- Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn
-
Mobile Suit Gundam U.C. 
Cover of volume one of Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn light novel series機動戦士ガンダムUC(ユニコーン)
(Kidō Senshi Gandamu Yunikōn)Genre Mecha, Action, Military Novel Written by Harutoshi Fukui Published by Kadokawa Shoten Demographic Male Magazine Gundam Ace Original run December 26, 2006 – June 26, 2009 Volumes 10 Original video animation Directed by Kazuhiro Furuhashi Written by Yasuyuki Muto Music by Hiroyuki Sawano Studio Sunrise Licensed by 
Bandai Entertainment
BeezReleased March 12, 2010 – ongoing Episodes 6 Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn (機動戦士ガンダムUC(ユニコーン) Kidō Senshi Gandamu Yunikōn) is a novel by popular Japanese author Harutoshi Fukui (Shūsen no Lorelei, Bōkoku no Aegis). The novel takes place in Gundam's Universal Century timeline. Character and mechanical designs are provided by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko and Hajime Katoki, respectively. An anime adaptation of the novels premiered on Sony's PlayStation Network Japan from February 20, 2010, and the first episode had a simultaneous worldwide DVD and Blu-ray Disc release on March 12, 2010.
Contents
Plot
See also: List of Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn characters and List of Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn mobile weaponsThe series begins in U.C. 0001, at the very beginning of human space colonization, when a space colony called Laplace is destroyed during a ceremony hosted by the Federation's Prime Minister ushering in the Universal Century dating system. The main story takes place in UC 0096, three years after the events of Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack and 27 years before Mobile Suit Gundam F91.
The story revolves around Banagher Links, a seemingly normal boy living and going to school in the space colonies. His life changes one day when he meets a girl named Audrey Burne, as the encounter brings him into contact with a new Gundam and its connections to an item called "Laplace's Box."
Media
Novel
No. Title Release date ISBN 01 "Day of the Unicorn (Part 1)"
Yunikōn no Hi (Jō) ("ユニコーンの日(上)")September 26, 2007 ISBN 978-4-04-713969-5 02 "Day of the Unicorn (Part 2)"
Yunikōn no Hi (Ge) ("ユニコーンの日(下) ")September 26, 2007 ISBN 978-4-04-713970-1 03 "The Red Comet"
Akai Suisei ("赤い彗星")December 26, 2007 ISBN 978-4-04-715003-4 04 "Palau Capture Battle"
Parao Kōryaku Sen ("パラオ攻略戦")April 26, 2008 ISBN 978-4-04-715060-7 05 "The Ghost of Laplace"[1]
Rapurasu no Bōrei ("ラプラスの亡霊")July 26, 2008 ISBN 978-4-04-715084-3 06 "In the Depths of a Gravity Well"
Jūryoku no Ido no Soko de ("重力の井戸の底で")October 25, 2008 ISBN 978-4-04-715112-3 07 "Black Unicorn"
Kuroi Yunikōn ("黒いユニコーン")December 26, 2008 ISBN 978-4-04-715143-7 08 "The Sky and the Stars"
Sora to Hoshi to ("宇宙と惑星と")April 25, 2009 ISBN 978-4-04-715229-8 09 "Over the Rainbow (Part 1)"
Niji no Kanata ni (Jō) ("虹の彼方に(上)")August 26, 2009 ISBN 978-4-04-715286-1 10 "Over the Rainbow (Part 2)"
Niji no Kanata ni (Ge) ("虹の彼方に(下)")August 26, 2009 ISBN 978-4-04-715287-8 Anime
In the June 2009 issue[2] of the Japanese monthly manga magazine Gundam Ace, it was announced that an anime adaptation for Gundam Unicorn has been green-lit for late 2009, but was moved to spring 2010. It is directed by Kazuhiro Furuhashi and features screenplays written by Yasuyuki Muto. Hajime Katoki, who was the mechanical designer for the novel, works on the anime alongside veteran designers Junya Ishigaki and Mika Akitaka, and newcomer Nobuhiko Genba. Yoshikazu Yasuhiko's character designs have been adapted for animation by Kumiko Takahashi, and the music is composed by Hiroyuki Sawano.[3] It is planned to be six 50 minute episodes[4] and Sunrise has announced its plan to release the anime worldwide.[5] The series premiered on PlayStation Network Japan for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable systems from February 20, 2010. The Blu-ray Disc edition was released simultaneously worldwide on March 12, 2010, featuring both Japanese and English audio and subtitles in five languages (Japanese, English, French, Spanish and Chinese).[6]
Episode list
No. Title Release date 01 "Day of the Unicorn"
"Yunikōn no Hi" (ユニコーンの日)March 12, 2010 A Neo Zeon remnant group called the "Sleeves" travels to Side 4's Industrial 7 colony, so that its captain, Zinnerman, can receive a "key" to something known as "Laplace's Box" from Vist Foundation leader Cardeas Vist. The item is said to be capable of either restoring the future or destroying the world. Audrey Burns seeks to meet Vist first and convince him not to turn over Laplace's Box, believing the Sleeves will use it to start another war. Along the way, she is rescued by 16-year-old student Banagher Links, who agrees to take her to Vist. Meanwhile, a battle breaks out between the Federation's Londo Bell taskforce and the Sleeves. As the collateral damage rises, the colony is evacuated. Amidst the chaos, Banagher discovers the fatally-wounded Cardeas Vist in the cockpit of the Unicorn Gundam. Before his death, Vist entrusts the Gundam to Banagher, who realizes that Vist is his father. Banagher then launches in the Unicorn and confronts the Sleeves' elite pilot, Marida Cruz, who is piloting the Kshatriya.
