Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn

Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn
Cover of volume one of Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn light novel series
機動戦士ガンダムUC(ユニコーン) (Kidō Senshi Gandamu Yunikōn)
Genre	Drama, Mecha, Action, Military, Cyberpunk
Serial novel
Written by	Harutoshi Fukui
Published by	Kadokawa Shoten
Demographic	Seinen
Magazine	Gundam Ace
Original run	February 2007 – August 2009
Volumes	10 + 1 Extra Chapter
Manga
Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn: Bande Dessinée
Written by	Harutoshi Fukui
Published by	Kadokawa Shoten
Demographic	Seinen
Magazine	Gundam Ace
Original run	March 2010 – present
Volumes	12
Original video animation
Directed by	Kazuhiro Furuhashi
Written by	Yasuyuki Muto
Music by	Hiroyuki Sawano
Studio	Sunrise
Licensed by	‹See Tfd› ^NA Sunrise
Released	March 12, 2010 – June 6, 2014
Runtime	50−90 minutes (each)
Episodes	7
Anime television series
Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn RE:0096
Directed by	Kazuhiro Furuhashi
Written by	Yasuyuki Muto
Music by	Hiroyuki Sawano
Studio	Sunrise
Licensed by	‹See Tfd› ^NA Sunrise
Network	TV Asahi
English network	‹See Tfd› ^US Adult Swim (Toonami)
Original run	April 3, 2016 – September 11, 2016
Episodes	22

Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn (Japanese: 機動戦士ガンダムUC(ユニコーン) Hepburn: Kidō Senshi Gandamu Yunikōn) is a novel by popular Japanese author Harutoshi Fukui (Shūsen no Lorelei, Bōkoku no Aegis, Samurai Commando: Mission 1549). The novel takes place in Gundam's Universal Century timeline. Character and mechanical designs are provided by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko and Hajime Katoki, respectively.

An anime adaptation was produced by Sunrise as a seven-episode original video animation series and released between March 12, 2010 and June 6, 2014 on DVD and Blu-ray Disc. It was directed by Kazuhiro Furuhashi. A television rebroadcast of the anime adaptation titled Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn RE:0096 began airing on April 3, 2016, replacing Brave Beats, and becoming the first Gundam series to air on TV Asahi since After War Gundam X which ended in 1996.^[1]

Plot

The series begins in U.C. 0001, at the very beginning of human space colonization, when a space colony called Laplace is destroyed during a ceremony hosted by the Federation's Prime Minister ushering in the Universal Century dating system. The main story takes place in UC 0096, sixteen years after the end of the One Year War, three years after the events of Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack, and 27 years before Mobile Suit Gundam F91.

The story revolves around Banagher Links, a seemingly normal boy living and going to school in the space colonies. His life changes one day when he meets a girl named Audrey Burne, as the encounter brings him into contact with a new Gundam and its connections to an item called "Laplace's Box."

Media

Novel

No.	Title	Release date	ISBN
01	"Day of the Unicorn (Part 1)" Yunikōn no Hi (Jō) ("ユニコーンの日(上)")	September 26, 2007	ISBN 978-4-04-713969-5
02	"Day of the Unicorn (Part 2)" Yunikōn no Hi (Ge) ("ユニコーンの日(下) ")	September 26, 2007	ISBN 978-4-04-713970-1
03	"The Red Comet" Akai Suisei ("赤い彗星")	December 26, 2007	ISBN 978-4-04-715003-4
04	"Palau Capture Battle" Parao Kōryaku Sen ("パラオ攻略戦")	April 26, 2008	ISBN 978-4-04-715060-7
05	"The Ghost of Laplace"[2] Rapurasu no Bōrei ("ラプラスの亡霊")	July 26, 2008	ISBN 978-4-04-715084-3
06	"In the Depths of a Gravity Well" Jūryoku no Ido no Soko de ("重力の井戸の底で")	October 25, 2008	ISBN 978-4-04-715112-3
07	"Black Unicorn" Kuroi Yunikōn ("黒いユニコーン")	December 26, 2008	ISBN 978-4-04-715143-7
08	"The Sky and the Stars" Sora to Hoshi to ("宇宙と惑星と")	April 25, 2009	ISBN 978-4-04-715229-8
09	"Over the Rainbow (Part 1)" Niji no Kanata ni (Jō) ("虹の彼方に(上)")	August 26, 2009	ISBN 978-4-04-715286-1
10	"Over the Rainbow (Part 2)" Niji no Kanata ni (Ge) ("虹の彼方に(下)")	August 26, 2009	ISBN 978-4-04-715287-8
11	"Phoenix Hunting"[3] Fushichō kari ("不死鳥狩り")	March 26, 2015	ISBN 978-4-04-103921-2

