The design of the MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam

[Arbiter GUNDAM]

I was just wondering about the head of the Zeta Gundam. It's design aesthetic, particularly the face, isn't often seen with other Gundams. I was just wondering why that is.

[Hyakushiki]

My guess would be that because the Zeta wasn't originally designed as a Gundam may have something to do with it.

[J-Lead]

Are you looking for an in-universe or out-of-universe explanation?

[HalfDemonInuyasha]

Hyakushiki has it mostly right.

The Zeta Gundam is the final, successful, prototype model after the Hyaku Shiki. The Zeta Gundam's head is pretty much what the Hyaku Shiki's is (used in the Prototype Zeta Gundam X1, which was deemed the best one), but colored differently and with the Gundam V-fin on its forehead. If anything, the Hyaku Shiki, in ways, is pretty much a non-transformable Zeta Gundam (not being able to handle the transformation systems).

[Arbiter GUNDAM]

Are you looking for an in-universe or out-of-universe explanation?

Both please, thanks.

[J-Lead]

As for an in-universe explanation, Hyakushiki and HalfDemonInuyasha have it down. As for an out-of-universe one, I would say that it's probably because Kazumi Fujita designed it himself rather than Okawara, who only helped with the transformation system. The MSF-007 Gundam MK III (one of Fujita's famous designs) shares similar facial features with the Zeta, so I'd just attribute the Zeta's head design to Fujita's own creative taste.

[Oruma]

supposingly the Zeta doesn't look like the Gundam (as in, RX-78 or RX-178) because Quattro doesn't like the "Gundam face", and thus influenced the design.

of course this is more likely a joke explanation

[Dark Duel]

supposingly the Zeta doesn't look like the Gundam (as in, RX-78 or RX-178) because Quattro doesn't like the "Gundam face", and thus influenced the design.

of course this is more likely a joke explanation

IIRC, wasn't that joke about the Rick Dias and not the Zeta?

[HalfDemonInuyasha]

I believe so since the Rick Dias prototype did have a Gundam-styled face and was supposedly going to be called "Gundam Gamma" after the Gundarium Gamma alloy brought from Axis by Char.

[mcred23]

And AFAIK, it's more Zeonic design is due to Anaheim having so many former Zeon employees rather than anything said/done by Char and/or Quattro.

[Mark064]

Yes to be specific Brex wanted to name it Gamma Gundam but Quattro didn't think it looked like a Gundam.

From what I remember about the Zeta Gundam the head you see in the first opening of the show is not the same head we all know and love. The top pic.

[artmaster079]

I thought the head in the first opening was of the Gundam Mark II? I could have sworn that the only glimpse of the Zeta was when it was in Waverider mode coming toward the screen and slowly transforms - and you get a glimpse of its glowing eyes?....

Then again, i might be crazy...

[J-Lead]

From what I remember about the Zeta Gundam the head you see in the first opening of the show is not the same head we all know and love. The top pic.

I was always wondering what mobile suit that head belonged to. I always figured the Hyakushiki for some reason...

Out of curiosity, where did this old lineart come from, and who was the designer behind it? (Fujita?)

[Mark064]

I thought the head in the first opening was of the Gundam Mark II? I could have sworn that the only glimpse of the Zeta was when it was in Waverider mode coming toward the screen and slowly transforms - and you get a glimpse of its glowing eyes?....

Then again, i might be crazy...

Yes that is the glimpse I'm talking about. You can make out more of the design by pausing or watching in slow motion. The thing of course was redone for opening two.

J-Lead - Just another random find of mine, I think the designer was either Fujita or Nagano.

[Kuro No Sakura]

From what I remember about the Zeta Gundam the head you see in the first opening of the show is not the same head we all know and love. The top pic.

I was always wondering what mobile suit that head belonged to. I always figured the Hyakushiki for some reason...

Out of curiosity, where did this old lineart come from, and who was the designer behind it? (Fujita?)

This head must be belong to the legendary Delta Gundam (Hyakushiki orginal concept which it can transform) lol

[Recon 5]

Nope. Official art (and the MAHQ profile) of the D Plus shows it as... a Hyaku Shiki that can transform- with the HS head we've all come to know and love, not the head in that pic.

[Lans]

I believe so since the Rick Dias prototype did have a Gundam-styled face and was supposedly going to be called "Gundam Gamma" after the Gundarium Gamma alloy brought from Axis by Char.

What the...

Could someone link a picture of that "Gundam styled face Rick Dias". I never know about that.

[Zerosystem]

I believe so since the Rick Dias prototype did have a Gundam-styled face and was supposedly going to be called "Gundam Gamma" after the Gundarium Gamma alloy brought from Axis by Char.

What the...

Could someone link a picture of that "Gundam styled face Rick Dias". I never know about that.

I believe the in-universe story was that the Rick Dias was going to be named 'Gamma Gundam', but Quattro objected due to it not even looking remotely like a Gundam.

Also, I've found a scan of that magazine article that mentions the Delta Plus and a concept of a transforming Hyaku Shiki. There was an older image of the same article that I found on this forum months ago, but it was of poor resolution.

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/4950/h ... lusmh2.jpg

[CHASER]

The RX-098 Prototype Rick Dias. Aside from what looks like a chin-piece there isn't really anything remotely similar to a Gundam styled head, though the profile does note it to be 'aka Proto Gamma'.

[Lans]

Thanks for the picture, I appreciate that guys. I've seen the MS and it's not my first time seeing prototype rick dias, only at that time I never know about Gundam Gamma stuff.