A prototype for a new next-generation weapon which the Autonomous Republic of Zeon developed in absolute secrecy. The frame would become the predecessor for mobile suits. Trials continued in the Dark Colony at Side 3 under the pretext of being experimental machines for lunar development work. The coloring of this suit imitates the one appearing in the comics.

While there were articles here and there referring to this machine, which is a prototype mobile suit, as the MS-01, in the manga it was never referred to as a mobile suit until the end. At the time the setting was settled and it would be appearing in animation, the development number of “MW-01” was agreed upon and it was handled differently from mobile suits.

For the unit that Ortega pilots, the comics give it a gray tone coloring (despite looking blue in the image above).

While the anime version is faithfully designed in the image of the original manga version, the main difference from Okawara’s original design is the forearm part. Furthermore, the color of the suit is a light orange, indicative of a test type.

As the first Mobile Worker appearing in the Origin, The Black TriStar’s Ortega climbs aboard as test pilot and destroys a Guntank Early Type. The worker carries a shield in its left hand. The episode corresponds to Section VI of the Char & Sayla arc. Changes to the color of the body in respect to the Origin’s original work is rare.

With an improved version of the Early Type, a mock battle of Mobile Workers of the same type unfolds between Mash and Ral’s units. In the Early Type, the pilot was exposed, only shielded with a roll bar. The Late Type, however, shielded them with a glass window. There are also claw-shaped parts to be fixed as forearm attachments. In addition, the details of the forearms, knees and the top of the foot are different from the Early Type. This rendition of the Late Type conforms more to Okawara’s design concept.

At the time it first appeared in the manga, the colors were unknown since they didn’t appear on any color pages. The animated version made Ral’s unit Blue and Mash’s unit orange. Following the animated version, Comic Walker’s full color rendition of the comic showcases the units in their show colors. In the manga version, there is no distinction made between the Early Type and the Late Type, so the anime version sets out to clarify the difference between the two, gradually adding improvements to the Mobile Worker which changes its appearance accordingly.

It should be noted that Ral’s unit is painted with his personal color of blue from the early stages of Mobile Worker development.

The orange color of Mash’s unit isn’t his personal color, it is the color of a test type that is identical to the Early Type.

The forearm attachments of the Mobile Worker and the YMS-07B-0 Prototype Gouf Tactical Demonstrator are a common standard so it is possible to exchange the forearm units of each unit. As such, it is structurally feasible to attach the forearm unit of the Mobile Worker to the Tactical Demonstrator. The huge claw on the right hand stands out considerably.
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(Left) The Mobile Worker is equipped with the Tactical Demonstrator’s heat rod and 3-barrel machine gun. (Right) As seen with both arms as standard manipulators. .

(Left) Forearm of the Early Type. The claw for this unit does not move. (Right) One set of forearm attachments for the Tactical Demonstrator and Mobile Worker late type.