ZMT-S12G Shokew – MechaBay | Mobile Suit Victory Gundam

The ZMT-S12G Shokew was an experimental general purpose mobile suit developed by BESPA to gather data for the next generation of the Zanscare Empire’s mass production mobile suits. The Shokew was very versatile and easily to pilot, with satisfactory test results that were used to create the mass production ZM-S22S Rig Shokew.

Development and design

Following the success of the ZM-S06S Zoloat and ZM-S08G Zolo mobile suits, BESPA forces were already hard at work developing the next generation of mass production mobile suits. The experimental ZMT-S12G Shokew was developed as part of this project, intended as an all-purpose unit capable of operating well in both space and on Earth.

Although somewhat lacking in raw speed compared to many other modern mobile suits, the Shokew was developed for agility and manoeuvrability. The forehead was equipped with a pair of V-shaped blade antennas, and both eyes were equipped with a multi-sensor.

The most distinctive feature of the Shokew was its innovative beam rotor system. Mounted on the left forearm, the beam rotor was a new technology developed by BESPA based on the beam shield. It emitted several beam blades in the form of rotors that were then spun at high speed, generating a lifting phenomenon similar to that created by a Minovsky Craft system. When combined with the mobile suit’s thrusters, this allowed for improved flight.

Armament

The ZMT-S12G Shokew was equipped with a varied arsenal of weapons suitable for its experimental role.

Fixed armaments

Beam rotor/beam shield

The signature weapon of the Shokew, the beam rotor could function both as a defensive beam shield and as a lifting device for atmospheric flight. When operating in outer space, the left forearm could be fitted with a standard beam shield, replacing the beam rotor.

Beam sabers

The standard close range armament for most mobile suits, the beam sabers were powered by rechargeable energy capacitors and could cut through most armour not treated with anti-beam coating. When not in use, they were stored in the Shokew’s hips.

2-barrel beam gun

A folding beam weapon connected to the right shoulder via a universal joint. As an auxiliary weapon to the beam rifle, the beam gun had lower output and was designed for close combat use.

Optional armaments

Beam rifle

The standard ranged armament that fired particle beams capable of penetrating most armour not treated with specific counter-measures.

Operational history

Following test flights in space, the Shokew was sent to Earth for testing under full gravity under the care of BESPA’s Yellow Jacket division. The mobile suit was tested by pilot Cronicle Asher.

During its Earth testing phase, Cronicle and the Shokew were involved in the chase of League Militaire pilot Marbet Fingerhat, who was piloting the core fighter of the LM312V04 Victory Gundam. It was during this operation that the Shokew fell into the hands of civilian Uso Ewin.

After experimenting with the controls and examining the built-in manual, Uso managed to learn how to pilot the mobile suit, having had previous experience on a simulator for older model mobile suits. When Zanscare Empire forces attacked the town of Woowig, Uso took the Shokew and engaged enemy ZM-S08G Zolo units in combat.

Despite Uso’s inexperience, he managed to destroy one Zolo by piercing its cockpit with the beam saber. However, the Shokew was heavily damaged in the subsequent battle with Cronicle Asher’s personal Zolo, though Uso managed to escape with his life thanks to the escape pod. Asher took the Shokew’s remains back to base so its fight data could be retrieved.

Legacy

The Shokew proved to be a success in actual combat, and the design was soon refined and mass produced as the ZM-S22S Rig Shokew. The design would be refined and eventually mass-produced as the ZM-S22S Rig Shokew and its variant the ZM-S22SC Imperial Rig Shokew, though there were numerous and significant differences between the Shokew and its descendants.

Known pilots

Cronicle Asher - The Zanscare Empire ace pilot who conducted the Earth-based testing of the Shokew prototype.
Uso Ewin - The civilian who hijacked the Shokew during its testing phase and used it to defend the town of Woowig against Zanscare Empire forces.

Variants

The ZMT-S12G Shokew had one known variant configuration. When operating in space, the mobile suit could be equipped with a standard beam shield in place of the beam rotor, though this was considered the standard configuration rather than a true variant.

Behind the scenes

The ZMT-S12G Shokew was designed by Ishigaki Junya for Mobile Suit Victory Gundam. The mobile suit first appeared in episode 4 of the series, where it was hijacked by protagonist Uso Ewin and used against Zanscare Empire forces. The Shokew’s role as Uso’s first mobile suit made it significant to the series’ early development.

The beam rotor system represented a unique technological concept that combined defensive and flight capabilities, distinguishing it from traditional beam shields used by other mobile suits in the Universal Century timeline.

The Shokew received a Real Grade 1/100 scale model kit from Bandai as a Premium Bandai exclusive release in 2020, featuring the experimental beam rotor shield and various weapons with swappable camera eyes.

Appearances

Anime

Mobile Suit Victory Gundam - Episodes 4-6

Video games

Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. 2
SD Gundam G Generation series
Mobile Suit Gundam UC ENGAGE

Model kits

RE/100 ZMT-S12G Shokew (Premium Bandai exclusive)

External links

ZMT-S12G Shokew on MAHQ
ZMT-S12G Shokew on the Gundam Wiki