ZGMF-X10A Freedom Gundam

The ZGMF-X10A Freedom is a mobile suit which mainly shown in TV series anime "Mobile Suit Gundam SEED" and the sequel, "Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny". First shown deployed in episode 34 (called PHASE 34 in the anime), it is piloted by one of the main characters of the series, Kira Yamato. Together with Freedom, Kira, plays a pivotal role in ending the Bloody Valentine War, as part of Three Ships Alliance.

In real world

As many of protagonists' mobile suits of Gundam metaseries, at least in Japan and its surrounding countries (East and Southeast Asia), Freedom enjoys significant popularity among other mobile suits. Freedom is often featured in Japanese Newtype Magazine and available in a wide range of model kits and stand off display. Furthermore, according to Hobby Link Japan, Freedom Gundam is the most popular design from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED. [cite web | url=http://www.hlj.com/product/BAN926794 | title = Product Information of Freedom Master Grade model kit | accessdate = 2007-02-09 From [http://www.hlj.com Hobby Link Japan] ] [cite web | url=http://www.hlj.com/product/BAN938527 | title = Product Information of Freedom Master Grade model kit Extra Finish Version | accessdate = 2007-02-09 From [http://www.hlj.com Hobby Link Japan] ] [cite web | url=http://plamoya.com/en/gundam-mg-72-zgmfx10a-freedom-gundam-p-45.html | title = Product information of Gundam MG 72 ZGMF-X10A Freedom Gundam | accessdate = 2007-02-09 From [http://plamoya.com Plamoya] ]

The ZGMF-X10A Freedom should not be confused with the RGM-196 Freedom from G-Saviour, the GF7-023NA Gundam Freedom from G Gundam's "7th Fight" manga, or ZGMF-X20A Strike Freedom Gundam from same universe of the anime.

Design

Freedom was designed by Kunio Okawara, who puts heavy emphasis on anime/toy features for his designs rather than looking pretty. According to the Interview of Kunio Okawara, before even Freedom design process was started, Bandai already planned to sell Freedom as toys. Freedom's gimmicks was planned to be simple. This simple designs are to keep toy products cheaper as complicated designs cost more.

The interview also explains the design process of Gundam SEED Mobile Suits. As basis for Freedom's design, Mitsuo Fukuda, the director of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, gave instruction to make Freedom looks like GAT-X105 Strike Gundam with the ability of aile, launcher, and sword Striker Packs all together. However, it was hard to settle on a design with all of the three abilities. Using one of his old game character design, Kunio Okawara gave idea of a Gundam with wings and cannon. Fukuda agreed on this firepower-focused Gundam design which totally changed the original concept.

According to the same interview, a paper model was made by Okawara in the process of completing Freedom design in order to think the wing and cannon features. Okawara wanted to avoid any structural transformation mistakes and complicated transformations that are undetectable via two dimensional art. This model also helped the animators and model/toy division by making things simpler, which lowers costs.

As many mobile suits in Mobile Suit Gundam SEED and Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny, Freedom has features that resemble famous systems from mobile suits of the other previous Gundam metaseries.

One of the most noticeable feature resembling famous systems from mobile suits of the other previous Gundam metaseries, is the twin cannons mounted in Freedom wings, which mounted over shoulders in use. This is similar to GX-9901-DX Gundam Double X which has Twin Satellite Cannons which function in similar manner except the Twin Satellite Cannons is folded and hanging freely on Double X's back rather than folded inside the wings as Freedom.

There are many more similarities to other famous features of the other previous Gundam metaseries, however, it also has the series' original features, the capability to lock on to multiple enemies, which later also inherited to ZGMF-X20A Strike Freedom Gundam.

A rather popular joke among fans is the idea of the Freedom with a mono-eye head. Since Freedom's design is a radical departure from ZAFT's traditional mono-eye design, ZAFT would have never built the Gundams as logically, Freedom should have looked more like a GuAIZ.

This idea was seen in the sidestory manga Gundam SEED Astray R, in which the main character, Lowe Guele, had the idea of replacing the damaged Freedom's head with a GINN's. He later equips the YMF-X000A Dreadnought Gundam with a GuAIZ head in Astray X. This idea is similar to Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ, in which the Zeta Gundam's head is destroyed and replaced with a Zaku's.

