Qubeley Complete Guide — Haman’s Beloved Machine Fully Explained [Zeta Gundam to ZZ]

What Is the Qubeley — The White Devil Piloted by an Empress

Among every mobile suit in the Gundam franchise, is there another machine that deserves the word “beautiful” quite as much as this one?

In 1985, appearing in the latter half of Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, the AMX-004 Qubeley shattered every convention of Zeon-lineage MS design. Where angular, straight-edged forms had been the standard for Zeon machines, there suddenly emerged a white silhouette defined entirely by curves. An organic, beetle-like body line, dramatically flared shoulder binders, and the code “LMES2” — Elmeth II — inscribed on its back.

The pilot of this MS is the regent of Neo Zeon and its de facto supreme leader, Haman Karn. At just 20 years old, she commanded the entire Axis fleet and sought to prevail in a three-way power struggle among the AEUG, Titans, and Axis — an empress in every sense of the word.

The Qubeley inherited the design philosophy of the Elmeth, the mobile armor piloted by Lalah Sune during the One Year War, and condensed its capabilities into mobile-suit scale — the definitive “Newtype-use machine.” It was the first MS in history to mount funnels, miniaturized versions of the Elmeth’s remotely guided bits, enabling both all-range attacks and conventional MS combat in a single unit.

This article covers the Qubeley in full. Specs, armaments, development history, Haman Karn’s character and iconic scenes, every variant, the design secrets behind Mamoru Nagano’s creation, and Gunpla information — a complete guide to the white empress’s beloved machine.

AMX-004 Qubeley — Basic Specifications

Spec Sheet

Item	Details
Model Number	AMX-004 (MMS-3)
Name	Qubeley
Classification	Newtype-use Prototype Mobile Suit
Head Height	18.4m
Dry Weight	35.2t
Full Weight	57.2t
Generator Output	1,820kW
Thruster Thrust	61,600kg
Armor Material	Gundarium Alloy
Sensor Range	10,900m
Developer	Axis (Zeon Remnants)
Affiliation	Axis / Neo Zeon
Mechanical Designer	Mamoru Nagano
First Appearance	Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam (1985)

Spec Analysis

The first thing that jumps out from the Qubeley’s spec sheet is its remarkably low dry weight. At 35.2 tons, the figure is extremely light for a mobile suit of its era. For reference, the Gundam Mk-II weighs 33.4t, the Hyaku Shiki 31.5t, and the Zeta Gundam 28.7t — meaning this specialized Newtype machine achieves the same weight class as second-generation MS.

Meanwhile, its generator output of 1,820kW is impressive. It trails only the Zeta Gundam’s 2,020kW and surpasses the Titans’ mass-production Hi-Zack (1,428kW) and Marasai (1,790kW). This substantial output was essential for driving the psycommu system and recharging ten funnels.

The thruster thrust of 61,600kg also deserves attention. The thrust-to-weight ratio (thruster thrust divided by full weight) comes to roughly 1.08, exceeding 1.0 — meaning the Qubeley can maneuver in space with thrust greater than its own weight. The large, flared shoulder units function as flexible binders for AMBAC (Active Mass Balance Auto Control) maneuvering, enabling attitude control without relying on thrusters. The iconic silhouette of the Qubeley “gliding with binders spread like wings” stems from this design.

The armor is Gundarium alloy. While One Year War-era Zeon MS used super-hard steel alloy, the Qubeley boasts the same lightweight, high-strength armor as Gundam-type machines. Its sensor range of 10,900m is outstanding among contemporaries, providing the wide-area detection capability needed for remote funnel control.

Origin of the Name

The name “Qubeley” derives from Cybele, the great mother goddess of the earth worshipped in ancient Anatolia (modern-day Turkey). A deity governing fertility and the earth — bestowing her name on a Newtype-use machine seems fitting for the personal unit of the “empress” Haman Karn. Zeon-lineage MS have a tradition of names rooted in Greco-Roman mythology and ancient history (Gelgoog, Galbaldy, Gyan, etc.), and the Qubeley sits squarely within that lineage.

