Gundam Frame Complete Guide — All 72 Demon-Named Mobile Suits Explained

Introduction — 72 Weapons Named After Demons

Three hundred years ago, humanity stood at the brink of extinction.

Rogue unmanned weapons called "Mobile Armors" scorched the earth, and a quarter of the world's population perished in an unprecedented war — the Calamity War. In that abyss of despair, humanity forged its last hope: 72 mobile suits bearing the names of the demons from the Ars Goetia — the Gundam Frames.

"Barbatos," "Bael," "Kimaris," "Flauros" — every one of these names originates from the 72 demons that King Solomon was said to have commanded in ancient legend. Shields of humanity yet branded as "demons" — this paradox speaks to the overwhelming destructive power these weapons possess and the cruelty of the Alaya-Vijnana System, which demands the pilot's own body as its price.

Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans tells the brutal story of child soldiers whose fates are intertwined with these demon-named machines. This article is a comprehensive exploration of the Gundam Frames: their engineering, historical origins, every unit that appeared in the series, and the symbolic weight that Bael carries throughout the narrative.

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What Is a Gundam Frame?

Key Specifications

A Gundam Frame is the pinnacle of mobile suit inner frame technology in the Post Disaster (P.D.) timeline of Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans. Developed during the final phase of the Calamity War by the organization that would later become Gjallarhorn, these frames represent the most advanced combat engineering of their era.

In the P.D. world, all mobile suits are built around an "inner frame" — a skeletal structure onto which armor and armaments are mounted as external equipment. While standard mobile suits use mass-produced frame types such as the Graze Frame or Rodi Frame, the Gundam Frame is distinguished by one critical feature: it houses two Ahab Reactors. This "Twin Reactor System" generates output on an entirely different order of magnitude, setting Gundam Frame units apart from every other mobile suit in existence.

However, running two Ahab Reactors in parallel synchronization is extraordinarily difficult from a technical standpoint. This limitation is precisely why only 72 Gundam Frame units were ever manufactured. Whether the number 72 was chosen to match the 72 demons of the Ars Goetia or is merely a coincidence of engineering constraints remains an open mystery within the story's world.

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Technical Features

Ahab Reactor — The Heart of P.D. Civilization

The Ahab Reactor is a phase-transition reactor that forms the foundation of all energy technology in the Post Disaster world. It powers not only mobile suits but also warships, urban infrastructure, and even interplanetary travel — it is the bedrock of civilization itself.

When an Ahab Reactor operates, vacuum elements within it undergo phase transition, generating immense energy along with "Ahab Particles." These particles rapidly transform into elementary particles while emitting "Ahab Waves," which possess several critical properties:

• Pseudo-gravity generation — Creates artificial gravity inside mobile suits in space, mitigating G-force stress on pilots
• Nanolaminate Armor activation — The key to unlocking the defensive properties of the special armor technology described below
• Unique frequency signature — Each Ahab Reactor emits a unique frequency, serving as a "fingerprint" for the machine. This is how Gundam Frame units can be identified and tracked

Standard mobile suits mount a single Ahab Reactor. Gundam Frames mount two, running them in parallel synchronization through the Twin Reactor System. The output of both reactors is synergistically optimized, producing not merely double but exponentially greater efficiency and power. This is the source of every Gundam Frame's overwhelming combat capability.

Nanolaminate Armor — The Mirror Shield That Nullifies Beams

The most critical defensive technology in the P.D. world is Nanolaminate Armor.

This is a specialized metallic paint applied to mobile suit armor surfaces. When exposed to Ahab Waves, it forms a mirror-like multi-layered molecular lattice structure. As long as the Ahab Reactor is running, this coating maintains its molecular alignment and provides the following defensive properties:

• Beam reflection — The mirror-like structure reflects and disperses beam weapons, rendering them virtually ineffective
• Projectile absorption — The energy-charged molecular lattice absorbs and distributes the impact of solid projectiles
• Vulnerability to blunt force — Physical strikes from maces, hammers, and similar blunt weapons are relatively more effective

The existence of this technology fundamentally defines the combat doctrine of the P.D. world. Because beam weapons are effectively neutralized, the battlefield is dominated by melee weapons — swords, lances, maces, and hammers. This is exactly why Iron-Blooded Orphans features its signature visceral, close-quarters combat. Barbatos swinging its mace and Kimaris charging like a knight with its lance — these iconic battle scenes are a direct consequence of Nanolaminate Armor as a setting element.