Model kit

The Freedom is available in a wide range of model kits produced by Bandai. In July 2004, Bandai released first Master Grade (shortened as MG) class Freedom model kits. [cite web | url=http://www.dalong.net/review/mg/m72/m72_i.htm | title = Information about the Freedom Master Grade model kit | accessdate = 2007-01-29 From [http://www.dalong.net www.dalong.net] ] Master Grade "Extra Finish" version, which has silver coatings on white parts, was released on September 2005. [cite web | url=http://www.dalong.net/review/mg/me1/me1_i.htm| title = Information about the Freedom Master Grade model kit - Extra Finish version | accessdate = 2007-01-29 From [http://www.dalong.net www.dalong.net] ] A limited edition of Freedom Master Grade "Clear Color" version, which has transparent parts, was released on Gunpla Expo in August 2007. [cite web | url=http://bandai-hobby.net/gunpla/expo/goods.html| title = Information on model kits sold at Gunpla Expo| accessdate = 2007-02-05 From [http://bandai-hobby.net Bandai Hobby Site] ]

Video games

The Freedom is featured in many video games, however the most important ones may be its appearance in Banpresto's "Super Robot Wars" series. The Freedom's debut in the "Super Robot Wars" series was in "Super Robot Wars Alpha 3" for the Playstation 2. The Game Boy Advance's "Super Robot Wars Judgement", which was released three weeks after "Super Robot Wars Alpha 3" also features the Freedom. The Freedom also appeared in "Super Robot Wars W" for the Nintendo DS.

Japanese stamp

The Freedom and other notable mecha from various Gundam metaseries (including ZGMF-X09A Justice from same series) were recognized in the second set of "Anime Heroes and Heroines" stamps, released in August 1^st 2005. It was one of only four franchises to be given the honor, the others were Pocket Monsters, Galaxy Express 999, and Detective Conan. [cite web | url=http://yushu.or.jp/english/e_sdate/05jpn/05kine/050801c1.html | title = Japan Stamps of Anime Hero and Heroine Series II - Gundam | accessdate = 2007-01-29]

Pepsi campaign

Using Gundam as a pop culture icon in Japan, Pepsi released several series of Pepsi bottles with special-edition bottle caps featuring miniature statues of various Mobile Suits from the many Gundam anime released over the years. The Freedom is among the mobile suit featured [cite web | url=http://www.suntory.co.jp/news/2005/9207.html
title = Pepsi Promotional Campaign in Japan| accessdate = 2007-01-29] .

The promotional campaign led to a warning from Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) on October 25^th 2005 to Japanese "Pepsi Twist" manufacturer and retailer, Suntory for possible violations of "truth-in-advertising" laws as the promotion encourages an unhealthy "gambling spirit" amongst consumers since the miniatures are kept in packaging that is not transparent. [cite news | url = http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-11-01/pepsi-gundam-promotion-illegal | title = Pepsi-Gundam Promotion Illegal | publisher = Anime News Network | date = 1 November 2005 | accessdate = 2007-01-09 ]

Japanese law requires that prizes dependent on luck not be valued at more than 2% of the value of the product they are included with. According to the JFTC, the promotion includes "rare" miniatures that are difficult to acquire, which means that collecting all of the miniatures would mean purchasing a significant number of products. The JFTC added that there are already collectors selling bottles of Pepsi Twist without the promotional items included on the Internet and elsewhere. With full collections of the figures being auctioned online for around 100,000 yen (US$900 approx.), an average value of 3125 yen (US$27) per figure, they are valued at significantly more than 2% of the cost of a bottle of Pepsi, which sells for less than 500 yen.

Aside the JFTC, the Japan Soft Drinks Association (JSDA) also warned Suntory in September 2005 that the promotion may be contravening the law. Suntory changed the packaging to be transparent in early September, before either warning was issued.

Other appearance

Freedom Model Kit appears as cameo on anime Nurse Witch Komugi and Comic Party.

