Mecha Analysis: Gundam Build Fighters Try Episode 5

Previously on Mecha Analysis
Gundam G no Reconguista Episode 6
Gundam Build Fighters Try Episode 4

Today on Mecha Analysis, we look at episode 5 of Gundam Build Fighters Try.
Something to keep in mind when looking at the Gunpla: Returning from Gundam Build Fighters, the ones responsible for mechanical design of Gundam Build Fighters Try are as follows,

• Kunio Okawara: THE Gundam designer, designing the original RX-78-2, and Zaku II along with many designs through the years. He's had his hand in Zeta, ZZ, 0080, F90, F91, 0083, Victory, G Gundam, 08th, Wing, X, Turn A, SEED, 00, Unicorn, and many other non-Gundam anime. Holy crap this list is long.
• Not much is said about Junichi Akutsu, Junya Ishigaki, and Kenji Teraoka.
• Kanetake Ebikawa, though has been working as a mechanical designer since the late 90s with anime like Blue Submarine No.6 and Full Metal Panic!, did not start designing for the Gundam franchise until 2007 with Mobile Suit Gundam 00. Other notable works include Gunpla Builders Beginning G, Gundam AGE, and Euerka Seven: AO.

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Episode 5
With every team member gaining new resolve, this episode serves to show that resolve by showing of the fruits of their hard work as a result of each individual's desire to win in their own way.

Gouf R35

In light of Masashi Hirose's illness, I decided to do a little digging on the voice actor of Ral-san. Apparently he was also the voice of the original Ramba Ral, Baresto Rosita (08th MS Team, leader of the guerrilla faction), and Professor Tange (Honey and Clover, one of my favorite characters) to name a few. He fell ill in September this year (reasons not revealed to the public). Here's to wishing him a swift recovery.

Ral-san's voice aside, it seems the Gouf will serve as a meter of performance: if one can make him flinch, he/she must be powerful. On a side note, is it just me, or is that Gouf R35 a CG rendered model?

Mega Shiki

The Osaka boy returns with his latest commission project, Mega Shiki. Unfortunately, besides the quality of the build, no other features are talked about in this episode. Hopefully more to come soon rather than later.

Team Gaia Dragon

The faceless team from Miyazono High School has a team composition of GN-X variations: GN-X LD, GN-X Wave, and Strum GN-X. The face off Team Try Fighters in a match made to show off everyone's new resolve. Sorry Gaia Dragon, nameless enemies will remain nameless.

Team Angel Fish

This is the second time we see this group. This time we get a team name: Chusui Middle School's Angel Fish. Apparently the swim team has the best Gunpla Battlers of all the students at Chusui. Will we see this group pilot more than a Zock, Z'gok and Gogg? Only time will tell...

Team Try-Hards

 

Oh look, upgrades! Team Try Fighters have been hard at work improving their Gunpla and skills. In this episode, we get to see the three of them show their resolve as individuals. Unfortunately the team does not work as a team: Shot-caller Fumina is ignored by Yuuma, who underestimates Sekai's skill resulting in three 1v1 matches. A pretty lame show of skills as Team Try Fighters if you ask me.

Despite the lack of teamwork, we see the new abilities of each mobile suit as a result. Yuuma's Lightning Gundam, with the Back Weapon System, is able to maintain pinpoint accuracy with its new Waverider mode. An additional feature with the new Back Weapon System is more armaments. Prior to this upgrade, all Yuuma used were the head vulcans and his signature long distance beam rifle. This time we see Yuuma use rockets.

Not much is seen beyond these two abilities, though Yuuma's already shown off much more than he has in the past 4 episodes.

After Lightning Gundam transformed into its flight mode, it was strange to see two flight modes on the same team. Fumina's new Gunpla, Winning Gundam is said to be an original, based-on-nothing design. Though while she's building, you can see two boxes next to her.

The top box is clearly SD Legend BB Strike Ryubi Gundam, but the box under it is a little harder to figure out. I know its HGUC (the gold band is a dead giveaway) and I want to say its the Zaku III Custom, but I cannot say for sure. Whatever the case, I'm just going to believe the writers and say Winning Gundam is based on no previous designs.

Double Flight mode action apparently does not stay around long enough to see some dynamic duo action because Fumina transforms Winning Gundam to its mobile suit form and shoots the second GN-X (while the pilot willingly accepts the attack and blows up). Like Lightning Gundam, Fumina's Winning Gundam does not show much in this episode.

Sekai figured out how to fight in space, and there was much rejoicing.

Attack of the Week: Ryusei Rasen-Ken

Stargazer Gundam

I wanted to put this in the cameo group since it was a flashback, but the character is more significant that originally intended. She is seen wearing the iconic Meijin shades standing next to Tatsuya Yuuki, the Meijin of the previous season. I wonder if she will continue using Stargazer.

Cameo(s) of the Week

A few more cameos show up in the tournament scene: someone's got to be cannon fodder.

Hang in there little guy!

The more significant, but soon to be destroyed Team Cross Swords make a grand entrance.

Only cool can come from a team like Sandrock, Spiegel, and Noir, but without faces or names, they're mere cannon fodder. Hopefully their demise is a little more dignified than Team Gaia Dragon.

This show is building up nicely. I think I'll start a list of Sekai's attacks to see how many different attacks he will do before he repeats any (if he hasn't already). That wrap things up here, see you tomorrow evening for G no Reconguista. Once again, I hope Masashi Hirose is okay.