Development History — Heir to the Elmeth’s Soul

Elmeth vs. Qubeley Comparison

Item	MAN-08 Elmeth	AMX-004 Qubeley
Classification	Mobile Armor	Mobile Suit
Length / Head Height	85.4m	18.4m
Dry Weight	163.7t	35.2t
Generator Output	14,200kW	1,820kW
Remote Weapons	Bits (12 units)	Funnels (10 units)
Weapon Power Source	Built-in fusion reactors	Energy CAP system
Melee Capability	Virtually none	Equipped with beam sabers
Pilot	Lalah Sune	Haman Karn

From Elmeth to Qubeley

The Qubeley’s development begins with a legacy of the One Year War.

Universal Century 0079, the closing days of the One Year War. The Flanagan Institute’s Newtype-use mobile armor MAN-08 Elmeth, piloted by Newtype Lalah Sune, dealt devastating damage to the Earth Federation fleet. Its remotely guided terminal weapons — “bits” — enabled all-range attacks that fundamentally upended existing combat tactics.

However, the Elmeth had a fatal flaw: its enormous size at 85.4 meters in length. Each bit required its own built-in fusion reactor, making miniaturization impossible, and the Elmeth itself was far too large to engage in mobile suit-scale close combat.

After the war’s end, the Zeon remnants who retreated to the asteroid Axis set out to inherit the Elmeth’s design philosophy while achieving it “at MS scale.” The development codename was “LMES2” — “Elmeth II.” This designation is clearly inscribed on the Qubeley’s back, a testament to the machine’s identity as the Elmeth’s legitimate successor.

Five Years of Development

The Qubeley’s development passed through multiple prototypes and took roughly five years. The greatest technical challenge was how to eliminate the fusion reactors built into the Elmeth’s bits and achieve miniaturization.

The solution was the Energy CAP (Capacitor) system. Rather than equipping each funnel with a fusion reactor, the new approach stored energy in capacitors. This dramatically reduced the size of the terminal weapons, shrinking them enough to be stored in containers on the MS’s rear skirt armor. The trade-off was that the funnels needed to periodically return to the mother unit for energy recharging.

Another critical innovation was the integrated psycommu system design. The Qubeley houses psycommu transmission devices in both the head and the manipulators (hands), using two separate systems. This suppressed psycommu cross-talk and resonance, enabling highly precise simultaneous control of multiple funnels.

Former members of the Flanagan Institute participated in the development, and Haman Karn herself served as the test pilot throughout. The fact that pilot and machine were perfected as one is precisely why the Qubeley is called Haman’s “personal machine.”

Armaments — The Fusion of All-Range Attack and Close Combat

The Qubeley’s weapons appear simple at first glance, but every one of them was designed around Newtype abilities, built on an operational philosophy fundamentally different from ordinary MS.

Funnels (10 Units)

Item	Details
Number Carried	10 (stored in rear skirt containers)
Output	1.3MW (per unit)
System	Energy CAP (periodic return and recharge)
Control	Psycommu (remote operation via brainwaves)

The Qubeley’s signature armament and the first funnels ever mounted on a mobile suit. While the Elmeth’s bits were large weapons with built-in fusion reactors, funnels adopted the Energy CAP system to achieve dramatic reductions in size and weight. The name “funnel” comes from the weapon’s funnel-like shape.

Haman Karn had a distinctive style of funnel deployment. Where later-era Newtype pilots relied heavily on funnels as their primary weapons, Haman tended to use them as supplements, diversions, and feints. This was because Haman’s own piloting skills were exceptional enough to deliver formidable combat performance in direct MS combat alone.

In the show, the memorable sequence of the rear skirt panels flipping open to launch funnels in a volley is an iconic visual. The deployed funnels circle around enemy units while raining down beams, forming an inescapable “kill zone.”

Beam Gun / Beam Saber (Built into Both Forearms, 2 Units)

A composite weapon built into the forearms, offering versatility for both ranged and melee combat. When used as a beam gun, the Qubeley adopts a distinctive shooting posture with the manipulators extended forward. When deployed as beam sabers, the blades pop up from the forearms, eliminating the need to swap weapons.

This design — “firing beams directly from the arms without using the hands” — also serves as an engineering solution to avoid interference with the psycommu system. Since the manipulators house psycommu transmission devices, holding beam weapons in the conventional hand-grip style could have disrupted psycommu performance.

Large Beam Sabers (Housed in Shoulder Binders, 2 Units)

High-output beam sabers stored inside the flexible binders. These feature longer, larger beam blades than standard beam sabers, functioning as the Qubeley’s “trump card” in melee combat.