Legacy

Much of concepts and designs of Freedom is inherited and improved significantly to its successor, the ZGMF-X20A Strike Freedom Gundam. Strike Freedom appears in the anime Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny after Freedom is destroyed in the story. The Strike Freedom's Master Grade kit manual stated that Strike Freedom was stated as originally under the production of ZAFT as a newer version of Freedom. [cite web | url=http://www.dalong.net/review/mg/m97/manual/m97_mb0002.jpg| title = Scan of manual for Strike Freedom Master Grade model kit, explaining the Mobile Suit Profile | accessdate = 2007-01-29 From [http://www.dalong.net www.dalong.net] ]

In Cosmic Era universe

Freedom is built during Bloody Valentine War (the main plot of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED), as top-secret prototype mobile suit which ZAFT has developed using technology from the Earth Alliance's captured Gundams. Equipped with a Neutron Jammer Canceller and powered by a nuclear engine, which provides an effectively unlimited energy supply for its Phase Shift Armor and its battery of powerful weapons.

Design

The Freedom is armed with advanced weaponry, based on technology reverse-engineered from the captured Earth Alliance mobile suits and ZAFT's original technology.

Apart from the head-mounted MMI-GAU2 "Picus" CIWS and "Lacerta" beam sabers, the Freedom is equipped with a pair of "Xiphias" rail cannons on its hips. It also carries MA-M20 "Lupus" high-energy beam rifle, stored on back skirt. For defensive purposes the Freedom is equipped with a large shield which is mounted on its arms. This shield is similar to that of its brother unit, ZGMF-X09A Justice.

The most distinctive feature of the Freedom is probably the set of ten wings housed on its backpack/thruster array. These wings give the Freedom HiMAT (High Maneuver Aerial Tactical) mode capability for superior speed, mobility and agility. Twin powerful M100 "Balaena" plasma beam cannons, are also mounted on these wings near the backpack/thruster array.

The unit and ZGMF-X09A Justice are equipped with hardpoints to dock with the METEOR (Mobile suit Embedded Tactical EnfORcer) weapon system. The Freedom utilises Generation Unsubdued Nuclear Drive Assault Module complex operating system. An interesting note is that the beginning part of Freedom's OS version's sign, "Series AVIC-T1", is similar to real world model of Pioneer AirNavi, an in-car navigation system while the ending part code "LA-SE3P" appears in multiple locations on the anime Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, most notably on the licence plate of Athrun Zala's car in episode 8, and the Freedom's OS start-up screen. The code "LA-SE3P" is similar to the Japanese model number for the Mazda RX-8 series car.

Construction

Freedom is one of five known new advanced prototype mobile suit series made by ZAFT in Cosmic Era universe, during Bloody Valentine War, which mainly shown in Mobile Suit Gundam SEED series. The series mobile suits are ZGMF-X09A Justice, ZGMF-X10A Freedom, ZGMF-X11A Regenerate, ZGMF-X12A Testament, and ZGMF-X13A Providence sequentially. The mobile suits each has its own focus and capability. The ZGMF-X10A Freedom is focused on firepower and excels at handling multiple enemies at once at medium range.

The suits made by combining technology reverse-engineered from the captured Earth Alliance G Project suits and ZAFT's original technology. The Earth Alliance technologies mainly used are the advanced beam weaponries and Phase Shift armor, while ZAFT's original technologies incorporated is the Neutron Jammer Canceller which counters the effects of the ubiquitous N-Jammers and allows these suits to be powered by nuclear reactors giving the mobile suits almost limitless combat endurance, even with Phase Shift Armor activated.

To assist the Freedom and Justice during heavy assaults, ZAFT also designed and built additional large unmanned vehicles for Freedom and Justice. This support unit, known as METEOR (Mobile suit Embedded Tactical EnfORcer) (METEOR), is extremely well-armed, sporting two battleship-grade beam cannons, two smaller beam cannons, two heavy beam swords, and 77 heavy missile launchers. These weapons are powered by a direct connection to embedded mobile suit powerplant.

In addition to the METEOR, ZAFT developed a special vessel to carry Freedom and Justice with the two METEOR units, named as "Eternal", which later become the flagship of Clyne Faction.

Characteristics and features

In the anime, Freedom features high firepower and high mobility and excels as medium range mobile suit, as it has various range weapons and high speed. In medium range combat, a beam rifle and twins railguns are available. For long range, there are twin plasma beam cannons, which is wing-mounted and mounted over shoulders in use. For defensive purpose, a large shield can be equipped on left arm. The shield is similar to its companion's shield, the ZGMF-X09A Justice which excels in close combat. Despite its excels as medium range mobile suit, Kira often use it as close combat mobile suit, using Freedom's high speed and the combinable beam saber, aside from the CIWS, which also can be utilized.

