MS-05 Zaku I (The Origin)

The MS-05 Zaku I was a mass production general purpose mobile suit manufactured by Zeonic Company for the Principality of Zeon. When the prototype MS-04 Bugu proved too expensive for mass production, Zeon shifted its focus to Zeonic Company’s MS-05 Zaku I, which became the world’s first mass-produced mobile suit.

The “MS” designation indicated it was a mobile suit, whilst “05” denoted it was the fifth mobile suit design in Zeon’s development programme.

History

When the prototype MS-04 Bugu proved too expensive for mass production, Zeon instead shifted its focus to Zeonic Company’s MS-05 Zaku I. The Zaku moved the power pipes that transmitted energy for the fluid pulse system beneath the armor to protect them from enemy attacks. As a result, the Zaku’s mobility was slightly inferior to that of the Bugu, but it addressed all the production and maintenance issues related to using large numbers of machines on the battlefield.

In UC 0078, several early production Zakus participated in the Battle of Mare Smythii on the lunar surface, which became the first mobile suit battle in history. Three of the units were painted in the custom dark grey colours of the Black Tri-Stars (Gaia, Ortega, and Mash), while the fourth unit was painted in Char Aznable’s personal red colours.

During the engagement, the Zaku I units demonstrated their superiority over the Federation’s RCX-76-02 Guncannon First Type. Gaia laughed as his Zaku I destroyed Guncannon VB107, Mash destroyed Guncannon VB105 with only a single shot from his Zaku I’s bazooka, and Ortega’s Zaku I destroyed Guncannon VB106. The red machine piloted by Char demonstrated mobility that far surpassed the Federation officers’ imagination.

The data gathered from this battle was used in future mobile suit development. By the start of the One Year War in UC 0079, Zeon was rolling out the upgraded MS-06F Zaku II.

Design

The MS-05 was designed as an improvement over the MS-04 Bugu, addressing cost and production concerns whilst maintaining combat effectiveness. The power pipes attached to the outside of the Bugu as part of its fluid pulse system were installed under the armor to prevent damage from enemy attacks, but as a result, its mobility and manoeuvrability were slightly inferior to those of the Bugu.

The head of the MS-05 was equipped with a mono-eye camera and sensors, with an exhaust heat duct in the centre. The mono-eye system provided excellent visibility and target acquisition capabilities that would become standard for Zeon mobile suits.

The backpack was equipped with two thrusters and power pipes stored inside the main armor. The backpack for the MS-05 had taken on a simple structure compared to the previous backpacks for the YMS-03 and MS-04.

Variants

While the normal version was painted in green colours, the machines deployed with some special forces were given unique decorations and colouring to allow for easy identification of their assigned unit.

Special Service Units

The Zaku I assigned to the Special Service commanded by Major General Kycilia Zabi, who led a campaign on the lunar surface directly after the outbreak of the Zeon War of Independence, had a crest-shaped decoration on its head. The crest-shaped decoration on the head was designed after the steel helmet worn by the cavalry of the Munzo State Security Police. The backpack on this unit was equipped with mounting latches on both sides.

Char’s Custom

Private Char Aznable piloted a custom red MS-05 during the Battle of Mare Smythii. This unit demonstrated exceptional performance, with mobility that far surpassed Federation expectations.

Armaments

The Zaku I was equipped with handheld weapons rather than built-in armaments, providing flexibility in mission loadouts.

MS machine gun

A portable firearm developed specifically for mobile suits. It could switch between semi-automatic and automatic fire modes, providing versatile infantry support and anti-mobile suit capabilities.

Type A2 MS bazooka

A rocket launcher designed for mobile suit use, providing heavy firepower against hardened targets and enemy mobile suits. The weapon was particularly effective against the less-armored Federation units of the time.

Type A1 MS bazooka

An earlier variant of the mobile suit bazooka, also used by Zaku I units during the early engagements of the mobile suit era.

Known pilots

Char Aznable
Gaia (Black Tri-Stars)
Ortega (Black Tri-Stars)
Mash (Black Tri-Stars)
Denim
Slender
Calca Gitta Madfa

Behind the scenes

Original mechanical designer: Hajime Katoki

The MS-05 Zaku I in The Origin features updated mechanical detailing by Katoki while maintaining the classic Zaku silhouette established by Kunio Okawara.