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Athrun Zala (アスラン・ザラ Asuran Zara?) is the deuteragonist of both Mobile Suit Gundam SEED and Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny, and the protagonist in the special edition of the latter series and the manga Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny: The Edge. Originally a close friend of Kira Yamato, he later became Kira's rival during the First Alliance-PLANT War, where he participated in the Gundam extortion plan at Heliopolis. He became the pilot of the GAT-X303 Aegis Gundam and waged a fierce fight against Kira.[1] In the later stages of the war, they would return to being friends, as well as being comrades opposed to both the Earth Alliance and ZAFT.[2]

Personality & Character

As seen and even mentioned by Lacus Clyne herself, Athrun is described as a quiet, reserved, and often a benevolent individual. Athrun is shown to have a firm belief that if soldiers follow their orders then eventually the war will end with success. While good at following orders, Athrun has trouble acting as a team leader due to his compassionate outlook in life. In Destiny, Athrun's personality and ideals don't change much, but he does mature in some respects, especially when he rejoins ZAFT at the personal behest of Gilbert Durandal to command and become part of the ZAFT forces as a field commander aboard the Minerva. Due to his status as a hero to the PLANT colonies and ZAFT ace pilot, he somehow instinctively portrays a very professional aura and doesn't hesitate when giving orders that can come off as harsh or demanding. Despite the former's particular distaste for being ordered around, Athrun still manages to act as a mentor to his young subordinates, such as Shinn Asuka and Lunamaria Hawke.

However, Athrun does have two major flaws, both of which often plague him in both SEED and Destiny. His perseverance to find himself and discern the truth of the moment amidst the chaos in both wars waged in both SEED and Destiny eventually eclipses that flaw. His second flaw is a by-product of his first flaw as his indecisiveness comes off as being labeled as a traitor to either side of the war, much to his frustration and denial. After he defects to the Three Ships Alliance, Athrun seems to regain a sense of what he is fighting for, but it is not clearly portrayed if he has resolved this personal issue.

Skills & Abilities

Before becoming a full-fledged pilot, Athrun had undergone training at the ZAFT military academy. It was there that he showed natural talent as a soldier, ranking 1st in mobile suit piloting, hand-to-hand combat, and knife-fighting, even going as far as to beat the renowned knife-fighting instructor "Fred of the Knife". With his natural experience as a pilot and high scores at the academy, it's very surprising that Kira Yamato was able to match him with skill

Beating Fred

Nicol recalling Athrun's victory over Fred of the Knife for Miguel. (Gundam SEED Suit CD Manga)

alone. His fighting style is not visibly limited in style, his mobile suits, GAT-X303 Aegis Gundam, the ZGMF-X09A Justice Gundam and later the ZGMF-X19A ∞ Justice Gundam, are all well-rounded mobile suits that are always equipped with sufficient firepower and a minimum of two beam sabers. Although his style is typically well-rounded, he can also pilot mobile suits with more basic ability, and therefore less strategic uses, such as the ZGMF-1000/M Blaze ZAKU Warrior.

Athrun is also skilled in robotics, as evidenced by his creation of Kira's Birdy and Lacus's Haros.

Athrun's resolve in battle is often profound. He debates "truth", "war" and even the real difference between "right" and "wrong" on the battlefield. These thoughts never cloud his mind in the sense that they hinder his abilities. However, his anger or desire for revenge often make him act in a way that he later regrets. His only weakness as a pilot is his good nature, which leaves him troubled when faced with having to kill Kira, his best friend. Ultimately, his "perfect solider" mentality and his father's expectations blind him to what he truly wants.

Physical Aspects & Clothing

History

Athrun was born in December City of the PLANTs on October 29, CE 55. In C.E. 61, Patrick Zala sent Athrun to attend a preparatory school at the lunar city of Copernicus with his mother. There, he met Kira Yamato and the two become close friends. In C.E. 68, Patrick called Athrun back from Copernicus City. Just before he left, Athrun built a robotic pet bird, Birdy (Torii (which means bird) in the Japanese version), and gave it to Kira as a parting gift.[3]

After returning to the PLANTs, Athrun found that his father had arranged an engagement for him to PLANT pop idol Lacus Clyne. Athrun built her Mr. Pink, a pink ball-shaped robotic pet-companion , which she liked very much. In response, he built her a large number of Haros, which she named based on their colors.[4]

On February 21, C.E. 70, Athrun enrolled in the ZAFT military following his mother's death seven days earlier during the Bloody Valentine Tragedy, which was caused by the Earth Alliance. Among the Le Creuset Team members led by Rau Le Creuset, he became friends with Nicol Amalfi and Rusty Mackenzie, and he was the only member whose views on Naturals differ from his parent's. During his time at the ZAFT Military Academy, Athrun was first in almost all of his classes and was the top graduate, just above Yzak Joule. This may account for some of Yzak's hostilities toward Athrun.

First Alliance-PLANT War

G-Weapon Robbery

Morgenroete secretly developed five mobile suits for the Earth Alliance in a concealed base on the space colony Heliopolis, belonging to the supposedly neutral Orb. As the mobile suits are intended to counter ZAFT's superior military technology, the Le Creuset team raids the base with the intent of stealing all the units for themselves. The operation has a snafu, however, as Rusty Mackenzie, who was accompanying Athrun, is shot and killed during the raid.

Kira encounters Athrun

Athrun encounters Kira

Although Athrun kills the soldier that shot Rusty, he finds Murrue Ramius near the cockpit of the GAT-X105 Strike Gundam. Before he can use his knife to kill Murrue, however, Athrun is shocked to realize that she is accompanied by his childhood friend, Kira. This brief halt allows Murrue to fire on him, forcing him to steal the GAT-X303 Aegis Gundam and retreat. Kira would eventually end up being forced to pilot the Strike in order to defend himself and his friends remaining in the colony.[5]

Despite having just acquired the unit, Athrun defies orders to remain inside the Vesalius, to accompany Miguel Aiman and Olor Kudenbru to try and attack the ship. However, Miguel orders Athrun to provide support while he tries to seize the Strike. The entire mission ends in disaster as both Miguel and Olor are killed and the resulting battle causes Heliopolis to implode and collapse, destroying the entire colony.

Pursuit of the Archangel

Rau later inquires why Athrun would uncharacteristically defy orders, which Athrun explains was due to Kira's presence. Athrun believed that Kira had been manipulated into fighting them as he was a Coordinator, and could be brought back to their side. When Rau asks what to do should Kira refuse once again, Athrun reluctantly vows to be the one to kill him. Following them after Heliopolis's destruction, Athrun and Yzak are tasked with facing Kira while both Nicol and Dearka Elsman are left to fight the Archangel.

During their confrontation, Athrun argues with Kira, wondering why he would side with the Earth Alliance against fellow Coordinators; in response, Kira retorts that he simply had friends he wished to protect and questions why Athrun would join ZAFT and attack them despite previously claiming to hate conflict.

Athrun and Yzak eventually gain the upper hand over Kira, and Athrun is able to forcefully grab the Strike with the Aegis's MA mode despite orders to simply destroy the unit. Due to Mu La Flaga's ambush on the Vesalius and subsequent attack on Athrun, Kira is able to escape and rejoin the Archangel. In the following battle, Kira would wound Yzak, who would later direct some responsibility to Athrun due to his recent behaviour against the Strike.

Later, Athrun learns that his fiancée Lacus Clyne is on board the Archangel and is outraged when Natarle Badgiruel uses her as a hostage to protect the Archangel. Before withdrawing, Athrun asks Kira his idea of justice and vows to rescue Lacus at all costs. Kira later smuggles Lacus off the Archangel and back to Athrun. (And is even shocked to find a strangely bloated stomach which he has no idea that was just the result of having to force in the skirt of her dress in the suit) Upon retrieving his fiancée, Athrun asks Kira again to defect to ZAFT, but Kira again steadfastly refuses his offer. Neither Kira nor Athrun want to fight each other and they often think of one another and their unfortunate circumstances. Despite this, both declare to one another that they will shoot to kill the next time they meet.

Athrun and the rest of the Le Creuset team would continue to chase the Archangel after its descent to Earth; the ship having already bested both Commanders Andrew Waltfeld and Marco Morassim. Athrun is appointed as the team's head during Rau's departure, and the team's name is changed to the Zala Team. While traveling to ZAFT's base in Carpentaria, Athrun's transport plane is shot down by Cagalli Yula Athha's FX-550 Skygrasper, and who is shot down in return. Due to the damage, Athrun and his unit are forced to eject from the plane.

Athrun successfully lands his mobile suit on an island. There, he encounters Cagalli, who is also marooned there. After being shot at resulting to an armed conflict between the two and having to deal with the awkward revelation that she was, in fact, a girl, Athrun takes Cagalli prisoner, binding her wrists and feet together. While trying to get to Athrun's mobile suit in her tied up stage, Cagalli accidentally ends up almost drowning in a small but deep puddle made by the rain where Athrun rescues her. An exchange of humorous banters is had between them that results in Athrun setting her free because she seemed like she couldn't be any serious threat to him. While waiting for retrieval, the two talk. Their viewpoints about the war clash, but they listen to each other with Athrun being the one to give up first knowing that it would get them nowhere. He falls asleep on her, giving Cagalli an opening to steal his gun that she eventually throws away, resulting to it misfiring with the bullet grazing Athrun's side. This eventually leads to a mutual truce between them and they exchange names. They later rescued by their respective forces. Neither tells anyone about what happened on the island.