Additionally, Freedom is compatible with METEOR (Mobile suit Embedded Tactical EnfORcer) weapon system to augment its already impressive firepower. This METEOR is a large mobile weapons platform with powerful thrusters and an even more powerful armament of battleship-caliber beam cannons, large beam swords, and dozens of heavy missile launchers that is designed specifically for the Freedom and its brother unit, ZGMF-X09A Justice.

The "trademark" feature of Freedom is that it has capability to lock onto multiple units. This multi lock capability allows the pilot, to target several enemies at once with multiple weapons salvo firings. This ability is known as "Full Burst Mode" in the master grade model kit manual and Arcade/PlayStation 2 video game, "Kidou Senshi Gundam SEED: Rengou vs. Z.A.F.T." and "Kidou Senshi Gundam SEED Destiny: Rengou vs. Z.A.F.T. II Plus". This ability is also shared by the Strike Freedom, as well as the MVF-M12A Ootsukigata. Also, the ZGMF-X09A Justice and ZGMF-X19A Infinite Justice also have this capability for use with the METEOR weapon system.

Freedom's high mobility come from a set of ten wings housed on its backpack/thruster array. These wings give the Freedom HiMAT (High Maneuver Aerial Tactical) mode capability for superior speed, mobility and agility. The Freedom's HiMAT's special effects (which show blue or red, sparkling gas coming off the trailing edges of the wings when in flight) is similar to the concept of real world altitude compensating nozzles of Aerospike engine.

Freedom is powered by Ultracompact Nuclear Fission reactor. This reactor provides an effectively unlimited energy supply for its Phase Shift Armor and its weapons and give significant advantage to other battery-based mobile suit in terms of endurance. Kira Yamato once said in episode 34 of TV series anime Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, that the Freedom has four times output capability of GAT-X105 Strike Gundam. However, because of the effects of the N-Jammers, Freedom is equipped with Neutron Jammer Canceller to allow the mobile suit using nuclear reactor.

In service

Freedom is mainly shown in later part of the TV series anime Mobile Suit Gundam SEED and earlier part of the TV series anime Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny. Freedom was heavily damaged twice in Gundam SEED and later destroyed in Gundam SEED Destiny. Nevertheless, Freedom is known as a powerful and influencing mobile suit in the Cosmic Era universe.

In Gundam SEED

Late in CE 71, shown in episode 34 of TV Series anime Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, the Freedom is stolen by Kira Yamato, with the aid of Lacus Clyne. [cite web | url=http://www.mahq.net/animation/gundam/seed/gsep34.htm | title = Review of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED episode 34| accessdate = 2007-02-09 From [http://www.mahq.net MAHQ] ] Kira rushes to Earth with the stolen suit and came to the rescue of the "Archangel" at the Battle of JOSH-A in episode 35. [cite web | url=http://www.mahq.net/animation/gundam/seed/gsep35.htm | title = Review of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED episode 35| accessdate = 2007-02-09 From [http://www.mahq.net MAHQ] ] Along with the Archangel, he defects to neutral Orb and fights alongside his old friend Athrun Zala [cite web | url=http://www.mahq.net/animation/gundam/seed/gsep37.htm | title = Review of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED episode 37| accessdate = 2007-02-09 From [http://www.mahq.net MAHQ] ] [cite web | url=http://www.mahq.net/animation/gundam/seed/gsep39.htm | title = Review of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED episode 39| accessdate = 2007-02-09 From [http://www.mahq.net MAHQ] ] . Later, in episode 40 [cite web | url=http://www.mahq.net/animation/gundam/seed/gsep40.htm | title = Review of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED episode 40| accessdate = 2007-02-09 From [http://www.mahq.net MAHQ] ] , he returns to space along with the "Archangel" and Orb battleship "Kusanagi".

In episode 42 [cite web | url=http://www.mahq.net/animation/gundam/seed/gsep42.htm | title = Review of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED episode 42| accessdate = 2007-02-09 From [http://www.mahq.net MAHQ] ] , Freedom met support vessel "Eternal", which had been stolen from ZAFT by Lacus Clyne and her supporters, led by former ZAFT commander Andrew Waltfeld. Freedom helped Eternal escaping from attacking force sent from Boaz by ZAFT to retrieve Eternal. The attacking force, consists of 50 GINN and CGUE, were largely disabled by Freedom. Later Eternal joins the Archangel and Kusanagi at Mendel, forming the Three Ships Alliance.

