The YMS-15 Gyan was a high-performance unit focused on close combat.
The YMS-15 Gyan, also identified as YMS-15 ギャン, is a mobile suit originally introduced in the Mobile Suit Gundam anime series. This unit is renowned for being prominently piloted by M'Quve. (1)
The YMS-15 Gyan was conceived as a Prototype Close Combat Mobile Suit. (1) Developed by the Zimmad Company, (1) this unit was operated by the Principality of Zeon, the Eisengrad Army, and the "Song Dynasty Vase" entity. (1) Although its initial recorded appearance was on December 26, U.C. 0079, and its last appearance was that same year, (1) its design served as the basis for later developments, including the AMX-104 R-Jarja, EMS-10F Zudah F, MS-17 Galbaldy α, YMS-15J Gyan (Jill Jigra Custom), YMS-15KRT02 Gyancelot, and YMS-15SS Gyan. (1) The unit has a total height of 19.9 meters (approx. 65.3 feet). (1) Known pilots include M'Quve, Kaoruko Sazaki, Tateo Sazaki, and Nance Rezner. (1)
Technology and Combat Characteristics
The YMS-15 Gyan was the Zimmad Company's proposal during the final stages of the One Year War, competing against the MS-14 Gelgoog to be the Principality of Zeon's main second-phase mobile suit. (1) The Gyan was a high-performance machine focused on melee combat. (1) Its armament was simple yet innovative, consisting of a custom beam saber and a shield that doubled as a weapons rack, integrating space mines and needle missiles for defense and offense. (1)
The Gyan's knight-like appearance was emphasized by M'Quve's fighting style.
This design was based on the tactic of charging enemy forces, supported by heavy fire units like the MS-09R Rick Dom, to force close combat where long-range weaponry is useless. (1) However, Zeon forces were not interested in adopting coordinated attacks using MS with distinct functions. (1)
Although Zeonic's Gelgoog was chosen as the main second-phase mobile suit due to its superior overall performance, versatility, and ability to use a beam rifle, the Gyan's basic performance was said to be superior. (1) Thanks to the use of the fluid pulse accelerator and its arms and hands being tuned for close combat, the Gyan's responsiveness and range of motion were extremely high for One Year War standards. (1)
One of the units (some sources indicate it was the only one, while others state it was one of three) was customized for Colonel M'Quve. (1) The Gyan's appearance, with silver armor and a *Pickelhaube*-style helmet, resembled a medieval knight, which was emphasized by M'Quve's fencing-based fighting style. (1)
Gyan's "Pickelhaube" style helmet gave it a knight-like appearance.
Armaments
Beam Saber
Although Zeon forces were technologically behind the Earth Federation Forces in beam weapon development, they managed to create several excellent beam weapons towards the end of the war. The Gyan's Beam Saber possessed superior power output to the Federation's standard saber and was specialized for piercing attacks rather than slashing. (1)
Gyan's beam saber had superior output, specialized for piercing attacks.
Missile Shield
The Gyan used a large circular Shield that not only protected it from beam weapons but also integrated offensive capabilities. It internally stored needle missiles and hidden bombs. However, this armament integration reduced the shield's overall defensive capability, making it weaker than other standard mobile suit shields. (1)
The Gyan's shield integrates needle missiles and hidden bombs.
Needle Missile
A type of micro-missile housed in the outer edges of the shield, containing a total of 60 units. They were effective for distraction and intimidation, and could incapacitate an enemy mobile suit if they directly hit the joints. (1)
Hidden Bomb
A type of floating mine stored in the central part of the missile shield, with a capacity for 25 units. (1)
Special Equipment and Features
Fluid Pulse Accelerator
This cylindrical unit, located in the pelvis, stored excess pressure generated by the reactor and transmitted it to each actuator as needed. This not only prevented kickback to the reactor from overloads but also vastly improved the responsiveness and torque of the Gyan's feet. Thanks to this, the unit could perform repetitive forward and backward movements, similar to fencing footwork. In case of damage or malfunction, the unit could be quickly ejected to avoid damage to the mobile suit's basic frame. (1)
The fluid pulse accelerator in the Gyan's pelvis improved responsiveness.
Gyan's arms were tuned for close-combat, featuring high responsiveness.
The Gyan's body houses its powerful reactor and fluid pulse accelerator.
History
The Gyan was one of four designs proposed to succeed the MS-06F Zaku II. However, it was deemed insufficient, and Zeon forces opted for the Zeonic company's MS-14 Gelgoog, a more powerful unit equipped with a beam rifle. (1)
According to one source, three Gyan units were manufactured. (1) After the fall of Solomon, Colonel M'Quve used his Gyan in an attempt to destroy the Earth Federation Forces' advanced RX-78-2 Gundam. His strategy involved luring the Gundam into the shoals of the former Texas Colony in Side 5, where he had prepared a series of traps with hidden bombs and space mines. These traps proved ineffective, forcing M'Quve to face the Gundam personally with the Gyan, ultimately being defeated and killed in combat. (1) The other two Gyans were obtained by Major General Kycilia Zabi's Mobile Assault Force and modified to the YMS-15E Gyan Eos standard. (1)
M'Quve's Gyan faced the Gundam in the Texas Colony.
Alternate History
In the *Mobile Suit Gundam* compilation films, the YMS-15 Gyan was removed from the plot. However, in the manga Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Deleted Affair: Portrait Of Young Comet, M'Quve and the Gyan reappear during the Battle of A Baoa Qu. Aware of Kycilia Zabi's death and considering the fortress lost, M'Quve activated an evacuation plan for Dozle Zabi's wife, Zenna Zabi, and their daughter, Mineva Lao Zabi. While a Gelgoog piloted by Char and a Gwazine-class ship served as distractions, M'Quve used the Gyan to escort a booster-equipped Komusai shuttle carrying the Zabi family members. Unfortunately, the Gyan was hit by a last-minute attack from a Magellan-class cruiser and was destroyed. (1)
The Gyan, a prototype mobile suit, exits a ship's hangar.
Variants
The Gyan's design led to multiple variants, including the MS-15A Gyan Mass Production Type, MS-15B Gyan High Mobility Type, MS-15C Gyan Cannon, MS-15F Gyan Marine, MS-15K Gyan Kai, MS-15Kg Gyan Krieger, MS-15PLUS Gyan EXO, MS-15(EXAM) Gyan, OMS-15RF RF Gyan, and YMS-15E Gyan Eos. Additionally, the anime Gundam Build Fighters Try features the Gyan Tateo Ver., a custom Gunpla (model kit) built and operated by Tateo Sazaki. Also known as "Gyan [Tateo Custom]," it features a metallic silver and dark gray color scheme with red details on the torso, retaining the Gyan's standard armament. (1)
This knight-like mobile suit chose a different path than the versatile Gelgoog. What are your thoughts on M'Quve's YMS-15 Gyan? Let us know in the comments below!
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Sources
- YMS-15 Gyan | Gundam Wiki (Accessed November 15, 2025)
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