Athrun Zala
Athrun Zala | |
---|---|
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny character | |
![]() Athrun Zala in Mobile Gundam SEED | |
First appearance | Mobile Suit Gundam SEED episode 1 |
Voiced by | Akira Ishida[1] (Japanese) Sam Vincent[1] (English, Ocean) Chris Hackney[2] (English, NYAV) |
In-universe information | |
Relatives | Patrick Zala (father) |
Genetic type | Coordinator[3] |
Athrun Zala (アスラン・ザラ, Asuran Zara) is a fictional character from the Japanese science fiction anime television series Mobile Suit Gundam SEED and its sequel Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny, part of the Gundam franchise. In the former, Athrun Zala is introduced as a member from the military organization ZAFT, composed of genetically enhanced humans known as Coordinators. Participating in the war between Coordinators and regular humans, referred to as Naturals, Athrun discovered that his childhood friend Kira Yamato was a member of the Naturals' military organization, the Earth Alliance, despite being a Coordinator. Across the series, Athrun encounters Kira and, after almost killing him, Athrun starts questioning his own motives to participate in the war. Athrun returns in Gundam SEED Destiny participating in another war and is the protagonist of its compilation films. He is voiced in Japanese by Akira Ishida and in English by Sam Vincent in the Ocean dub and by Chris Hackney in the NYAV dub.
Athrun has appeared in
Appearances
In the TV series
In Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Athrun is one of the genetically enhanced humans known as Coordinators who joined the military organization ZAFT that battles the regular humans, the Naturals, in the Bloody Valentine War.
After returning to ZAFT, Athrun is given the mobile suit ZGMF-X09A Justice (ZGMF-X09A ジャスティス) by his father
Two years after the war in Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny, Athrun is living under the pseudonym Alex Dino (アレックス・ディノ, Arekkusu Dino) working as Cagalli's bodyguard, who rules Orb.
In Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom, one year after the events of Destiny, Athrun is not a member of Compass like the other cast, but works as an agent of Terminal, alongside his former ZAFT colleague Meryin. Interestingly, he does not pilot the upgraded Immortal Justice, instead opting to let his mentee, Shinn, pilot it in his stead. He makes a surprise appearance later in the film, assisting Kira and the Compass team after they are ambushed by the Black Knights, piloting a Z'Gok. He reveals the true nature of the Foundation to the rest of the protagonists, as well as their plans involving the use of Requiem and the Destiny Plan, and snaps Kira out of his depression to renew his will to fight. In the film's climactic battle, he engages the Black Knights ace pilot, Shura, revealing within the Z'Gok is his original Infinite Justice, now upgraded to the Inifnite Justice Type II. He is able to defeat Shura (by humourously thinking of Cagalli sexually) to avoid being mind controlled, and reunites with her at the end of the film on Earth, where it is revelaed she still has the ring he gave her from Destiny.
In other media
Athrun appears in the
Athrun appears in the two series of films compilations of Gundam SEED and Gundam SEED Destiny, and is the narrative figure from the latter ones. He remains as an Orb soldier in the latter series' end, working alongside his former ZAFT comrades.[31][32] He has been featured in two character CDs from the series with tracks performed by his Japanese voice actor, Akira Ishida.[33][34]
Athrun reappears in the sequel film Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom. Unlike the other protagonists, Athrun is not a member of COMPASS, but is a member of its pregenitor group, Terminal. He also does not pilot a Gundam for the majority of the film, instead piloting a Z'Gok in his signature red colors. In the climax of the film during the final battle, the Z'Gok is revealed to be a shell unit for his true mobile suit, the ZGMF-X191M2 Inifinite Justice Type II. He is later seen flying over the skies of Orb with Cagalli, confirming they did reunite.
In the
Reception
Athrun's character has been well received by anime fans, having appeared in the Anime Grand Prix popularity polls in the category of favorite male characters. He came in second in 2002,[43] fourth in 2003,[44] first in 2004,[45] second in 2005,[46] and third in 2006.[47] In a Newtype poll, Athrun was voted as the third most popular male anime character from the 2000s.[48] Two Sunrise polls asked fans what was the most memorable characters from Gundam SEED and from Gundam SEED Destiny; Athrun was fifth in the former and third in the latter.[49][50] In the poll focused in the best team ups between former enemies, he and Kira were second.[51] In an online poll from 2012, Athrun was voted as Gundam SEED's second most popular character.[52] His Japanese voice actor Akira Ishida won as the most popular voice actor in the Seiyu Awards 2004 for his portrayal as Athrun in the category "Best Actors in supporting roles".[53] Athrun, along with five other notable mecha and pilots from the Gundam series, were recognized in the second set of "Anime Heroes and Heroines" stamps, released in Japan in 2005.[54]
Critical reception for Athrun's character has often been positive. THEM Anime Reviews' Derrick L. Tucker cited him as strong character with his questions regarding war resembling Kira's.[55] Chris Beveridge from Mania Entertainment stated that while Gundam SEED was primarily focused on Kira's growth, Athrun often "stole the show in a lot of ways" citing their rivalry and his angst displayed during its final episodes.[56] Comments have also been focused on Athrun's and Kira's relationship with IGN's Andy Patrizio disliking the number of times they shouted each other's names.[57] Writing for Mania Entertainment, Kim Wolstenholme was worried about how much would Kira's and Athrun's relationship would be focused in Gundam SEED, but liked how Lacus's introduction added tension to it, because of how she and Kira started relating despite Athrun being engaged with her.[58] Moreover, Ross Liversidge from UK Anime Network enjoyed the development from their rivalry as it resulted in well done fight scenes from each of their mobile suits.[59] Furthermore, Athrun's confrontations with Cagalli across the series were praised due to how their characters' were developed while talking with each other.[60][61]
Reviewing the manga of Gundam SEED Destiny Julie Gray from Comic Book Bin praised his relationship with Cagalli, emphasizing how integral is it to the story.[62] Don Houston from DVD Talk commented on Athrun's background regarding his actions against his father to stop his plans "in the name of super greater calling". Houston wondered about his future actions in Gundam SEED Destiny regarding his return to ZAFT as well as how his relationship with Durandal would be developed.[63] Athrun's last battle against Shinn Asuka in Gundam SEED Destiny was Liversidge's favorite moment from the DVD he reviewed mainly due to how the former gives the latter "a much deserved kicking" with Athrun losing his temper.[64] Samuel Vincent's portrayal as Athrun in Gundam SEED Destiny was pointed by Carl Kimlinger from Anime News Network as one of the strongest ones from the casting.[65]
References
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fa/Wikiquote-logo.svg/34px-Wikiquote-logo.svg.png)
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