The following battle in Mendel, which is shown during episode 43 to 46 [cite web | url=http://www.mahq.net/animation/gundam/seed/gsep43.htm | title = Review of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED episode 43| accessdate = 2007-02-09 From [http://www.mahq.net MAHQ] ] [cite web | url=http://www.mahq.net/animation/gundam/seed/gsep44.htm | title = Review of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED episode 44| accessdate = 2007-02-09 From [http://www.mahq.net MAHQ] ] [cite web | url=http://www.mahq.net/animation/gundam/seed/gsep45.htm | title = Review of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED episode 45| accessdate = 2007-02-09 From [http://www.mahq.net MAHQ] ] [cite web | url=http://www.mahq.net/animation/gundam/seed/gsep46.htm | title = Review of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED episode 46| accessdate = 2007-02-09 From [http://www.mahq.net MAHQ] ] , Freedom fights another numerical disadvantage tough and long battle such as battling Calamity and Raider in episode 43 and 44. Also in episode 44 Freedom battles Rau Le Creuset's GuAIZ and able to heavily damage the GuAIZ. Even in episode 46, Freedom was damaged heavily by Raider and Forbidden, during attempt to rescue Flay Allster. However, Freedom was able to survive this long battle and even gave some degree of damages to its enemies, partly due to occasional Justice's various helps.

Eternal also carries two METEOR units with her. In early part of final battle "Second Battle of Jachin Due",shown in episode 47 and 48 [cite web | url=http://www.mahq.net/animation/gundam/seed/gsep47.htm | title = Review of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED episode 47| accessdate = 2007-02-09 From [http://www.mahq.net MAHQ] ] [cite web | url=http://www.mahq.net/animation/gundam/seed/gsep48.htm | title = Review of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED episode 48| accessdate = 2007-02-09 From [http://www.mahq.net MAHQ] ] , Justice and Freedom use these METEORs' firepower to thwart an Earth Alliance nuclear missile attack to PLANT. In later part of "Second Battle of Jachin Due",shown in episode 49 and 50 [cite web | url=http://www.mahq.net/animation/gundam/seed/gsep49.htm | title = Review of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED episode 49| accessdate = 2007-02-09 From [http://www.mahq.net MAHQ] ] [cite web | url=http://www.mahq.net/animation/gundam/seed/gsep50.htm | title = Review of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED episode 50| accessdate = 2007-02-09 From [http://www.mahq.net MAHQ] ] , Freedom fights ZAFT and EA forces. In episode 50, Kira also battles against Rau Le Creuset, who was responsible for the escalation of hostilities of ZAFT and Earth Alliance, and his powerful ZGMF-X13A Providence. Despite the Freedom was severely damaged, Kira managed to impale Rau's cockpit with combined beam sabers. The "Second Battle of Jachin Due" ended shortly afterward.

In Gundam SEED Destiny

After the Bloody Valentine War (main plot of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED), the Freedom is repaired and hidden in a secret underground base in Orb, where it remains for more than a year.

It returns to action in December CE 73, shown in Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny, after an assassination attempt against Lacus Clyne. Kira launches in Freedom and manages to defeat the assassins' UMF/SSO-3 ASH mobile suits. Later on, the Freedom was used by Kira in two failed attempts to stop the battling between Orb and ZAFT forces. It also destroyed the GFAS-X1 Destroy in Berlin, killing Stella Loussier. Shortly thereafter, Freedom was destroyed by the ZGMF-X56S Impulse, piloted by Shinn Asuka, during a ZAFT attack against the "Archangel". Kira shuts down Freedom's nuclear reactor before losing consciousness, and is rescued by the MBF-02 Strike Rouge, piloted by his sister Cagalli Yula Athha.

References

See also

*ZGMF-X20A Strike Freedom

External links

* [http://www.gundamofficial.com/worlds/ce/seed/mechanics/ms_freedom.html Freedom's profile in Gundam SEED] - From Official English Gundam website
* [http://www.gundamofficial.com/worlds/ce/destiny/mechanics/ms_freedom.html Freedom's profile in Gundam SEED Destiny] - From Official English Gundam website
* [http://www.mahq.net/mecha/gundam/seed/zgmf-x10a.htm ZGMF-X10A Freedom Gundam] - from MAHQ (Mecha Headquarter) website