The RX-0 Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee (more simply Banshee) is a Mobile Suit appearing in Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn. It is being built alongside its sibling, the RX-0 Unicorn Gundam, as part of the Earth Federation's UC project. Originally piloted by Marida Cruz, it was later assigned to Riddhe Marcenas.

When assigned to Riddhe Marcenas, the Gundam will undergo an upgrade, becoming the RX-0 [N] Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee Norn (or simply Banshee Norn) variant.

Features

After being completed alongside the Gundam Unicorn , the Banshee has

was stationed on Earth within the Augusta Research Laboratory and was tested for atmospheric combat. The design used for the Banshee is not that of the unicorn, but that of a lion, illustrated by gold accents on the forehead, a gold collar representing the mane of a lion (the Banshee originally had the same collar as the Unicorn, but it was modified after sustaining damage in space combat), and a much more elaborate and stylized horn/fin.

The Banshee's armor is almost entirely black, and its psycho-frame emits a golden orange glow when NT-D is activated. Although the Banshee lacks the La+ system, a feature unique to the RX-0 Unicorn Gundam, its performance in atmospheric combat is vastly superior, probably due to a major reconfiguration of the MS operating system to take into account Earth's gravity. and the frictional resistance of the atmosphere.

The improvements were made based on combat data collected from the Unicorn Gundam, which was passed to Augusta's research lab. However, the two Gundams do not have major differences in terms of operation. Aside from the Unicorn's lack of La+ operating system, the Banshee's raw performance is equal to that of its big brother. In other words, any changes made to the Banshee (i.e. performance in atmospheric combat) could also be applied to the Unicorn, making the two MS equal in abilities.

In the anime version, it weighs more than Unit 1 and has a larger effective detection radius. Its armament also differs from that of Unit 1, as it is equipped with the "Armed Armor BS" and "Armed Armor VN" psycho-frames, which gives it better continuous combat capability than Unit 1, and one considers it to have a higher degree of completion.

NT-D System

The NT-D System is a special operating system installed in Mobile

Sequel to the RX-0 series. The name "NT-D" is meant to be short for "Newtype Drive", but it is actually short for "Newtype Destroyer", a system developed to eliminate Newtypes. The system is activated when it detects an enemy psycommu machine and its Newtype or Cyber-Newtype driver. Once activated, the MS transforms into Destroy mode, which greatly improves its performance since its limiters are disabled, and allows it to hijack the enemy machine's psycommu weaponry. However, this mode places a heavy burden on the rider and the machine, and its duration is limited to five minutes. In order to reduce the load when the system is activated, the seat is designed to transform, and a special pilot suit has been prepared to reduce G-force pharmacologically.

Armaments

• 60mm Vulcan Gun: Basic armament equipping many MS of the Federation. While virtually ineffective against MS armor, they are useful for intercepting incoming missiles/rockets, destroying MS sensors, and engaging lightly armored vehicles.
• Beam Magnum: A portable firearm equipped with an energy capacitor, it is common to the RX-0 series Mobile Suits. Each Beam Magnum shot is equal in power to four normal Beam Riffle shots and can destroy Mobile Armor. Even sparse particles from the fired ray have enough power to destroy a Mobile Suit, meaning a direct hit isn't always necessary. In return for such power, each shot consumes an entire E-pack, which is why five connected E-packs serve as a single magazine for this weapon. This magazine is also known as "Magnum Bullets", and up to two spare magazines can be stored on the Banshee's rear skirt armor. The Beam Magnum can therefore only fire a maximum of 15 shots, which gives it a low continuous combat capacity. Additionally, the weapon can be too powerful in certain situations, limiting its use. When not in use, the Beam Magnum is stored in the backpack thanks to a slot located in the upper part.
• Beam Saber: The Banshee is equipped with four Beam Sabers, two on the forearms and two in the backpack. In normal mode, the EM only has access to the two forearm-mounted Beam sabers. In Destroy mode, the other two lightsabers come out of the backpack, allowing access to all four lightsabers.
• Beam Tonfa: Forearm-mounted Beam Sabers can turn around and be used directly, in this form they are known as Beam Tonfa. The Right Forearm Beam Tonfa cannot be used when the Banshee is equipped with Armed Armor BS.
• Shield: Forearm-mounted physical shield, common to RX-0 series Mobile Suits. An I-Field generator is embedded in the center of the shield, and the barrier it generates can block beam attacks, from Beam Sabers to battleship beam shots, enhancing the shield's defensive power. The shield also has four Psycho-Frame panels which reinforce its resistance and increase the amount of Psycho-Frame carried by the MS. In Destroy Mode, the top and bottom parts of the shield split apart, revealing the I-Field Generator. The psycho-frame panels are also deployed in an X-shape around this generator. In Normal mode, the I-Field barrier can be deployed by sliding the shield momentarily.
• Armed Armor NV: This melee weapon can be equipped on the left forearm (in the anime) or on the right forearm (Mobile Suit Gundam UC: One of Seventy Two short movie). "VN" is the abbreviation of "Vibro-Nail". Its design uses the increased resistance of the psycho-frame when it receives emotions or will from the pilot, and can transform into a claw in Destroy mode to capture the target, which is then crushed by super-vibrations. Even without transforming into a claw, the Armed Armor VN can serve as a striking weapon thanks to its mass and high attack power. Moreover, it is also treated with a ray-resistant coating and can be used as a shield.
• Armed Armor BS: This ranged weapon, one of the weapons added to the psycho-frame, is equipped on the right forearm in the anime. "BS" is short for "Beam-Smartgun". It transmits to the pilot, via Psycommu, the spatial data obtained thanks to the integrated sensors, then sends this data back into the two fin-shaped ray polarizers located at the front for an extremely precise "advance aiming". The fired beam moves in a wave-like motion, making its trajectory extremely difficult to predict and avoid. Also, even though each shot is less powerful than that of a Beam Magnum, it is still more powerful than that of a normal Beam Gun. It was developed on an experimental basis by an engineer who noticed the resonance between psycho-frames. Even before being deployed, it transmits the data obtained thanks to its sensors in order to improve the research capacities of the MS.