Fukui also wrote a prequel novel, which was bundled with the PlayStation 3 game's Special Edition released on March 8, 2012. Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn - The Postwar War (機動戦士ガンダムUC(ユニコーン) 戦後の戦争 Kidō Senshi Gandamu Yunikōn Sengo no Sensō) contains an all-new story set two years before the events of the first episode. It deals with Full Frontal's origins and how the Neo Zeon stole the Sinanju. Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn - Phoenix Hunting (機動戦士ガンダムUC(ユニコーン) 不死鳥狩り Kidō Senshi Gandamu Yunikōn Fushichō kari) was originally included with Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn GREAT WORKS III episode 7, a collection of storyboards, artworks and interviews released on June 23, 2015, and revolved around Operation Phoenix Hunting, a top secret mission carried out by a Federation garrison just before the last battle between the Nahel Argama and the Neo Zeon forces.

Both books were compiled into the 11th volume, released in March 26, 2016, the first of a series of short stories that take place around that point of the Universal Century.^[4]

Manga

A manga adaptation titled Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn Bande Dessinée (機動戦士ガンダムUC(ユニコーン)バンデシネ Kidō Senshi Gandamu Yunikōn Bandeshine) started serialization in Kadokawa Shoten's Gundam Ace in early 2010. The manga is written by Fukui Harutoshi and illustrated by Kouzou Oomori. Its first tankōbon volume was released on July 26, 2010.^[5]

Anime

In the June 2009 issue^[6] of the Japanese monthly manga magazine Gundam Ace, it was announced that an anime adaptation of Gundam Unicorn was green-lit for late 2009 and later moved to spring 2010. It is directed by Kazuhiro Furuhashi and features screenplays written by Yasuyuki Muto. Hajime Katoki, who was the mechanical designer for the novel, works on the anime alongside veteran designers Junya Ishigaki and Mika Akitaka, and newcomer Nobuhiko Genba. Yoshikazu Yasuhiko's character designs were adapted for the series Kumiko Takahashi, and the music is composed by Hiroyuki Sawano.^[7] It was planned to be six 50-minute episodes^[8] with a worldwide release.^[9] However, on May 13, 2012, Bandai announced that the storyline will wrap up with a seventh episode.^[10] The series premiered on PlayStation Network Japan for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable systems on February 20, 2010. The Blu-ray Disc edition was released simultaneously worldwide on March 12, 2010, featuring both Japanese and English audio and subtitles in five languages (Japanese, English, French, Spanish and Chinese).^[11] Bandai Entertainment released the first four episodes of Unicorn on DVD before shutting down in 2012. Sunrise released the OVA series on DVD in North America in four volumes with distribution from Right Stuf Inc. beginning in August 2013.^[12]

A television rebroadcast of the anime titled Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn RE:0096 was announced by Sunrise on February 21, 2016 and began airing on April 3, 2016 in Japan on TV Asahi and other networks, replacing Brave Beats. The series ran for 22 episodes and ended on September 11, 2016. This is the first Gundam series to air on TV Asahi since After War Gundam X which ended in 1996. The rebroadcast features new animated footage and next episode previews narrated by Shuichi Ikeda as his Full Frontal character, as well as a new opening and two new ending themes all composed by Hiroyuki Sawano, the first opening theme titled "Into the Sky" is performed by SawanoHiroyuki[nZk]:Tielle, the first ending theme titled "Next 2U -eUC-" is performed by SawanoHiroyuki[nZk]:naNami and the second ending theme titled "bL∞dy f8 -eUC-" is performed by SawanoHiroyuki[nZk]:Aimer.^[1]