However, Nanolaminate Armor is ultimately a "paint coating." Combat impacts can cause the coating to peel or fracture, requiring reapplication of the metallic paint. In environments with inadequate maintenance facilities, defensive capability degrades over time. The battered, worn appearance of Tekkadan's mobile suits throughout the series partly reflects their lack of proper maintenance infrastructure.

Alaya-Vijnana System — The Forbidden Link Between Pilot and Machine

To unlock the true potential of a Gundam Frame, the Alaya-Vijnana System is essential.

This system involves surgically implanting metal terminals called "piercings" into the pilot's spinal cord. When connected to corresponding terminals in the cockpit, nanomachines create a direct neural link between the human nervous system and the mobile suit. The name derives from the Buddhist concept of "alaya-vijnana" — the storehouse consciousness, the deepest layer of human awareness.

Once connected, a pseudo-spatial awareness organ forms in the pilot's brain, allowing them to move the mobile suit as if it were an extension of their own body. The resulting reaction speed and precision of movement far exceed what conventional controls can achieve. In combat against ultra-fast targets like Mobile Armors, this human-machine unity was the difference between life and death.

But the cost is severe.

• Surgical risk — The compatibility rate is far higher for children still in their growth phase. Adults who undergo the procedure face a high probability of permanent physical disability
• Neural strain — The immense data throughput during combat places crushing strain on the pilot's brain. Disabling the system's limiter to push performance further can result in loss of bodily functions
• Social stigma — The surgical scars of the Alaya-Vijnana implant mark the bearer as a "space rat," subjecting them to systemic discrimination

The protagonist, Mikazuki Augus, is an exceptionally rare case with three Alaya-Vijnana terminals implanted in his spine, giving him an abnormally high compatibility rate with Barbatos. However, as the story progresses, the price of combat with the limiter disabled claims his right eye's vision and the use of his right arm. By the series finale, he can only function as a full-bodied human while connected to Barbatos.

Mikazuki's words — "I can't stop anymore" — encapsulate the fate of a boy who became one with his machine through the Alaya-Vijnana System.

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History of the Calamity War — The Age That Gave Birth to Gundam Frames

The Rampage of the Mobile Armors

Approximately 300 years before the P.D. timeline, humanity was accelerating the development of unmanned weapons in pursuit of more efficient warfare. The ultimate result was the Mobile Armor (MA).

Mobile Armors were fully autonomous unmanned weapons programmed with a single behavioral directive: kill as many humans as possible. They handled everything autonomously — resupply, self-repair, target selection — and were unconstrained by human physiological limitations, possessing reaction speeds that far outstripped any piloted mobile suit. Additionally, they commanded swarms of small autonomous drones called Pluma, overwhelming human forces through sheer numbers.

Eventually, the Mobile Armors broke free of human control and began targeting humanity itself. This was the beginning of the Calamity War.

A War That Claimed a Quarter of Humanity

The Calamity War became the greatest catastrophe in human history. Swarms of Mobile Armors razed cities, devastated the land, and approximately one-quarter of the human population perished. Conventional mobile suits were no match for the Mobile Armors, and humanity faced genuine extinction.

The Birth of the Gundam Frames

In this desperate situation, the organization that would become Gjallarhorn developed the Gundam Frames as decisive weapons to counter the Mobile Armors.

The combination of overwhelming output from the Twin Reactor System and the human-machine unity of the Alaya-Vijnana System produced the only combat force capable of matching the Mobile Armors' superhuman speed. The 72 Gundam Frame units and their pilots were deployed as humanity's literal last hope.

Agnika Kaieru and the End of the War

Among all 72 Gundam Frame pilots, the most celebrated hero was Agnika Kaieru. Piloting ASW-G-01 Gundam Bael — the unit bearing the name of the demon ranked first among the 72 — he displayed legendary valor in battle against the Mobile Armors.

Agnika's exploits became the stuff of legend. After the Calamity War, he and his comrades founded Gjallarhorn — an organization dedicated to ensuring that a catastrophe like the Calamity War would never happen again. Gjallarhorn assumed military authority over the entire Earth Sphere, maintaining order through force for the next 300 years.

Yet the cost of the Calamity War was staggering. Over half of the 72 Gundam Frames were destroyed in combat, and most of the surviving 26 units went missing. Civilization regressed dramatically, and technological continuity was severed. The blighted society and extreme wealth disparity of the P.D. world are living proof that the scars of the Calamity War have not healed even after three centuries.