Athrun later discovers that Cagalli is actually the princess of the neutral Earth nation, Orb Union.

A Tragic Duel

Although the Zala team attempts to intercept the Archangel before it can reach Orb, their battle comes too close to the nation's borders and its coast guards are sent to force both sides to halt. Not wishing to start an international issue, Athrun complies and orders his team to withdraw.

Believing the Archangel is still hiding in Orb, Athrun leads the rest of the Zala team on a covert mission. During their search, they're spotted by Junk Guild members Lowe Guele, Kisato Yamabuki, Liam Garfield and Serpent Tail representative Kazahana Azure as they're trying to find their away around. Yzak, Dearka and Nicol wish to kill them, but Athrun defuses the situation, letting them know they were new to the place themselves. Though suspicious, Lowe and the others blew it off and accepted it. When Birdy escaped from Kira, it flew to where Athrun was and the two boys confronted each other briefly. With his suspicions confirmed, Athrun and the rest of the team wait for the Archangel to leave Orb territorial waters. The intended ambush goes poorly thanks to Kira's sudden improvement in battle, Nicol in the badly damaged GAT-X207 Blitz Gundam is killed by Kira's GAT-X105+AQM/E-X02 Sword Strike Gundam after he tries to protect Athrun, sparking the unbridled hate that would decide the aftermath of Athrun and Kira's next encounter later on.

The Zala team would be thrown in a frenzy by Nicol's death, with Yzak initially being angered at Athrun's leadership leading to Nicol's demise. In response, Dearka immediately separates the two and demands they focus on their next battle against the Strike.

Continuing the chase for the Archangel, the trio would eventually attack the ship once again, with Yzak and Dearka holding its support units at bay while Athrun destroys most of the ship's weapons. Eventually, Yzak is knocked off his Guul and crashes into the sea, forcing Athrun to shift targets and ends up fighting Kira in the nearby woods.

During their fight, Tolle Koenig attempts to aid Kira with the Skygrasper formerly piloted by Cagalli. In response, Athrun hurls Aegis's shield towards the plane, smashing through its cockpit and killing Tolle. An enraged Kira then activates SEED mode and cuts off one of Aegis's arms. In response, Athrun also ends up activating SEED mode for the first time, further intensifying their dogfight, with each person destroying parts of their foe's Gundam and determined to kill the other or die trying.

Finally, Athrun seizes an opportunity to grab the Strike's cockpit with the Aegis's MA mode once again and attempts to use its Scylla Energy Cannon to finish Kira. Before it can fire, Aegis finally loses its last reserves and is unable to fire or maintain its Phase Shift armor. Desperate to kill Kira before he can retaliate, Athrun immediately sets the Aegis to detonate and immediately attempts to fly away from the Aegis's destruction.

Athrun is later found injured on the beach near the site of his and Kira's battle by Cagalli and Orb when they survey the battlefield. When Athrun regains consciousness, he finds Cagalli points a gun at him, demanding to know what happened to Kira. Athrun, obviously distraught, says that he has killed his best friend, Kira. Cagalli angrily asks why while aiming the gun point-blank at his face, Athrun snaps back that Kira has killed several ZAFT comrades and his anger had finally reached its peak with Nicol's death with him eventually stating that Kira was his enemy for not being on his side, on the side of ZAFT. Cagalli snaps and calls him an idiot, asking why he could do something terrible to his best friend. It is here that Athrun breaks down into tears as Cagalli explains some of the teachings her father, that killing for vengeance will never bring peace but simply more conflict and asks him again how his thinking will ever bring about peace. Before returning him to ZAFT, Athrun calls Cagalli strange and wonders if he should thank her and just resigns to saying that he really doesn't know. Cagalli gives Athrun her Haumea amulet as a good luck charm, hoping that it will protect him, and answering his question of why she would give it to him after killing Kira with "I just don't want anyone else to die."

Acquiring the ZGMF-X09A Justice Gundam

After returning to ZAFT, Athrun was awarded the Order of the Nebula for the achievement of destroying the Strike, and he is chosen to be under the direct command of the PLANT Supreme Council. Before leaving for space once again, Athrun is seen off by Yzak, the lone remaining member of the Zala team, who promises his rival that he will be the one in charge in their next meeting, and the two share their farewells with Yzak being sent to aid Operation: Spitbreak.

Upon arriving at the PLANT Supreme Council, however, he finds all the members in uproar due to the failure of Operation: Spitbreak and the betrayal of Lacus Clyne, who was involved in the robbery of the ZGMF-X10A Freedom Gundam. In response, Athrun's father gives him the ZGMF-X09A Justice Gundam and orders him to bring back the stolen unit or destroy it. While inspecting the Justice, Athrun speaks with the late Nicol's father, Yuri Amalfi, surprised by his new stance in the war.

Still filled with disbelief over the events, Athrun visits Reverend Malchio's garden, where he is given an invitation to an abandoned theatre by Haro. Once he shows up, Lacus reveals herself and asks Athrun of what he intends to fight for as well as the fact that Kira is still alive and is the Freedom's new pilot. She tells him to think about what he should really be fighting for. Instead of following his father's orders or feeling bound to his military duty, he should determine what he believes to be right. Lacus then tells Athrun that he should go to Earth and speak with Kira.

Their meeting is later interrupted by several soldiers, having followed Athrun to get to Lacus. Although the injured Athrun attempts to defend Lacus, the pair are saved by Martin DaCosta, who escorts Lacus away.

Still filled with inner doubt, Athrun launches in the Justice and arrives on Earth. Before attempting to locate Kira, he visits the wreckage of the Aegis and the Strike. There, he encounters Reverend Malchio, who gives him an update on the war. During his visit, he is kicked by an orphan, claiming to have lost his parents to ZAFT soldiers, which further increases Athrun's second thoughts of his father's methods.

Defection from ZAFT

Athrun eventually finds Kira in Orb, engaged in combat with the GAT-X131 Calamity Gundam, GAT-X252 Forbidden Gundam and GAT-X370 Raider Gundam. Athrun watches, wrestling with his own loyalties, until Kira is slowly overpowered by the enemy. Athrun then makes his choice and steps in to save his friend. As the enemy mobile suits retreat, the two friends try to work out their differences. Neither wanted to be the other's enemy and both wanted to end the First Alliance-PLANT War, but in order to do this, both friends would have to abandon their respective nation's militaries. Kira later points out that he killed Nicol, but did not intend do, while Athrun had killed Tolle, which could not have been helped in their situation. Kira later reiterates that holding on to such grudges would not bring either back and asks what he intends to do now that he has made such a choice to help him. Uncertain at first, Athrun makes no promises, but he eventually aids Kira during the fall of Orb, instead of fighting him and retrieving the Freedom like he was originally ordered. Athrun then follows the survivors of the battle into space.

Before deciding to join the resistance group with Lacus, Kira, and the others, Athrun decides to talk to his father, Patrick Zala, who was now the Chairman of PLANT Supreme Council, to find out his father's true intentions. Athrun returns to the PLANTs without the Justice and speaks to his father about the war. During a heated argument between father and son, Athrun's father reveals that he intends to drag the war on until all the Naturals are exterminated as revenge for the death of his wife, Lenore. Athrun is shocked and angered by his father's revelation, and is shot in the arm by his father then arrested for refusing to reveal the location of the Justice and the Freedom. Athrun is later freed by Martin (under Lacus's orders), and they escape to the Eternal where Lacus was waiting. With Athrun and DaCosta on board, the Eternal then breaks away from its dock and escapes. However, their path was blocked by a Jachin Due fleet but they are saved by Kira in the Freedom, who was waiting outside the PLANTs.

Rise of Three Ships Alliance

After Athrun defects from ZAFT, he joins the newly formed resistance group called the Three Ships Alliance. Kira, Cagalli, and former Le Creuset Team member Dearka were part of this alliance consisting of the Earth Alliance's Archangel, Orb's Kusanagi, and ZAFT's Eternal. Upon return, Athrun provides aid to the Archangel when they are attacked by the Dominion, accompanied by the Calamity, Raider and Forbidden. Eventually, when the situation begins to turn, the Dominion 's captain, Natarle Badgiruel, orders a tactical retreat. When the Kusanagi's path is obstructed by various cords, the Dominion returns to try and attack the suspended ship, causing Athrun and Kira to once again launch to intercept. However, Kira becomes distracted by Flay Allster's shuttle, and Freedom is damaged as a result, but Athrun is able to rescue Kira.