In the final episode of Gundam ZZ, when Haman engages Judau Ashta’s ZZ Gundam in a one-on-one duel, the scene of her charging in with both large beam sabers drawn is a legendary moment that showcases the Qubeley’s close-combat prowess.

Design Philosophy Behind the Armaments

A clear design philosophy runs through the Qubeley’s weapon loadout.

No hand-held weapons — this is the Qubeley’s defining characteristic. While conventional MS “hold” rifles and bazookas in their hands, every weapon on the Qubeley is built into the airframe. Funnels are stored in containers, beam guns/sabers are embedded in the forearms, and large beam sabers are housed in the binders. Having both hands permanently free means the psycommu devices in the manipulators can be utilized to their fullest potential for funnel control.

This is not the concept of “a soldier carrying weapons” but rather “the machine itself is the weapon.” While the Elmeth was a “mobile gun battery,” the Qubeley was designed as something closer to “a living creature with the will to fight.”

Pilot — Haman Karn, Regent at Twenty

Profile

Item	Details
Name	Haman Karn
Born	January 10, UC 0067
Died	January 17, UC 0089 (age 22)
Affiliation	Axis / Neo Zeon
Title	Regent of Mineva Lao Zabi → Supreme Leader of Neo Zeon
Newtype Ability	Exceptionally high (capable of simultaneously controlling 10 funnels)
Voice Actress	Yoshiko Sakakibara

Haman Karn is one of the most charismatic characters in the entire Gundam franchise. Born into the distinguished Karn family of the Principality of Zeon, she rose to prominence among the Zeon remnants who fled to the asteroid Axis after the One Year War.

At just 16, she was appointed regent of Mineva Lao Zabi, the last of the Zabi bloodline. From that point on, she commanded the entire Axis military in Mineva’s name. At 20, she piloted the Qubeley to intervene in the Gryps Conflict, demonstrating political skill that played both the AEUG and the Titans against each other.

A gravity beyond her years, cold-blooded calculation, and yet beneath it all a hidden loneliness and inner conflict — Haman is one of the most psychologically complex characters in Gundam history.

The Fateful Bond with Char Aznable

The relationship between Haman and Char is impossible to ignore when discussing the Qubeley.

During the Axis era, Char (under the alias Quattro Bajeena) spent time at Haman’s side. The exact nature of their relationship is never made explicit in the show, but when they reunite in Zeta Gundam Episode 36, “Eternal Four,” Haman’s words reveal everything —

“I wanted to change this universe together with you, Char.”

All of her complex emotions are condensed into that single line. Trust and disillusionment toward Char, and fury. The series implies that Char’s “running away” was part of what forced Haman to become the ruthless leader that Axis demanded.

Iconic Quotes

Haman Karn’s memorable lines directly mirror her authority and solitary pride.

“Know your shame, you philistine!”

When Kamille Bidan’s Newtype resonance allowed them to glimpse each other’s memories, Haman rejected Kamille’s psychic intrusion with this rebuke. “Philistine” (zokubutsu) became virtually synonymous with Haman, and voice actress Yoshiko Sakakibara famously confessed at NHK’s “All Gundam Grand Vote” that she had “hated saying that line.”

“Don’t underestimate this Qubeley!”

In Zeta Gundam Episode 46, “Scirocco Rises,” Haman faces a three-on-one disadvantage against Paptimus Scirocco’s The-O, Reccoa Londe’s Pallas Athene, and Sarah Zabiarov’s Bolinoak Sammahn — yet displays overwhelming combat power with funnels and beam sabers.

“I’m glad I came back… to meet such a strong young person…”

Her final words in Gundam ZZ‘s last episode, “The Battle of Warriors, Again…” After losing her duel with Judau Ashta by the narrowest of margins, she refuses Judau’s outstretched hand of rescue, and before she sends the Qubeley crashing into the wall of Moussa, she whispers these words. She does not deny the way she lived, yet she acknowledges the strength of the young warrior who will inherit the next era — a line that distills everything Haman Karn was.

Haman’s Combat Style

Haman’s piloting style with the Qubeley was distinctly different from other Newtype pilots.

Launching without a normal suit — Despite fighting in outer space, Haman frequently sat in the cockpit without wearing a normal suit (space suit). This was a display of absolute confidence in her Newtype abilities and piloting skills — and a conscious acceptance of the risk that a single shot through the cockpit would mean instant death. Paradoxically, this vulnerability underscored Haman’s terrifying resolve: she never once considered the possibility of defeat.

