Reborns Gundam Complete Guide— The Ultimate Mobile Suit of the Innovade, Explained【Gundam 00】

What Is the Reborns Gundam — The "Ultimate Contradiction" Created by an Innovade

"I am the Innovator!"——When Ribbons Almark shouts these words, a massive transformed mobile suit blazes behind him.

The Reborns Gundam (CB-0000G/C) is the exclusive machine of Ribbons Almark, the true mastermind of the story, appearing in the final battle of Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Second Season. It features a dual transformation system: a humanoid "Gundam Mode" and a "Cannon Mode (Reborns Cannon)" with deployed artillery. In the model number "CB-0000G/C," the "G" stands for Gundam and the "C" stands for Cannon.

The defining characteristic of this unit is its design featuring two pseudo-GN Drives (GN Drive Tau), a copy of the Twin Drive System used by 00 Gundam. It is a machine completed by "stealing" the ultimate technology of Celestial Being — that is the Reborns Gundam.

Yet therein lies a fundamental contradiction at the unit's core. Ribbons, as the administrator of Veda and as an Innovade, sought to "manage and control" humanity. But the form of the machine mirrors a Gundam — a symbol that exists to "inspire humanity's transformation." The unit wears the symbol of revolution while its pilot desires domination — that contradiction is the true essence of the Reborns Gundam.

This article provides a thorough breakdown of the Reborns Gundam's specs, armaments, and transformation mechanics; Ribbons Almark's true identity and ambitions; the connection to 0 Gundam; the details of the final battle; and Gunpla information.

CB-0000G/C Basic Specifications

Cannon Mode (Reborns Cannon) Specifications

Development History — The "Theft" of the Twin Drive

What Is the Pseudo-GN Drive (GN Drive Tau)?

The two power sources of the Reborns Gundam are not genuine GN Drives (pure solar furnaces), but pseudo-solar furnaces known as GN Drive Tau (τ).

The genuine GN Drives are special furnaces manufactured by Aeolia Schenberg over many years in Jupiter's orbit — only five exist in the world. Because Ribbons found it difficult to secure two genuine drives (or perhaps intentionally chose an option more under his own control), he opted for a design using two mass-produced pseudo-solar furnaces developed by the Earth Federation.

Pseudo-solar furnaces have several disadvantages compared to genuine drives:

• Lower particle quality: The GN particles generated by pseudo-solar furnaces are less "pure" than those of genuine drives
• Depletion after Trans-Am: Using Trans-Am (maximum output release) on a pseudo-solar furnace exhausts its particles, requiring extended recharging time
• Gap with the "real" Twin Drive: The "squared output effect from resonance" achieved by 00 Gundam's genuine Twin Drive System cannot be fully replicated by pseudo-solar furnaces

Even so, the Reborns Gundam's output — with two GN Drive Tau units — was at a level that overwhelmingly surpassed most mass-production units of the era.

Design and Construction by Veda

The super-advanced AI Veda played a crucial role in the development of the Reborns Gundam.

Veda was a system designed to execute the plan left by Aeolia Schenberg, but Ribbons had placed Veda under his own control and diverted it from its original purpose. The Reborns Gundam was designed as "a machine exclusively for Ribbons," built on the premise of Veda's enormous computational capacity and Ribbons' superhuman aptitude as an Innovade pilot.

Considering that Ribbons himself is a being created through duplication of Innovade memories and abilities, the Reborns Gundam also carries the aspect of a "replica" — copying and advancing the Gundam technology of Celestial Being.

The Connection to 0 Gundam

When discussing the Reborns Gundam, the relationship with GN-000 0 Gundam is indispensable.

The 0 Gundam is the original Gundam designed first by Aeolia Schenberg, a special unit that Ribbons Almark has piloting experience with. Ribbons once appeared as the pilot of the 0 Gundam during Setsuna's boyhood — he rescued the young boy soldier Setsuna, who had been caught in a life-threatening situation on the battlefield, in the 0 Gundam. This event became the origin of Setsuna's "obsession with Gundams."