As Flay's shuttle contained ZAFT's secrets on the Neutron Jammer Canceller, including data on both the Freedom and Justice, the Earth Alliance finally gains the technology and justification to use nuclear weapons. This renewed vigor was soon unleashed on the ZAFT fortress, Boaz, and the previously impregnable facility was vaporized by nuclear missiles.

Believing the next target would inevitably be a nuclear attack on the PLANTs, Athrun and Kira move to intercept the nukes of the Alliance forces. To their shock and horror, however, ZAFT responds with the superweapon, GENESIS, which instantly wipes out half of the Alliance's fleet and pushes them to retreat. Upon return, Athrun later confesses that had this been his father in the past, he never would've imagined that such a weapon would ever be given the green light, but in the current situation, he is no longer sure if his father would dare to fire it again. In the prelude to the final battle, he and Cagalli finally develop a romantic relationship after he and Lacus opt to mutually break their engagement. He later kisses her, promising to protect her in the upcoming battle.

Seeing that the Earth Alliance was now attempting to fire nukes once again, Athrun and Kira first move to intercept its assault. Athrun later destroyed the Calamity Gundam, killing Biological CPU Orga Sabnak. With the Alliance forces losing ground, alongside most of its nuclear arsenal being destroyed, Athrun, Cagalli and Kira are ordered to head straight for GENESIS. Midway through their trip, however, Kira senses something amiss and immediately heads back to the Archangel.

Athrun, Cagalli, and an unknown Orb pilot eventually fight their way into Jachin Due and are shocked to find his father shot by ZAFT commander Ray Yuki. As Patrick Zala lies dying, he urges his son Athrun to fire the GENESIS at the Earth. His death pushes Athrun to tears, but does nothing to sway Athrun from trying to find away to stop the GENESIS from firing.

As he is unable to abort the process, Athrun decides to detonate the nuclear-powered Justice in the GENESIS itself, intending to kill himself as well, in spite of Cagalli's objections. Despite using the Justice's Fatum-00 to shake off Cagalli, she continues to chase him to GENESIS's core, reminding him that he needs to stop running and have the courage to live. Moved by her words, Athrun boards Cagalli's MBF-02 Strike Rouge and they escape the explosion together. Afterwards he is seen exiting the mangled remains of the Stike Rouge before being caught in a teary-eyed embrace by Cagalli. Later they find Kira alongside his badly-damaged Freedom by following his robotic pet bird, both of them crying tears of joy at the sight of him.[6]

After the end of the war, Athrun and Cagalli visit Lacus and Kira in Reverend Malchio's orphanage to celebrate. Athrun later has a small dialogue with Kira, wondering why he can still eat and sleep despite all of the war's atrocities, which Kira simply replies: that because they are still human.

Second Alliance-PLANT War

After the First Alliance-PLANT war, Athrun opted to remain with Cagalli, Lacus and Kira in Orb under the pseudonym Alex Dino (アレックス・ディノ Arekkusu Dino?). During the Armory One Incident, he was present in the PLANT as Cagalli's aide and bodyguard during her meeting with new PLANT chairman, Gilbert Durandal, and was involved in the fighting to retake the three stolen mobile suits: ZGMF-X88S Gaia Gundam, ZGMF-X31S Abyss Gundam and ZGMF-X24S Chaos Gundam. As they were left alone thanks to the chaos, Athrun was forced to board ZGMF-1000 ZAKU Warrior to defend themselves.[7] Although he did briefly help Shinn Asuka fight against the stolen units, Cagalli was injured as a result of the fighting, and Athrun was forced to leave for a safe zone.[8]

He soon spots the battleship, LHM-BB01 Minerva, and lands, where the pair are initially in custody before "Alex" explains who they are. Coincidentally, they are taken to Chairman Durandal, who had also taken refuge in the ship amidst the chaos. "Alex" later accompanies the Minerva in its initial skirmish for the stolen units' mothership, dubbed Bogey One. While the ship sends out Shin's ZGMF-X56S Impulse Gundam, Lunamaria Hawke's ZGMF-1000/A1 Gunner ZAKU Warrior and two ZGMF-601R GuAIZ Rs to engage the stolen units, the two GuAIZ Rs are immediately destroyed, leaving both Shinn and Lunamaria isolated and unable to aid the ship after it's ambushed by Bogey One. In an effort to evade the enemy vessel, the Minerva takes cover in at a nearby asteroid, only for Bogey One to attack their shield, intending to bury them underneath. Because of this, Rey Za Burrel is sent out with his ZGMF-1001/M Blaze ZAKU Phantom to try and cover them while they find a solution. When "Alex" asks if there are any units left, Minerva captain, Talia Gladys replies that they have no pilots left, causing Athrun to feel guilty of not joining the fray.

Instead, "Alex" asks the captain simultaneously use all of the ship's remaining engines and its weapons to cause, intending to use the explosion caused by the weapons to create an explosion that will blow them through the debris. Gladys complies, and the Minerva is able to turn the battle around, nearly scoring a direct hit on Bogey One. The Minerva's pilots later begin wondering why someone as capable as him would go so far to deny his identity, although Lunamaria does thank Athrun for rescuing the ship with his split second decision.

When terrorists cause the Junius Seven Colony Drop, Athrun is forced to drop his pseudonym to request permission to use the pilotless ZAKU in order to help support Yzak's demolition team. While providing cover, Athrun encounters the Chaos and easily destroys both of its Weapon Pods before locking into a stalemate. Eventually, the demolition team finally causes the colony to split in half, but Athrun deems the remaining chunks to still be too big and urges demolition to continue on, inadvertently exposing himself to a surprised Yzak and Dearka. Together with Yzak and Dearka, they are able to easily dispatch a trio of ZGMF-1017M2 GINN High Maneuver Type IIs controlled by the terrorists, and also force both the Abyss and Chaos to flee back to Bogey One.

As the colony nears Earth's atmosphere, Athrun and the others are signaled to retreat while the Minerva will continue to attack the remaining debris during its descent to Earth. Before returning, Athrun opts to finish one more drill, where he is joined by Shinn, unable to understand why Athrun would side with Orb. Before they can complete their job, they are attacked by another group of terrorists, including their leader, Sato. To his surprise, Sato blames the weak leadership of ZAFT following Patrick Zala's death and shouts for both pilots to not forget the lives lost in the previous war. This cringes Athrun long enough for Sato to slice off his ZAKU's arm. Once they reach Earth's ozone layer, Sato attempts to drag Athrun down with him, but Shinn is able to arrive in time to cut off the leg of Athrun's ZAKU, causing Sato to plummet to the burning remains of Junius Seven.

Unfortunately, the damage to Athrun's unit proves too much and he ends up losing grip of Shinn, causing both to free fall down to Earth. Despite the damage, they are both able to make it through atmospheric descent safely, and Shinn eventually finds and rescues Athrun once again.

Upon landing and rejoining the Minerva, Athrun is shocked by all the damage that had occurred in spite of their efforts and is plagued with guilt of being unable to stop his father's followers. He later spots the Minerva's pilots having a small target practice session, where Lunamaria reveals that they had all been aware of Athrun's previous heroics without affiliating him with his father's actions, and admits that many in ZAFT still genuinely see him as a hero regardless of his extremist father. Athrun later takes up Lunamaria's offer to teach them how to properly utilize a gun, impressing and surprising them with his marksmanship.

Athrun and Cagalli then disembark from Minerva at Orb, where Cagalli's political duties keep them separated much of the time. Upon return, Athrun visits Kira and later confides of his continuing sensation of powerlessness in the face of the new conflict to come. Seeing the deteriorating political situation, Arthun decides to return to the PLANTs to meet with Chairman Durandal in order to search for the answer for his doubts. Before leaving, Athrun silently slides a ring onto Cagalli's finger, which leads to an awkward moment before they regain their composure and share an emotional farewell, including a kiss. (In Gundam SEED Destiny I: The Shattered World, this kiss was reanimated into a light peck on the cheek).

Return to ZAFT

In the turmoil preceding the declaration of the Second Alliance-PLANT War, he returns to ZAFT, hoping to avert the war. Athrun's visit is soon met by both Yzak and Dearka, who were asked to act as Athrun's escorts. As the trio mourn their late teammates from the previous war, Yzak reveals that he and Dearka should've been killed for their crimes in the previous war, but thanks to Durandal's speech of the folly of punishing the youth for fighting a war started by adults they are acquitted. Inspired by Durandal's defense, Yzak and Dearka rejoined the military to make use of their skills, and Yzak urges Athrun to rejoin ZAFT as to not dishonor their comrades or allow his talent to go to waste.

By the time Athrun meets with Chairman Durandal, Atlantic Federation rejects his pleas of innocence regarding the Junius Seven Drop and attempts to once again launch nuclear missiles on the PLANTs, which is stopped by Durandal's Neutron Stampeder. Athrun is also surprised to see a new "Lacus Clyne" being used by Chairman Durandal, who admits that he cannot match the actual Lacus's prestige, especially after her disappearance. Athrun meets shortly after with Chairman Durandal, who convinces him to use his power to keep the world on the right path. Athrun re-enlists in ZAFT, and Durandal appoints him a member of the elite special forces, FAITH. Athrun is assigned the new ZGMF-X23S Saviour Gundam, and given total freedom of action before sending him to meet "Lacus".

