If you ever watched any major Gundam series before, then you might’ve heard the term “Minovsky Particle”. This technology is especially prevalent in the Universal Century Gundam series, such as the original Mobile Suit Gundam, Gundam Unicorn, Gundam Hathaway, and many others.

The Minovsky Particles was named after its founder, a scientist named Trenov Y. Minovsky. He was basically the most influential person in the creation of the Mobile Suit technology. It’s not even an exaggeration to call him the father of Modern Mobile Suit. What most people may not know however, is the fact that he led such a successful yet tragic life. The story of his life is depicted in a short manga titled Stampede: The Story of Professor Minovsky. This article will focus on some of the most important moments in his life.

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The Early Life Of Trenov Y. Minovsky

Gundam Professor Minovsky Young

Trenov Y. Minovsky was born in 1983 (U.C. 0015) near Chernobyl, Ukraine. As a matter of fact, he saw the terrible nuclear incident that happened in Chernobyl when he was three years old. This tragic and traumatic event made Trenov despise nuclear energy, but it also awakened his interest in science at the same time. Which is quite ironic because nuclear energy would be the topic of his life-long research.

In U.C. 0031, Trenov studied physics in an American school. Even then, he already has a concept of the “Minovsky Physics” in his mind, but since the theory behind it looks so outlandish, nobody takes him seriously. Fortunately for him, Anaheim Electronics took an interest in his theory and offered to fund his research. Needless to say, Trenov agreed to join Anaheim Electronics, along with his best friend and fellow scientist, Ionesco.

After years of grueling work, they finally managed to create the Minovsky-Ionesco Nuclear Fusion Reactor in U.C. 0040. This was the first truly “clean” nuclear reactor, with zero recorded neutron radiation. With this reactor, Minovsky had practically changed particle physics forever.

Deflecting From The Earth Federation To The Principality of Zeon

Gundam Minovsky Zabi Family

As if creating the Minovsky-Ionesco Nuclear Reactor was not amazing enough, they also found an unexplainable electromagnetic wave within the reactor. Minovsky called it the Minovsky Particle, and at long last, the theory that he had back when he was teenager has finally been proven. Unfortunately for him, Ionesco, his best friend and research partner, betrayed him during the scientist conference and declared that there’s no such thing as the Minovsky Particle. That it was all just a lie made up by the megalomaniac Minovsky. As a result, his reputation was destroyed, and he lost all funding for his research.

In U.C. 0045, when Minovsky was at his lowest point in his life, two members of the Zabi Family contacted him and asked him to come and work for them in the newly completed Side 3. Since there’s nothing left for him on earth, he agreed and moved there with his wife. There, he managed to create an artificial sun that allowed Side 3 to prosper. He also created the Minovsky Physics Society here.

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Furthermore, Minovsky also managed to improve his thermonuclear nuclear reactor, and even proved the existence of the Minovsky Particle in U.C. 0065. Around the same time, Side 3 officially changed its name into The Principality of Zeon and declared its independence. This sparked an armed conflict with the Earth Federation, and therefore, better weapons were needed. And that is when the military took an interest in Professor Minovsky’s research.

The Creation And Usage Of The Minovsky Particle

Gundam MS-04 Zaku

Blinded by the thirst of invention, Minovsky successfully implemented the Minovsky Particle into a practical weapon for the military in U.C. 0070. This particle was used to disrupt electromagnetic waves. Further research also led to the creation of the infamous Mega Particle Cannon. Couldn’t stand seeing her husband consumed by his obsession on weapons, Minovsky’s wife decided to leave him.

Unfortunately, that didn’t stop Minovsky from trying to make better and stronger weapons based on his Minovsky Physics. Minovsky worked hard to create his dream project, a humanoid mobile suit, powered by an ultra-compact version of his reactor. The result of this research was the MS-04 Prototype Zaku “Bugu”. Thanks to this new mobile suit, the Principality of Zeon finally gained an upper hand against The Earth Federation.

The Last Days Of Trenov Y. Minovsky

Gundam Minovsky Last Moments

When Minovsky witnessed the killings that were done thanks to his inventions, he finally realized the weight of his action by giving birth to these Mobile Suits. He was truly appalled by what The Principality of Zeon did with his creation, and even went as far as refusing the medal that the Zabi Family awarded to him.

Unable to contain his regrets, he finally decided to contact his former student, Tem Ray, the father of Amuro Ray, and share the information about the MS-04 mobile suits in U.C. 0080. He also stated his wishes to deflect back to the Earth Federation. Unfortunately, when he was on his way to earth, a squad of elite soldiers led by Char Aznable found him, and shot down his spacecraft. However, thanks to the information that he had shared to Tem Ray, the Earth Federation and Anaheim Electronics managed to build their own version of advanced mobile suits, which led to the creation of the RX-78-02 Gundam.

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