Mobile Suit Gundam 0083 Rebellion is a sci-fi manga series set within the Mobile Suit Gundam universe. The manga is an adaptation of the anime Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory. It was written by Takashi Imanichi, illustrated by Masato Natsumoto, and first published in the magazine Gundam Ace published by Kadokawa Shoten in 2013. There are currently 14 volumes.
What is it about?
Rebellion is a retelling of events from the original Mobile Suit Gundam series. Set in a future in which humans have begun to colonize outer space, the series depicts the war between the Earth Federation and the Principality of Zeon. Battle is waged by mobile suits, giant human-controlled robots equipped with sophisticated weaponry and detailed mechanics.
Mobile Suit Gundam 0083 Rebellion diverges from certain plots in the main story, focusing on peripheral character arcs and developments. In particular, the story focuses on the crew of an assault carrier as they attempt to recover a stolen mobile suit in Australia.
Who appears in the series?
Kou Uraki
Kou Uraki is a 19-year-old pilot fresh out of the Earth Federation military academy. Based at Torrington Base in Sydney, Australia, Kou is tasked with testing new mobile suits. When the assault carrier Albion arrives at the base, Kou sneaks aboard with friend Chuck Keith to admire the mobile suits on the ship.
This leads to an encounter with Nina Purpleton, who becomes his love interest throughout the series. Soon the events of Rebellion begin to unravel, with the theft of a nuclear-armed mobile suit by enemy infiltrator Anavel Gato.
Chuck Keith
Chuck Keith is a 20-year-old Federation pilot stationed at Torrington Base. As a close friend of Kou Uraki, Chuck is assigned to serve alongside Kou on the Albion. He pilots the RGC-83 GM Cannon II mobile suit, pursuing antagonist Anavel Gato. He is known for his friendly demeanor and occasional aloof nature.
Nina Purpleton
Nina Purpleton is a 21-year-old engineer serving on the Albion. She works on mobile suits with the Gundam Development Project and is known for her obsessive dedication to her creations. She develops a romantic interest in Kou Araki as the events of the series unfold. It is later revealed that she also was once in love with the main antagonist Anavel Gato.
Anavel Gato
Anavel Gato is the main antagonist of Mobile Suit 0083 Rebellion. He is a highly capable 25-year-old pilot with the Principality of Zeon, who is engaged in war with the Earth Federation. Despite being the antagonist of the series, Anavel is known for his dignified personality and honor-bound principles. He is a respected leader who shows care and compassion for his fellow combatants.
Cima Garahau
Cima Garahau is a 35-year-old pilot with the Principality of Zeon. After suffering tremendously during the One Year War, Cima’s loyalty to Zeon wanes, and she begins to consider plans to betray the principality and aid the Earth Federation. Mobile Suit Gundam 0083 Rebellion depicts this period, as she considers ways to undermine Operation Stardust.
Kelley Layzner
Kelly Layzner is a retired Zeon lieutenant and former compatriot of Anavel Gato. The two fought together during the One Year War. After retiring, he encounters Kou Uraki while working at a junkyard. Despite belonging to opposing sides, the two develop a friendship.
Aiguille Delaz
Aiguille Delaz is a high-ranking Zeon officer responsible for overseeing Operation Stardust, the main scheme that sets the plot of the series in motion. With the end of the One Year War, Delaz spends three years accumulating resources and forces as he works on developing his master plan: Operation Stardust.
John Kowen
John Kowen is a 58-year-old Vice-Admiral with the Earth Federation Forces. He is responsible for overseeing Albion’s mission to recover the stolen mobile suit.
Larger Universe and Background
The Gundam 0083 Rebellion takes place shortly after the One Year War. The plot is driven by conflicts between those affiliated with the Earth Federation and loyalists to the Principality of Zeon.
What is the Earth Federation?
The Earth Federation is the main governmental entity within the Mobile Suit Gundam universe. In order to address deteriorating conditions on earth, the federation announced a Space Colonization Plan, which would forcefully relocate people to orbital habitats, while wealthy and powerful individuals were allowed to remain on Earth. Tension between Earth and its colonies later led to the creation of the opposing Principality of Zeon, and a terrible conflict known as the One Year War.
What is the Principality of Zeon?
The Principality of Zeon comprised a portion of space colonies that pushed for independence from the Earth Federation. The principality was led by Degwin Zabi, who spearheaded new technological developments in weaponry and appointed his children to various political and military positions. After working to achieve independence, talks with the Earth Federation eventually broke down, leading to the One Year War.
What is the One Year War?
The One Year War is the defining event within the Mobile Suit Gundam universe. The original series and many other spin-offs all take place during this conflict. The war erupted after negotiations between the Earth Federation and Principality of Zeon broke down.
The Principality comprised a segment of space colonies advocating for independence from the federation. After failing to broker a deal, Zeon forces ambushed Earth Federation forces in their colonies.
The conflict is marked by its brutal, indiscriminate violence, with Zeon deploying poison gas, nuclear weapons, and other devastating weapons without hesitation. The massive casualties of the war led to the eventual signing of the Antarctic Treaty, in which both sides agreed to abstain from using weapons of mass destruction.
After a period of prolonged conflict, the Earth Federation eventually repelled invading Zeon forces with Operation Odessa, fighting first in eastern Europe before expanding into space. The offensive led to Zeon’s surrender on January 1, UC 0080.
About the Universal Century
The Universal Century is the main timeline in which events within the Mobile Suit Gundam universe are set. The events of the original series took place in UC0079, while the events of Rebellion took place in UC0083.
Other series such as Mobile Suit Victory Gundam take place almost a century later in UC0153. Depending on accounts, the universal century calendar is estimated to begin at approximately 2053 AD, which would set the series around 2131 AD.