This "Lacus" later privately reveals herself as Meer Campbell, who admits that she has borrowed Lacus's visage to hopefully bring a swifter end to the war. Unfortunately for him, she is unaware that he had already broken off his engagement with Lacus and believes that they are still a couple, causing her to be highly assertive in her romantic advances.

With Saviour, he returns to Earth and attempts to first meet Cagalli. To his surprise, he is denied entry by Orb's security forces and is subsequently attacked, revealing that the nation had now joined the Earth Alliance. Because of this, Athrun flees and rejoins the Minerva during its attempt to escape Orb territory. He also provides Captain Gladys with her own FAITH insignia sent by Chairman Durandal.

Lunamaria later informs him that Cagalli had almost gone through with an arranged marriage to Yuna Roma Seiran, but she was kidnapped by the Freedom before the ceremony was completed. Athrun would later have his first battle with the Minerva when it is attacked by Phantom Pain during its travels over the Indian Ocean. During the battle, Shinn gets overeager in his pursuit of Neo Raonoke's custom GAT-04 Windam and separates himself from Athrun and the Minerva. Furthermore, Shinn also finds a nearby Alliance base which he attacks in order to save the civilians being forced to labour for the base despite Athrun's orders to rejoin them and to not attack the Alliance soldiers that were not able to defend themselves. As he is busy dealing with the Chaos, Athrun is unable to personally reprimand Shinn throughout the battle.

As soon as they return, Athrun promptly slaps Shinn in the face for disobeying orders and trying to play the hero in a battlefield. Athrun later meets Shinn, having learned of the demise of Shinn's family during the battle at Onogoro. Athrun later explains that Shinn must never forget the purpose of why he chooses to wield his power, and that effectively doing so was what would separate him from being a common killer and a soldier.

In their following battle at Gulnahan, Athrun gives Shinn the critical role of sneaking through a narrow valley to get to the rear of the mountain's Löhengrin Gate, where he will need to dismantle defenders while Athrun and the rest of the Minerva and the accompanying Desmond, would hold the attention of the Atlantic Federation's main forces. Shinn eventually accomplishes his mission, and he and Athrun are met by the local populous, rejoicing over their newfound freedom thanks to them.

At ZAFT's base at Diokia, it is revealed then both Chairman Durandal and Meer had both come to help address the local forces, with the latter also giving a concert for the soldiers. Additionally, the Minerva also ends up being joined by FAITH member Heine Westenfluss. Heine soon becomes quick friends with Athrun, sympathizing with his previous encounters as the "survivor" of his group and having dead teammates and friends. During Gundam SEED Destiny: The Edge, however, Heine actually meets the group for the first time at the ZAFT base at Mahamul instead before joining them again at Diokia.

While at Diokia, Athrun receives a distress call from Shinn, having fallen to the bottom of a seaside cliff rescuing Stella Loussier. The pair later return Stella to her guardians. After briefly meeting both Chairman Durandal and Meer, Heine is assigned to the Minerva alongside his ZGMF-2000 GOUF Ignited. For their constant interferences in Alliance affairs, the Minerva is attacked by the joint Alliance-Orb fleet at Dardanelles. To everyone's surprise, Cagalli arrives on her Strike Rouge alongside the Freedom and the Archangel, imploring for the Orb forces to cease their attack. In response, she is outed as a fake and is immediately attacked, leading to Kira open firing on all other units on the field until no one can continue the battle. During the chaos, Heine's GOUF attempts to strike Freedom's back, only to be blind-sided from behind by the Gaia, and Heine is killed when his unit is cut in half.

In Gundam Seed Destiny: The Edge, the Saviour is among the units caught in the Freedom's crosshairs as its beam rifle was shot down. While attempting to contact Kira, Athrun would receive an influx of messages from both Heine and Shinn, and this disorientates him and prevents him from stopping Heine from charging forward. To his horror, Heine's GOUF Ignited would slashed apart by the Freedom before it was finished off by the Gaia.

After Dardanelles, he bumps into Miriallia Haw, who arranges a secret meeting for him with Cagalli and Kira]]. Athrun and the others disagree strongly on many points. He tells Cagalli that if she wants Orb to stop fighting against ZAFT, she needs to return to Orb and get them to end their ties to the Earth Alliance. In return, Athrun is told that Coordinators have attempted to assassinate the real Lacus, which means Kira and the others do not trust Chairman Durandal. Much is still unresolved after he leaves. Unknown to them, however, Lunamaria had been spying on their meeting under orders from Captain Gladys.

Upon returning, Athrun accompanies Captain Gladys, Shinn and Arthur Trine in investigating an abandoned Alliance laboratory in Lodonia. To their horror, the facility turns out to be the training for the Biological CPUs, where children were subjected to rigorous kill-or-be-killed programs, drugged and tortured repeatedly when they lagged behind and cruelly disposed of if they died.

While making the full report on the matter, they are attacked by the lone Gaia, which Shinn and Athrun successfully disable. Surprisingly, Shinn defies military law when it is revealed that the pilot is Stella, and immediately demands for the Minerva's medical crew to tend to her. To their further shock, it eventually becomes evident that Stella was one of the Biological CPUs that came from Lodonia.

Second defection from ZAFT

During battle at Crete, Cagalli and Kira once again interfere in another vain attempt to implore the Orb forces to withdraw. With Cagalli herself being attacked by Shinn this time, Kira moves to enter the battle, but Athrun responds by repeatedly barring Kira's path. As a result, Kira eventually admits that he does understand Athrun's logic and thoughts entering the battle, yet is unable to understand his indifference to Cagalli's emotional distress. Kira then enters SEED mode and proceeds to dismantle Saviour, leaving it irreparable. In Gundam Seed Destiny: The Edge, Athrun takes the time to reflect over Kira's words and Cagalli's own emotions while awaiting rescue. By the end of the battle, he is retrieved by Shinn after the Saviour's wreckage went underwater, but Athrun would continuously beat himself up mentally because of Kira's words.

As both Lunamaria and Rey's ZAKUs are also heavily damaged at Crete, Shinn is left the only one in the Minerva with a working unit. Due to Shinn's fears of Stella dying or being turned into a lab rat by ZAFT's scientists, Shinn once again defies military law and makes contact with the Atlantic Federation to return Stella so she can stay alive before returning and being arrested. Athrun visits both Shinn and Rey, who had helped Shinn exit the Minerva's bay, and Athrun debates with Shinn once again over the state that Stella is in. While Athrun scolds Shinn for doing something foolhardy as well as naively believing that she wouldn't be placed in another mobile weapon to fight them in the future, Rey, however, tells both of them to put the matter to rest as what's done is done.

Chairman Durandal later pardons both Shinn and Rey on account of their previous merits, and the Minerva is later sent to Berlin to assist the local forces in fighting the GFAS-X1 Destroy Gundam. Although they arrive late and already find both the Archangel and Freedom locked in combat with Destroy, Athrun and the other pilots watch as the massive suit is finally defeated when the Freedom stabs Destroy's chest cannons before they can fire, causing explosions that finish the massive gundam.

Shortly after, Athrun is surprised to see Shinn and Rey running repeated simulations against the Freedom, with the former being incredibly determined to kill Kira and destroy the Freedom. Despite Athrun's objections, Rey reiterates that there should be nothing wrong with doing research on an enemy to find their weaknesses so that they can be defeated. Athrun later watches Chairman Durandal exposing the terrorist organization, Logos, to the world, as well as using footages of the Minerva and Impulse's fight against Destroy at Berlin as propaganda against them. While viewing the program, however, Athrun immediately notices that clips of both the Freedom and Archangel had been conveniently ommited from the battle at Berlin. Meanwhile, ZAFT's higher-ups deem the Archangel and Freedom as a potential threat and immediately concoct Operation: Angel Down, with the intention of destroying both before their upcoming attack on Logos.

To Athrun's horror, no chance for negotiation or dialogue is given to Kira and the Archangel, as they are attacked en route to Orb. Additionally, Shinn, having finally learned of Kira's unwillingness to target an enemy's cockpit, is gradually able to gain the advantage, repeatedly attacking the Freedom without relent, while making use of the Impulse's various component parts to refresh damaged areas. The Archangel is soon caught by the Minerva's Tannhaüser during its attempt to submerge, causing severe damage to its main engines. Kira is caught by surprise thanks to this, giving Shinn the opening to finally impale Freedom using the Sword Silhouette's Excalibur, destroying Freedom.

Not long after watching the epic battle between Shinn and Kira during Operation Angel Down, an overjoyed Shinn immediately offers a handshake to Athrun, having claimed vengeance also for Athrun's previous defeat. Instead, however, Athrun immediately punches Shinn for killing Kira, but Rey responds that they defeated them because it was their mission, and a mission Athrun should be supporting as a member of ZAFT.

