Mecha Analysis: Gundam Build Fighters Try Episode 16

Previously on Mecha Analysis
Gundam G no Reconguista Episode 17
Gundam Build Fighters Try Episode 15

Today on Mecha Analysis, we look at episode 16 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 16
If this episode was focused on Gundam Tryon 3 as the "main stage event," I would have been pretty satisfied. However, it seems we're still on the antagonist introduction phase. We get to see the introduction of G-Portent along with the teased Tryon 3.

Vagan Gear K

How unfortunate! The first Gundam AGE mech to be seen is considered cannon fodder for the G-Portent. This version of Vagan Gear does not seem modified beyond the color scheme. After using a volley of Dark Feathers (Feather Missiles), and Beam Cannons, the Vagan Gear K uses a special attack not seen on the Gundam AGE version - It's labeled "Special Weapon."

The man that everyone seems to not know is swiftly defeated. Will people continue to ask who he is or will he disappear as a character all together? Personally I want him to disappear - he was not interesting from the get-go.

G-Portent

The mobile suit of the week - G-Portent! Another Gunpla based on Gundam 00? Can the designers be any less creative? Besides that fact, Shia was definitely holding back. In fact, the whole team was holding back! We see G-Portent's beam...ribbon(?) and we also see her ability to manipulate the Plavsky Particles, but we don't see many attacks from her.

One interesting ability is the use of the GN Field, a GN particle shield that was iconic of Gundam Virtue. A part of me wishes Shia customized a Gunpla based closer to Virtue. Why not have a girl pilot something super bulky?

The mystery and power from this one mobile suit! How will Team Celestial Sphere incorporate her into their tactics? Or will they be winning merely by standing in the field? Overall I'm not impressed with the design of Celestial Sphere. For a main antagonist team, they're quite uninspiring.

Gundam Tryon 3

It's a Gundam! It's a Super Robot! It's a Super Gundam! This Pillow Pet of a mech is a great combination of mechs seen in super robot anime of the 80s and 90s, yet stays true to the base kit, Gundam ZZ. The transformation/combination of the animal trio did not seem too convincing (as in if I could see this transformation in toy form), however, the fun nature of Sakai's creation is definitely makes up for it.

Attacks include Armed Boosters,

...Liger Gaze,

...and Heat Wing all yelled out like a proper Super Robot anime! If this monstrosity becomes a kit, I think I might have to pick it up purely for how ridiculous it is in the anime and as a concept in general.

Overall I am happy with the introductions of each antagonist, and Sakai's character is definitely growing on me. Hopefully the fated match between Build Busters and Try Fighters is an epic one! I'd write a little more about my thoughts, but its time to shovel myself out of the Blizzard and get to work! I'll catch you all tomorrow!