RGZ-95 ReZEL – MechaBay | Gundam Unicorn

The RGZ-95 ReZEL was a mass production transformable mobile suit developed by Anaheim Electronics for the Earth Federation Forces. The RGZ-95 ReZEL (Refined Zeta Escort Leader) represented the second attempt by the Earth Federation Forces to mass produce the AEUG’s MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam.

The “R” in the model code meant it was a Federation model and the “X” indicated that it was an experimental mobile suit. The “95” in the model code denoted that it was developed in UC 0095. The “RGZ” designation stood for “Refined Gundam Zeta”, indicating its lineage from the MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam. The suit’s name is short for “Refined Zeta Gundam Escort Leader”.

History

Developed by Anaheim Electronics after being commissioned by the Earth Federation Forces, the RGZ-95 ReZEL is a machine in the RGZ (Refined Gundam Zeta) series that was created with the goal of mass-producing the MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam and was successful. The first, the RGZ-91 Re-GZ (Refined Gundam Zeta), was a one-off unit that lacked transformation ability and instead utilized a Back Weapon System (BWS).

The ReZEL project aimed to solve the problems that had plagued earlier attempts at mass-producing transformable mobile suits. Unlike the RGZ-91 Re-GZ, which used a Back Weapon System, the ReZEL inherits the MSZ-008 ZII’s concept and has a simplified transformation mechanism based on the one used in the MSA-005 Methuss. To reduce cost and facilitate ease of maintenance, the ReZEL shares some of its actuators and internal electronic components with the widely deployed RGM-89 Jegan.

In UC 0096, eight ReZEL units were assigned to the Londo Bell ship Nahel Argama, including an RGZ-95C ReZEL Type C. As the Laplace Incident began to unfold that April, most of the units were destroyed in battles against the Neo Zeon and the Newtype-use mobile suit NZ-666 Kshatriya.

Three more ReZELs were among the mobile suits deployed by the Nahel Argama when the ship was attacked by Full Frontal and his MSN-06S Sinanju. Two of these ReZELs were destroyed by the Sinanju before the sudden appearance of Banagher Links and his RX-0 Unicorn Gundam.

The ReZEL continued to serve in the Federation’s mobile suit forces for years after the Laplace Incident. In U.C. 0112, three ReZELs were used as aggressor units during a mock battle to test F90E Gundam F90 Electronic Type’s capabilities. Despite being piloted by experienced pilots, the ReZELs were no match for the smaller and nimbler RGM-109 Heavyguns.

Design

The ReZEL represented a significant advancement in transformable mobile suit technology. The ReZEL inherits the MSZ-008 ZII’s concept and has a simplified transformation mechanism based on the one used in the MSA-005 Methuss. The Methuss also inspired the additional sensors on the ReZEL’s shoulders and chest.

The mobile suit featured a standard cockpit in its torso with a panoramic monitor and linear seat system. The ReZEL’s flexible transformation mechanisms were simplified by using the system created for the AEUG’s MSA-005 Methuss. This allowed the ReZEL to transform between mobile suit mode and waverider mode without the complexity that had hindered earlier transformable designs.

Thus the machine is also viewed as the first transformable mass production MS in the GM-Jegan lineage. The ReZEL was a versatile unit and could adapt to different missions by changing its backpack.

All standard ReZEL units had a thrust limiter installed. The mobile suit was powered by a Minovsky type ultracompact fusion reactor rated at 2,220 kW, with rocket thrusters providing 81,500 kg of total thrust.

Armaments

The ReZEL’s armaments included vulcan guns, a beam saber, grenade launchers, a beam rifle that doubled as a long beam saber and a shield that mounted a beam cannon.

60 mm vulcan guns

2 x 60mm vulcan gun, mounted in head. The twin vulcan guns were mounted in the ReZEL’s head and served as close-range defensive weapons against missiles and lightly armoured targets.

Grenade launchers

2 x grenade launcher, mounted on right forearm. The twin grenade launchers provided the ReZEL with explosive firepower for close-range combat situations.

Beam sabers

2 x beam saber, stored in recharge rack in left forearm, hand-carried in use. The ReZEL carried two beam sabers for melee combat, stored in recharge racks in the left forearm when not in use.

Beam rifle

The beam rifle served as the ReZEL’s primary ranged weapon. beam rifle, can emit long beam saber, mounts underneath main body in waverider mode. The weapon was notable for its dual functionality, able to emit a long beam saber for extended melee combat. A beam rifle with short barrel for ease of handling, it is most effective in mid-close range combat due to its short firing range. Although its output is reduced, it has an excellent rate of fire, and can eliminate enemy accurately during melee combat when utilize in conjunction with the composite sensor at the top of the rifle.

Shield

shield, features beam cannon, mounts on left forearm in mobile suit mode and underneath main body in waverider mode. The shield provided defensive capability and incorporated a beam cannon for additional firepower. It could be repositioned depending on the ReZEL’s current mode.

Known pilots

Pilot(s): Riddhe Marcenas, Homare, Gates

Riddhe Marcenas
Homare
Gates

Variants

Standard variants

Equipment configurations

Behind the scenes

Original mechanical designer: Hajime Katoki. The ReZEL was designed by Katoki Hajime for the Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn series. Note: Based on the RGZ-95 ReZEL from the Gundam Unicorn novels

Appearances

External links

RGZ-95 ReZEL on the Gundam Wiki
RGZ-95 ReZEL (anime version) on MAHQ