Mecha Analysis: Gundam Build Fighters Try Episode 9

Previously on Mecha Analysis
Gundam G no Reconguista Episode 10
Gundam Build Fighters Try Episode 8

Today on Mecha Analysis, we look at episode 9 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 9
“Pull out all the stops, FIGHT!” The writers definitely did not hold back on the minor league finals here in this episode.  Fighting to the very last thread of existence, no cost seemed too big for each participant in this battle! If the series ended on a battle like this, I would not be disappointed. There is so much to talk about in terms of what each team did with their Gunpla: Let us not delay any further!
When I see this 3v3 match and the split, I can only think of a typical match of League of Legends on Riot Games’ 3v3 battle field, Twisted Treeline.

With two lanes on this haunted field, each team usually splits 2:1 with one maybe hanging in the in-between “jungle” area. Though players are to stick to a designated lane, roaming happens more frequently than the typical 5v5 match on Summoner’s Rift. In this Gunpla battle, we see team Fumina/Sekai ward off the opponents and exit their “lane” to meet up with Yuuma on the outside battlefield. In summary Fumina and Sekai went to gank Vel’Koz the Mega Shiki (of course, because they were not very discreet about their roaming tactics, the opposing team also gathers up).

G-Master

According to Sakai, the Mega Shiki was not created to oppose Lightning Gundam: only pure coincidence that both motive and action coincide with each other. That said, it seems to be the perfect match for Yuuma  - distance fighter with speed capabilities.

The Mega Ride Launcher that is stowed on Mega Shiki’s back looks like a scaled down version of the Mega Rider from Gundam ZZ, but functions more like Lt. Quattro’s Mega Bazooka Launcher from Zeta Gundam. We even see Mega Shiki get towed in a way similar to how Lt. Quattro would catch the Mega Bazooka Launcher.

I have become a big fan of the Mega Shiki design and if I do not pick up the Mega Shiki, I will definitely pick up the HGBC Mega Ride Launcher for another kit.

G Fighter is technically superior to the Build Burning Gundam in every way. The close quarter combat ability combined with its long ranged armaments make him a formidable foe no matter the situation. One special feature we get to see in this episode is G Fighter's normal ability to stow Gundam Parts inside itself used to combine with the remains of V Gundam as a freakish fighter.

V Gundam, though takes center stage, after combining with G Fighter,  basically acts as the fire watch - does nothing but observe the battle between G Fighter and Build Burning Gundam. I was hoping to see more sword play from the Sword Impulse wielding Victory.

Team Try-Hards

We finally see this team work together even if it was out of desperation rather than intentional tactics. A few subtle but key features are displayed by team Try Fighters in the minor’s final.

Though Yuuma basically gets wrecked (rect?) early on, he can still support Sekai using the Back Weapon System as a Waverider. This is key because if Yuuma decides he feels safe sniping from his location, he can detach the Waverider to give Sekai a boost into fighting range. Also, Fumina’s core fighter can be used as a secondary Winning Knuckle. I am not sure if this was planned or if Fumina was thinking on the fly. Whatever the case, a form of teamwork was shown in this match, even if it was out of desperation rather than strategy. I hope these make-shift tactics will translate to decisive tactics later on.

Nothing really new from Build Burning: Sekai’s determination causes Build Burning Gundam to glow orange. This is the first time we’ve seen it since episode 1, and this is the first time we really see it in action. I wonder how many more times we will see this crazy fueled-by-passion flame from Build Burning.

Overall a great way to end the little leagues. Now its time for team Try Fighters to enter the nationals. Will we see a mass reprise of old characters? Will we see more opportunities for Bandai to sell us their model kits? Only time will tell. See you in the next Mecha Analysis!