The Minerva is soon called to return to Gibraltar, where Shinn and Athrun are personally greeted by Chairman Durandal, who presents them with respectively with the ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam and ZGMF-X666S Legend Gundam. While Shinn is overjoyed for his new unit, a confused and disillusioned Athrun immediately questions Chairman Durandal's decision to brand the Archangel and Freedom as enemies. In response, Durandal immediately believes this is about Kira, and he laments that had Kira been trained as a soldier from the beginning with his talents, he would served a greater purpose for the world. These comments, however, only further aggravate Athrun's doubts with the Chairman's true desires for peace.

While reflecting in his room, he is visited by Meer, who tips him off that both Rey and Chairman Durandal now had doubts of his loyalty thanks to the attack on the Archangel and Kira's death. She also presents photos of his meeting with Cagalli and Kira before the battle at Crete, which are intended to be used against him for the crime of treason. At this point, Athrun's doubts and fears come to life, and he believes he is now being eliminated as he will no longer blindly follow them.

Rather than be arrested or defend himself against the allegations, Athrun knocks out the guards sent to arrest him and flees, attempting to take Meer with him, warning her that she would likely be disposed of once her purpose is fulfilled. Meer refuses his offer to escape with him, shouting that she would rather be "Lacus", forcing Athrun to flee alone. Soon after, Athrun take refuge in the room of Meyrin. Although Athrun explains his situation and wishes for Meyrin to act like a hostage to not be suspected as an accomplice, Meyrin acts against this by faking a bath to distract the officers searching for Athrun.

After she hacks the base's security system to trigger multiple false alarms and acquiring a car for them to use, Meyrin and Athrun make their way to the base's hangars, where they are spotted by Rey, who fires at them. Athrun is able to disarm Rey, and he and Meyrin soon board a ZGMF-2000 GOUF Ignited and flee the base in search of the Archangel. Though Meyrin believes that the ship had already been destroyed, Athrun remains hopeful that both it, and Kira, were still somehow alive.

Claiming that Athrun is working for Logos and has stolen ZAFT's top military secrets, including its plan to attack Logos headquarters at Heaven's Base, Chairman Durandal orders Rey and Shinn to pursue Athrun with the Legend and Destiny. The pair eventually catch up to Athrun, and Shinn initially attempts to convince them to surrender, but Athrun argues to Shinn that he is being deceived by the Chairman's words. In response, Rey interjects himself, warning Shinn that Athrun was now attempting to trick them. During their fight, Athrun is shocked when Durandal authorizes them to also kill Meyrin when Rey confirms that she willingly accompanied Athrun to the GOUF. Although Athrun asks to at least allow Meyrin to escape, Rey denies it as she must also be killed for helping with the escape.

Rey then demands Shinn to uphold his duty of destroying all the enemies of peace by killing Athrun and Meyrin. Dragged to his mental brinks, Shinn eventually enters SEED mode, and Athrun's final attempts to reason with him soon fall on deaf ears as Shinn proceeds to impale the GOUF with Destiny's anti-ship sword, before leaving it to plummet into the sea.

Although widely believed to be dead, pair were only injured and unconscious and are rescued by a defected Earth Alliance ship led by Ledonir Kisaka, the former Kusanagi co-captain in the First Alliance-PLANT War, who was posing as an Earth Alliance officer. By the time ZAFT commences its attack on Heaven's Base, Athrun regains consciousness, and he finds himself within the Archangel's medical bay, being greeted by Kira, who had survived the Freedom's destruction. He is later visited by a tearful Cagalli, with Athrun replying that they had both simply chosen their respective paths.

While recovering, Athrun learns that Lacus and the Eternal had been found by the ZAFT forces and were now making a desperate bid to drop some important cargo to Orb before they are shot down. Despite being heavily wounded pushes himself to try and make a message for Kira to go to her aid. Fortunately, Neo Raonoke sees this from his bedside and relays this to the Archangel's crew. Although Athrun thanks him as Lieutenant Commander La Flaga, Neo reiterates his name to a confused Athrun. To Athrun's relief, Kira does manage to save Lacus.

Second Battle of Orb

During the Second Battle of Orb, the injured Athrun opts to at least provide some aid to Archangel by helping operate the ship's CIC. Before setting of, Athrun advises Meyrin to escape once again, as they would likely face the Minerva in battle. To his surprise, Meyrin immediately breaks down in tears and asks Athrun not to leave her behind, eventually convincing him to allow her to help in the Archangel.

As the battle rages on, he sees Cagalli finally regain control of Orb as well as reinvigorating its soldiers with theORB-01 Akatsuki Gundam. He later shouts her name in terror both when he discovers that Shinn had joined the fray with Destiny Gundam and was now poised to kill her. Kira, however, returns with his ZGMF-X20A Strike Freedom, saving Cagalli and having​​​​​​ Lacus deliever the ​ZGMF-X19A Infinite Justice Gundam.

Upon meeting Lacus, she inquires of Athrun's mental state, in light of the past events that have shaken his faith over himself. Athrun soon asks Lacus if her "present" to him means that he is nothing but a soldier, but Lacus responds that perhaps Athrun is a soldier, but he is still Athrun by the end, and that he should decide for himself what he is. Moved by these words, Athrun opts to depart for battle in spite of condition.

Even though Athrun is not fully recovered from his wounds, he helps Kira who has been fighting the Legend and the Destiny by himself. Athrun rescues Kira by intercepting Shinn, who is immediately shocked to see that Athrun is still alive. Athrun once again attempts to speak out to Shinn, asking him if what he truly wished to accomplish was through the destruction of Orb. In response, Rey declares that Athrun is a traitor that couldn't stay dead, and shouts for Shinn not to be swayed. While Kira defends Athrun from Legend, Athrun moves to bar Shinn from attacking Orb any further.

Shinn is eventually pushed into SEED mode during a deadlock, and he proceeds to knock the Infinite Justice back with the swing of its anti-ship sword. Finally pushed hard enough, Athrun also enters SEED mode and chops off Destiny's hand, however in the Special Edition it revealed this was possible due to Shinn getting distracted. Athrun is, however, badly beaten by Shinn in the Gundam SEED Destiny: The Edge manga thanks to the severity of his injuries.

After the ZAFT forces retreat, Athrun loses consciousness and the Infinite Justice begins a free fall. Kira, in the Strike Freedom, catches the Infinite Justice and prevents a crash. When Kira removes Athrun's helmet and pilot suit back on the Archangel, Athrun's wounds have re-opened and he is bleeding profusely. Kira orders a stretcher to bring Athrun to the sick bay and Athrun recovers from his injuries not long after. He briefly watches Cagalli and Meer's respective broadcasts post-battle, with Lacus opting to depart and finally exposed Meer as a fake. After a full recovery, Athrun is commissioned into the Orb military and assigned as one of the Archangel's mobile suit squadron commanders.

Return to Space

Following Lord Djibril's attack on the PLANTs using the Requiem superweapon, Minerva returns to space on Chairman Durandal's orders and there is another conflict between ZAFT and Lord Djibril in space, which leads to Djibril's death and ZAFT's capture of the Requiem.

Athrun and the crew of the Archangel, which now includes Neo Roanoke, go into space aboard the Archangel and vow to stop Chairman Durandal from implementing his "Destiny Plan". Before they leave, Cagalli addresses the troops. Athrun is surprised to see she is no longer wearing the ring he had given her, and she leaves without speaking to him. His friends Kira and Lacus attempt to speak with him about Cagalli, but Athrun assures them everything will be all right. Meanwhile, Cagalli tells Meyrin to take care of Athrun and leaves, crying. Cagalli returns to her homeland, using her political position to sort out the issues that have plagued Orb while she has been away.

In Gundam SEED Destiny "Final Plus", new footage had been added to the scene in episode 45. The new footage shows Cagalli embracing her friends. Athrun Zala being the last (and only one to have initiated the embrace first) to be embraced before they left Earth. Cagalli stays in ORB and attends to her duties instead of going with them. In Gundam SEED Destiny: The Edge, the scene is retained and after embracing Cagalli, at the end of Phase 19 of Volume 5, while at the bridge of the Archangel with Kira, Athrun silently says to himself (instead of Kira and Lacus as in the Final Plus) that there was no need to rush and that their dreams were the same. Even adding at the end of his personal monologue:

"So that our paths may cross again...

I will protect that future."

The Archangel docks at the free Copernicus City on the Moon, where Athrun, Kira, Lacus, and Meyrin go on an information-gathering trip in the city. They receive a note addressed to Lacus, in which Meer claims she is about to be killed. Athrun and Meyrin both suspect it is a trap, but Lacus wants to see Meer regardless.

At the meeting, ZAFT soldiers attempt to assassinate Lacus. Athrun guns down most of the opposition, though Kira and Meyrin prove competent in defending the group as well. Meer, however, is shot and killed by a bullet intended for Lacus. Distraught, Athrun carries Meer's body back to the Archangel, where she is given a funeral. This scene is different in Gundam SEED Destiny: The Edge with the most prominent change being Athrun's still injured state, the absence of Meyrin during the trip to the city, and the presence of the three ZGMF-XX09T DOM Trooper pilots in her stead.

