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I should be back in Zeon in two months, Father. But, before that, I want to claim one decisive triumph. I don't want the people to laugh at me for being made an admiral simply because I'm your son.

—Garma Zabi's final video letter to Degwin Sodo Zabi

Garma Zabi was the fourth child of the Zabi family and the commander of the Principality of Zeon Earth Attack Force during the One Year War.

Personality & Character[]

Garma was extremely popular among the people of Zeon.[1] It was said that this was not only the result of his appearance and Zeon propaganda, but also because he possessed a natural charisma.[2] Underneath the glamorous exterior, however, Garma was defined by a constant need for validation, both from the rest of the Zabis and the people of Zeon. Being a member of Zeon's ruling family, and having become the supreme commander of the Earth Attack Force at such a young age, he was determined to prove that he did not receive his position based on family connections alone.

In private, Garma demonstrated a purity and immaturity befitting of his age, going as far as promising to his lover Icelina Eschonbach that he was prepared to abandon Zeon to marry her. He also genuinely considered Char Aznable a dear friend, completely unaware of his ulterior motives.

He had a tic of playing with his bangs with his hand.

Skills & Abilities[]

Garma's abilities as a military commander was the subject of much debate. Some claimed that he was incompetent based on his multiple failed engagements with the White Base Corps. However, these tactical level battles likely did not reflect his ability as a strategist. In addition, his final defeat and death were the result of intentional sabotage by Char Aznable. Dozle Zabi stated after Garma's death that he was looking forward to Garma becoming an admiral who could order him around, though it was unclear whether this was because he believed Garma had great strategic acumen or simply out of love for his brother.[2]

In his eagerness to prove himself, Garma would sometimes deploy in a Dopp fighter. According to one account, his piloting skill impressed even RX-78-2 Gundam pilot Amuro Ray, and even after losing his right wing, he managed to lure the Gundam within range of his Gaw beam cannon range, his plan only failing because Char had sabotaged the Gaw's radio.[3] He also had a personalized MS-06FS Zaku II, though his mobile suit piloting skill was unknown.[4]

Garma's authority and influence within Zeon's Earth Attack Force was also a matter of debate. By one account, he only had de facto command over Zeon's North American forces despite his title as Commander of the Earth Attack Force.[5] However, it was also said that Garma's death threw the Earth Attack Force into chaos and allowed the Earth Federation Ground Force to execute its counterattacks, eventually culminating in Operation Odessa.[6]

History[]

Early Life[]

Garma was born in U.C. 0059 to Degwin Sodo Zabi and Naliss Zabi. Since Naliss died when he was young, he was doted on by his father, Degwin.[2][7] In U.C. 0075, he entered the officers academy, where he became classmates and friends with Char Aznable.[8][9]

Following the outbreak of the One Year War on January 3, U.C. 0079 and the signing of the Antarctic Treaty on January 31 of the same year, Zeon began its invasion of Earth.[10] To that end, Rear Admiral Kycilia Zabi reorganized and reinforced the Mobile Assault Force 1st Mobile Infantry Division into the Earth Attack Force.[11] Garma, now a Captain in the Mobile Assault Force,[2] was given command of the Earth Attack Force.[11]

Early One Year War[]

On March 11, Garma led the Second Landing Operation, an Earth landing operation aimed at conquering North America and advancing on the Earth Federation Forces headquarters Jaburo in South America. After Zeon forces took over the city of New Yark through an extensive carpet-bombing campaign by Gaw Attack Carriers,[2][12] Garma established the Earth Attack Force headquarters there, using the former official residence of the mayor as his own residence.[13] The former mayor, Eschonbach harbored a strong hatred towards Zeon, but still cooperated with Garma to ensure the safety of New Yark's people. Garma also became infatuated with Eschonbach's daughter, Icelina Eschonbach.[9]

Battles with the White Base[]

