In the currently airing TV anime Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX, which is known for its close ties to the original Mobile Suit Gundam, episode 6 made waves by introducing characters from Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam. Among them, Major Bask Om drew particular attention. For newcomers to the Gundam series starting with GQuuuuuuX, the abundance of names and terminology may feel overwhelming. This article will explain who Bask Om is, his history in the Gundam universe, and his current role in GQuuuuuuX

Bask Om in the Gundam Universe: A Consistently Vicious Villain

Bask Om originally appeared in Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam and in the OVA Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory, which is set five years earlier. He recently made his GQuuuuuuX debut in episode 6 alongside another Zeta Gundam character, Gates Capa, shocking viewers with this cross-series appearance.

In Zeta Gundam, Bask Om serves as the commanding officer of the Titans, an elite Earth Federation task force and the main antagonists of the series. He is portrayed as an unwavering villain—a staunch Earth supremacist and the very embodiment of the Titans’ authoritarian ideology. Though officially a Federation officer, he never hesitates to resort to brutal tactics to achieve his goals. His reputation was so notorious that even AEUG leader Blex Forer once remarked, “Bask would do it,” upon witnessing a particularly cruel operation.

Cruel and Calculated: Bask Om’s Atrocities

■The Infamous "30 Bunch Incident"
One of Bask's most infamous actions is the "30 Bunch Incident," which predates the events of Zeta Gundam. In this atrocity, he ordered poison gas—banned by interstellar treaties—to be released into a colony, killing 15 million civilians during a crackdown on anti-Federation protests. This incident occurred in U.C. 0085, the same era depicted in GQuuuuuuX. Notably, GQuuuuuuX references a similarly suspicious “17 Bunch Incident,” sparking speculation about its connection to Bask's past crimes. Though unconfirmed, rumors among Zeon circles suggest the Federation was again using poison gas.

■Poison Gas and Human Shields in Zeta Gundam
Later in Zeta Gundam, Bask again uses poison gas to massacre the residents of Colony 21. This time, he manipulates former AEUG pilot Reccoa Londe into carrying out the attack as a loyalty test, ensuring her full commitment to the Titans. Bask also shows no remorse when civilians are caught in battles. He infamously punched Bright Noa for questioning civilian casualties and even used protagonist Kamille Bidan's mother as a human shield, leading to her accidental death—a plan he carried out without informing his own subordinates.

■Ruthless to the End in Gundam 0083
In the finale of Gundam 0083, Bask makes a brief appearance. Despite the failure to prevent a colony drop, he lashes out using the underpowered Solar System II weapon, endangering his own fleet and allies like Kou Uraki in a desperate and vengeful attack. His cruelty remains consistent, regardless of the series.

More Than Just Brutality: Bask’s Rise and Fall

Despite numerous failures, Bask continues to rise through the ranks. He betrays his former superior, Admiral Cowen, and aligns himself with the radical Jamitov Hymem, showcasing a surprising political acumen beneath his brutish exterior.

■Conflicts with Jamitov and Scirocco
Though Jamitov, the leader of the Titans, is also a hardliner, even he grows wary of Bask's extremism. To counterbalance Bask, he brings in Paptimus Scirocco from Jupiter. Eventually, Bask clashes with Scirocco, leading to his downfall. Ironically, he is killed by Reccoa Londe—the very person he had once forced to commit atrocities—under Scirocco's secret orders. His death aboard the Dogosse Giar comes swiftly and unexpectedly, marking a bitter end to a villain who never wavered in his brutality.

Bask Om in GQuuuuuuX: New History, Same Ruthlessness

In GQuuuuuuX episode 6, Major Bask Om is shown to be involved in a secret operation involving a large shipment disguised as HVAC equipment from the Amaracamara Company. Inside is a vessel carrying Deux Murasame, an enhanced human from the Murasame Research Institute, in what appears to be an assassination plot against Kycilia.

In the GQuuuuuuX timeline, the Earth Federation is portrayed as having lost the One Year War to Zeon. The show hints at a past event known as the “17 Bunch Incident,” evoking memories of Bask’s earlier "30 Bunch Incident." Whispers among Zeon suggest that the Federation may still be using poison gas.

Bask Om’s official GQuuuuuuX profile describes him as preparing to form a “far-right special task force.” This strongly implies that the formation of the Titans—or their equivalent in this timeline—is already in motion. How far Bask Om will go and what atrocities he might commit next remain key points of interest as the series continues.