Balancing funnels and melee combat — As mentioned above, rather than relying on funnels as her primary weapon, Haman preferred to use them for suppression, feints, and cutting off escape routes while personally engaging at close range with beam sabers. This stands in stark contrast to later-era Newtype pilots who “fight with funnels alone,” demonstrating that Haman’s MS piloting skills were “first-rate even without Newtype abilities.”

Combat Record — From Zeta Gundam to Gundam ZZ

Appearances in Zeta Gundam (UC 0087)

Debut — Episode 32, “Unidentified Mobile Suit”

The Qubeley makes its first appearance in Zeta Gundam Episode 32. As Axis returns to the Earth Sphere, Haman Karn presents Mineva Lao Zabi and declares the founding of Neo Zeon. Behind this political drama, the Qubeley appears on the battlefield as an “unidentified mobile suit.”

Its white, curvilinear silhouette was utterly unlike any MS that had appeared in Zeta Gundam up to that point, leaving viewers with a powerful impression.

Confrontation with Quattro (Char)

The encounter with Quattro Bajeena — Char Aznable behind the mask — in his Hyaku Shiki became the most emotionally charged battle the Qubeley ever fought. Haman’s Newtype abilities surpassed Char’s, and she overwhelmed the Hyaku Shiki. This was no ordinary MS battle — it was a reckoning between two people with a shared past.

The Final Phase of the Gryps Conflict — A Three-Way Deathmatch

The climax of Zeta Gundam, the final battle over Gryps 2 among the AEUG, Titans, and Axis, was where the Qubeley truly proved its worth.

Haman’s Qubeley engages in a three-way battle against Scirocco’s The-O and Kamille’s Zeta Gundam. In her fight against Scirocco in particular, she holds her own and more against three machines simultaneously — The-O, Pallas Athene, and Bolinoak Sammahn — turning funnel-based all-range attacks and high-mobility combat to overcome numerical disadvantage.

However, in her engagement with Kamille’s Zeta Gundam, she is pushed back by Kamille’s sheer mental power (Newtype ability). The Zeta Gundam’s beam saber severs one of her flexible binders, forcing her to withdraw.

Exploits in Gundam ZZ (UC 0088–0089)

The First Neo Zeon War

In Gundam ZZ, Haman fully assumes command as Neo Zeon’s supreme leader and begins the conquest of the Earth Sphere. The Qubeley serves as her symbol, deployed in decisive battles at critical junctures.

Repeated clashes with Judau Ashta’s ZZ Gundam are depicted throughout the series. While Haman senses a threat in Judau’s latent Newtype potential, she maintains the upper hand through the Qubeley’s performance, funnel tactics, and her own overwhelming combat experience.

The Final Episode, “The Battle of Warriors, Again…” — The Empress’s Last Stand

Episode 47 (the final episode) of Gundam ZZ is the last battle of Haman and her Qubeley.

With Neo Zeon fractured by Glemy Toto’s rebellion, Haman faces Judau in their ultimate showdown. Even after taking a direct hit from the ZZ Gundam’s High Mega Cannon, Haman’s Newtype-generated psyco-field deflects the blast. Though portions of her armor are damaged, she fights on.

Using funnels as decoys while wielding both large beam sabers, she severs one of the ZZ Gundam’s arms and one of its legs. Yet by the slimmest margin, Judau prevails.

Judau ejects from his cockpit and reaches out to save her, but Haman quietly refuses.

“I’m glad I came back… to meet such a strong young person…”

The Qubeley slams into the wall of Moussa (the habitation block of Axis), and Haman Karn perishes at the age of 22. She closes out her life alongside her Qubeley.

This ending is not a simple “defeat.” It is a conscious choice — an acknowledgment that the young warrior Judau represents the next generation, and an acceptance that her own era has ended. It remains one of the most noble exits in the entire Gundam franchise, etched into the hearts of countless fans to this day.