About Operation Stardust
Operation Stardust is a scheme planned by Aiguille Delaz to disrupt and destabilize the Earth Federation, eventually leading to the restoration of Zeon. The initial stage of the operation was to steal the Earth Federation’s new mobile suit model, the RX78GP02A Gundam “Physalis.” This theft leads to the events in Gundam 0083 Rebellion.
About the Albion
The MSC-07 Albion is a Pegasus-class assault carrier that appears in the anime series Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory and manga series Gundam 0083 Rebellion. The carrier attempts to track down the mobile suit that is stolen by Anavel Gato as part of Operation Stardust.
What is the Gundam Development Project?
The Gundam Development Project is an ongoing mobile suit development program that takes place alongside the events of Gundam 0083 Rebellion. The project was launched after the One Year War as a way for the Federation to curtail any remaining Zeon forces. The project led to the development of numerous RX-78-type mobile suits, including the “Physalis” and “Zephyranthes” suits that appear in the series.
What Mobile Suits appear in the series?
Mobile Suit Gundam is distinguished by its focus on detailed mechanical design. Many characters pilot mobile suits, which are large robotic combat machines that feature advanced technology and immense firepower.
Each suit is immaculately designed and illustrated, with artists adhering to a strict criteria for realism within the series. Gundam 0083 Rebellion features several notable mobile suits, along with models found throughout the Gundam universe.
RX-78GP02A Gundam “Physalis
The “Physalis” is a Federation prototype stolen by Zeon loyalist Anavel Gato. It is equipped with two Vulcan Guns, two Beam Sabers, an Atomic Bazooka, and Shield. Despite its bulky size, the suit is known for its quick agility. It was designed by mechanical designer Shoji Kawamori.
RX-78GP01 Gundam “Zephyranthes
The “Zephyranthes” is a Federation prototype mobile suit piloted by Kou Uraki. It shares many similarities with other RX models, which are the flagship mobile suit model found in the Gundam series. The suit is equipped with 2 Vulcan Guns, 2 Beam Sabers, a Beam Rifle, a Jutte, and a shield. It was designed by mechanical designer Shoji Kawamori.
MS-06F2 Zaku II F2 Type
The MS-06F2 Zaku II F2 Type is a common mobile suit manufactured by the Principality of Zeon. The suit is an upgraded version of the MS-06F Zaku II, and was designed by mechanical designer Hajime Katoki.
MS-14F Gelgoog Marine
The Gelgoog Marine mobile suit is a modified version of the mass-produced MS-14A Gelgoog. It makes its debut appearance in Mobile Suit Gundam 0083 Rebellion and the corresponding anime Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory.
This Zeon suit is equipped with a 110-mm Machine Cannon, Beam Saber, Knuckle Shield , and several other handheld and optional armaments. The suit was designed by mechanical designer Mika Akitaka.
AGX-04 Gerbera Tetra
The AGX-04 Gerbera Tetra is a prototype mobile suite designed by mechanical designer Mika Akitaka. It is piloted by Zeon affiliate Cima Garahau, and is equipped with four 110-mm Machine Cannons, two Beam Sabers, and a handheld Machine Gun.
Optional propellant tanks and Vernier Thrusters allow the suit to quickly propel itself to the frontlines without using its own fuel.
AMX-002 Neue Ziel
The AMX-002 Neue Ziel is a prototype mobile armor for use in space. Unlike mobile suits, mobile armor has a non-humanoid appearance, and is typically larger than regular mobile suits. The Neue Ziel is equipped with nine Mega Particle Cannons, four Large Missile Launchers, 24 Small Missile Launchers, and several other armaments. It was designed by mechanical designer Mika Akitaka.
RGC-83 GMC Cannon II
The RGC-83 GM Cannon II is a mass-produced mobile suit manufactured by Earth Federation Forces. The suit is equipped with two Vulcan Guns, a Beam Saber, two Beam Cannons, and a handheld rifle and shield. Two of these units are found on the Albion carrier in Mobile Gundam Suit 0083 Rebellion. The suit was designed by mechanical designer Hajime Katoki.
About the Preceding Anime Series Stardust Memory
Mobile Suit Gundam 0083 Rebellion is a manga that documents the events of the 13-episode anime series Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory. The series ran from 1991 to 1992, spanning 13 episodes. It functions as a sequel to the original series and a prequel to Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam.
About the Gundam Universe
Since its anime debut in Mobile Suit Gundam 1979, the franchise has grown to comprise multiple anime and manga series, novels, films, video games, and more. Perhaps most noteworthy is the plastic model hobbyist culture that has developed around the franchise.
Gundam Plastic Models
The successful launch of the Gundam television series was quickly followed by a partnership with toy manufacturer Bandai, who launched DIY plastic model kits that accurately reproduce the mechanical design of each suit appearing in the series. As of 2015, approximately 450 million plastic models have been sold.
About the Creators
Mobile Suit Gundam was created as an anime series by Sunrise Inc., a Japanese anime studio established in 1972. In addition to Gundam, the company is known for such hits as Cowboy Bebop, Armored Trooper Votoms, and My-Otome. They are also responsible for creating Gundam’s subsequent series and feature-length films.
The magazine Gundam Ace was launched in 2001 to serve as a platform for showcasing new developments in the Gundam franchise, including manga series. Mobile Suit Gundam 0083 Rebellion first appeared in Gundam Ace in 2013. Volumes of the series are also sold separately by publisher Kadokawa Shoten.
Where can I read, watch, and learn more about the world of Mobile Suit Gundam?
The Mobile Suit Gundam anime series is available on DVD/Blu-Ray in the US, and distributed in many countries across the world. An English version of Mobile Suit Gundam 0083 Rebellion is not currently available.