The RX-0 Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee (simply Banshee) is a mobile suit appearing in Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn. It was 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

Having been completed at the same time as the Gundam Unicorn, the Banshee has

was stationed on Earth at the Augusta Research Laboratory and was tested for atmospheric combat. The motif 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 a lion's mane (the Banshee originally had the same collar as the Unicorn, but it was modified after suffering damage in space combat), and a much more elaborate and stylized horn/fin.

The Banshee's armor is almost entirely black, and its psychoframe emits a golden-orange glow when the 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, likely due to a significant reconfiguration of the MS's operating system to account for 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 the Augusta Research Lab. However, the two Gundams do not have any major differences in terms of operation. Aside from the Unicorn's lack of the La+ operating system, the Banshee's raw performance is equal to its bigger brother. In other words, any changes made to the Banshee (i.e. atmospheric combat performance) could also be applied to the Unicorn, making the two MSs equal in terms of capabilities.

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

NT-D System

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

Suit of the RX-0 series. The name "NT-D" is supposed 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 as well as its Newtype or Cyber-Newtype pilot. Once activated, the MS transforms into Destroy Mode, which greatly improves its performance since its limiters are disabled, and allows it to divert the enemy machine's psycommu weaponry. However, this mode places a heavy burden on the pilot and the machine, and its duration is limited to five minutes. In order to reduce the burden when the system is activated, the seat is designed to transform, and a special pilot suit has been prepared to reduce the G-force pharmacologically.

Armaments

• 60mm Vulcan Gun: Basic armament equipping many Federation MSs. While they are virtually ineffective against MS armor, they are useful for intercepting incoming missiles/rockets, destroying MS sensors, and engaging lightly armored vehicles.
• Beam Magnum: A handheld firearm equipped with an energy capacitor, it is common to the RX-0 series mobile suits. Each shot from the Beam Magnum is equal in power to four normal Beam Riffle shots and can destroy a Mobile Armor. Even the scattered particles from the fired beam have enough power to destroy a Mobile Suit, meaning that a direct hit is not 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 rounds, giving it little continuous combat capability. Furthermore, the weapon can be overpowered 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 Beam Sabers mounted on the forearms. In Destroy mode, the other two lightsabers come out of the backpack, allowing access to all four sabers.
• Beam Tonfa: The forearm-mounted Beam Sabers can be flipped around and used directly, in this form they are known as Beam Tonfa. The right forearm's Beam Tonfa cannot be used when the Banshee is equipped with the Armed Armor BS.
• Shield: A physical shield mounted on the forearm, 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 features four psycho-frame panels that enhance its durability and increase the amount of psycho-frame carried by the MS. In Destroy Mode, the upper and lower portions 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 VN: This melee weapon can be equipped on the left forearm (in the anime) or the right forearm (Mobile Suit Gundam UC: One of Seventy Two short movie). "VN" is short for "Vibro-Nail". Its design utilizes 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 the super vibrations. Even without transforming into a claw, the Armed Armor VN can be used as a striking weapon due to its mass and high attack power. In addition, 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 spatial data obtained from the built-in sensors to the pilot via Psycommu, then feeds this data back into the two fin-shaped beam polarizers located at the front for extremely precise "anticipatory aiming". The beam fired travels in a wave-like motion, making its trajectory extremely difficult to predict and avoid. Furthermore, while each shot is less powerful than a Beam Magnum, it is still more powerful than a normal Beam Gun. It was developed as an experiment by an engineer who noticed the resonance between the Psycho-Frames. Even before being deployed, it transmits the data obtained from its sensors in order to improve the MS's search capabilities.

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 lack 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 "Sleeves" unit and engaged in combat, during which the "Banshee" sustained significant damage to its chest, requiring an overhaul. During the overhaul, the Banshee gained its golden collar, making it look even more like a lion.

In the novel:

In Augusta, the Banshee is assigned to the captured but brainwashed Marida Cruz. She first went out to Dakar to capture the Unicorn Gundam after Riddhe confronted Banagher about the events of their family's complicated past. Banagher then came to fight the Banshee, in an attempt to bring Marida back to her senses and free her from Martha's influence. Later, after Zinnerman and Banagher successfully brought Marida back, this unit was recovered by the Federation and assigned to Riddhe Marcenas, with Alberto having kept this act a secret from Martha. In the final battle, Banshee once again confronts the Unicorn and both activate their NT-Ds. Banshee seems to have the advantage as Banagher is unwilling to fight Riddhe, whom he considers a friend. The Nahel Argama provides covering fire, hoping to give Banagher the opportunity to disengage. In the heat of the moment, Riddhe saw this as yet another example in a long list of betrayals. He fired on 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 implores 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 for his care and that she is satisfied. Riddhe eventually understands what he must do. Later, Banshee and Unicorn confront Full Frontal in his damaged Sinanju, and Banagher kills Frontal. Together, Unicorn and Banshee activated a psycho-field and blocked the laser fired by Gryps II. Banshee's shields then joined them in stopping the EFSF attack before it was canceled.

OAV 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 crashed into the MSN-001A1 Delta Plus and the RX-0 Unicorn Gundam. After disabling the Delta Plus, the Banshee secured the two MSs and took them to the Ra Cailum.

Did you know?

• In Irish and Scottish mythology, the Banshee is a "fairy woman" whose mourning cries herald imminent death.
• The Banshee is inspired by the Lion from the tapestry "The Lady and the Unicorn".
• The Banshee is nicknamed the "Black Unicorn", although it is actually colored a dark shade of midnight blue.
• The Banshee appears in both HG and MG versions in Gundam Breaker. However, neither kit comes with the 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 where the Banshee uses it in some official illustrations. The Armored Girls Project version also uses this weapon.
• The colors of Banshee and her siblings (Unicorn and Phenex) are likely inspired by the kitsune of Japanese folklore, particularly the zenko. In Banshee's case, it is likely the kokuko.
• The Banshee is confirmed to be intact and sealed during the events of Gundam NT (Narrative).
• In September 2020, Japanese website 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.