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AMX-104 R-Jarja

Prototype knight custom mobile suit developed by Neo Zeon for high-ranking officers.
Jenxi Seow Published 21 Jun 2025 Updated 21 Jun 2025
AMX-104 R-Jarja

The AMX-104 R-Jarja was a prototype knight custom mobile suit developed by Neo Zeon for high-ranking officers during the First Neo Zeon War.

The “AMX” model code indicated it was a Neo Zeon experimental design. The “104” in the model code denoted it was the fourth in the 100-series of prototype mobile suits developed by Axis. The “R-Jarja” designation was derived from “Raja”, reflecting its status as a mobile suit intended for Neo Zeon’s officer class, who were known as “Knights”.

History

One of many mobile suits developed by Neo Zeon during the First Neo Zeon War, the AMX-104 R-Jarja was intended for use by high-ranking officers (also known as “Knights” in Neo Zeon). It was created by refurbishing a mobile suit that inherited the design concept of the old Principality of Zeon’s YMS-15 Gyan from the One Year War.

The most well known unit was operated by ace pilot Chara Soon during the First Neo Zeon War in UC 0088. Chara Soon used her R-Jarja in multiple missions against the Anti Earth Union Group ship, the Argama, and her crew. She clashed multiple times against young AEUG pilot Judau Ashta, and on one occasion, she and her R-Jarja tagged team with Mashymre Cello and his AMX-103 Hamma Hamma and severely damaged Judau’s MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam.

However, despite being an excellent pilot, Chara suffers from some mental instabilities when in a mobile suit. Because of this, she tends to want to “play” with her opponents which can give inexperienced pilots like Judau a chance, especially when he pilots the powerful MSZ-010 ZZ Gundam. Each time the Judau/ZZ Gundam battled against Chara/R-Jarja, the Neo Zeon machine was forced to retreat.

The last time the R-Jarja was used was in the colony Moon Moon, where Chara forgoes weapons and attempted to grapple with the ZZ Gundam. Judau managed to grab one of his hyper beam sabers and used it to destroy the R-Jarja. Chara escaped just before it exploded, but was captured by her adversary.

Initially a single prototype that was intended for later mass production, the R-Jarja never made it past the experimental stage. Following the war, Neo Zeon remnants created a variant unit, the AMX-104L RS-Jarja.

In UC 0096, after the Laplace Incident, the Mastema special forces were sent by the Earth Federation to investigate part of the shattered asteroid, Axis. During the investigation, the group came under attack from the RX-160G Byarlant Isolde. While searching in a private dock for mobile suits to pilot, they found an R-Jarja amongst the machines there and Arlette Almage requested it to be used, as she had previously worked on it. Additionally, the pilot, Danton Hyleg, had been a test pilot for the R-Jarja.

Design

Like the Gyan, the R-Jarja focuses on close combat as seen by its armament which consisted of a beam rifle with a heat bayonet, a customised beam saber, two variable shields—shoulder-mounted shields that can rotate to protect the rear, sides or front, and two missile pods mounted in the variable shields.

Thanks to the various thrusters located all over its body, including in the variable shields, the R-Jarja is capable of agile movements during combat. The mobile suit was powered by a Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor generating 2,320 kW of output. Its propulsion system comprised rocket thrusters with a total output of 72,200 kg, providing excellent manoeuvrability for close-quarters combat.

While the R-Jarja is most well known for having a red colour scheme due to Chara Soon’s unit, there were also other units with different colour schemes such as the one piloted by Danton Hyleg, indicating that multiple R-Jarjas were produced. The colour scheme of Danton Hyleg’s R-Jarja is very similar to the AMX-004 Qubeley’s.

Armaments

Like the Gyan, the R-Jarja was designed primarily for melee combat, and was armed with a large hand-carried beam sword and a removable heat saber mounted like a bayonet on its beam rifle. Two sets of missile launchers in the shoulders rounded out its armament, but the R-Jarja featured a rather unique defensive feature.

Beam rifle

The R-Jarja’s beam rifle served as its primary ranged weapon, power rated at 3.1 MW, powered by rechargeable energy cap, with removable heat bayonet. One of the R-Jarja’s primary weapons, it is power rated at 0.72 MW and has a characteristic look thanks to its large handguard and unique beam generator. When not in use, it is stored in a scabbard-like sheath mounted on the waist that also serves as an energy charger.

The beam rifle could be fitted with a heat bayonet for close-quarters combat, combining the weapon’s ranged and melee capabilities. This design philosophy reflected the mobile suit’s emphasis on versatile close-combat operations.

Beam saber

The R-Jarja carried a customised beam saber for melee combat, power rated at 0.72 MW, stored in recharge rack on left hip armour, hand-carried in use. The beam saber featured an enlarged handguard and unique beam generator design that distinguished it from standard beam sabers.

The beam saber used an I-field to contain Minovsky particles within the shape of a blade. Minovsky particles broke down matter at a molecular level, enabling the weapon to cut through most materials. The customised design provided enhanced performance in extended melee engagements.

3-tube missile pods

Two 3-tube missile pods were mounted in the R-Jarja’s shoulders, providing additional ranged firepower. These missile systems were integrated into the variable shields, allowing them to maintain defensive capability whilst providing offensive options. The missiles used were AMS-05M medium missiles.

Flexible shields

This feature was the pair of flexible shields mounted on its shoulders, which could be flipped to provide additional armour protection to either the front or rear of the R-Jarja. Mounted on the shoulders, the two variable shields are multi-purpose armaments as they are also fitted with built-in thrusters for propulsion purposes and missile pods for range attacks.

When used for shielding, the variable shields are capable of swivelling 180 degrees, offering protection to the sides and front. Part of the variable shield can also flip forwards or backwards so as not to hinder arm movements. This innovative defensive system provided tactical flexibility that was unusual among mobile suits of the era.

Known pilots

Variants

AMX-104L RS-Jarja

Following the war, Neo Zeon remnants created a variant unit, the AMX-104L RS-Jarja. This variant was modified for sniper operations and featured enhanced sensors and a long-range beam rifle.

Behind the scenes

The original mechanical designers included Yutaka Izubuchi (principal design) and Mika Akitaka (cleanup). The design was originally submitted under the name “Gyazam” before being finalized as the R-Jarja, with the same red colours used in the prototype sample.

The mobile suit’s design drew direct inspiration from the YMS-15 Gyan, continuing the Principality of Zeon’s tradition of knightly mobile suits for high-ranking officers. The flexible shield system was a unique innovation that influenced later mobile suit designs.

Gunpla

Bandai released the 1/144 HGUC AMX-104 R-Jarja model kit, featuring articulated variable shields and the mobile suit’s distinctive red colour scheme. The kit includes a beam rifle with removable heat bayonet and an oversized beam saber.

Appearances

See also