YMS-15 Gyan

The YMS-15 Gyan was a prototype close combat mobile suit developed by Zimmad for the Principality of Zeon.

The “Y” in the type code denoted that it was a prototype, and the “MS” indicated it was a mobile suit. The “15” model number signified it was the fifteenth design of the type.

History

The Principality of Zeon developed the YMS-15 Gyan in the late stages of the One Year War. As Zeonic made progress with its experimental MS-14 Gelgoog, Zimmad responded by developing the Gyan as a potential successor to the MS-06F Zaku II.

Only three Gyan units were produced. Lieutenant Colonel M’Quve oversaw the development and piloted one unit as his personal mobile suit. He deployed it at Texas Colony in Side 5 where he engaged the RX-78-2 Gundam in combat. The Gyan was destroyed in the ensuing battle, along with its pilot.

The Zeon military ultimately chose the Gelgoog for mass production due to its superior versatility in both ranged and melee combat, ending the Gyan project. However, the Gyan’s basic design concepts later influenced the development of the AMX-104 R-Jarja used by Neo Zeon in UC 0088.

Design

The Gyan was designed to complement the successful long-range capabilities of the MS-09R Rick Dom. It excelled in close combat, with its arms and hands specifically tuned for melee fighting. The mobile suit featured a distinctive medieval knight aesthetic, complete with a Pickelhaube-style head design.

A key innovation was the fluid pulse accelerator in its pelvis, which stored excess reactor pressure and transmitted it to the actuators when needed. This system prevented reactor backlash and improved the Gyan’s responsiveness, particularly in movements similar to fencing footwork.

While its reactor output was insufficient for a beam rifle, it adequately powered the Gyan’s beam saber and other systems. The mobile suit’s focus on close combat resulted in excellent mobility but limited its versatility in general combat situations.

Armaments

The Gyan’s standard weapons were a beam saber for melee combat and a missile shield that combined offensive and defensive capabilities.

Beam saber

The Gyan carried a high-output beam saber specialized for piercing attacks rather than slashing. Despite Zeon’s general lag in beam weapon development, this saber had higher output than standard Federation 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, allowing the blade to cut through almost any material.

Missile shield

The Gyan’s circular shield served both defensive and offensive purposes. While it could defend against beam weapons, its defensive capabilities were somewhat compromised by the integration of weapon systems.

The shield contained 60 needle missiles around its outer rim, which could disable enemy mobile suits by targeting their joints. It also stored 25 hide bombs in its center section, which could be deployed as floating mines.

Known pilots

• M’Quve

Behind the scenes

Okawara Kunio was the original mechanical designer.

The name “Gyan” was chosen after the initial proposal to name it “Hakuji” was rejected.

The Gyan was one of the first mobile suits to incorporate weapon systems into its shield, a design feature that became common in later mobile suits.

Variants

• MS-15A Gyan Mass Production Type
• MS-15B Gyan High Mobility Type
• MS-15C Gyan Cannon
• MS-15F Gyan Marine
• MS-15K Gyan Kai

Appearances

• Mobile Suit Gundam
• Char’s Deleted Affair: Portrait of Young Comet
• Mobile Suit Gundam: Federation vs Zeon DX
• Mobile Suit Gundam: Encounters in Space
• Mobile Suit Gundam Ex Revue
• Gundam Evolve
• Mobile Suit Gundam: Pilot’s Locus
• Mobile Suit Gundam: Bonds of the Battlefield
• Mobile Suit Gundam Battlefield Record UC 0081
• Mobile Suit Gundam AGE: Universe Accel

External links

• YMS-15 Gyan on the Gundam Wiki
• YMS-15 Gyan on MAHQ