Battle of Messiah: Assault on Requiem

When the Atlantic Federation, Orb Union, and the Kingdom of Scandinavia refuse to participate in the Destiny Plan; Chairman Durandal uses the captured and repaired Requiem superweapon to destroy the Arzachel Lunar Base, killing Atlantic Federation president, Joseph Copeland and part of the Earth Alliance fleet.

The remainder of the Earth Alliance fleet and a few defecting members of ZAFT then join the forces of Terminal in an attempt to stop Durandal before he can use the Requiem and its relay station again to fire upon and thus annihilate Orb.

Despite interference from both the Minerva and Gondwana, Athrun and Kira are able to successfully destroy one of the relay stations with support from Yzak and Dearka. To their shock, a portion of the allied fleet is wiped out when Messiah emerges with Neo-GENESIS. Athrun and Kira then end up facing both Rey and Shinn once more, with it soon becoming evident that the ZAFT forces are simply stalling for time until both superweapons can be used again.

Because of this, Kira orders Athrun and the Archangel to leave immediately for Requiem, but Shinn and the Minerva pursue them in response.

While making his trip to Requiem, Athrun encounters Lunamria, now piloting the Impulse. Still enraged for putting Meyrin in danger, Lunamaria immediately attacks Athrun, who is forced to cut off one of Impulse's arms in self-defense. Despite Athrun warning her to fall back as he had more important things to deal with, Lunamaria attempts to attack him again, forcing Athrun to retaliate by detaching one of Impulse's legs with Infinite Justice's beam boomerang.

Seeing this, Shinn proceeds to attack Athrun in rage for attacking Lunamaria. In a burst of rage, Shinn charges at Athrun while in SEED mode. Despite the setback, Athrun regains the advantage, knocking away both of Destiny's beam boomerangs and destroying its anti-ship sword. Athrun once again tries to reason with both of them as their current actions will not bring the dead back nor will it bring true peace.

In the HD Remaster and Final Plus, Shinn defends their decision, reasoning that the world must change in order to achieve peace, and Orb must be destroyed to usher in the new era. In response, Athrun asks Shinn once again if he intended to destroy the future with the power he now held and if this was what he really wanted to use it for. Desperate to defeat Athrun, Shinn attempts to use the Destiny's beam palm cannons against him. Lunamaria, having realized the truth behind Athrun's words and fearing for Shinn's unstable state, moves between them in an attempt to stop the battle at the last second, but Shinn is unable to stop himself from attacking. Athrun goes into SEED mode and saves Lunamaria, heavily crippling the Destiny and propelling it downwards onto the Moon’s surface. With the badly damaged Destiny and Impulse no longer a threat, Athrun goes off in search of the Minerva and disables its main thrusters using the ∞ Justice's Fatum-01 backpack/sub-flight lifter.

Athrun, along with Mu La Flaga in the Akatsuki Gundam, make their way past ZAFT's last defensive front and penetrate the Requiem's positron deflector. Just as the superweapon is about to fire, they destroy the core of the Requiem, ultimately saving ORB.

In the Gundam SEED Destiny "Final Plus" episode, Athrun then boards the Messiah, following Kira. He arrives just in time to overhear Kira and Durandal's conversation and even lay witness to the scene of Durandal being shot by Rey. He and Kira escaped Messiah safely afterward. When retreat flares are fired from all surviving ships, Athrun, feeling pity for the two, picks up Shinn and Lunamaria from the Moon, in the Infinite Justice. In episode 50 of Gundam SEED Destiny, Athrun never boards the Messiah.

The events of the final battle are depicted differently in Gundam SEED Destiny: The Edge manga. While Kira still orders both Athrun and the Archangel to split, Athrun keeps the METEOR mounted on his unit when he departs. He is soon chased down by both the Minerva and Shinn, the latter slicing off one of the METEOR's arms with the Destiny's beam sword. Although Athrun detaches the METEOR to give Shinn a smaller target, but Shinn takes advantage of the Destiny's speed to cut off the ∞ Justice's right arm.

Using the loss of his unit's arm as a distraction, Athrun breaks from their fight to enter Requiem, but Shinn pursues Athrun into the superweapon. As Shinn attempts to use the Destiny's palm beam cannons, Athrun steals the Destiny's beam sword and sends both it and the ∞ Justice's Fatum 01 into the core to destroy Requiem. After Athrun and Shinn escape the blast of Requiem's explosion, Athrun is attacked by an angry Shinn. Lunamaria quickly steps in between them, imploring them to stop fighting, but Shinn still charged ahead with his attack. In response, Athrun disables the Destiny with the ∞ Justice's leg beam blades and sends Shinn crashing onto the lunar surface. Athrun is then contacted by Murrue as she has managed to sink the Minerva. Regrouping with Lacus and the Eternal, Athrun learns from Lacus that Kira had entered the crumbling Messiah alone and had yet to return.

Taking his unit into the fortress as well, Athrun is able to catch Kira in the middle of his debate with Chairman Durandal. Durandal notices Athrun and invites him to join the conversation. Athrun quickly reaffirms his wish to be known for his own actions and beliefs rather than some preordained purpose from birth. When he and Kira leave Gladys, Rey and Durandal to perish together, he notices Gladys warmly embracing Rey and is reminded of happier times when both his parents were alive.

Aftermath

In "Final Plus", at the ravaged Orb memorial previously visited by Shinn, Kira, and Lacus, Athrun, Shinn, Meyrin, and Lunamaria pay their respects with Kira and Lacus joining them. Athrun formally introduces Kira as the pilot of the Freedom, much to Shinn's shock. In spite of this, Kira simply offers a request to have Shinn join them in continuing to stop conflicts together, a request he tearfully accepts. Afterwards, the three pairs go their separate ways with Meyrin following behind Athrun, and Shinn and Lunamaria following after them. The creators later confirmed Athrun and Cagalli had resumed their relationship.

In the ending credits of Gundam SEED Destiny: Special Edition, Athrun was apparently promoted from commander to admiral as he escorted Kira to the PLANTs to meet with Lacus, implying he chose to return to and stay in Orb.

Relationships

Kira Yamato

Kira is, presumably, one of the first friends Athrun made that he could truly open up to, despite his social awkwardness with most people. His childhood friendship with Kira became one of his most cherished things, evident in his keeping of pictures and such from the old days with Kira. As a sign of their friendship, when the two separated, Athrun gifted Kira with his robotic bird, Tori.
Meeting Kira again, but on the battlefield, gave Athrun much conflict between his feelings and duty. In battle, he would often hold back and initially made compromises when dealing with Kira; volunteering to try and make him surrender on multiple occasions. These attempts, however, would fail and Kira would continue to fight against Athrun and his team. The final straw, however, was the death of Athrun's teammate Nicol Amalfi, resulting in Athrun attempting to kill Kira in earnest as well as him killing Tolle Koenig, a friend of Kira's, in the crossfire. After believing he killed Kira, Athrun was somberly content with death, crying to Cagalli that he was on the opposite side of his best friend and they had no choice but to kill one another.
When Lacus informs him that Kira had survived their battle, Athrun's loyalties with the growing extremism of ZAFT eventually wavers, and he chooses to aid Kira at the Battle of Orb. He also talks with Kira, noting that while they did not specifically target each other's friends, they indeed wished to kill each other in a cycle of hatred. Agreeing with both Kira and Uzumi Nara Athha's beliefs of ending this cycle, Athrun later deserts ZAFT and aid Kira in putting an end to the war in their own way.
In the second Alliance-PLANT war, Athrun ironically begins leaning towards Kira's original behavior in SEED, joining the Minerva due to his unwillingness to see any of its crew members die after being reminded of his earlier days with the Le Creuset Team. Kira, however, calls out Athrun for failing to understand Cagalli's emotional strain as well as not having hope for upholding their principles. In response, Athrun calls Kira a hypocrite for claiming to not want to fight despite interfering at Dardanelles and attacking everyone. Despite their conflict, Athrun becomes incredibly distraught thanks to Kira's supposed death, and this eventually pushes him to defect for a second time. He reunites with Kira and apologizes.
Rey later comments that Kira will never truly die unless Athrun is the one who kills his friend, and that Kira would still live on in Athrun's heart.