Qubeley vs. Contemporary Newtype Machines — Combat Record Summary

Opponent	Machine	Result	Notes
Kamille Bidan	Zeta Gundam	Draw to defeat	Binder severed; forced to retreat
Quattro (Char)	Hyaku Shiki	Qubeley dominant	Haman’s NT ability overwhelms
Paptimus Scirocco	The-O	Even	Holds her own against 3-on-1
Judau Ashta	ZZ Gundam	Defeat by narrowest margin	Final episode duel

What this record tells us is that the combination of the Qubeley and Haman Karn maintained “top-tier” combat power from the Gryps Conflict through the entire First Neo Zeon War. The only clear defeat was the final battle against Judau — and even that was decided by “the slimmest margin.”

Variants — The Qubeley Lineage

Despite being a prototype, the Qubeley’s design philosophy spawned successors and derivatives. Below is a complete breakdown of every machine in the Qubeley family.

Variant List

Model Number	Name	Pilot	Appearance	Features
AMX-004	Qubeley	Haman Karn	Zeta Gundam / ZZ	Original unit. 10 funnels
AMX-004-2	Qubeley Mk-II (Unit 2)	Elpeo Ple	Gundam ZZ	Dark blue color. Tri-blade beam saber
AMX-004-3	Qubeley Mk-II (Unit 3)	Puru Two	Gundam ZZ	Red color. Equipped with psycommu controller
AMX-004G	Mass Production Qubeley	Ple Series	Gundam ZZ	30 funnels. Active cannons added
—	Qubeley Papillon	Aila Jyrkiainen	Build Fighters	Custom for Gunpla Battle
—	Qubeley Damned	—	Build Divers	Dark-color custom
—	Qubeley An Belier	—	Build Divers	White-and-blue custom

AMX-004-2 Qubeley Mk-II (Elpeo Ple Unit)

Item	Details
Model Number	AMX-004-2
Color Scheme	Dark Blue
Pilot	Elpeo Ple
Features	Beam saber base can deploy in three directions

A refined version of the Qubeley developed with mass production in mind. While there are slight differences in armament and detail from Haman’s original, overall performance is largely the same. It incorporates both detuning and upgrades aimed at eventual mass production.

Elpeo Ple is a young girl and artificially enhanced human created by Zeon’s Newtype research organization. Cheerful and innocent, she grows attached to Judau Ashta and defects from Neo Zeon to the AEUG side. She pilots the Qubeley Mk-II to fight alongside Judau and his companions, but ultimately loses her life in a battle against Puru Two’s Psycho Gundam Mk-II.

Ple’s death is regarded as one of the most tragic moments in Gundam history, to the point where it is often said, “No Gundam fan can watch Ple’s death episode without crying.”

AMX-004-3 Qubeley Mk-II (Puru Two Unit)

Item	Details
Model Number	AMX-004-3
Color Scheme	Red
Pilot	Puru Two
Features	Equipped with psycommu controller (enabling external remote control)

Unit 3 is the red Qubeley piloted by Puru Two — a clone of Elpeo Ple. While externally identical to the Mk-II Unit 2, it has an additional psycommu controller installed, a system that allows Glemy Toto to exert a degree of external control over Puru Two’s actions.

Puru Two eventually breaks free of Glemy’s domination and ultimately fights to protect Judau and his companions, sacrificing her own life in the process.

AMX-004G Mass Production Qubeley

Item	Details
Model Number	AMX-004G
Pilots	Ple Series (clone-type enhanced humans)
Funnel Capacity	30 units (triple the original)
Full Weight	62.1t
Additional Armament	2 active cannons (dorsal), hand launchers

A machine born from the seemingly contradictory plan of mass-producing a Newtype-use machine. This contradiction was resolved by “brute force” — assigning artificially created Newtypes, the Ple Series (clones of Elpeo Ple), as pilots.

The biggest difference from the original is the massive increase in funnel capacity. With 30 funnels, plus two active cannons on the back and hand launchers replacing the wrist-mounted beam guns, the firepower is dramatically enhanced.

In the latter half of Gundam ZZ, these machines were organized into Glemy Toto’s rebel forces and deployed en masse as escorts for the Quin Mantha. The scene of multiple Mass Production Qubeleys simultaneously deploying their funnels is a memorable visual that conveys the sheer terror of overwhelming numbers.

However, the Ple Series’ Newtype abilities could not match Haman’s precision of control, and they reportedly failed to fully leverage all 30 funnels. The result ironically confirmed the core principle of the Gundam franchise: “A machine’s performance is only as good as its pilot.”

