Highlights
Gundam Virtue from Gundam 00 is the most peculiar Gundam ever made due to its bulky design and dual roles as both heavy artillery and a peacekeeper with the Trial System.
Equipped with formidable beam cannons and a colossal GN Bazooka, the Gundam Virtue possesses the ability to relentlessly bombard foes and swiftly incinerate them. What distinguishes it from others is its unique 2-in-1 functionality - the ability to shed its cumbersome armor and transform into GN-004 Gundam Nadleeh. This stripped-down variant possesses the extraordinary power to manipulate machines linked to Veda and thwart acts of betrayal.
Each major Gundam series features its own distinct Gundam designs and abilities, setting it apart from others in the franchise. While discussing the impressive Gundams with visually striking appearances such as Gundam Seed/Seed Destiny, Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphan, and Gundam: The Witch from Mercury is certainly intriguing, delving into the realm of peculiar Gundams, both in their design and abilities, proves to be even more captivating (Mobile Fighter G Gundam, Gundam Wing, etc.).
Contrary to popular belief, the title of the most peculiar Gundam ever created belongs to one of the mobile suits from Gundam 00, namely the bulky and robust Gundam Virtue. Here are the reasons why.
GN-005 Gundam Virtue
The Gundam Virtue, a prominent mobile suit introduced in Gundam 00, is part of a group of four main Gundams which includes Exia, Dynames, and Kyrios. These Gundams were created by Aolia Schenberg, a renowned scientist, and his team of brilliant scientists. They are built upon the foundation of Aeolia's groundbreaking inventions: Veda, an Artificial Superintelligence, and the GN Divers, a revolutionary energy source.
To further their mission of eradicating war, Aeolia also established a private paramilitary organization called the Celestial Being. The Gundams, including Virtue, serve as advanced mobile suits utilized for armed interventions. Each Gundam performs a specific role, with Virtue specializing in Heavy Artillery. Essentially, Virtue's primary objective is to unleash continuous bombardment and obliterate enemies with its formidable beam cannons.
What Makes Gundam Virtue So Peculiar
Compared to the other Gundams in this series and throughout the franchise, Gundam Virtue stands out as one of the bulkiest ever created. Not only does its utilitarian design serve a purpose, but it is also essential to fulfilling Virtue's role as the heavy artillery unit. Its bulky armors serve as storage for on-board missiles, beam lasers, and other weapons. Additionally, its robust body allows it to wield larger and more powerful weapons, like the colossal GN Bazooka capable of instantly obliterating numerous enemies.
Although it is fascinating to discuss Virtue's distinctive capabilities and how its unique design showcases its key roles in the team, those aspects are not what sets Gundam Virtue apart. What truly makes Gundam Virtue exceptional is its additional feature that sets it apart from other major Gundam series. Surprisingly, Virtue is actually a 2-in-1 Gundam, which means there is another Gundam concealed within its formidable exterior. This hidden Gundam goes by the name GN-004 Gundam Nadleeh.
Gundam Virtue possesses an abundance of firepower hidden beneath its bulky armor. However, like any weapon, it can only carry a limited amount of ammunition. Once it exhausts all of its firepower against its adversary, Virtue is reduced to a cumbersome Gundam with restricted mobility.
In such circumstances, Virtue's pilot, Tieria Erde, has the option to discard the exterior armor of Virtue. This includes the armor on its body, limbs, and even parts of the head, which primarily serve as storage for Virtue's weaponry. Once all of these bulky and unnecessary armors are removed, what remains is a slender and unadorned mobile suit known as GN-004 Gundam Nadleeh.
GN-004 Gundam Nadleeh
Gundam Nadleeh differs greatly from its counterpart, the heavily armed and armored Gundam Virtue. In comparison, Nadleeh appears as a prototype lacking significant weaponry and armor. Its distinctive feature is a set of hair-like red cords that serve to transfer GN particles from Nadleeh's GN Drive to the formidable armor of the Gundam Virtue. Aside from this, Nadleeh is essentially an exposed and defenseless Gundam.
Rather than relying on traditional weapons and armor, Gundam Nadleeh possesses a unique system known as the "Trial System". Activation of this system generates an expansive force field called the Trial Field, spanning approximately 100 kilometers in diameter. Any machine connected to the Artificial Super Intelligence "Veda", which encompasses all machines created by Celestial Being, can be commandeered by Nadleeh. It has the ability to forcibly deactivate or temporarily assume control over these machines. The Trial System aims to prevent and punish acts of betrayal, insubordination, or the misuse of Veda's machines for nefarious purposes, but is limited to devices connected to Veda.
The uniqueness of Gundam Virtue lies in its ability to function with two bodies and fulfil two roles simultaneously. In its sturdy Virtue form, it wields powerful weaponry capable of swiftly annihilating hordes of enemy mobile suits. When transformed into its simplified Nadleeh form, it possesses the capability to utilize the Trial System. This serves as a deterrent against anyone who may attempt to go against Aeolia Schenberg's ideals and principles by misusing Celestial Being's technology. These contrasting facets contribute to Gundam Virtue being rightfully regarded as the most extraordinary Gundam ever created.
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