In other words, Ribbons is the very person who planted the concept of "Gundam" in Setsuna's life, and the Reborns Gundam appears as the culmination of that fated connection.

• 0 Gundam: The "first Gundam" embodying Aeolia's ideals
• Reborns Gundam: A "unit modeled after a Gundam" designed for Ribbons' own ambitions

This contrast is what highlights the narrative significance of the Reborns Gundam as a Mobile Suit.

Transformation Mechanics — Gundam Mode and Cannon Mode

The Reborns Gundam's greatest mechanical feature is its dual-mode transformation. While many Gundam units change their form through "combination" with another unit, the Reborns transforms on its own into two completely different combat configurations.

Gundam Mode — All-Purpose Close-to-Mid Range Type

Gundam Mode is a humanoid form resembling a conventional Gundam.

Visual Characteristics: It has the V-fin antenna and twin-eye visor characteristic of Gundams, with pseudo-solar furnaces positioned on both shoulders. Its silhouette is intentionally reminiscent of 00 Gundam's design, though its overall proportions are sharper with a sense of "refined beauty." The color scheme is primarily white, green, and black, and the sight of emerald-green GN particles radiating from across its body is striking.

Gundam Mode Capabilities: - Handles combat from close to mid range - Uses various armaments including the GN Beam Saber and GN Buster Rifle - High mobility and defensive capability from GN particle fields - Combined with Ribbons' superhuman piloting skills as an Innovade, delivers top-tier melee and ranged combat performance

Cannon Mode (Reborns Cannon) — Long-Range Artillery Specialist

Transforming into Cannon Mode involves large-scale reconfiguration across the unit's body.

Transformation Process: 1. The backpack rotates forward and deploys to become a large GN cannon platform 2. The head is retracted (or repositioned), with the artillery targeting sensors moving to the front 3. The legs transform and lock, bringing the entire unit into a stable "gun platform" posture 4. The pseudo-solar furnaces on both shoulders shift to a configuration specialized for supplying GN particles to the cannon

Cannon Mode Capabilities: - Extreme long-range bombardment via the GN Hi-Mega Cannon - Concentrating higher particle output than normal into the cannon dramatically increases the destructive power of each shot - Capable of area suppression across a wide range - Mobility is reduced compared to Gundam Mode, but firepower is maximized in return

This dual-mode transformation is intended to consolidate versatility — "capable of handling both close-range melee combat and long-range artillery combat" — within a single unit. By switching modes according to the situation, it can respond to any combat scenario — that is the Reborns Gundam's design philosophy.

The Meaning Behind the Transformation Design

The design choice of transformation also overlaps with Ribbons Almark's ideology as a "ruler." To adapt and suppress in any situation. Not a specialist in one domain, but someone who can control every front single-handedly — that was Ribbons' ideal vision of a "perfect Innovade," and the Reborns Gundam is the mechanical embodiment of that ideology.

Armaments and Special Equipment

GN Beam Saber

The close-combat weapon used in Gundam Mode. The GN Beam Saber deploys from the forearm and converges GN particles into a beam blade. Combined with Ribbons' superhuman reflexes and decision-making speed as an Innovade, its close-range penetrating power is extremely high.

In the final battle, it is used in the scene where Ribbons crosses blades with Setsuna, piloting Gundam Exia Repair II.

GN Buster Rifle

The primary ranged armament in Gundam Mode. A rifle that concentrates and radiates GN particles, capable of precision fire at mid range. It has sufficient output to shoot down a standard mass-production unit in a single hit.

GN Hi-Mega Cannon (Cannon Mode Exclusive)

The main cannon used in Cannon Mode (Reborns Cannon). This super-large cannon is formed when the unit's backpack transforms, and represents the Reborns Gundam's maximum firepower.

This cannon radiates GN particles compressed and converged to the extreme limit, and is said to have sufficient output to sink a large vessel like an HCM-class ship with a single shot. It is also capable of area suppression over a wide range, with the power to instantly change the tide of battle.

GN Field

An energy barrier formed by deploying GN particles around the unit. It defends against both beam weapons and solid rounds up to a certain level. The GN Field leveraging the high output of two pseudo-solar furnaces delivers considerable defensive capability even for a single unit.

Trans-Am (Pseudo-Solar Furnace Version)

Trans-Am on a pseudo-solar furnace is fundamentally different from that of a genuine solar furnace.

Genuine Solar Furnace Trans-Am: Releases GN particles that have been compressed and stored internally. After use, the furnace returns to normal output but can continue operating.

Pseudo-Solar Furnace (GN Drive Tau) Trans-Am: The mechanism of releasing stored particles is similar, but after use the particles become exhausted, making continued operation difficult without extended recharging.

The Reborns Gundam carries this weakness of the pseudo-solar furnace, and its ability to sustain combat after Trans-Am activation is limited. This carries important strategic implications in the final battle.

Transformation Mechanics (Technical Details)

During transformation, the Reborns Gundam's components operate as follows:

• Backpack: Rotates forward more than 90 degrees; the cannon barrel slides out and extends
• Arms: Locked in place in Cannon Mode (for gun platform stability)
• Legs: Knee joints transform to form a "gun platform posture" with improved ground stability
• Head Sensors: Switch to long-range targeting sensors in Cannon Mode

Pilot Profile — Ribbons Almark

Who Is Ribbons?

Ribbons Almark — he is not a "human." He is an Innovade, an "artificially created superior species," designed to manage and assist Veda.

His appearance is that of an androgynous young man with silver hair and red eyes. His tone is calm and intellectual, but within him dwells a warped sense of mission: "managing and controlling humanity is correct."

Abilities as an Innovade: - Interface with Veda (quantum information connection) - Ultra-high-speed information processing and situational judgment - Remote operation via quantum brainwaves (has simultaneously controlled multiple Gundams) - Physically near-equivalent to a normal human, but mental and intellectual capabilities are dramatically superior

The Relationship with Aeolia Schenberg's "Design"

Ribbons is a being created based on blueprints left by Aeolia Schenberg, but his actions had greatly deviated from Aeolia's intended role as a "herald of humanity's transformation."

The future Aeolia envisioned was one in which "Innovades assist and support humanity, encouraging space migration and the blooming of dialogue capabilities." But Ribbons distorted that interpretation toward "managing and controlling humanity, with Innovades standing above humans in a new order."

The root of this deviation likely lies in the fact that Ribbons, in the process of seizing control of Veda, became chronically intoxicated by the "position of administrator." Veda is a system that processes and manages all kinds of information. Ribbons, who could freely manipulate that system, gradually arrived at a self-deification — "I am the only being capable of correctly guiding the world."

Ribbons and the 0 Gundam

A fact revealed in the early part of the story (the retrospective in Second Season Episode 1) — Ribbons was once the pilot of the 0 Gundam (GN-000), the first unit equipped with a genuine GN Drive in the history of the Gundam 00 world.

Before AD 2307, in a conflict zone, there was a young boy fighting — that was the young Setsuna (real name: Soran Ibrahim). Ribbons was in the cockpit of the 0 Gundam that descended from the sky above the battlefield. Ribbons looked down at Setsuna, trapped in a crisis on the battlefield, and said: "You have the will to live." — And the sight of that 0 Gundam became the origin of Setsuna's lifelong "reverence for Gundams."

In other words, it was Ribbons himself who caused Setsuna to revere Gundams. The person who created the starting point of all of Setsuna's actions is the very same person who becomes Setsuna's greatest enemy in the final battle — that fateful connection gives the ultimate showdown between the Reborns Gundam and Gundam Exia Repair II a powerful dramatic weight.

Ribbons' Ambitions and His Self-Proclamation as "Innovator"

Ribbons' ultimate goal, simply stated, is "world domination," but his motivation is not mere desire for power. He genuinely believed that "only I can correctly guide humanity."

Born as an Innovade, he possesses intelligence and information-processing capability incomparable to ordinary humans. Through Veda, he has access to information from across the globe. If so, then allowing "old humanity" — with its limited cognitive capacity — to freely make decisions is "inefficient and dangerous." With this logic, he reinterpreted domination as "correct management."

The line "I am the Innovator!" encapsulates this self-perception. He positioned himself as "the ideal form of evolved humanity" and wanted to be an existence that looks down upon humanity from that apex. The Reborns Gundam is the symbol of that ideology.

Combat Skill as a Pilot

In terms of combat specifications, Ribbons is "nearly a perfect pilot" thanks to his Innovade capabilities. He possesses sufficient computational ability to remotely control multiple humanoid computers called Brains simultaneously, and in single-unit combat, he fights with reaction speed and precision that exceed the limits of human pilots.

However, his weakness was not "emotion" — rather the opposite: the inability to accurately read "the will of humans who possess emotions." Setsuna's "unyielding will," his feelings for his comrades, and the intuition he awakened as an Innovator — these were elements that even Veda could not predict, and they would throw off Ribbons' calculations in the final battle.

Story Appearances — The Road to the Final Battle

Scheming as the Mastermind (First Half of Second Season)

While the Reborns Gundam itself doesn't appear on the battlefield until the very end, Ribbons himself operated as the "mastermind" throughout Second Season.

Involvement with the Earth Federation and A-Laws: A-Laws (an autonomous peacekeeping unit of the Earth Federation) appeared on the surface to be an international peacekeeping organization, but in reality was a mechanism of control through inhumane armed force. Ribbons used Veda to monitor and manipulate A-Laws' movements, steering global affairs in directions favorable to himself.

Placement of Innovades: Ribbons placed multiple Innovades inside A-Laws and the Earth Federation for intelligence gathering and public opinion manipulation. Regene Regetta and Bring Stabity are among examples of this.

Attitude Toward Celestial Being: Ribbons viewed Celestial Being as both "a usable tool" and "a troublesome enemy." He exploited them as pieces to bring about change in the world, while also seeking to eliminate any element that deviated from Veda's plan.

Mid-Season: Direct Intervention

In the middle of Second Season, Ribbons begins to intensify his direct actions.

With the core systems of Veda under his control, Ribbons takes the shocking step of temporarily disabling the Trans-Am systems of the Gundam Meisters (because Veda held control authority over the Trans-Am system). This intervention deals a heavy blow to Celestial Being, but Tieria Erde's reconnection to Veda via the Seraphim-equipped Seravee Gundam restores the Trans-Am function.

Episode 24: First Appearance of the Reborns Gundam

In Episode 24, "Mechanical Structure of the World," as the story enters its final phase, the Reborns Gundam is deployed in actual combat for the first time.

Appearance Scene: Outer space. As Celestial Being and A-Laws enter their final confrontation, Ribbons boards the Reborns Gundam and makes his appearance on the battlefield. Upon entering, Ribbons declares with great fanfare — "I am the Innovator!"

Battle in Episode 24: The Reborns Gundam switches between Cannon Mode and Gundam Mode, overwhelming Celestial Being with massive firepower. The combat style leveraging the output of two pseudo-solar furnaces unilaterally dominates the surrounding mass-production units.

However, at this stage, the direct confrontation between the Reborns Gundam and 00 Raiser does not reach a decisive conclusion, and the final battle is carried over to Episode 25 (the finale).

Episode 25 (Finale) "Rebirth" — The Full Account of the Final Battle

Episode 25, "Rebirth," is the story of the Reborns Gundam's true showcase — and its defeat.

Opening Phase — Wide-Area Suppression in Cannon Mode

In the space of the final battle, the Reborns Gundam first deploys Cannon Mode (Reborns Cannon) and attacks Celestial Being's fleet and MS forces with wide-area suppression bombardment. The single shot of the GN Hi-Mega Cannon demonstrates an effect range of tremendous breadth, visibly transforming the surrounding situation in an instant.

Mid-Phase — Clash with 00 Raiser

The 00 Raiser (piloted by Setsuna), having activated Trans-Am Burst, collides with the Reborns Gundam. Two pseudo-solar furnaces versus two genuine solar furnaces — this contrast symbolizes not merely a difference in firepower, but the gap between "stolen technology" and "the real thing."

As the wave of shared consciousness from 00 Raiser's Trans-Am Burst spreads, Ribbons, unable to accept the "flood of emotions," is shaken. As an Innovade who sought to "manage" humanity, the experience of humans sharing consciousness is something he fundamentally cannot comprehend.

Ribbons' agitation in this scene demonstrates that despite calling himself an "Innovator," he was not truly the "next evolution of humanity" in any meaningful sense.

Final Phase — The Limits of the Pseudo-Solar Furnaces and the Last Stand of the Reborns Cannon

With 00 Raiser's combat capability temporarily reduced following the Trans-Am Burst effect, Ribbons attempts a final pursuit. However, the two pseudo-solar furnaces had also used up their Trans-Am and were on the verge of particle depletion.

Driven to the limit, Setsuna switches to Gundam Exia Repair II (Exia R.II) — heavily damaged but reactivated, having inherited 00's GN Drive — and challenges Ribbons to one final duel.

Final Confrontation — The Decisive Clash with Exia R.II

The melee battle between Exia R.II and the Reborns Gundam in Gundam Mode — this is the story's true final battle.

Setsuna's Exia R.II is on the verge of complete destruction. Ribbons' Reborns Gundam, with its pseudo-solar furnaces depleted, is also unable to perform at its original capacity. Even so, Ribbons continues fighting while shouting his belief: "I am the Innovator!"

After a battle where both sides surpass their limits, Setsuna's Exia R.II destroys the Reborns Gundam. At that moment, Ribbons meets his end amid the bewilderment of "Why... I am the Innovator."

The meaning of this defeat is clear — the "Innovator" he had aspired to be was nothing more than a title for a ruler. But true "human evolution" lay in "dialogue through connection," as embodied by Setsuna. The fact that the Reborns Gundam, shaped like a Gundam, was defeated eloquently conveys that answer.

Ribbons' Final Moments

After the Reborns Gundam is shot down, Ribbons escapes and boards Gundam Exia (the original's wreckage) to challenge Setsuna to one last fight. Gundam Exia versus a successor to the original 0 Gundam — but Setsuna wins this battle as well, and Ribbons loses his life.

With Ribbons' death, the ambition of "world domination through Veda" is extinguished, and the story of Second Season draws to a close.

Appearances in Other Media

Video Games

The Reborns Gundam has appeared in multiple video game titles, drawing attention from players for its transformation function and high combat capability.

Super Robot Wars Series: In titles featuring it, Ribbons' pilot abilities (high skill stats and spirit commands) and the Reborns Gundam's transformation system are reproduced. A transformation command to Cannon Mode is added, and switching between modes according to the situation becomes one strategic option. Implemented in titles such as Super Robot Wars UX, it leaves a strong impression as the boss-tier enemy of the Gundam 00 cast.

Gundam VS Series (Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Versus, etc.): The Reborns Gundam is implemented as a unit capable of switching between Gundam Mode and Cannon Mode. The breadth of tactics enabled by transformation and the powerful bombardment of Cannon Mode make it a distinctive character.

Gundam Breaker Series: In these customization-based games, Reborns Gundam parts also appear. The distinctive backpack (cannon) parts are popular for building unique custom units in combination with other machines.

SD Gundam Series: The Reborns Gundam, reproduced in SD proportions, carries its transformation ability into the SD format, showing off its charm in a comical way.

Manga and Novels

Mobile Suit Gundam 00 2nd Season (Manga Adaptation): The Reborns Gundam also appears in the manga adaptation based on the anime. As in the anime, it plays an active role in the final battle scenes.

Gundam 00 Spinoff Works: Some spinoff manga works explore in greater detail Ribbons' past and the development history of the Reborns Gundam.

In the SD Gundam World

In the SD Gundam universe, the Reborns Gundam often appears in the role of the Innovades' "trump card." Even in comical SD proportions, its transformation ability is retained, and the "technique of switching between Gundam Mode and Cannon Mode" becomes a distinctive character trait.

Variants and Related Units

Reborns Cannon (Mode Transformation)

Strictly speaking this is the Cannon Mode form of the Reborns Gundam, but in games and reference materials it is sometimes introduced under the independent designation "Reborns Cannon." This separate name became established for the purpose of clearly distinguishing it from Gundam Mode.