Episode 1's theme song is "Ryūsei no Namida" by CHiAKi KURiYAMA02 "The Second Coming of Char"[Note 1]
"Akai Suisei" (赤い彗星)November 12, 2010 The transformed Unicorn Gundam overpowers the Kshatriya and Marida is ordered to retreat. The Unicorn is picked up by the Londo Bell ship Nahel Argama. Banagher is questioned by Daguza Mackle about how he came to possess the Unicorn Gundam but is interrupted by the Sleeves' surprise attack. Full Frontal, the leader of Neo Zeon, demands that the Nahel Argama hand over any items related to Laplace's Box, including the Unicorn. Daguza tries to ensure safe passage by holding Audrey, revealed to be Zeon Princess Mineva Lao Zabi, hostage, but Frontal refuses to accept they have the real Mineva. With no other choice, Banagher sorties in the Unicorn against the Sinanju; he fights well, but is captured when blindsided by the Kshatriya. Banagher is taken to meet Frontal at the Sleeves asteroid base of Palau.
After discussing the nature of Zeon with Marida, who is placed in charge of watching over Banagher, a crew member from Nahel Argama disguised as a bum bumps into Banagher and passes him a map and a transmitter, telling him to get to the 14th space gate or risk being killed in the coming battle. Banagher laments over how the colony will become a battlefield soon.
Episode 2's theme song is "Everlasting" by Kylee03 "The Ghost of Laplace"
"Rapurasu no Bōrei" (ラプラスの亡霊)March 5, 2011 The Earth Federation and ECOAS execute their assault on Palau, with the intention of rescuing Banagher and the Unicorn. Saboteurs destroy Palau's connecting bridges, while the Nahel Argama unleashes its Hyper-Mega Particle Cannon, pushing the asteroids towards each other to damage much of the Sleeves' forces. Any Sleeves unit getting out is ambushed by ECOAS units hiding in the rocks. Riddhe springs Audrey from detention so they can go to Earth and talk to his father, Ronan, but not before trying to convince a surprised Micott about their intentions. Banagher finds the Unicorn Gundam and tries to escape, defeating Marida in the process. She is eventually captured and Alberto Vist is allowed to escort her to an Anaheim Electronics facility on Earth.
Banagher and Daguza proceed to the remains of Laplace with the intention of activating Laplace's Box, but hear the original broadcast of the Earth Federation establishment ceremony. The Sleeves are not far behind and the EFSF/ECOAS units fight them. The Sinanju appears and Daguza sacrifices his life to buy Banagher some time to activate the Unicorn's Destroy mode. The fight sheds parts of the Laplace colony and sends them into the atmosphere. Banagher continues to pursue Full Frontal during the reentry, but a beam magnum shot meant for the Sinanju hits Gilboa Sant instead. As Banagher and the Nahel Argama enter the atmosphere, Audrey arrives at the Marcenas estate.
Episode 3's insert song is "Ego" by Mika Kobayashi
Episode 3's theme song is "merry-go-round" by CHEMISTRY04 "At the Bottom of the Gravity Well"
"Jūryoku no Ido no Soko de" (重力の井戸の底で)November 12, 2011 The Zeon Remnant forces attack the Federation Capitol Building at Dakar in a feint operation to allow the Garencieres to descend to Earth safely. Banagher is revealed to have been rescued from death by the Garencieres crew mid-descent. Marida is transported to a Federation facility in North America, where Martha Vist Carbine manipulates her using the wreck of an old Mass Production Qubeley, which she had piloted in the past. Audrey is held at the Marcenas estate. Riddhe escapes after his father, Ronan, tells him the truth about Laplace's Box. Audrey briefly escapes captivity long enough to have a insightful conversation with an old man in a local diner, which strengthens her resolve. Bright Noa is ordered to take Riddhe on board the Ra Cailum under his command, as well as capture the Garencieres.
