Athrun Zala
Encyclopedia
is a fictional character
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...

 from the Japanese science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...

 anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....

 television series Mobile Suit Gundam SEED
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED
is an anime series developed by Sunrise and directed by Mitsuo Fukuda. As with other series from the Gundam franchise, Gundam SEED takes place in a parallel timeline, in this case the Cosmic Era, the first to do so...

and its sequel Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny
is an anime television series, acting as a sequel of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED by Sunrise. It retains most of the staff from Gundam SEED, including Director Mitsuo Fukuda. Set two years after the original Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, the plot follows the new character Shinn Asuka, a soldier from ZAFT,...

, part of the Gundam franchise
Franchise
Franchise generally means a right or privilege. It may refer to:*Suffrage, the civil right to vote*Franchising, a business method that involves licensing of trademarks and methods of doing business, such as:...

. 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, refereed to as Naturals, Athrun discovered that his childhood friend Kira Yamato
Kira Yamato
is a fictional character first introduced as the protagonist from the 2002 Japanese anime television series Mobile Suit Gundam SEED by Sunrise, part of the Gundam franchise. In the series, Kira is a first-generation Coordinator, a genetically enhanced human being born of normal humans...

 was a member of the Naturals military organization; the Earth Alliance, despite being a Coordinator. Across the series, Athrun encounters Kira at various times and after almost killing him, Athrun starts questioning his own motives to participate in the war. He is voiced in Japanese by Akira Ishida
Akira Ishida
Akira Ishida is a prolific male seiyū born in Nisshin, Aichi, Japan.He was a part of Mausu Promotion from 1988 until March 2009...

 and in English by Samuel Vincent
Samuel Vincent
Samuel Vincent is a Canadian voice actor who works with the Ocean Productions based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He was born in North Vancouver, British Columbia.-Biography:...

.

Athrun has also appeared in manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...

 adaptations from the series, taking the leading role in Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny: The Edge. He is also featured in various games from both Gundam SEED and the Gundam franchise, as well as crossovers in general. Athrun's character has been highly popular, taking high spots in polls from the Gundam franchise, as well as the Anime Grand Prix polls. Publications from manga, anime and other media have also commented on Athrun's character, providing positive response due to his relationships and his role in the series.

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. At the start of the series Athrun is a member of Rau Le Creuset's team which carries out a ZAFT raid on the neutral colony Heliopolis. The team steals several advanced mobile suits created by the Earth Alliance, Athrun himself confiscates the . During the raid he finds that his childhood friend Kira Yamato
Kira Yamato
is a fictional character first introduced as the protagonist from the 2002 Japanese anime television series Mobile Suit Gundam SEED by Sunrise, part of the Gundam franchise. In the series, Kira is a first-generation Coordinator, a genetically enhanced human being born of normal humans...

 has become the pilot of the mobile suit GAT-X105 Strike. As ZAFT is assigned to destroy the Earth Alliance ship Archangel
Archangel class assault ship
The Archangel-class assault ship is a fictional ship class from the Cosmic Era timeline of the Gundam anime metaseries. They are functionally equivalent to the current day aircraft carriers; their primary mission being to launch and recover mobile suits and mobile armors...

, Athrun encounters Kira at various times as the latter was protecting the ship to protect his friends. When Kira kills one of Athrun's comrades in combat, Athrun tries to kill Kira by self-destructing the Aegis alongside the Strike, escaping just before its detonation. He is found by Cagalli Yula Athha
Cagalli Yula Athha
is a fictional character introduced in the Japanese science fiction anime television series Mobile Suit Gundam SEED by Sunrise, part of the Gundam franchise. In the series, Cagalli is one of the regular humans, labeled as Naturals, fighting against genetically enhanced humans known as Coordinators...

 of the neutral country Orb, who despite being angered by Kira's supposed death, allows him to return to ZAFT after both discuss the reasons for killing.

After returning to ZAFT, Athrun is given the mobile suit by his father Patrick Zala for his achievements in war. Patrick orders him to track and retrieve the mobile suit ZGMF-X10A Freedom, which was stolen by Athrun's fiancée Lacus Clyne
Lacus Clyne
is a fictional character introduced in the Japanese science fiction anime television series Mobile Suit Gundam SEED and appearing in the sequel Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny, both part of the Gundam franchise by Sunrise. In the start of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, Lacus is a good natured and popular...

 and to eliminate her. He is unable to follow his orders after learns that Kira is alive and is the pilot of the Freedom. As the Archangel plans to face both ZAFT and the Earth Alliance to end the war, Athrun decides to talk to his father. Patrick reveals that he intends to continue the war on until all the Naturals have been exterminated. Upon Athrun's refusal to reveal the location of both Freedom and Justice, Patrick's soldiers arrest him. He is later saved by the Clyne faction and joins the newly formed resistance group called the Three Ships Alliance which includes the Archangel. In order to end the war, Athrun and Cagalli go into Jachin Due. There they find Patrick had been shot by a ZAFT commander before he could fire the superweapon GENESIS. Athrun then destroys GENESIS by detonating the nuclear-powered Justice inside of it, in order to stop ZAFT's attack.