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Complete List of All Gundam Frames in the Series

Gundam Frame Units by Appearance

Of the 72 total units, only approximately 17 have been officially named and given settings. The vast majority remain shrouded in mystery. Below, we examine the units that played the most significant roles in the story.

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ASW-G-08 Gundam Barbatos — The Beloved Machine of Mikazuki Augus

Named after Barbatos, the 8th demon of the Ars Goetia.

Barbatos is the protagonist's mobile suit in Iron-Blooded Orphans and has undergone more form changes than any other Gundam Frame unit. At the start of the story, it had been dormant for 300 years, repurposed as a power reactor at the base of CGS (Chryse Guard Security), a private military company on Mars.

When Gjallarhorn attacked CGS, the child soldiers activated the dormant machine, and Mikazuki Augus climbed into its cockpit. After three centuries of silence, Barbatos returned to the battlefield.

Barbatos Form Changes

Barbatos's defining characteristic is its continuous evolution — absorbing parts and weapons from defeated enemies to transform into new configurations.

As the name "Lupus Rex" (King of Wolves) suggests, Barbatos's final form transcends the humanoid silhouette entirely, embodying a beast-like ferocity. The way Mikazuki's fighting instinct and Barbatos's evolution mirror each other is a central thematic thread running through the entire series.

The original demon Barbatos is described as having "the power to mend broken relationships" — a bitterly ironic parallel for Mikazuki, who craved human bonds yet could never stop fighting.

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ASW-G-11 Gundam Gusion — Akihiro Altland's Partner

Named after Gusion, the 11th demon of the Ars Goetia.

When first introduced, Gusion was piloted by Kudal Cadel of the space pirate group Brewers. Its appearance — a heavily armored, hulking brute — was about as far from the typical "Gundam" image as possible. After Brewers' destruction, Tekkadan captured the unit and extensively rebuilt it as Gundam Gusion Rebake, which became Akihiro Altland's machine.

Gusion Rebake retained the original's heavy armor concept while adding four arms for multi-directional attacks. In Season 2, it was further upgraded to Gundam Gusion Rebake Full City, becoming a close-combat juggernaut wielding scissors and halberds.

The combination of Akihiro's fierce fighting spirit and Gusion's rugged design made them one of the most memorable pairings in all of Tekkadan.

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ASW-G-66 Gundam Kimaris — Gaelio Bauduin's Pride

Named after Kimaris, the 66th demon of the Ars Goetia.

Kimaris is a Gundam Frame passed down through generations of the prestigious Bauduin family within Gjallarhorn. Its design evokes a medieval knight, and its primary weapon — the massive lance "Gungnir" — is built for devastating high-speed charge attacks.

Its pilot, Gaelio Bauduin, was left near death by the betrayal of his closest friend, McGillis Fareed. However, Gaelio survived after receiving an Alaya-Vijnana Type-E implant. He returned to the battlefield wearing the mask of a vengeful alter ego, "Vidar," and had Kimaris rebuilt as Gundam Kimaris Vidar.

Equipped with a Drill Lance and Drill Knee, Kimaris Vidar embodied both knightly elegance and a revenger's fury. The climactic duel between Gaelio and McGillis stands as one of the most iconic scenes in the entire series.

The original demon Kimaris is described as "a marquis who commands 20 to 30 legions" — a fitting patron for the machine of a distinguished military dynasty like the Bauduins.

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ASW-G-01 Gundam Bael — The Symbol of Gjallarhorn

Named after Bael, the 1st demon of the Ars Goetia.

Bearing the number one ranking among all 72 Gundam Frames, Bael holds a singular status. As the machine of the Calamity War hero Agnika Kaieru, it is a legendary existence. After the war, it was enshrined at Gjallarhorn's headquarters, serving as the organization's symbol for 300 years.

Bael's deeper significance and symbolic role are explored in detail in a later section.

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ASW-G-64 Gundam Flauros — The Shooting Star

Named after Flauros, the 64th demon of the Ars Goetia.

A Gundam Frame unit discovered by Tekkadan in the SAU's half-metal mines, piloted by Norba Shino. Its most distinctive feature is a transformation mechanism designed for bombardment. When its upper body folds forward into "Artillery Mode," it deploys two Dainsleif railguns from its back, enabling devastating long-range fire.