Video games

The RX-0 Unicorn Gundam is one of the playable secret mobile suits in Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Gundam Next. For the PlayStation Portable port Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Gundam Next Plus, the Unicorn is joined by the NZ-666 Kshatriya. The Unicorn is part of Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 3,^[13] along with the Sinanju and Kshatriya (DLC only). The Gundam UC is a playable story mode in Dynasty Warriors: Gundam Reborn where you can play as Unicorn Gundam, Sinanju, Banshee, Kshatriya, Delta Plus, Geara Zulu (Angelo), Geara Zulu and the Unicorn Gundam Full Armor is playable as DLC. The Unicorn, Kshatriya, Sinanju, and the Delta Plus are the initial UC units included in the arcade game Mobile Suit Gundam: Extreme Vs.,^[14] and were later supplemented by the Banshee and Rozen Zulu, then again by the Full Armor Unicorn and the Banshee Norn. In Extreme Vs. Force, the Neo Zeong appears as a boss unit. In the Wii and PlayStation Portable Game "SD Gundam G Generation World," the Unicorn Gundam, Kshatriya, Sinanju, Delta Plus, Loto, Rezel, the Jegan units and Geara Zulu (including Angelo Sauper's custom) are playable units. In SD Overworld, units from episode 4 and 5 are now included with some units from the PS3 game, such as Gundam Delta Kai, Delta Gundam and the Sinanju Stein. This suit is also in SD Gundam Online.

An action game based on the first three episodes of the anime adaptation was developed by From Software and was published by Namco Bandai on March 8, 2012 in Japan.^[15][16]

Toys/Models

The first models to come from the series were the 1/100 Master Grade "Ver. Ka" (Ka stands for series mecha designer Hajime Katoki) kits of the Sinanju and the Unicorn in 2009, which were followed up with the Full Armor Unicorn in December 2011, the online exclusive Unicorn Banshee "Final Battle" version in March 2012, and the Sinanju Stein in February 2013. All four kits appear as depicted in the novels. A 1/100 Sinanju rocket bazooka is packaged with the eighth issue in the novel series while a 1/100 Armed Armor DE is a free item for the eighth Bande Dessinee volume. The company also produced all of the OVA series' mobile suits (plus the UC MS Variations and Bande Dessinee manga series) in its HGUC line of 1/144 model kits (including the Base Jabber transports); some are special glitterized or colored transparent-plastic kits marketed as online exclusives or as "Theater Limited" items (sold at select moviehouses on the day of an episode screening). The prizes for Bandai's Gunpla mid-year 2014 campaign include clear-plastic HGUC versions of the Unicorn and Banshee (both in Destroy Mode), the Full-Armor Unicorn, Sinanju, Delta Plus, and the Kshatriya. The line also includes the biggest HGUC kit yet - the Neo-Zeong, which stands 86 centimeters high and 50 cm wide, and includes a free Sinanju kit.^[17] A Real Grade version of the Sinanju was later revealed in 2016 Shizuoka Hobby Show and be fully released on August 2016.

A number of the kits are also available as Master Grade and B-Club models, with the MG 1/100 Unicorn Gundam also sold in a "HD" version featuring its hangar cage. Several UC kits in the two lines have Titanium Finish (metallic) versions. The Phenex was first sold at Gundam Front Tokyo in 1/144 scale as part of the promotions for One of Seventy-Two; the initial casting was criticized, but a Master Grade version of the unit was released in February 2014 as a gold cast model. A proper gold-coat and crystal-cast version of the 1/144 Phenex was sold at the store. A 1/144 Destroy Mode Unicorn was also released in limited numbers as part of the ANA Gundam Sky Project in April 2011.^[18]

The Gundam Fix Figuration line also has versions of the standard and Full-Armor Unicorn, and ReZEL, and metal composite Unicorns. Certain issues of Gundam UC Ace magazine also offer free weapon kits.

The series' appearance in the Robot Spirits line of action figures began with the release of the normal mode Unicorn in November 2009, followed by its Destroy Mode version, the Geara Zulu, the Stark Jegan, the Sinanju (as appeared in Episode 2 and 3; a second version released in January 2014, features a rocket bazooka, brighter red color scheme, and a burnt head.), Angelo Sauper's Geara Zulu, and the Destroy Mode and Norn versions of the Banshee. Bandai's Tamashii Shouten online-exclusive shop carries the Elite Guard Geara Zulu, which was released in February 2011, a Destroy Mode Unicorn with glittering psycoframe ^[19] that can be mated with a special lighting stage.^[20] A Destroy Mode Unicorn with green glittering psycoframe as depicted in Episode 5 was released in 2013 with its own lighting stage. Katoki also joined forces with Bandai to create Robot Spirits versions of the Byarlant Custom, Yonem Kirks' Zaku I Sniper, and the Guncannon Detector as online exclusives under the "Ka Signature" collection.^[21] The Detector is also available in the red livery of the AEUG's Karaba terrestrial forces, plus the ARX-014 Silver Bullet.

Some units in the series are also available in the Assault Kingdom line of small poseable action figures.

