Design & Development

The Gundam Barbatos Lupus fought a fierce battle against the Hashmal in the vicinity of Chryse, a city on Mars and was so severely damaged that it was sent to the Saisei's MS workshop for a major upgrade.^[1] To match the combat data of Mikazuki Augus, who was increasing his compatibility with the mobile suit through the Alaya-Vijnana System, the machine's response speed was increased to the limit of its theoretical value.^[1] Movement of the frame's joints were also delicately tuned to match the pilot's actual sensations.^[1] The suit's cockpit hatch was changed from its predecessors' top opening method to a front opening style in consideration of Mikazuki's worsened disabilities.^[2]

To more intuitively reflect Mikazuki's fighting style, the suit's arms were enlarged and elongated like a beast, and various weapons are fitted on the body.^[1][3][4] The arms' frame structure was also upgraded and reinforced.^[1] The tail parts of the Hashmal was transplanted to the suit's back, and through the Alaya-Vijnana System, Mikazuki controls this tail blade as if it was a limb.^[1] Overall, the Gundam Barbatos Lupus Rex is customized for close combat, and its silhouette gives it a more ferocious look than its predecessors.^[1][3] The word 'Rex' means 'King' in latin, and this is fateful as Mikazuki is going along with Orga Itsuka, whose aspiration is to be King of Mars.^[1]