Cagalli Yula Athha

Athrun first met Cagalli when they were both stranded on an island after a fight, and they eventually bonded after spending some time together. The two were unexpectedly reunited when Athrun was rescued by Cagalli after he had defeated the Strike, and he expressed to her his grief at having to kill his best friend. Despite this, Cagalli refused to take revenge and entrusted him with a good luck charm. Athrun later comforted her after the death of her father, Uzumi Nara Athha, having a similar pain due to the loss of his own mother, Lenore Zala. After he and Lacus mutually broke off their engagement, Athrun chose to start a relationship with Cagalli; vowing to protect her in the final battle at Jachin Due. As Athrun considered committing suicide to stop GENESIS from firing, it was due to Cagalli's persuasion that he changed his mind, and the pair escaped together as GENESIS was destroyed.
After the first war, Athrun abandoned his position and fame in ZAFT to be close to Cagalli, despite the secrecy that came with it. He disliked her engagement with Yuna Roma Seiran, but he didn't give up on her. Though, after a prolonged time of differing views and ideals, their relationship became heavily strained. Athrun later rejoined ZAFT, but then defected again and was injured in the process. Luckily, he was saved by Ledonir Kisaka. After hearing that Athrun had regained consciousness, a teary-eyed Cagalli rushed to the infirmary. As she brushed his bangs from his face, Athrun caught a glimpse of the ring he gifted her, giving her a soft loving gaze afterwards. Later, they had a private chat and apologized to each other. Athrun, for his harsh words toward Cagalli and Kira, and of his re-enlistment to ZAFT without consulting her. Cagalli, for almost going through a marriage with Yuna. However, Athrun understood that Cagalli was doing it to protect Orb. They then forgive each other, and Cagalli questioned if there was no hope for the world, to which Athrun answers, "No. Definitely not." After which, Cagalli watched over Athrun as he rests.
Before the Archangel ascended into space again, Cagalli gave a speech to the ship's crew and Athrun was surprised to see that she was not wearing the ring. However, it is shown that she still keeps the ring in a ring case stored in her drawer (shown in GSD REMASTERED episode 44 and GSD Special Edition 4). Kira and Lacus attempted to reassure him, but Athrun himself already knows and noted that they didn't need to rush (on their relationship or any marriages; they're still young of age). They have a war to stop first and they also share the same dream. In the manga. Gundam Seed Destiny the Edge, Athrun added his personal monologue, "So that our paths may cross again, I will protect that future." In the "GSD Final Plus", "GSD Special Edition 4", and "GSD REMASTERED" episode 44, Cagalli gave her friends her goodbyes as she cannot go with them to space due to her duties in Orb. Athrun was shown to be the only one to initiate a more intimate hug, surprising Cagalli, but she soon returns the hug with the same affection.
After the second war, Athrun returned to Orb and officially became a commander (Admiral in GSD Special Edition 4) of its military (suggesting that he decided to become an official Orb citizen). This seems to imply that Athrun decided to return to Cagalli's side and take on the role of protecting her once again.

Shinn Asuka

Upon their initial meeting, Shinn initially acknowledged Athrun's great skill and integrity and was in disbelief that a hero of his caliber would lump in with Orb. Although Athrun sympathized with the family and friends Shinn lost in the previous war, he felt Shinn was too obsessed with their deaths and acted as if the Athhas did not have their own sacrifices.
Athrun had much respect for Shinn as a pilot, seeing greatness and potential in him but also much of his younger self. However, he had great concern for him as a soldier, finding Shinn to be too influenced by his own emotions and opinions, causing him to disobey orders and go off on his own. During his time on the Minerva, Athrun took interest in Shinn's development as a mentor, trying to teach him lessons of war and battle, in hopes of influencing him to change his ways, let go of his anger, and not fall under the same cycle Athrun himself suffered. However, Athrun's problems with connecting with people was a hindrance to his attempts, often resulting in him merely hitting Shinn for his mistakes and lecturing, as well as Athrun lack of conviction in his choices, weighing down his abilities, caused Shinn to steadily lose respect for the ace.
Despite his earnest attempts to persuade Shinn, his own social problems and sense of doubt proved to be ineffective, the manipulation of Gilbert Durandal and Rey Za Burrel being far stronger than Athrun's influence. Ultimately, Shinn would cut down Athrun's mobile suit and thought that he killed him. Athrun did not hold a grudge and continued to think about Shinn after boarding the Archangel. He talks to Kira about Shinn and mentions that although his heart is in the right place, he is being manipulated. On the other hand, Shinn is upset over Athrun's 'death'. The two eventually reunite on the battlefield, with Athrun still trying to talk him out of it. Shinn is shocked to see Athrun still alive, and acknowledges Athrun's points, but can't bring himself to betray Rey and Durandal. They fight it out and Athrun emerges the victor, but he returns to pick Shinn up after accomplishing his mission. He continues to look out for Shinn as they visit the cenotaph together after the war, with Shinn finally coming to terms with his past.

Lacus Clyne

Athrun and Lacus first met due to their fathers' tenures as Supreme Council members and were engaged as part of a political marriage. Athrun was the one who gave Lacus her Haro. After Lacus told him she enjoyed Haro's company, he continued to create them resulting in a number of Haros in Lacus' manor. Their relationship ended when Patrick Zala broke up their engagement. When Athrun confronted Lacus for her betrayal, she responded by pointing out Athrun's own doubts and fears as well as urging him to make a decision on his own rather than using his father's agendas as an excuse. Lacus's words would eventually inspire Athrun to turn against his father's extremist cause, and the two would remain close allies and friends in spite of them mutually breaking the engagement.
When the Second Alliance-PLANT War broke out, Athrun was in disbelief that Gilbert Durandal would use a fake Lacus to further his cause, and he was plunged into more doubt upon learning that Coordinators had made an assassination attempt on Lacus. After being forced to desert ZAFT a second time, it was thanks to Lacus that Athrun would finally snap out of his self-doubt and commit fully to aiding his friends once more.

Nicol Amalfi

Nicol was a closer friend to Athrun during his time in ZAFT and the training academy, being one of the very few people Athrun truly connected with, like Kira and Cagalli. Whereas Yzak and Dearka were often paired together and side by side, Athrun and Nicol shared that similar relationship with each other. Nicol admired Athrun's strength, even telling stories about how he was top of the class when they were in training. Athrun on the other hand enjoyed Nicol's kindness and innocence, thinking he never really did belong on the battlefield, but was admirable for being so. Athrun also seemed fond of Nicol's music, listening to the scores he wrote, going to his recitals when they were on leave, and even keeping his sheet music once he was gone. The death of Nicol was one of the biggest blows Athrun ever took, throwing him into a deep depression, and later a fit of great rage, being enough to eventually have him genuinely attempt to kill Kira.
He and the other surviving members of the Le Creuset team later pay their respects to Nicol and their other fallen comrades during the beginning of the Second Alliance-PLANT War.

Yzak Joule

Yzak and Athrun had a rough frenemy relationship ever since they met at the ZAFT Academy. Athrun never really condoned Yzak's more spiteful, violent, and rage-induced motives or style. While Yzak held some enmity towards Athrun due to him repeatedly falling second to him even during their days in training. Despite their differences and occasional bickering, the pair still often worked closely together, through keeping their relationship mostly professional at best. Athrun truly saw Yzak's more emotional side after the death of Nicol, and the team shared a moment of sorrow together, before getting their act together to avenge their fallen teammate. Later, when Athrun was reassigned, Yzak vowed to become a strong leader, and that he would be the one to command Athrun in the future.
In C.E. 73, the two were reunited during the fall of Junius Seven, Yzak being surprised, but delighted with Athrun's arrival. Despite Yzak calling Athrun a civilian, the twol kept their synergy, easily dispatching a pair of GINN High Maneuver Type IIs and the more advanced Chaos and Abyss. Meeting at the PLANTs, Yzak and Dearka expressed their wishes to have Athrun return to ZAFT and fight in the new war, urging him to not waste his skills or dishonor their late teammates by not defending the peace. During the final battle Yzak once again found conflict over fighting with his old friend again, but surely enough sided to team with Athrun, sharing the same goal of destroying a super weapon before it took more lives than needed to be lost.

Dearka Elsman

Initially, Athrun and Dearka had little interaction with each other, and Dearka's camaraderie with Yzak put the two at odds on occasion. While Athrun disliked Dearka's laid-back nature and ruthlessness against the Naturals, Dearka saw Athrun as someone too soft and naïve for actual battle. After Athrun was appointed the commander of the new Zala Team, Dearka was amused when he heard their "esteemed leader" was stranded in the middle of nowhere, although he did follow Athrun's orders without question when the Zala team did fight together.
Dearka later acted as the team's mediator as they attempted to defeat the Archangel and the Strike to avenge Nicol's death. Dearka was subsequently captured and Athrun did not meet him again until the Battle of Orb, where Dearka allied with the crew of Archangel. As Athrun still held doubts if he should follow his heart and continue helping Kira and the Orb forces, Dearka asked for Athrun's true feelings; sarcastically commenting that nothing would hold them back from returning. For the first time, the two were in agreement when Athrun said that he didn't want to see any of them die, and the pair resolved to fight together in their own way to end the war.
Two years later, during the mission to stop the drop of the Junius Seven's fragment, Athrun was unexpectedly reunited with Dearka and Yzak. Dearka and Yzak later brought Athrun to the graves of their late teammates at the beginning of the Second Alliance-PLANT War as a way to convince him to rejoin the fight. When Athrun later defected from ZAFT again and battled against Yzak and Dearka during his attempt to destroy Requiem and its relay stations, Dearka and Yzak were more than content to switch sides to help him in stopping the superweapon.