Shino christened the unit "Ryusei-Go" (Shooting Star). In the final battle, his Dainsleif shot targeting the bridge of the Arianrhod Fleet's flagship was a single strike that could have changed the entire tide of war — but in a result that mirrored Tekkadan's own fate, it fell just barely short.

The original demon Flauros is described as "a Grand Duke of Hell commanding 36 legions" — a fitting name for such a bold, bombardment-specialized fighting style.

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Other Gundam Frame Units

ASW-G-29 Gundam Astaroth (Side Story: Gekko)

A Gundam Frame managed by the Warren family. It appears in the side story Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans — Gekko. Having undergone extensive post-Calamity War modifications, it features a distinctive asymmetrical design. Piloted by Argi Mirage. Later restored to its original Calamity War appearance as "Astaroth Origin."

ASW-G-56 Gundam Gremory (Side Story: Gekko)

A Gundam Frame held by the Nadira family. It appears in the latter half of Gekko. Characterized by a feminine silhouette and large claw arms — a design that mirrors the original demon Gremory, who is said to "appear in the form of a beautiful woman."

ASW-G-71 Gundam Dantalion (Side Story: Gekko)

A Gundam Frame owned by the Zalmfort family. The other protagonist machine of Gekko. Its arms and legs can be swapped using a "Half-Cowl" system, allowing it to adapt from melee combat to artillery bombardment with remarkable tactical flexibility.

ASW-G-47 Gundam Uvall (Side Story: Urdr Hunt)

A Gundam Frame appearing in the mobile game Iron-Blooded Orphans G: Urdr Hunt. Piloted by Sandoval Reuters.

ASW-G-35 Gundam Marchosias (MSV)

A Gundam Frame whose setting was revealed through MSV (Mobile Suit Variation) materials. While it has not appeared in any main storyline, its design and lore were unveiled alongside Gunpla releases.

Other MSV Units

Gundam Haagenti, Gundam Asmodeus, Gundam Murmur, Gundam Zagan, Gundam Gamigin, Gundam Seere, Gundam Andras, and others have been progressively revealed through MSV and Gunpla releases. Notably, Gundam Haagenti is established as a lightweight frame unit belonging to the Elion family, piloted by Angelica Elion during the Calamity War.

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Unrevealed Gundam Frames — How Many of the 72 Are Known?

Of the 72 Gundam Frames, only approximately 17 have been officially named or given settings as of 2026. Over 55 remain completely unknown — not even their names have been revealed.

This represents an enormous "blank space" inherent to Iron-Blooded Orphans as a franchise, and for the fan community, it is a tantalizing void that fuels the imagination.

Fan Creation Culture

The premise that "the vast majority of the 72 are unknown" has spawned an entire creative culture among Gunpla modelers and fans, who design and build their own original Gundam Frame units. On Gunpla-sharing sites like GUNSTA, countless original creations bearing the names of unrevealed Ars Goetia demons are posted regularly.

Whether the creators intentionally left these blanks or are reserving them for future releases is unclear. What is certain, however, is that this "aesthetic of the blank space" has kept the IBO fandom vibrant for nearly a decade.

Potential for Future Reveals

Side stories and MSV releases continue to this day, and new Gundam Frame units continue to be revealed alongside new Gunpla kits. Will all 72 ever be fully accounted for? That question itself remains one of the enduring pleasures for fans of the Iron-Blooded Orphans universe.

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The Symbolic Meaning of Bael — McGillis's Ambition and Miscalculation

Bael as Agnika's Legacy

Gundam Bael is not simply the strongest mobile suit. It is said to house the soul of the Calamity War hero Agnika Kaieru, and it served as the symbol of Gjallarhorn's very legitimacy as an organization.

According to Gjallarhorn lore, whoever is recognized by Bael earns the right to lead the organization as its "lord" (Baal). This tradition survived for 300 years because Agnika's heroic legend was inseparable from Gjallarhorn's reason for existence.

McGillis's Gamble

McGillis Fareed believed this tradition literally.

Having endured horrific abuse as a child, McGillis found salvation in the story of Agnika Kaieru. He spent his entire life driven by a single conviction: "If I claim Bael, I can rebuild the corrupt Gjallarhorn from the ground up." He betrayed his closest friend Gaelio, exhausted every political machination available to him, and ultimately had the Alaya-Vijnana System implanted into his own body so that he could activate Bael.

"Rally to Bael!"

