TV-Series
Description
Ral-san, often called Mr. Ral, is a supporting character in Gundam Build Fighters whose true name, origins, occupation, and family background are never revealed. He claims to be thirty-five years old and is a regular customer at the Iori Hobby Shop. His appearance is an intentional homage to Ramba Ral, the Zeon officer from the original Mobile Suit Gundam, and several veteran characters even address him directly as Ramba. Within the Gunpla community, he is known by the titles Lieutenant Ral and the Blue Giant, names that carry considerable weight among experienced fighters.
His personality blends a serious, composed adult demeanor with a deep and openly displayed passion for Gundam and Gunpla. He is enthusiastic about the hobby in a way that mirrors the excitement of younger fans, yet he is also reliable, level-headed, and protective of the main characters. His composed front tends to collapse around beautiful women, particularly Rinko Iori, Sei's mother, and the Gunpla idol Kirara, toward whom he acts noticeably weak and smitten. He also has a strong sense of justice and propriety, as shown when he physically stepped in to stop sabotage during a world championship qualifier and when he discreetly kept an eye on the younger characters' relationships. Despite his friendly and optimistic presence, much of his past remains mysterious, and he is hinted to have connections with figures from the Gunpla underworld, including criminals who respect him.
His main motivation is his genuine love of Gunpla and Gunpla Battle, and he channels this into helping younger fighters grow. In the first series, he serves as an unofficial mentor and advisor to Sei Iori, Reiji, and China Kousaka, offering guidance on both building and fighting and providing detailed explanations of the rules and technology of Gunpla Battle. He is well connected within the hobby, counted as a long-time friend of Master Chinan of the Gunpla Shingyo School and on good terms with Takeshi Iori, Ricardo Fellini, Lord Mackenzie, and other prominent figures in the Gunpla world. He also harbors an unrequited fondness for Rinko, who remains devoted to her husband.
His development unfolds gradually. Early on, his own skill as a fighter is uncertain, since he loses quickly to Reiji while using an old, limited-articulation Best Mecha Collection Gouf. Later, during the chaos caused by the Arista system at the end of the series, he pilots his own custom-built Gouf R35 and defeats large numbers of enemy units alongside Master Chinan, proving that his reputation as the Blue Giant is backed by genuine ability. In the sequel Gundam Build Fighters Try, set seven years later, he is forty-two years old and has become the coach of the Gunpla Battle Club at Seiho Academy, training the newly formed Team Try Fighters for the Japanese Under-19 Championships. In this role he is passionate, demanding, and invested in his students' growth, both as fighters and as people. His battle record is said to include only five losses, the most recent being against Yuuma Kousaka's Lightning Gundam.
As a builder, he favors Gouf-type mobile suits but is skilled enough to impress Sei with the quality of his work, and he later creates the Dom R35 as his next machine. As a fighter, his style relies on guerrilla tactics, and he is highly knowledgeable about Gunpla technology, battle mechanics, and the wider history of the Gundam universe. His combination of veteran experience, technical expertise, and supportive nature makes him a respected bridge between the older generation of Gundam fans and the new generation of Gunpla fighters.
His personality blends a serious, composed adult demeanor with a deep and openly displayed passion for Gundam and Gunpla. He is enthusiastic about the hobby in a way that mirrors the excitement of younger fans, yet he is also reliable, level-headed, and protective of the main characters. His composed front tends to collapse around beautiful women, particularly Rinko Iori, Sei's mother, and the Gunpla idol Kirara, toward whom he acts noticeably weak and smitten. He also has a strong sense of justice and propriety, as shown when he physically stepped in to stop sabotage during a world championship qualifier and when he discreetly kept an eye on the younger characters' relationships. Despite his friendly and optimistic presence, much of his past remains mysterious, and he is hinted to have connections with figures from the Gunpla underworld, including criminals who respect him.
His main motivation is his genuine love of Gunpla and Gunpla Battle, and he channels this into helping younger fighters grow. In the first series, he serves as an unofficial mentor and advisor to Sei Iori, Reiji, and China Kousaka, offering guidance on both building and fighting and providing detailed explanations of the rules and technology of Gunpla Battle. He is well connected within the hobby, counted as a long-time friend of Master Chinan of the Gunpla Shingyo School and on good terms with Takeshi Iori, Ricardo Fellini, Lord Mackenzie, and other prominent figures in the Gunpla world. He also harbors an unrequited fondness for Rinko, who remains devoted to her husband.
His development unfolds gradually. Early on, his own skill as a fighter is uncertain, since he loses quickly to Reiji while using an old, limited-articulation Best Mecha Collection Gouf. Later, during the chaos caused by the Arista system at the end of the series, he pilots his own custom-built Gouf R35 and defeats large numbers of enemy units alongside Master Chinan, proving that his reputation as the Blue Giant is backed by genuine ability. In the sequel Gundam Build Fighters Try, set seven years later, he is forty-two years old and has become the coach of the Gunpla Battle Club at Seiho Academy, training the newly formed Team Try Fighters for the Japanese Under-19 Championships. In this role he is passionate, demanding, and invested in his students' growth, both as fighters and as people. His battle record is said to include only five losses, the most recent being against Yuuma Kousaka's Lightning Gundam.
As a builder, he favors Gouf-type mobile suits but is skilled enough to impress Sei with the quality of his work, and he later creates the Dom R35 as his next machine. As a fighter, his style relies on guerrilla tactics, and he is highly knowledgeable about Gunpla technology, battle mechanics, and the wider history of the Gundam universe. His combination of veteran experience, technical expertise, and supportive nature makes him a respected bridge between the older generation of Gundam fans and the new generation of Gunpla fighters.