The RGZ-95 ReZEL is a mass-production transformable mobile suit. It is featured in the novel and OVA version of Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn. One of these units is piloted by Riddhe Marcenas.
Developed by Anaheim Electronics after being commissioned by the Earth Federation Forces, the ReZEL is a machine in the RGZ (Refined Gundam Zeta) series that was created with the goal of mass-producing the MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam and was successful.[1][2][3] The suit’s name is short for "Refined Zeta Gundam Escort Leader."[3][2] Unlike the RGZ-91 Re-GZ, which used a Back Weapon System, the ReZEL inherits the MSZ-008 ZII’s concept and has a simplified transformation mechanism based on the one used in the MSA-005 Methuss.[2] [4] The Methuss also inspired the additional sensors on the ReZEL’s shoulders and chest.[5]
To reduce cost and facilitate ease of maintenance, the ReZEL shares some of its actuators and internal electronic components with the widely deployed RGM-89 Jegan.[1] Thus the machine is also viewed as the first transformable mass production MS in the GM-Jegan lineage.[1] The ReZEL was a versatile unit and could adapt to different missions by changing its backpack.[5] Usually equipped with the "Box Unit" backpack, other options include the "Wing Unit" backpack (which is also used by the RGZ-95C ReZEL Commander Type) and the Defenser units such as the Defenser b-Unit.[3]
The suit’s MA mode is known as ‘Waverider Mode’ to emulate its ancestor, the Zeta Gundam.[1] In this mode, the suit displays excellent performance as a space fighter, and can travel rapidly to its operation destination under its own power.[6] Due to all the thrusters facing the same direction in the waverider mode, the suit ended up with surplus thrust, and so the ReZEL was designed from the beginning to be utilized as a sub-flight system for the Jegan.[1] A pair of grips is installed on its backpack for this purpose.[1] This supporting role of ReZEL in the rapid deployment of other mobile suit was born out of the disarmament policies adopted by the Earth Federation government after the Second Neo Zeon War, and was also applied to the RAS-96 Anksha to get more value out of these high cost transformable machines.[7][6] Furthermore, it also helps to reduce the space needed in the warships for storing dedicated subflight systems, and played a role in securing approval of the suit’s development from the military’s top brass.[6]
In order to ensure rookie pilots has no problem controlling the suit, two system features were implemented. One, a thrust limiter was installed to lower the suit’s performance.[5] Two, the suit has a new OS with a control support system, which makes controlling the waverider mode similar to that of the mobile suit mode.[6] In the past, transformable MS has different control methods for their two forms, necessitating special training for their pilots. This no longer necessary with the new OS.[6]