11.12.2014

Mecha Analysis: Gundam Build Fighters Try Episode 6


Previously on Mecha Analysis
Gundam G no Reconguista Episode 7
Gundam Build Fighters Try Episode 5

Today on Mecha Analysis, we look at episode 6 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.

Episode 6
We are show, in this episode, the true power of Winning Gundam. Is it Fumina's final form? I guess we'll have to see as the show goes on.

Team Song Dynasty Vase

We get to see the return of the St. Odessa team with Gyanko's R-Gyagya and the Future Century duo. Besides being  reoccurring side characters, could this team be used to display good team coordination (in contrast to Team Try Fighters)? Who knows, who cares, Gyanko does it for Sekai!

Team Try-Hards
Fumina introduces to her teammates the secret power of Winning Gundam. In the previous episode, we see Winning Gundam's ability to transform from a flight mode to mobile suit mode by breaking apart and reassembling. In this episode, we see that the parts can also be used to upgrade her teammates.


On top of this power, Fumina also tries to coordinate some team synergy by developing the tactic she calls "Winning Road."


This is the beginning of the Try Fighters finally working as a team. Hopefully Yuuma and Sekai can put their differences aside and coordinate!

Attack of the week: Shippu-Zuki, a repeated attack from episode 1. This time with the Winning Knuckle attachment.

Team SRSC

The team of the Seiren Metropolitan Technical College apparently gathers intelligence to gain a tactical advantage and changes Gunpla every match as to eliminate any intelligence the opponent may have. In this match, SRSC use three variations of the Ez8, all of them named Ez-SR. 


Unit 3 is equipped with a EWAC system, capable of scoping the battlefield. It continues the intelligence motif with its jamming system and wired communication system. Though a majority of Unit 3's equipment is for recon, it is also equipped with a beam rifle so Okamoto can participate in the fight.


Unit 2 is equipped with heavy weapons - a missile pod and Ground Gundam's cannon - over-the-shoulder back mounted. Though Nishikawa is not very flashy in action, Unit 2 stays hidden with an optical camouflage cloak to ambush unsuspecting opponents. Thinking about it, would Sekai suspect a flank if Unit 2 was colored pink and running straight for him?


Unit 1, naturally the leader and shot caller, specializes in mid to close range combat. His main mid-range weapon is a cut-off beam rifle and his main close-ranged weapon is a set of Taser knuckles.


I was expecting a fight on the level of Kampfer vs GM Sniper K9, but with so much time used earlier in the episode to set up the weight of opposition and introduce the concept of Winning Road, there was a lot less time for the fight - it was wrapped up before there was time to build tension. Nevertheless, I've already set my mind on obtaining at least one Ez-SR. The suits are too cool! Too bad we won't see them in the show again. Even if we see team SRSC, we'll probably see them with a brand new set of mobile suits.
One other thing that sticks out to me - Ishibashi is "an overseas-trained ace of the Nautical Department." Is that indirectly calling him a salty pirate? Will we see him fighting on the Grand Line? Sorry, One Piece overload yesterday.

Cameo(s) of the Week

Is that the Torrington Base training grounds (0083: Stardust Memory)? Either way, no cameos really stood out to me this episode.

That does it for Build Fighters Try-Hards this week, see you tomorrow for another installment of Mecha Analysis!

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