History

Developed by Anaheim Electronics, the RX-0-2 Unicorn Gundam Banshee is virtually identical to the RX-0 Unicorn Gundam piloted by Banagher Links, except for its color, more ornate V-Fin (horn), and the absence of the La+ system. Before being sent to Augusta Lab for gravity testing, the Banshee was assigned to General Revil alongside the Phenex. While attached to the General Revil, the 'Banshee' and ' Phenex ' encountered a unit of 'Sleeves' and engaged in combat, during which the 'Banshee' suffered extensive chest damage. , which required revision. During the overhaul, the Banshee gained his golden collar, making him look even more like a lion.

In the novel:

In Augusta, the Banshee is assigned to Marida Cruz, who has been captured but brainwashed. She first went out to Dakar to capture the Gundam Unicorn after Riddhe confronted Banagher with the events of their family's complicated past. Banagher then came to fight the Banshee, in an attempt to bring Marida to her senses and remove her from Martha's influence. Later, after Zinnerman and Banagher managed to bring Marida back, this unit was picked up by the Federation and assigned to Riddhe Marcenas, with Alberto hiding this deed from Martha. During the final battle, Banshee faces off against the Unicorn again and both activate their NT-Ds. Banshee seems to have the advantage as Banagher doesn't want to fight Riddhe, whom he considers a friend. The Nahel Argama provides covering fire, hoping to give Banagher an opportunity to disengage. In the heat of the moment, Riddhe saw it as another example of a long list of betrayals. He fired at the Nahel Argama, but Marida threw her damaged Kshatriya into the path of Riddhe's attack, sacrificing her life.

The explosion of the Kshatriya's psycho-frame allowed Marida's spirit to speak one last time. She begs Banagher, filled with rage, to forgive Riddhe and reminds him that only the unicorn and the lion together will bring new hope. She also tells Zinnerman that she was happy to meet him. Zinnerman begs her not to leave, but she tells him that she is grateful that he took care of her and that she is satisfied. Riddhe finally understands what he must do. Later, Banshee and Unicorn confront Full Frontal in his damaged Sinanju, and Banagher kills Frontal. Together, the Unicorn and the Banshee activated a psycho-field and blocked the laser fired by Gryps II. The Banshee shields then joined in to stop the EFSF attack before it was called off.

OVA and Anime:

The Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee first appeared after the AMA-X7 Shamblo was defeated in an attack on Torrington Base. The Banshee was dropped from a Jabber at the Vist Foundation base and swooped down on the MSN-001A1 Delta Plus and RX-0 Unicorn Gundam . After disabling the Delta Plus, the Banshee secures the two MS and takes them into the Ra Cailum.

Did you know?

• In Irish and Scottish mythology, the Banshee is a "fairy-woman" whose cries of mourning announce an imminent death.
• The Banshee is inspired by the Lion from the "Lady and the Unicorn" tapestry.
• The Banshee is nicknamed the "Black Unicorn", although it is actually colored a dark shade of midnight blue.
• The Banshee appears in HG and MG versions in Gundam Breaker. However, neither kit comes with Armed Armor weapons. They can only be obtained by creating them from scratch.
• Although the Hyper Beam Javelin was primarily used by the Unicorn Gundam, there are instances of the Banshee using it in some official artwork. The Armored Girls Project version also uses this weapon.
• The colors of Banshee and his siblings (Unicorn and Phenex) are likely inspired by kitsune from Japanese folklore, specifically zenko. In Banshee's case, it's probably the kokuko.
• The Banshee is confirmed to be intact and sealed during the events of Gundam NT (Narrative).
• In September 2020, Japanese site Gundam.info announced that the Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee had won an online poll, where fans voted for the next Master Grade Extreme, to celebrate the release of MGEX Unicorn Ver. Ka . There has been no information regarding a hypothetical MGEX Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee from Bandai since.