The Qubeley’s Successor — NZ-000 Quin Mantha

While not a direct successor in the strictest sense, the NZ-000 Quin Mantha must be mentioned as part of the lineage of Neo Zeon Newtype-use machines. The Quin Mantha is a large MS that fuses the design philosophies of the Qubeley and the Psycho Gundam, ultimately piloted by Puru Two. Armed with numerous psycommu weapons including funnels, it can truly be called “the culmination of Newtype-use machines.”

Furthermore, in Gundam Unicorn, set in UC 0096, the Kshatriya (NZ-666) appears as a machine carrying on the Qubeley’s lineage. Equipped with 24 funnels, it is piloted by Marida Cruz (Ple Twelve — the twelfth in the Ple Series) of the Neo Zeon remnant force known as “the Sleeves.” The lineage from Qubeley to Quin Mantha to Kshatriya is, in essence, the history of Zeon’s Newtype weaponry itself.

Design Secrets — Mamoru Nagano’s “Revolution in Curves”

Designer: Mamoru Nagano

The Qubeley was designed by mechanical designer Mamoru Nagano. Nagano also designed the Hyaku Shiki and Rick Dias for Zeta Gundam, and would later go on to establish his own unique mecha design universe with The Five Star Stories — a supremely talented young designer.

The Design’s Origins

The Qubeley’s design existed in prototype form even before Zeta Gundam began airing. Initially, Nagano had developed this design for a different mobile suit (the Marasai), but the project was interrupted when Nagano temporarily departed from Zeta Gundam‘s mechanical design team.

Later, in April 1985, chief director Yoshiyuki Tomino requested “a couple more mobile suits for the second half,” and Nagano refined this design, completing it as the “Qubeley.”

The Surprising Truth: “A Zaku Silhouette”

Mamoru Nagano left a remarkable statement about the Qubeley’s design:

“Remove the armor, and the silhouette is pure Zaku.”

At first glance, the streamlined Qubeley bears no resemblance to a Zaku, but according to Nagano, the internal structural proportions are modeled on the Principality of Zeon’s Zaku. Beneath the beetle-like curved exterior, a Zaku’s silhouette lies hidden — Nagano’s artful way of embedding the Qubeley’s identity as a “successor to Zeon” deep within the design itself.

The Impact of Curved Beauty

The Qubeley’s design provoked passionate debate among Gundam fans at the time.

Since the original Mobile Suit Gundam in 1979, MS designs had been dominated by straight-lined, angular forms. The Zaku, Dom, Gelgoog, Gundam Mk-II — all are composed of straight lines and flat surfaces. Then suddenly, a white machine built entirely of curves appeared: an organic body line reminiscent of a beetle, a winged silhouette created by dramatically flared shoulder binders.

“It doesn’t look like an MS,” “It’s too beautiful” — such criticisms surfaced. But so did praise: “This is exactly what a Newtype machine should look like,” “It has a presence that transcends weaponry.”

The Meaning of the Color Scheme

The Qubeley’s white and purple color scheme also carries significant meaning. White symbolizes “purity” and “solitary eminence,” while purple represents “nobility” and “power.” This palette, which completely breaks from the traditional green tones of Zeon MS, visually expresses Haman Karn herself — a young regent who inherits the legacy of Zeon yet walks her own path.

Influence on Later Works

Nagano’s Qubeley design profoundly influenced subsequent Gundam series. It established the precedent that “curves can be used in MS design,” cultivating the soil for the diverse design expressions of later works — from the Turn A Gundam (Syd Mead) to the Strike Freedom Gundam (Kunio Okawara).

Nagano himself evolved the Qubeley’s design language into the Mortar Headds (later Gothic Made) of The Five Star Stories, making the Qubeley one of the origin points of Nagano’s mecha design philosophy.

There are also accounts that Nagano first drew the Qubeley’s initial sketches while he was still in middle school, pushing the design’s genesis even further back. It has also been said that the Rick Dias emerged from the same original concept, suggesting that the idea of a “curved MS” had been incubating within Nagano for many years.

Cultural Impact — Progenitor of the Funnel, Machine of an Empress

Establishing the Concept of Funnels

The Qubeley’s greatest legacy to posterity is the establishment of the funnel as a weapon category.