Rau Le Creuset

Athrun treats Le Creuset as his superior and obeys his orders. He takes his advice seriously and blames himself for not following Le Creuset's advice when Kira kills Nicol.

Gilbert Durandal

Athrun initially respects him, believing that Durandal earnestly desires peace and wants to avoid war. He takes issue with the fake Lacus but is willing to overlook her as a necessity. He is willing to give him the benefit of the doubt when he learns that a group of coordinators tried to assassinate Lacus, and chooses to support Durandal's more pragmatic approach over the Archangel crews' more chaotic and idealistic approach. However, he begins to harbor doubts about Durandal over time, and starts to realize that both he and Shinn are being manipulated. This doubt increases after the order to destroy the Archangel, and once Kira is supposedly killed, he starts to question him openly. After Meer warns him about Durandal's plot, he betrays Durandal and escapes. His hatred for Durandal is further amplified when he reads Meer's journal after her death, where it becomes apparent how much she was also manipulated by Durandal.

Meer Campbell

Athrun often doesn't know how to act around her due to her aggressive familiarity with him, but he tolerates her as he knows that she is just trying to fulfil her role. Although he isn't happy with her pretending to be Lacus, he does not have any personal dislike towards her as he believes she is just trying her best to help in her own way. He remains concern over her as he realizes she has an identity crisis, and also tries to help her escape from Durandal for her own safety, but she does not come with him. Even after reuniting with the real Lacus, he still thinks about her, and is willing to walk into a trap to try and help her. He is upset when she is killed, and after reading her journal is filled with regret over not helping her earlier.

Talia Gladys

The two share a professional relationship throughout the series, though he begins to question her regarding some of HQ's orders. This creates some tension between them, but Talia for her part often shares his viewpoint and she herself questioned the orders when she received them. He displays concern for her when she elects to stay behind with Durandal in the crumbling fortress.

Lunamaria Hawke

Lunamaria has a crush on Athrun, which makes things awkward for him as he doesn't know how to react. He still treats her kindly, giving her advice and helping her when he can. Her love turns to hatred after his betrayal, but he has no ill will towards her and fights her without killing her. He comes back for her as well as Shinn after the final battle.

Meyrin Hawke

Meyrin has a crush on Athrun, just like her sister, but as they are in different departments they don't talk as much. When Athrun is targeted by Durandal's forces, she helps him as she doesn't want him to die. As a result, she ends up in danger and has to run away with him. They are both injured by Shinn during their escape, which leaves Athrun feeling guilty about involving her in his personal issues. He tries to get her to safety but she opts to remain with him, and the two become friends.

Rey Za Burrel

The two don't interact much initially, but begin to clash over how Shinn should be treated. Athrun tries to set Shinn straight, but Rey instead supports Shinn no matter what he does and feeds his ego. This leads to many disagreements towards them, with Rey going from treating his superior with respect to criticizing him in turn and dismissing him. Athrun begins to resent Rey for how he manipulates Shinn, and after betraying Durandal the two continue to argue over each other in an effort to persuade Shinn.

Heine Westenfluss

Athrun becomes fast friends with Heine and is impressed with his attitude and how outgoing he is, stating that he's not as good at socializing. He takes Heine's advice to heart and is upset when Heine is killed. He is angry at Kira for interfering as this indirectly led to Heine being killed, though due to their friendship he does not seek revenge.

Quotes

Quote:Athrun Zala

Gallery

Character Designs

Anime

Mobile Suit Gundam SEED

Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny

Illustrations & Artwork

Manga

Games

Gunpla

Notes & Trivia

  • Athrun has a Slovene surname.
  • In the manga series Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny: The Edge, the events of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny are told from Athrun's point of view. Chimaki Kuori's artwork depicts him as a more mature, yet somewhat effeminate figure. Chimaki Kuori, the author, noted that this series had a shoujo ("young girl") flavor in her remarks at the end of volume 1.
  • In the Gundam SEED manga, 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 is also the narrative figure in the Gundam SEED Destiny: Special Edition compilations.
  • Throughout the SEED franchise, Athrun is known to be the most formidable SEED mode user, not having been defeated once while using it. Even while suffering from his injuries, Athrun still manages to slice off one of the Destiny's arms in the battle for ORB, though he did lose consciousness soon after. In the final battle though, he was able to defeat Shinn and his Destiny with ease after activating his SEED. It should be noted though that Athrun had already gained a significant advantage without needing SEED mode and gained said advantage after Shinn had used his.
  • Athrun has the somewhat dubious honor of being the only character in the Cosmic Era who self-destructed his mobile suits not once but twice. (He detonated the Aegis to destroy the Strike and self-destructed the Justice to destroy GENESIS.)
  • Throughout the SEED franchise, Athrun is shown piloting mobile suits that have a reddish color scheme. This idea was probably based on, or some sort of homage to, another ace pilot in the Gundam metaseries, who also pilots red commander-type mobile suits.
  • Athrun pilots four different Gundams in the SEED and SEED Destiny series, all share a reddish color scheme and tall sensor unit on their heads. The first Gundam that he pilots in both series (Aegis Gundam in Seed, Saviour Gundam in Seed Destiny) are both transformable MS capable of high-speed combat, and their most powerful ranged beam weaponry fires multi-colored beams.
  • ZGMF-X23S Saviour is not a playable unit in Super Robot Wars L and Super Robot Wars K. The default unit for Athrun in Super Robot Wars L is a common green ZAKU Warrior until he receives the ∞ Justice. While in Super Robot Wars K, Athrun will join the player's faction after the battle of Messiah with the ∞ Justice. However, an early scenario give the player an opportunity to play as Athrun (as Alex Dino) with a Murasame as his unit.
  • In Super Robot Wars L, due to a different chain of events, Athrun never left ZAFT until after the Invasion of Orb and his relationship with Shinn Asuka was much less hostile as a result. After the invasion, he left Minerva and joins the Three Ships Alliance, but not before entrusting Shinn with the duty to protect the Minerva.
  • According to the novelization of Gundam SEED, Lacus was the first girl Athrun ever kissed. This kiss on the cheek is shown in episode 20 of the original Gundam SEED and in episode 19 of Gundam SEED HD Remaster.)
  • Athrun, due to a mix of reasons, such as his separation from Cagalli and being the subject of three girls' crushes, has acquired a reputation for being a womanizer among some fans.
    • In the first Super Robot Wars Z2 game, there's a scene where Ozma Lee from Macross Frontier states his mistrust of the ship's womanizers, noting Athrun to be particularly bad. Kira merely chuckles after seeing this. Super Robot Wars V continues with this "meme" and has the ladies of the Cross Ange series express attraction to him. Nine from Super Robot Wars V pokes at the fact that Athrun has a women problem.
    • This reputation may also be caused by Athrun's side-changing tendencies in both series. In SEED he changed sides from ZAFT to Orb/Three Ships Alliance and in SEED Destiny, he goes from Orb to ZAFT and Back to Orb/Terminal again. This in itself has caused some fans to make jokes about him seemingly suffering loyalty issues.
    • Ironically, in the Omake Quarters Drama CD Vol 3., a drunk Shinn jabs at Athrun's indecisiveness in romantic partners, claiming that "while he was only successful once, it's still better than Athrun, who never succeeded at all". He also believes Athrun to be two-timing Meyrin despite her affection towards him.
  • Athrun won Animage's Anime Grand Prix Award in 2004 in the category of favorite male anime character of the year.
  • The English dub of Gundam SEED voice actor, Samuel Vincent was also voiced of Russel Perguson from Littlest Pet Shop (2012), Edd (Double D) from Ed, Edd n Eddy Krypto from Krypto the Superdog, Flim from My Little Pony Friendship is Magic (2010), Billy and Martin Mystery as himself of the Marathon Media show and other characters from the show.
  • Athrun is featured as a playable character in the Extreme Vs. series as the Infinite Justice, the Justice and the Aegis's pilot. Aside from this, he also appears with the Saviour when acting as a support unit for GOUF Ignited Heine. Athrun is an unplayable boss in arcade mode with the METEOR-docked Infinite Justice.
    • Athrun also has extended dialogues with both Mu La Flaga and Gaia Andrew Waltfeld, the pair commenting on Athrun's chronic self doubt. Athrun will also respect Celestial Being's goals though he questions the effectiveness of their violent methods.
  • Since the release of Extreme Vs. in the arcades, Japanese fans have subjected Athrun's energetic voice clips into several comedic MADs, most notably "Tuhh!" and "Hyeeeah!". Such videos are often tagged with "Apologies to Ishida-san".
  • In Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny: Alliance vs. Z.A.F.T. II and its prequel, Athrun in his purple Destiny ZAFT Pilot Suit, is featured to have SEED mode when activated, but he never activated this ability during his time at ZAFT in Destiny. The same case is also applied to Cagalli in her Destiny pilot suit.
  • Athrun makes a cameo appearance in the Sunrise anime Cross Ange: Rondo of Angel and Dragon.

Appearances

Television Series
OVAs and ONAs
Movies
Manga
Audio Dramas

References

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