RX-79[G]Ez-8 Gundam Ez8

The RX-79[G]Ez-8 Gundam Ez8 is a customized RX-79[G] Gundam Ground Type piloted by the main protagonist Shiro Amada in the OVA Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team.

Shiro Amada's Gundam Ground Type was extensively damaged during the battle with the Apsaras II, demanding extensive repair and refurbishment. The Gundam was modified based on combat data accumulated up to that point, as well as feedback from Shiro Amada himself. Gundam Ez8, short for "Extra-zero-8," which stood for "08th MS Team extra unit," was the result.

The chest armor of the Ez8 has undergone significant changes. Its chest armor plating was created by welding two Zaku II shoulder shields together, and it can resist a direct blow from a Zaku II's 175mm Recoilless Rifle with only a few scratches. The multi-launcher and chest-mounted vulcan gun were eliminated because they were deemed unneeded. A 12.7mm vulcan cannon was instead installed immediately below the chest armor.

The Gundam's characteristic V-fin was replaced with a rod antenna situated on the right side of the head due to high damage rates in the jungle. The snorkel camera was removed, and two 35mm vulcan cannons were installed on each side of the head. Due to a dearth of Luna Titanium armor material, extra armor was added for protection to the forehead and around the chin. Other changes include the addition of adjustable knee spikes to maintain stability when firing, as well as an updated shield with additional protection. Despite being superficially identical, its backpack thrusters had a higher output due to improved power balance.

Overall, the Ez8 was made lighter as a result of the many improvements without considerably compromising durability. Though its fundamental performance was the same as that of the Gundam Ground Type, it was marginally better in terms of mobility and communication ability.

GunPla entries

There have been a few Gunpla of the Gundam Ez8 released. This includes the HG 1/144 kit, which was produced in 1998, as well as the Master Grade and SD versions in 2000. It also received an upgraded HGUC version in 2013, with improved articulation and proportions over its previous HG release.

Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team

The series is set in the jungles of Southeast Asia in Universal Century 0079. The Earth Federation and the Principality of Zeon are engaged in a vicious guerilla battle for control of the region and its resources. Aina Sahalin, the pilot of an experimental mobile armor, is Zeon's best hope for victory in the region. Meanwhile, the Earth Federation Army is reinforced by Ensign Shiro Amada, freshly appointed leader of the 08th MS Team. Shiro and Aina met during a mutual rescue mission in space, but when Shiro realizes that Aina is the pilot of the Zeon mobile armor, he is arrested for treason.

Shiro is given one chance at redemption by the Federation: he must lead the 08th MS Team deep into Zeon territory in search of Zeon's hidden base. With the Zeon driven into a corner and the Federation relying on Shiro and his crew for triumph, the star-crossed lovers must choose between their actual allegiances: each other or their respective sides.