After being called in from around the world, the Zeon Remnant forces band together and assault Torrington base en masse. The Shamblo's pilot, Loni Garvey, falls victim to the malfunctioning on-board psycommu system, becoming a channel for her dead father's bloodlust and begins indiscriminately massacring the population of a local city, despite being ordered to avoid causing collateral damage. Banagher, appalled by the resulting destruction, confronts Zinnerman about his hypocritical rationaling of the situation and flies out in the Unicorn Gundam to put a stop to Loni's rampage. After failing to reason with her, he activates the NT-D in a last ditch effort to stop her without resorting to lethal force. Incensed by Banagher's refusal to kill Loni, Riddhe decides to kill her himself, much to Banagher's dismay, and orders Banagher at gunpoint to hand over the Unicorn Gundam according to Captain Bright's orders. As he threatens Banagher, the two witness a mysterious black-colored Unicorn Gundam being dropped into the battlefield.
Episodes 4's theme song is "B-Bird" by earthmind05 "Black Unicorn"
"Kuroi Yunikōn" (黒いユニコーン)May 2012
- ^ The literal translation of episode two's Japanese title is "The Red Comet", an honorary title that was bestowed upon the character Char Aznable, whom Full Frontal was designed to emulate.
Video games
RX-0 Unicorn Gundam is one of the playable secret mobile suits in the game Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Gundam Next. For the PlayStation Portable port Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Gundam Next Plus, the Unicorn is joined by NZ-666 Kshatriya. Gundam Unicorn is a Playable MS in Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 3,[8] along with the Sinanju and Kshatriya (DLC only). In the arcade game Mobile Suit Gundam: Extreme Vs.,[9] currently playable MS are Gundam Unicorn, Kshatriya, Sinanju and Delta Plus. In the Wii and Playstation Portable Game "SD Gundam G Generation World," The Unicorn Gundam, Kshatriya, Sinanju, Delta Plus, Loto, Rezel, the Jegan units and Geara Zulu(including Angelo Sauper's custom) are playable units.
Toys/Models
The first models to come from the series were the 1/100 Master Grade "Ver. Ka" kits of the Sinanju and the Unicorn in 2009. A 1/100 Sinanju rocket bazooka is packaged with the eighth issue in the novel series. Bandai recently announced a Master Grade "Ver. Ka" Full Armor Unicorn Gundam as well, set for release in December 2011. Bandai also produced HGUC versions of both kits (with the Unicorn offered in normal and Destroy Mode versions), the D-50C Loto, the Kshatriya, the Stark Jegan, the Geara Zulu (standard, Elite Guard, and Angelo Sauper versions), the Delta Plus, the ReZEL (standard and commander versions), the ECOAS version of the Jegan, and the Dreissen. Some of them are also available as Master Grade and B-Club models. A translucent glitterized version of the Sinanju was released at the same time as Episode 2 and the release of a pearlescent finish version of the 1/144 Destroy Mode Unicorn was timed with Episode 3. The Gundam Fix Figuration line also has versions of the standard and Full-Armor Unicorn, and ReZEL, and metal composite Unicorns. The series' appearance in the Robot Spirits line began with the release of the normal mode Unicorn in November 2009, followed by its Destroy Mode version, the Geara Zulu, the Stark Jegan, the Sinanju, and the Angelo Sauper Geara Zulu. The Elite Guard Geara Zulu, which was released in February 2011, is an online exclusive. A 1/144 Destroy Mode Unicorn was also released in limited numbers as part of the ANA Gundam Sky Project in April 2011.[10]
References
- ^ http://www.gundam-unicorn.net/en/world/index.html
- ^ Published in April, 2009
- ^ "Gundam Unicorn Anime Officially Announced (Updated)". Anime News Network. 2009-04-22. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-04-22/gundam-unicorn-anime-officially-announced. Retrieved 2009-04-27.
- ^ "Gundam U.C. to Be 6 50-Minute OVAs". Anime News Network. 2009-08-21. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-08-21/gundam-unicorn-to-be-6-50-minute-ovas. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
- ^ "Report: Gundam Unicorn Planned for Simultaneous World Release". Anime News Network. 2009-04-27. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-04-27/report/gundam-unicorn-planned-for-simultaneous-world-release. Retrieved 2009-04-28.
- ^ "Gundam Unicorn to Have English Dub, 5-Language Subs (Updated)". October 22, 2009. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-10-22/gundam-unicorn-to-have-english-dub-5-language-subs. Retrieved February 23, 2010.
- ^ http://gundam-musou3.jp/
- ^ http://gundam-vs.jp/extreme/
- ^ http://www.gundammodelkits.com/ana-x-gundam-sky-project-hguc-1144-ana-unicorn-gundam-destroy-mode.html
External links
- Official Websites: Novel, Anime (Japanese), Anime (English)
- Gunota Headlines
- Gundam Unicorn novel with anime advertisement
- June 2009 Newtype cover
Preceded by
Mobile Suit Gundam 00Gundam metaseries (production order)
1979–2011Succeeded by
Mobile Suit Gundam 00 the Movie: A wakening of the TrailblazerPreceded by
Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's CounterattackUniversal Century
UC 0096Succeeded by
Mobile Suit Gundam F91Categories:- Japanese novels
- Anime OVAs
- Universal Century
- Shōnen manga
- Sunrise (company)
- Anime of 2010
- Bandai Entertainment anime titles
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
