopia, Captain used his beam rifle to fire a calculated shot against the invaders and rescue the robotic police officers. Making short work of the Zako soldiers, he engaged in combat with Zapper Zaku. Zapper's short temper and blazing guns were no match for Captain's composure and strategy and so the Dark Axis officer opened the Zakarello Gate that led to their base dimension and ordered their MagnaMusai battleship to fire a high powered blast from its cannons through the gate at Captain. This strategy put Shute in the line of fire and Captain, trained to defend life at all costs, put himself at direct risk by trying to shield the shot. The blast sent all parties flying and left a smoking crater in the field.Later that night, Captain rebooted to find he had crash landed in Shute's workshop. Upon realizing that Shute had spent the night trying to repair Captain in thanks for saving him earlier, Captain told him thanks were not needed as he was following his programming. Just before leaving to stop Zapper Zaku at the factory district, he told Shute to forget about him.At the factory, Captain attempted to protect the GMs working there, but soon found himself out of ammo and outnumbered. Zapper decided it was time to finish it, and opened the Zakarello Gate again, preparing to blast Captain with the MagnaMusai's cannons. Captain, knowing full well what was coming, began to panic, realizing he didn't have his shield.it was that Shute, who had been following Captain, came to return his shield, declaring that now they really WERE even.This touched Captain, so much that his until-then dormant Soul Drive began to activate, filling him with enough power to not only block the MagnaMusai blast, but, with a forceful punch, redirect it, sending Zapper, his Zakos, and Komusai flying right back through the Gate.Dawn approached, and a group of Gunperries came to escort Captain back to headquarters. But before leaving, Captain thanked Shute for his help, and gave him his name: Captain Gundam.

The Soul Drive

After the battle, Captain spends his time trying to reactivate his Soul Drive, with no success. He then comes to the decision that Shute had something to do with its activation last time, and goes to see him in his Mobile Citizen form. Although their following attempts to activate the Soul Drive on purpose show no results, it isn't until the two basically 'pal around' and bond that the Soul Drive begins to charge up. Their practice is cut short when two GunPerries come to escort Captain back to the base, par the Chief's orders. Over a teleconference, the enigmatic leader of the SDG tells Captain that being friends with Shute would put the boy in danger, because the Dark Axis would attack Shute if they figured out their bond. It is then Captain is called away to defend the harbor district from Zapper Zaku's attack force. However, the attack was simply a ploy to lure Captain out into the open, and soon the Gundam finds himself overwhelmed by Zapper and three control-horned crane robots. Just before Zapper goes to finish Captain off, Shute, who had been following him, shows up to help. Captain, in fear of Shute's safety, pleads for the boy to go, but Shute refuses to leave his friend in danger. He reminds Captain of all the work they did earlier, and this powers up the Soul Drive, allowing Captain to once again send Zapper packing.After seeing for himself the reaction Shute's presence causes the Chief gives Captain official permission to visit Shute whenever he likes.

Homages and references

Many elements of Captain specifically reference the lead Gundams in various earlier series:
*His original basic form is based on the original RX-78-2 Gundam
*His Captain Punch attack is similar to the Finger attacks used by the GF13-017NJ Shining Gundam, GF13-017NJII God Gundam and GF13-001NHII Master Gundam
*His opening face plate is similar to that of the F91 Gundam Formula 91
*The destruction of his original body by Gerbera and its upgrade to Hyper Captain is a direct homage to the RX-78GP01 Gundam being trashed and upgraded to the RX-78GP01Fb
*When combined with his Option Z weapons pack, he resembles the Dendrobium Orchis
*When Hyper Captain utilises the power of the Superior Dragon, he has the LM314V21 Victory 2 Gundam's Wings of Light

Theme music

Captain's theme is an orchestral piece titled 'His Name Is Captain', which was also used as the opening music for the show during its R1 DVD release. A slower version is used for the later character theme 'Professor Gerbera'.