While the Elmeth’s bits were massive remote weapons deployed from a mobile armor, the Qubeley’s funnels were realized as compact terminals that a mobile suit could carry. The concept of “funnels” has appeared repeatedly in every subsequent Gundam series, becoming synonymous with Newtype-use machines.

• Nu Gundam‘s Fin Funnels (Char’s Counterattack)
• Sazabi‘s Funnels (Char’s Counterattack)
• Kshatriya‘s Funnels (Gundam Unicorn)
• Unicorn Gundam‘s Shield Funnels (Gundam Unicorn)
• Hi-Nu Gundam‘s Fin Funnels (Novel version of Char’s Counterattack)

The origin of all of these is the Qubeley’s funnels. The combat sequence of “compact terminals buzzing around an enemy and firing beams” — now a staple of Gundam — began with the Qubeley in 1985.

An Icon of the “Female Pilot’s Machine”

The Qubeley became an icon of “a beautiful machine piloted by a female pilot” in the Gundam franchise. Its curvilinear form, white-and-purple color scheme, and pairing with the intensely charismatic female pilot Haman Karn created a template that has been homaged repeatedly in later works.

In Gundam Build Fighters, Aila Jyrkiainen’s use of the Qubeley Papillon fits precisely within this context. The image of the Qubeley as “the beloved machine of a strong female character” has been carried forward even into the Gunpla Battle series.

Fan Popularity and Critical Reception

The Qubeley consistently ranks high in periodic Gundam popularity polls. In NHK’s “All Gundam Grand Vote” (2018), it achieved a high ranking in the Mobile Suit category. Pilot Haman Karn also placed highly in the Character category — making the Qubeley one of the rare cases where “both the machine and the pilot are beloved.”

Furthermore, the inseparable association of “Qubeley means Haman” and “Haman means Qubeley” has become firmly established among Gundam fans, rivaling the iconic bonds of Char with the Zaku/Gelgoog and Amuro with the Gundam/Nu Gundam.

Establishing the Lineage of “Zeon Newtype-Use Machines”

The Qubeley’s debut established the lineage of Newtype-use machines within the Zeon faction. The Elmeth of the One Year War was merely a one-off experimental weapon, but the Qubeley saw mass-production attempts and spawned successors (Quin Mantha, Kshatriya).

This lineage reflects the “Zeon philosophy of Newtype warfare” in machine design — a philosophy fundamentally different from the Federation-side Psycho Gundam or Nu Gundam. Where the Federation approach was “add Newtype armament to an existing MS,” the Zeon approach was “design from scratch for a Newtype.” This philosophical difference is most clearly expressed in the Qubeley’s design: all weapons integrated, no hand-held armament whatsoever.

Appearances in Video Games

The Qubeley is a regular participant in game titles such as the Super Robot Wars series and the Gundam VS. series. Its all-range funnel attacks are faithfully reproduced as powerful weapons in many games, earning it the reputation of “frustrating to fight against, reassuring to have on your side.”

In the EXVS. series in particular, the Qubeley is popular as a pressure-type machine that corners opponents while scattering funnels, and there is no shortage of players who proudly call themselves “Qubeley mains.” Fans report that hearing Haman’s “You philistine!” play during matches never fails to boost morale.

Gunpla Guide — Getting Your Hands on a Qubeley

Key Kit Lineup

HGUC (High Grade Universal Century) 1/144

Kit Name	Price (Tax Included)	Release Date	Highlights
HGUC Qubeley (REVIVE)	¥2,200	December 2015	Best pick for beginners. The REVIVE version dramatically improves articulation. Four flexible binders move independently, allowing recreation of in-show flight poses. All 10 funnels included
HGUC Qubeley Mk-II (Elpeo Ple Unit)	¥2,200	2017	Dark blue Unit 2. A must-have for Ple fans
HGUC Qubeley Mk-II (Puru Two Unit)	¥2,200	2018	Red Unit 3. Molded in red plastic

The HGUC REVIVE Qubeley is a complete overhaul of the original HGUC Qubeley (released in 2000). It delivers modern-standard articulation and color separation, and even a snap-fit build (no cement required) yields impressive results. Binder opening/closing, rear skirt flipping — all the Qubeley-like poses are achievable.

Adding the separately sold “Funnel Effect Set” (Premium Bandai exclusive) enables a funnel-deployment display.