GN-000 0 Gundam (Spiritual Predecessor)

The unit at the narrative origin of the Reborns Gundam. The first genuine Gundam that Ribbons piloted, and also the starting point of Setsuna's story.

The Reborns Gundam can also be interpreted as an existence that distorted the "ideals" of the 0 Gundam. If the 0 Gundam existed to "sow the seeds of revolution," then the Reborns Gundam is evidence of the failure that "tried to control revolution."

Comparison with GN-0000 00 Gundam

This comparison table shows just how much the Reborns Gundam was designed as a "mirror image (distorted copy)" of 00 Gundam. Two units that appear equal in specs but carry completely opposite meanings in narrative terms — this structure supports the drama of Gundam 00 Second Season.

Comparison with 00 Raiser

Memorable Scenes and Lines

"I Am the Innovator!" (Episodes 24 and 25)

Ribbons' signature line. But as the story progresses, these words come to resonate as a "hollow self-proclamation."

What it truly means to be an "Innovator (the next stage of humanity)" — that is something Ribbons never understood. That is his tragedy. When Setsuna awakened as an Innovator, it was through the acquisition of "the power to connect with others." But when Ribbons shouts "I am the Innovator!", the substance of those words amounts to "having the power to dominate." The same words pointed to entirely different value systems.

This disconnect is what makes the final battle function not as a clash between the powerful, but as a collision of ideologies.

The Reborns Gundam's First Appearance (Episode 24)

The figure of the Reborns Gundam, suddenly materializing in outer space, gave viewers the shock of "Ribbons — who had barely appeared on screen as the 'mastermind' — has finally made his move." The silhouette of that transforming unit radiated a sense of "it's a Gundam, and yet something is different," projecting the presence of the ultimate final boss.

Exia R.II vs. the Reborns Gundam — The Last Battle (Episode 25)

The scene where an Exia R.II on the verge of total destruction and a Reborns Gundam whose pseudo-solar furnaces are nearly depleted cross blades. Both are at their absolute limits, yet they continue fighting — each staking their very existence.

The cut of Setsuna's "driving in the GN Sword" motion and Ribbons' expression saying "Why" is remembered as a landmark scene that converges all the themes of Second Season.

After the battle, Setsuna says quietly: "I am Gundam." — This single line encapsulates the transformation Setsuna underwent throughout Second Season.

The Scene Where Ribbons Questions Setsuna

In the midst of the final battle, Ribbons throws words at Setsuna to the effect of: "Why do you fight? You are nothing more than a human." In response, Setsuna does not answer with words, but with action — by continuing to fight.

This structure of "words vs. action" symbolizes the fundamental difference between Ribbons (intellect, language, domination) and Setsuna (will, emotion, connection).

The Link to the Past "Encounter in the 0 Gundam"

As the final battle unfolds, viewers carry in their memory the fact revealed in Episode 1: "the pilot of the 0 Gundam who saved young Setsuna = Ribbons." The connection that began in that moment reaches its resolution here — this "circular structure of the narrative" gives the final battle a deep and lasting resonance.

Gunpla and Model Kit Guide

The Reborns Gundam has been released as Gunpla in multiple scales, driven by its unique transformation system and popularity as the final boss of Gundam 00.

HG (High Grade) 1/144 Scale

HG Features: The HG Reborns Gundam shipped with a high-quality transformation gimmick for its release time (2009). You can perform the transformation between Gundam Mode and Cannon Mode by hand, recreating the transformation sequence from the anime yourself. Its affordable price makes it a good entry point, as well as a popular addition to any Gundam 00 collection.

Transformation Steps: Rotate the backpack forward and slide out the barrel parts to complete Cannon Mode. The transformation itself is simple, but the clear silhouette difference between the two modes is satisfying.

Color Separation and Molding: For an HG, the color separation is detailed, and the green clear parts (GN Condensers) stand out beautifully. The twin-eye visor on the head is also reproduced, giving the finished model an impressive appearance.