Cross-promotion

In summer 2016, Sunrise partnered with 20th Century Fox on a Japanese cross-promotion deal involving Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn and Independence Day: Resurgence. One Japanese theatrical poster put the Gundam Unicorn in the place of the Statue of Liberty aiming at a Harvester mothership, while another featured Banagher and Full Frontal alongside Independence Day characters such as former President Tom Whitmore (Bill Pullman) and Dylan Dubrow-Hiller (Jessie Usher).^[22][23]

The collaboration earned praise from Hirotoshi Fukui, who was quoted in Anime News Network as saying, "Our two works are connected like soul brothers by the theme of humanity's indomitable spirit pushing despair aside. The enemy this time may be reeeeally big, but humans won't lose! The Unicorn Gundam will help too! (In our hearts.)"

Reception

The seventh OVA episod of Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn has grossed ¥308 million at the Japanese box office.^[24]

Anime News Network's Richard Winters gave the first volume an overall rating of 'A', praising the "crisp visuals" and "emotional characters" while warning the "casual observer" of the large amount of onscreen character death. He said "the animation is nothing short of incredible" and "for once the transformation sequences of the variable types do not rely on parts being able to magically detach and re attach".^[25]

References

1. "Gundam UC Anime Gets TV Broadcast With New Opening, Ending Themes (Updated)". Anime News Network. February 21, 2016. Retrieved February 21, 2016.
2. http://www.gundam-unicorn.net/en/world/index.html
3. "2つの短編ストーリーを収録した小説最新巻「機動戦士ガンダムUC（11）不死鳥狩り」3月26日発売！". Retrieved 2 December 2016.
4. Gundam.info (April 16, 2016). "2つの短編ストーリーを収録した小説最新巻「機動戦士ガンダムUC（11）不死鳥狩り」3月26日発売！". Gundam.info. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
5. "機動戦士ガンダムUC バンデシネ (1)" (in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten. Retrieved February 25, 2013.
6. Published in April, 2009
7. "Gundam Unicorn Anime Officially Announced (Updated)". Anime News Network. 2009-04-22. Retrieved 2009-04-27.
8. "Gundam U.C. to Be 6 50-Minute OVAs". Anime News Network. 2009-08-21. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
9. "Report: Gundam Unicorn Planned for Simultaneous World Release". Anime News Network. 2009-04-27. Retrieved 2009-04-28.
10. "Report: Gundam Unicorn Seventh episode". Anime News Network. 2012-05-13. Retrieved 2012-05-13.
11. "Gundam Unicorn to Have English Dub, 5-Language Subs (Updated)". October 22, 2009. Retrieved February 23, 2010.
12. "Right Stuf to Release Gundam UC Series on DVD". Anime News Network. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
13. http://gundam-musou3.jp/
14. "【ポータル】機動戦士ガンダム エクストリームバーサス シリーズ". Retrieved 2 December 2016.
15. Famitsu (November 10, 2011). "『機動戦士ガンダムUC』がプレイステーション3でゲーム化！". Famitsu. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
16. Anoop Gantayat (November 9, 2011). "More Details on From's Gundam UC PS3 Conversion". Andriasang.com. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
17. "1/144 HGUC NZ-999 Neo Zeong". Retrieved 2 December 2016.
18. http://www.gundammodelkits.com/ana-x-gundam-sky-project-hguc-1144-ana-unicorn-gundam-destroy-mode.html
19. "ROBOT魂 <SIDE MS> ユニコーンガンダム（サイコフレーム発光仕様） - 魂ウェブ". Retrieved 2 December 2016.
20. "ROBOT魂 <SIDE MS> ユニコーンガンダム（サイコフレーム発光仕様）GLOWING STAGEセット - 魂ウェブ". Retrieved 2 December 2016.
21. Hobby Japan, January 2012
22. Stimson, Eric (20 June 2016). "Gundam Unicorn Replaces the Statue of Liberty on Japanese Independence Day: Resurgence Poster". Anime News Network. Retrieved 24 June 2016.
23. Stimson, Eric (23 June 2016). "Gundam Unicorn Joins the Fray in Independence Day: Resurgence Trailer". Anime News Network. Retrieved 24 June 2016.
24. Kevin Ma (27 May 2014). "Bolt From the Blue top local film in Japan". Film Business Asia. Archived from the original on 7 October 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
25. Richard Winters (10 June 2011). "Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn Vol. 1 DVD". Retrieved 12 November 2014.

External links

• Official Websites: Novel, Anime (Japanese), Anime (English)
• Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn (OVA) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia