Why The Titans Used The Hizack [Question of the Week]

TLDR;

This video addresses the question of why the Titans, the Federation's counterinsurgency force, used Zeon-themed mobile suits like the Hizack. The explanation involves both real-world and in-universe reasons. Real-world, it was a simple way to visually identify the Titans as antagonists. In-universe, it's suggested that Anaheim Electronics, having acquired Zeon's manufacturing capabilities, may have initially developed the Hizack for the Republic of Zeon before pitching it to the resource-strained Federation. The video also explores Anaheim's potential product dumping strategy and in-universe opposition to the Hizack, drawing parallels to real-world examples of adopting enemy technology.

• Real-world reason: To easily identify the Titans as antagonists.
• In-universe reason: Anaheim Electronics may have initially developed the Hizack for Zeon.
• Anaheim Electronics potentially used product dumping strategy.

Real-Life Explanation: Signaling the Bad Guys [0:35]

The real-life reason for the Titans using Zeon-themed mobile suits was likely a simple way to signal to the audience that they were the bad guys. Using mobile suits with a mono-eye design, reminiscent of the Zeon forces from the original Gundam series, immediately associated the Titans with villainous imagery. This is similar to how the Empire in Star Wars is German-inspired to evoke a sense of authoritarianism. The limited beam weaponry of suits like the Hizack also allowed for the continued use of more traditional weapons like machine guns and heat Hawks, maintaining a visual connection to Zeon's arsenal.

In-Universe Explanation: Anaheim Electronics and the Republic of Zeon [1:14]

The in-universe explanation suggests that Anaheim Electronics, after acquiring Zeon's mobile suit manufacturing companies post-One Year War, may have initially developed the Hizack for the Republic of Zeon. Despite having the capability to produce Federation-style mobile suits, Anaheim might have secured a contract with the Republic of Zeon to develop the Hizack. Subsequently, they pitched the design to the Federation, who were facing budgetary constraints due to projects like the Gundam Development Project and the Titans' own R&D efforts. The Hizack offered a cost-effective solution with good performance, making it an appealing option for the Federation.

Product Dumping and Strategic Naval Research Institute [4:43]

Anaheim Electronics might have engaged in product dumping, exporting the Hizack at a very low price to undercut competitors and gain a monopoly in the mobile suit market. This strategy, while potentially shady, could have been aimed at becoming the primary supplier for all sides of conflicts. To counteract Anaheim's growing influence, the Federation established the Strategic Naval Research Institute around the time of Char's Counterattack, seeking to develop in-house mobile suits and reduce reliance on Anaheim.

In-Universe Opposition and Real-World Parallels [5:57]

Within the Gundam universe, there was opposition to the Titans' use of Zeon-themed mobile suits. Characters like Carl Matsubara from Advance of Zeta questioned the logic of using machines that resembled those of their former enemies. However, others argued that the Hizack was a practical and cost-effective choice that performed well on the battlefield. This situation is compared to real-world examples, such as the Soviet Union's development of the Su-9 fighter after Operation Barbarossa, which bore a striking resemblance to the German Me-262. Political and economic factors also play a role, as governments must consider the cost to taxpayers when investing in military technology.

Titans, Anaheim and AEUG perspective [8:24]

The Titans pressured Anaheim Electronics, suspecting they were supporting the AEUG. Anaheim responded by offering the Titans the high-performance Marasai to appear cooperative, while simultaneously providing the Nemo to the AEUG. A side story of Zeta Gundam illustrates this dynamic, depicting Titans using Federation-style weapons while the AEUG utilizes Zeon-themed mobile suits like the Hizack and Marasai. This manga also highlights inconsistencies, such as the Gym II's description claiming it has a movable frame identical to the Gundam Mark II, which would create a canonical problem given the timeline of mobile suit development.