Two years after the war in Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny, Athrun is living under the pseudonym working as Cagalli's bodyguard, who rules Orb. In the declaration of the Second Bloody Valentine War, Athrun returns to ZAFT, hoping to avert the war. Athrun meets with ZAFT Chairman Gilbert Durandal, who appoints him a member of the elite special forces, FAITH. Athrun is assigned the new mobile suit and joins the ship Minerva from ZAFT. There, Athrun becomes commander of the mobile suit pilots, becoming a mentor to Shinn Asuka
Shinn Asuka
is a fictional character in the Japanese science fiction anime television series Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny by Sunrise, part of the Gundam franchise. Appearing as the series' lead character, Shinn is a member from the military organization ZAFT composed of genetically advanced humans known as...

, though the two do not always get along well. In the fights against the Earth Alliance, the Archangel interferes to reduce the number of casualties, but Athrun decides not to return with them, stating that they are making the situation worse. During a clash between the three groups, the Saviour is destroyed by Kira's Freedom, leaving Athrun without a mobile suit. Following ZAFT's attack on the Archangel, Athrun begins to question their motives. Later, he learns that Durandal is preparing to frame him as a traitor. Athrun escapes from ZAFT with Meyrin Hawke in a stolen mobile suit, which is later destroyed by Shinn. The pair is rescued by the Archangel. During ZAFT's invasion of Orb, Lacus gives Athrun the mobile suit, which he uses to join Kira and the Archangel to fight against ZAFT. Athrun goes into space aboard the Archangel and fights along side them in their attempt to stop Durandal from implementing his plans. In the final battle against ZAFT he assists in the destruction of the superweapon Requiem.

In other media

Athrun appears in the original video animation
Original video animation
, abbreviated as media , are animated films and series made specially for release in home-video formats. The term originated in relation to Japanese animation...

 Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny Final Plus that expands his role from the sequel's finale. In the manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...

 series Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny: The Edge, the events of Gundam SEED Destiny are told from Athrun's point of view. In the Gundam SEED and Gundam SEED Destiny manga, author Masatsugu Iwase tries to make him look gallant while not making him look too feminine as he wanted to make Athrun look affected by Kira. Athrun also appears in the two series of films compilations of both 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. He has also been featured in two character CDs from the series with tracks performed by his Japanese voice actor, Akira Ishida
Akira Ishida
Akira Ishida is a prolific male seiyū born in Nisshin, Aichi, Japan.He was a part of Mausu Promotion from 1988 until March 2009...

.

In the Game Boy Advance
Game Boy Advance
The is a 32-bit handheld video game console developed, manufactured, and marketed by Nintendo. It is the successor to the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on March 21, 2001; in North America on June 11, 2001; in Australia and Europe on June 22, 2001; and in the People's Republic of China...

 game, Mobile Suit Gundam Seed: Tomo to Kimi to Senjou de, the players walks around with Athrun asking people what a good gift would be. In Mobile Suit Gundam Seed: Rengou vs. Z.A.F.T.
Gundam Seed: Rengou vs. Z.A.F.T.
Gundam Seed: O.M.N.I. vs Z.A.F.T. is a third person arcade game based on the Gundam Seed franchise. It was developed in 2005 by Capcom and published by Bandai in Japan. Similarly to Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Z Gundam, the player can choose to ally themselves with either O.M.N.I., Z.A.F.T. or...

and Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Destiny: Rengou vs. Z.A.F.T. II
Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Destiny: Rengou vs. Z.A.F.T. II
Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Destiny: Rengou vs. Z.A.F.T. II is a third person arcade game developed by Capcom and published by Namco Bandai Games. It is the sequel to Gundam Seed: Rengou vs. Z.A.F.T. with a slightly revised fighting system, new units and characters, and updates to old characters...

