Mobile Suit Archives: Tequila Gundam’s Outrageous Design Hid One of G Gundam’s Most Heartbreaking Stories
Image by Charlotte DavisFew Gundams have combined such an outrageous appearance with such an unexpectedly emotional story as Neo Mexico’s sombrero-wearing mobile fighter.
The GF13-049NM “Tequila Gundam” appeared in Mobile Fighter G Gundam as Neo Mexico’s representative in the 13th Gundam Fight tournament, piloted by Chico Rodriguez, a man whose reasons for entering the competition had little to do with winning.
First airing in 1994, Mobile Fighter G Gundam introduced the franchise’s alternative Future Century timeline, replacing the traditional military conflicts of earlier Gundam series with an international martial arts tournament in which nations battled for political control of the Earth Sphere.
Every four years, representatives from the space colonies travelled to Earth to compete using powerful machines known as Mobile Fighters, each designed around the fighting styles and cultural characteristics of their respective nations.
The series followed Domon Kasshu, Neo Japan’s Gundam Fighter, whose search for his missing brother eventually led him into a much larger conflict involving the terrifying Devil Gundam.
Among the many national representatives competing in the tournament, Tequila Gundam stood out for its Mexican-inspired appearance, combining a large sombrero-shaped head with cactus-like shoulder armor, spiked forearms, and an imposing humanoid body.
Known as “Spike Gundam” in the original English dub, the machine was developed specifically for amphibious combat, making it especially dangerous in underwater engagements where its specialized equipment provided an advantage over conventional Mobile Fighters.
Standing 16.5 meters tall, Tequila Gundam relied on reinforced armor around its shoulders and forearms for protection, alongside a pair of Beam Tridents that served as its primary close-combat weapons.
Additional firepower came from ten Vulcan guns concealed within its enormous sombrero-shaped head, allowing it to engage opponents approaching from multiple directions.
The hat also concealed a rotating fan mechanism that powered its signature Tequila Vortex technique, generating an underwater whirlpool capable of trapping enemy Mobile Fighters before they could escape or defend themselves.
Its cactus-inspired armor became an important part of Tequila Gundam’s identity, with the design also playing a surprisingly influential role in the development of G Gundam itself.
During production, legendary mechanical designer Kunio Okawara had originally created a considerably more conventional version of the machine, without the prominent cactus-like additions that eventually appeared in the anime.
Director Yasuhiro Imagawa subsequently requested that cactus elements be added to the shoulders, a decision that helped establish the increasingly extravagant approach taken with later Mobile Fighters.
In a retrospective interview published for G Gundam’s 30th anniversary, production staff member Yoshitaka Kawaguchi recalled that Tequila Gundam marked a turning point in the series’ mechanical designs, with the team subsequently embracing more playful concepts for machines such as Mermaid Gundam and Mandala Gundam.
Despite its memorable appearance and formidable underwater capabilities, Tequila Gundam’s most important contribution to the anime came through the personal story of its pilot, Chico Rodriguez.
Chico had accepted the position of Neo Mexico’s Gundam Fighter because his younger sister, Gina, was terminally ill and wished to spend her remaining time on Earth rather than in the space colonies.
Participation in the tournament allowed him to bring Gina to the planet, but losing his position would mean returning to Neo Mexico’s colony and abandoning the peaceful life he wanted to give her.
Determined to remain on Earth, Chico deserted his duties and went into hiding with his sister, leaving Tequila Gundam concealed beneath the waters near their temporary home while Neo Mexico’s authorities searched for him.
His story became the focus of the anime’s seventh episode, “Prepare to Fight! Desperate Fugitive”, when Domon Kasshu arrived in Neo Mexico hoping to challenge its missing Gundam Fighter.
After discovering Chico’s circumstances, Domon eventually confronted him in his Shining Gundam, with the resulting battle ending almost immediately after Tequila Gundam lost both arms to Domon’s Beam Saber.
Domon then used his devastating Shining Finger attack to destroy the machine’s head, causing an explosion that apparently killed Chico and eliminated Neo Mexico from the tournament.
In reality, Chico had survived, with the apparent death allowing him to escape the authorities and reunite with Gina so they could spend her remaining time together on Earth.
The confrontation gave G Gundam one of its more touching early stories, showing that not every Gundam Fighter was driven by national pride, personal ambition, or the desire to become the world’s strongest warrior.
For Chico Rodriguez, the Gundam Fight was simply an opportunity to give his sister a happiness that their lives in the colonies could never provide.
Tequila Gundam has also made several appearances in official merchandise, including one particularly entertaining collectible released alongside the North American “Mobile Fighter G Gundam Ultra Edition” Blu-ray collection in December 2018.
Published by Right Stuf and Nozomi Entertainment, the collector’s edition included an exclusive Tequila Gundam shot glass alongside an art book, Domon’s headband, Shuffle Alliance patches, and other collectibles.
Tequila Gundam returned in a heavily customized form in the 2018 anime Gundam Build Divers, where a character named Daniel operated a cowboy-inspired version equipped with twin beam pistols and a banjo-shaped beam rifle.
Although this version was depicted as a customized Gunpla within the anime, Bandai has never produced an official Tequila Gundam model kit of its own.
For Gunpla collectors interested in recreating Tequila Gundam’s battle against Domon, Bandai released the RG 1/144 Shining Gundam, a highly articulated Real Grade kit of Domon Kasshu’s original Mobile Fighter, complete with its powerful Shining Finger attack and transformation into Super Mode.
Bandai has also expanded its modern G Gundam lineup with official High Grade kits of several other national representatives, including Gundam Maxter, Gundam Rose and Mandala Gundam, offering collectors the chance to assemble the competitors of the 13th Gundam Fight.
Image by Charlotte DavisWith Tequila Gundam remaining one of the more frequently requested candidates for a High Grade kit among fans, there is still hope that Bandai will eventually give Neo Mexico’s sombrero-wearing fighter the official Gunpla release that collectors have been asking for.
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