1/100 Scale (MG-Equivalent)

1/100 Highlights: This is not an MG grade kit, but belongs to the Gundam 00 series' own "1/100 scale" line. 1.44 times larger than the HG, with more detailed precision. The transformation gimmick is included just as in the HG, allowing you to enjoy transforming at a more impressive size.

Particularly notable is how both Gundam Mode and Cannon Mode look spectacular. The green clear GN Condenser parts are also larger, increasing its presence on display. For collectors assembling the Gundam 00 series in 1/100, this is an essential addition.

Painting Enjoyment: The white, green, and black color scheme photographs and paints beautifully. Panel-lining with enamel paint (a technique to accentuate fine lines with paint) brings out the details.

ROBOT Spirits and Other Figures

ROBOT Spirits Features: As a figure type, it has a wide range of articulation and is easy to pose. Capable of recreating combat poses from melee in Gundam Mode to bombardment poses in Cannon Mode. Now out of production, it must primarily be found on the secondary market.

Recommended Selection Guide

Gunpla Assembly Tips

Transformation Notes: On both HG and 1/100, the transformation joints (especially the backpack rotation axis) can wear down with repeated transforming. If you plan to transform often, applying a small amount of grease to the rotation axis will prolong its life.

Green Clear Parts: The GN Condensers (green transparent parts) of the Reborns Gundam greatly impact the unit's visual impression. They glow beautifully when backlit, so a spot in natural light is recommended for display. Placing an LED underneath recreates the GN particle glow seen in the show.

Painting Tips: The primary color of the unit is white, but the runner color of Gunpla kits often tends toward a slightly yellow-tinted white. To get closer to "pure white," mixing a very small amount of blue into the base white during painting can make a noticeable difference.

What the Reborns Gundam Says About the Themes of Gundam 00

In the narrative of Gundam 00 Second Season, the Reborns Gundam carries meaning beyond being merely a "powerful enemy mecha." The unit's existence allows the story to present important themes.

The Meaning of "A Gundam in Form Alone"

The Reborns Gundam bears the external form of a Gundam while containing — in complete opposition to "revolution, dialogue, and hope" that a Gundam is supposed to embody — the values of "domination, control, and self-righteousness."

What is a Gundam? It is not the shape of the unit, but the will behind "what you fight for." The existence of the Reborns Gundam poses this question to the narrative, and the answer is shown in the final battle with Exia R.II. The message is: "Even if the form is a Gundam, without the will, it is not the real thing."

The Theme That "A Copy Cannot Surpass the Original"

No matter how high-performing the pseudo-solar furnace was, it could not fully replicate the "squared resonance effect" of 00 Gundam's genuine Twin Drive System. No matter how much Ribbons wielded Veda, he could not fully calculate the "bonds" between the members of Celestial Being.

The defeat of the Reborns Gundam expresses Gundam 00's message — that "with copies and domination, true power cannot be obtained" — through the machine itself.

The Question of "What Is an Innovator?"

The theme running through all of Second Season is "what is the next stage of humanity (Innovation)?" Ribbons defined an Innovator as "one who possesses the power to dominate." But Setsuna (and the answer the anime presented) embodied it as "one who possesses the power to connect with others."

The battle between the Reborns Gundam and 00 Raiser is the collision of these two definitions. As a result, Ribbons (domination) was defeated and Setsuna (connection) was victorious — the answer as a narrative is clear.

Reborns Gundam FAQ

Q. Is the Reborns Gundam stronger than the 00 Raiser? A. In terms of pure output, the 00 Raiser (genuine Twin Drive, at full synchronization) theoretically exceeds it. The pseudo-solar furnaces are inferior to genuine drives in GN particle quality, quantity, and sustained combat capability after Trans-Am. However, mid-battle output was roughly equal, and Ribbons' superhuman piloting skill as an Innovade compensated for the power gap. In the end, 00 Raiser activated Trans-Am Burst and established an overarching strategic advantage.