MG (Master Grade) 1/100

Kit Name	Price (Tax Included)	Highlights
MG AMX-004 Qubeley	~¥4,400	The definitive Qubeley Gunpla. Savor the curved beauty at 1/100 scale. All 10 funnels detachable. Inner frame fully reproduced
MG Qubeley Mk-II (Elpeo Ple Unit)	~¥4,400	Dark blue MG version. MG-level precision
MG Qubeley Mk-II (Puru Two Unit)	~¥4,400	Red MG version. The go-to for Puru Two fans
MG Qubeley Damned	¥5,940	Build Divers version. Dark-color custom. Premium Bandai exclusive
MG Qubeley An Belier	¥5,940	Build Divers version. White-and-blue custom. Premium Bandai exclusive

The MG Qubeley was released in 2004, but its reproduction of the curved form is still highly regarded today. The 1/100 scale offers an impressive size, and the shoulder binders have commanding presence. All 10 funnels are detachable, allowing recreation of the container-launch sequence.

Figures & Pre-Built

Product	Price (Tax Included)	Highlights
ROBOT Spirits ＜SIDE MS＞ Qubeley	¥7,150	Pre-built action figure. Approx. 12.5cm tall. Independently articulated binders. Comes with funnel effects, beam sabers, and large beam sabers. No assembly required — display your Qubeley right away

Choosing the Right One for You

Your Type	Recommendation
Gunpla beginner	HGUC Qubeley (REVIVE) — High quality at ¥2,200
Want the best single kit	MG Qubeley — For savoring the curved beauty, MG is the only choice
Fan of the Ple Series	HGUC or MG Qubeley Mk-II (choose your color)
Not great at building	ROBOT Spirits Qubeley — Pre-built, ready to display
Build series fan	MG Qubeley Damned or An Belier

Painting Tips

When painting a Qubeley, the key challenge is how to handle the white. Rather than pure white, a subtle addition of gray or blue to create an “off-white” best captures the authentic Qubeley tone. For the purple accent color, paints in the “Purple Violet” range from Gaianotes are recommended. Finishing the inner surface of the binders with a metallic coat dramatically elevates the final look.

History of Qubeley Gunpla

The Qubeley’s Gunpla history is a long one — a 1/144 scale kit was already available during the original 1985 broadcast. It was subsequently renewed as HGUC (No.004) in 2000, followed by the MG 1/100 in 2004. Then in 2015, the HGUC REVIVE version arrived with modern-standard articulation and color separation.

Fan demand for “an RG (Real Grade) Qubeley next, please” is persistent, and RG Qubeley consistently ranks among the top requests in Gunpla popularity polls. If an RG could realize the curved form and precisely detailed funnels, it would undoubtedly become a must-have kit.

Related Articles

• Gelgoog — Complete Guide: Another legendary Zeon machine whose legacy endures alongside the Qubeley.
• Psycho Gundam — Complete Guide: A Newtype-use giant MS that debuted in the same era as the Qubeley.
• Gyan — Complete Guide: A celebrated Zeon machine sometimes cited as a design ancestor of the Qubeley’s shoulder binders.
• Hambrabi — Complete Guide: A unique Titans MS that saw action in Zeta Gundam.
• Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam — Series Complete Guide: A full overview of the series where the Qubeley debuted.
• Zaku — Complete Guide: The eternal icon that served as the Qubeley’s hidden design motif.

Sources

• Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam TV Series, Sunrise, 1985–1986
• Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ TV Series, Sunrise, 1986–1987
• Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn OVA, Sunrise, 2010–2014
• Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative Film, Sunrise, 2018
• GUNDAM.INFO (gundam.info) — AMX-004 Qubeley
• GUNDAM.INFO — AMX-004-2 Qubeley Mk-II
• Bandai Spirits Hobby Official Site (bandai-hobby.net) — MG Qubeley
• Bandai Spirits Hobby Official Site — HGUC Qubeley
• TAMASHII WEB — ROBOT Spirits Qubeley
• ORICON NEWS — “Codename ‘L-MES2’: The Qubeley, Carrying Not Just a Design Philosophy but Lalah’s Very Soul” (oricon.co.jp)
• Nico Nico Encyclopedia — “Qubeley” (dic.nicovideo.jp)
• Pixiv Encyclopedia — “Qubeley,” “Haman Karn” (dic.pixiv.net)

---

If you spot any errors or have updated information, please let us know. We value accuracy.