In the TV anime Mobile Suit Gundam's spinoff model series, MSV, Johnny Ridden was one of the many pilots who fought for the Principality of Zeon during the devestating One Year War. He was born at Side 3 in Universal Century 0056, and lived well since he was the son of a politician. Ridden enlisted in the Zeon military and underwent basic training in UC 0078, just months before the outbreak of the war.

Ridden was assigned to the Mobile Assault Forces under Kycilia Zabi and made a name for himself in the Battle of Loum on January 15, 0079. Ridden destroyed three Salamis-class warships before an order to retreat was issued, and it was widely believed he would have rivaled Char Aznable's equally impressive mark of five had he remained on the battlefield longer. Due to his exploits, and preferred color scheme of red and black, he was nicknamed 'Crimson Lightning'. Ridden scored most of his kills during the war with his customized MS-06R-2 Zaku II High Mobility Type. The unicorn emblazoned on the Zaku's elbow was a tribute to Kycelia, and it symbolized his feelings for her, as the legend of the creature stated that it only opened its heart to a pure-minded woman.

In October, Ridden was assigned to the elite Chimera Corps and upgraded to the MS-14 Gelgoog. At the Battle of A Ba A Qu on December 31, 0079, Ridden was, like the rest of Zeon's forces, overwhelmed by the Earth Federation's onslaught. With time running out for the beleaguered base, he fought desperately to protect Kycelia's escape via a Zanzibar warship, unaware that she had already been assassinated by Aznable. Ridden was officially listed as missing in action following the battle, but was assumed dead and promoted posthumously.

Despite his success as a pilot, Ridden is often overshadowed by the more famous Aznable, and sometimes it is jokingly said that his Zaku is more famous than he is.