Q. Why is it called "Reborns"? A. "Reborns" carries the meaning of "those who have been reborn." The plural form is characteristic, and can be interpreted as indicating the unit's nature of having "two faces" — Gundam Mode and Cannon Mode — or as indicating that Ribbons Almark himself is an Innovade who has been "reborn (redesigned)."

Q. Why did Ribbons board the Exia at the end? A. After the Reborns Gundam was shot down, Ribbons boarded the remaining Gundam Exia (wreckage) to challenge Setsuna. This was the practical assertion of "I too am a Gundam pilot (therefore I am the Innovator)," and also carried the meaning of a "return to origins" as the pilot of the 0 Gundam. Ironically, by being defeated by Setsuna in the very unit that is Setsuna's original machine (the Exia), the fact that it is Setsuna who truly embodies "the real meaning of Gundam" is made clear.

Q. Is the Reborns Gundam Gunpla still available? A. Both the HG and 1/100 versions can be found through Premium Bandai, large hobby shops, and the used market. However, they are not current mass-production items, and new stock may be limited. Given the high popularity of Gundam 00, these kits circulate stably on the secondary market and are relatively easy to acquire.

Q. Which is stronger, Cannon Mode or Gundam Mode? A. They serve different purposes. Cannon Mode (Reborns Cannon) features overwhelming firepower in a single decisive long-range shot. Gundam Mode has high mobility and versatility in melee and mid-range combat. Switching between modes according to the situation is the true essence of the Reborns Gundam's strength. In the final battle, the decisive outcome came through melee combat (Gundam Mode).

Conclusion — What the Reborns Gundam Left Behind

The Reborns Gundam (CB-0000G/C) stands as one of the most memorable machines in Gundam series history, as the final boss mecha of Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Second Season.

As a machine: The design featuring transformation (Gundam Mode / Cannon Mode) and two pseudo-solar furnaces holds the appeal of a versatile unit capable of handling multiple combat styles in a single frame. Among transforming units in the Gundam series, its design and transformation gimmick are highly regarded by fans.

As a narrative: As the symbol of Ribbons Almark — "an Innovade who desired domination" — its contrast with 00 Raiser (a symbol of revolution and dialogue) embodies the story's themes. It is remembered deeply among Gundam 00 fans as the unit that posed the proposition: "Even if the form is a Gundam, if the will is not genuine, it is not the real thing."

As Gunpla: With transformation gimmicks reproduced in both HG and 1/100 scales, it stands as a distinctive piece within any Gundam 00 collection. The joy of the transformation mechanism and the beauty of the green GN Condensers have been cherished by fans for many years.

The Reborns Gundam exists as a mirror — one that most vividly reflects what Gundam 00 was truly asking. The final battle between Setsuna and Ribbons is remembered as one of the greatest scenes in Gundam series history: not merely a clash of the powerful, but a scene that used both machine and human to show the answer to the question "what should humanity strive toward?"

Related Article Links

• 00 Gundam Complete Guide: The final battle rival. The genuine Twin Drive in its original form
• Gundam Exia Complete Guide: Setsuna's original machine. The unit that defeated the Reborns Gundam in the final battle
• Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Series Complete Guide: Full series overview. Story background for Second Season
• 0 Gundam Guide: The Gundam that Ribbons first piloted. The origin of the fated connection with the Reborns
• Ribbons Almark Character Guide: An in-depth look at the true mastermind's life and ambitions

Sources

• Mobile Suit Gundam 00 TV Series, Season 2, Sunrise, 2008–2009
• GUNDAM.INFO Official: CB-0000G/C Reborns Gundam Overview
• Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Official Site: MS Database
• Bandai Hobby Site: HG Reborns Gundam
• Bandai Hobby Site: 1/100 Reborns Gundam
• Gundam Wiki (Fandom): CB-0000G/C Reborns Gundam
• Gundam Wiki: Reborns Gundam
• Dengeki Hobby Magazine 2009: Reborns Gundam 1/100 Kit Feature
• Gundam Ace: Mobile Suit Gundam 00 2nd Season Manga Adaptation

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Information in this article is current as of March 2026. Gunpla prices and availability are subject to change. Please check the official Bandai website for the latest accurate information.