, Athrun can be playable in both modes, as a ZAFT pilot or as an Orb pilot. Athrun is a pilot in Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2
Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2
Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2, originally released in Japan as , is a tactical action video game based on the Gundam anime series, and the sequel to 2007's Dynasty Warriors: Gundam. It is developed by Koei/Omega Force and is published by Namco Bandai...

and Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 3 with Infinite Justice as a playable mobile suit. Athrun appears in Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Gundam
Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Gundam
Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Gundam is an arcade game that newly crossover with other Gundam in Gundam Vs. series. The game features up to 30 different Mobile Weapons, and a play system similar to previous titles in the Gundam Vs. series....

and its sequel, Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Gundam Next
Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Gundam Next
Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Gundam Next is the newest in the series of Gundam VS video game series from the Namco Bandai Games, it is the sequel to Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Gundam. On September 15, 2009, Famitsu released gameplay screenshots of the PSP version, Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam...

, piloting the Aegis. The Saviour and Infinite Justice also appear as Mobile Assists for the Force Impulse (original Gundam vs. Gundam only) and the Strike Freedom respectively. In Mobile Suit Gundam: Extreme Vs.
Mobile Suit Gundam: Extreme Vs.
is a 3D Arcade Fighting game and the newest in the series of Gundam VS video game series developed by Capcom and published by Namco Bandai Games. It's the sequel to Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Gundam NEXT. The game was first unveiled at the AOU 2010 and confirmed to be released on September 28,...

, Athrun is playable in the Infinite Justice. Another crossover game in which he is playable is Gundam Assault Survive, piloting the Aegis. Athrun appears along with many other Gundam SEED characters in Super Robot Wars Alpha 3
Super Robot Wars Alpha 3
for the PlayStation 2 is the last game in the Alpha series. The 3rd Super Robot Wars Alpha, or simply, Alpha 3, contains one of the largest casts to ever be placed together within a Super Robot Wars game...

. Athrun appears in Another Century's Episode 3
Another Century's Episode 3
, abbreviated as A.C.E.3, is a mecha action video game produced by Banpresto and developed by From Software. It is the sequel to the popular 2006 game Another Century's Episode 2, and the third game in the Another Century's Episode series. It was released for the PlayStation 2 on September 6,...

piloting the Justice and in Another Century's Episode R with Infinite Justice.

Reception

Athrun's character has been well received by anime fans, having appeared various time in the Anime Grand Prix popularity polls in the category of favorite male characters. He came in second in 2002, fourth in 2003, first in 2004, second in 2005, and third in 2006. In a Newtype
Newtype (magazine)
is a monthly magazine publication originating from Japan, covering anime and manga . It was launched by publishing company Kadokawa Shoten on March 8, 1985 with its April issue, and has since seen regular release on the 10th of every month in its home country...

poll, Athrun was voted as the third most popular male anime character from the 2000s. 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. In another poll, Athrun was voted as the most annoying Gundam character with focus on his role in Gundam SEED Destiny. His Japanese voice actor Akira Ishida
Akira Ishida
Akira Ishida is a prolific male seiyū born in Nisshin, Aichi, Japan.He was a part of Mausu Promotion from 1988 until March 2009...

 won as the most popular voice actor in the Seiyū Awards
Seiyu Awards
The are award ceremonies for the recognition of voice acting talent for outstanding performance in anime and other media in Japan...

 2004 for his portrayal as Athrun in the category "Best Actors in supporting roles". Athrun, along with five other notable mecha and pilots from the various Gundam series, were recognized in the second set of "Anime Heroes and Heroines" stamps, released in Japan in 2005.

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. 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. Comments have also been focused on Athrun's and Kira's relationship with IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...

's Andy Patrizio disliking the number of times both of them shouted each other's names. 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 also added tension to it, because of how she and Kira started relating despite Athrun being engaged with her. 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. Furthermore, Athrun's confrontations with Cagalli across the series were praised due to how their characters' were developed while talking with each other. 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. Don Houston from DVDTalk commented on Athrun's background regarding his actions against his father to stop his plans "in the name of super greater calling". Houston also 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. 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. Samuel Vincent
Samuel Vincent
Samuel Vincent is a Canadian voice actor who works with the Ocean Productions based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He was born in North Vancouver, British Columbia.-Biography:...

's portrayal as Athrun in Gundam SEED Destiny was pointed by Carl Kimlinger from Anime News Network
Anime News Network
Anime News Network is an anime industry news website that reports on the status of anime, manga, Japanese popular music and other otaku-related culture within North America, Australia and Japan. Additionally, it sometimes features similar happenings throughout the Anglosphere and elsewhere in the...

as one of the strongest ones from the casting.
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