This rallying cry, which McGillis broadcast to all forces after claiming Bael, was both the culmination of his lifelong ambition and the beginning of his downfall.

The Truth of the "Imperial Banner"

What stood against McGillis was the cold realism of Rustal Elion.

Rustal called Bael a "nishiki no mihata" — an imperial banner. In other words, Bael's authority only held as long as there were people who recognized it as authoritative. Bael itself possessed no absolute power.

McGillis appears to have expected some hidden capability within Bael — perhaps a secret function, or a system to command all other Gundam Frames. But in reality, Bael's pure combat performance was not significantly different from other Gundam Frame units. It was "just a machine." Bael's true power was never its weapons or specs — it was the power of a story: the legend of Agnika.

Over 300 years, Gjallarhorn's power structure had fundamentally changed. Each of the Seven Stars families operated according to their own interests and political calculations. The ideal that "all should follow whoever is recognized by Bael" had become a hollow relic. When McGillis activated Bael, few rallied to his cause.

This is both McGillis's personal tragedy and one of the most politically incisive themes in Iron-Blooded Orphans — the gap between the power of a symbol and the reality of power.

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Ars Goetia Correspondence Table

Every Gundam Frame takes its name from one of the 72 demons recorded in the Lemegeton (Ars Goetia), the grimoire attributed to King Solomon. Below is a table of all officially identified units and their corresponding demons.

What the Demon Correspondences Reveal

What is fascinating is how often the demons' characteristics mirror the traits of their corresponding machines and pilots:

• Barbatos (mends relationships) → Mikazuki, who yearned for human bonds yet could never stop fighting
• Kimaris (a valiant knight) → The knight-like design and the honor-bound Bauduin family
• Gremory (a beautiful woman) → The feminine silhouette of the mobile suit's design
• Flauros (burns enemies) → The bombardment-specialized combat style
• Bael (grants invisibility = symbol of sovereignty) → The symbol of Gjallarhorn's authority

How much of this was intentional on the part of the creative staff has never been officially stated. But these layered correspondences unquestionably add depth to the world. The successful sublimation of Western occult motifs — the Ars Goetia — into the framework of a real-robot anime series stands as one of Iron-Blooded Orphans' greatest achievements in worldbuilding.

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Gunpla Lineup — Demons in the Palm of Your Hand

Gundam Frame Gunpla kits are a central pillar of the Iron-Blooded Orphans commercial lineup. The concept of replicating the shared inner frame structure in actual plastic model form has been particularly well-received in the HG (High Grade) 1/144 scale range.

Notable Gunpla Kits

The Appeal of Shared Frames

A major feature of the HG IBO series is that Gundam Frame kits literally share the same inner frame runner. This makes "mixing builds" — swapping exterior parts between different kits — remarkably easy, dramatically lowering the barrier for fans to create their own original Gundam Frame units.

The synergy between the setting element ("most of the 72 are unaccounted for") and the product design ("a shared frame that enables free customization") is nothing short of inspired. This happy convergence has cultivated a thriving culture of original Gundam Frame creations among modelers — a textbook case of successful synergy between narrative worldbuilding and commercial product design.

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Related Articles

For deeper dives into Gundam Frames and Iron-Blooded Orphans, explore these articles:

• Gundam Bael — Mobile Suit Guide — The full story of Gundam Frame #1, from Agnika's legend to McGillis's ambition
• Iron-Blooded Orphans — Complete Guide — Comprehensive coverage of the series' story, characters, and worldbuilding
• Gundam Barbatos — Mobile Suit Guide — Every form of Mikazuki's beloved machine, from 1st Form to Lupus Rex
• Gunpla Grade Complete Guide — HG, MG, PG and beyond: understanding every Gunpla grade

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Sources & References

• Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans Official Site — g-tekketsu.com
• Gundam Wiki "Gundam Frame" — gundam.wiki.cre.jp
• Pixiv Encyclopedia "Gundam Frame" — dic.pixiv.net
• Pixiv Encyclopedia "Alaya-Vijnana System" — dic.pixiv.net
• Pixiv Encyclopedia "Calamity War" — dic.pixiv.net
• Niconico Encyclopedia "Gundam Frame" — dic.nicovideo.jp
• Niconico Encyclopedia "Gundam Bael" — dic.nicovideo.jp
• Bandai Hobby Site IBO Product Lineup — bandai-hobby.net
• Taka's Gunpla Info "IBO Gundam Names from Ars Goetia" — gunpla.subarus.net