On September 23, the Federation's White Base Corps descended onto Earth. Though it intended to land at Jaburo, Char Aznable, who pursued the White Base Corps since its escape from Side 7, engaged the Corps during atmospheric entry. Though he failed to sink the White Base, he successfully forced it to alter its trajectory and land in Zeon-controlled North America. Upon entering the atmosphere aboard a Komusai, Char immediately contacted his old friend Garma and requested his assistance.[9][14]

In response to Char's request, Garma deployed from the Earth Attack Force headquarters aboard a Gaw attack carrier.[14] After recovering Char's Komusai, Garma briefly conversed with his old friend, who promised that sinking the ship would be worthy of a Zeon Cross. When Garma asked if he had come to help him impress Kycilia, Char laughed. Smiling, Garma told him not to laugh with his men watching.[9][15]

Garma-Guevil Squadrons Battle[]

The Gaw deployed two Dopp squadrons: the Guevil Squadron and the Garma Squadron, with Garma personally leading the latter. Despite Char assuring Garma that he did not have to sortie, Garma still chose to do so to prove himself to his sister.

As the Dopps began their attack runs, Humble's craft scored a direct hit on the White Base's left engine block. Seeing this, Garma ordered his squadron to concentrate fire on the left engine. When the White Base deployed the RX-75 Guntank, Garma remarked that it was a defective mobile suit and nothing more than a ground weapon, before ordering the Guefil Squadron to destroy it.

Soon after, Char, who had been placed in command of the ground units by Garma, ordered Magella Attack tanks to move against the White Base, which sent out the RX-77-2 Guncannon in response. Seeing two enemy mobile suits, Garma asked Char to deploy additional ground units. When Char asked if the white mobile suit - the RX-78-2 Gundam - had appeared, Garma confirmed that it had not, and questioned whether the two "defective" mobile suits he saw were really worth the Zeon Cross.

With the arrival of more Magella Attacks and continuing attacks from the Dopps, the White Base was put at a severe disadvantage. At this point, the White Base launched the Gundam, which quickly turned the tide of the battle. Not only did it destroy many Magella Attacks, but it also shot down several Dopps by jumping into the air using its powerful thrusters. Garma reported the Gundam's appearance to Char, who deployed in the Komusai.

Garma engaged the Gundam in his personalized Dopp, but the Gundam sliced off the Dopp's left wing using its beam saber. As the Gundam pursued the damaged Dopp, Garma attempted to lure the Gundam into range of the Gaw's beam cannon. However, by this time, Char's Komusai reached the battlefield and Char launched in his MS-06S Zaku II Commander Type. While the Gundam was engaged with Char's Zaku, Garma returned to the Gaw and pulled back his forces.

Soon after, Char was forced to disengage when the White Base fired missiles at him. Garma then contacted Char and asked him to pull back, saying they needed to rethink their strategy.[15][9]

Party[]

Following the battle, Garma invited Char back to his residence in the New Yark base. While Char was taking a shower, Garma thanked him for saving his life and stated that he was already working on another plan against the White Base. When Char reassured him that he would support whatever plan Garma had, Garma expressed his gratitude and invited him to a party that night. Unbeknownst to Garma, Char was making his own plan to kill him.

During the party, Garma was approached by several local figures who attempted to flatter him to improve their standing with Degwin. He expressed his distaste for them to Char and his desire to avoid causing unrest in the city by sending a large force against the White Base. He then introduced Char to the former mayor Eschonbach before leaving to meet with Icelina Eschonbach in private.

Icelina told Garma that his father would not allow her to be married with a son of the Zabi family. Icelina told Garma that she loved Garma regardless, and would even betray her father to be with him. Garma stated that he could not betray his father or Zeon, but he believed that his father would allow him to be with her once he suceeds in acquiring Federation secrets, and that he would betray Zeon if he refuses after that. As the two kissed, Char watched the two with quiet amusement.

At this point, one of Garma's subordinates reported that the White Base had reached S-3 point, Zeon's final line of defense before they reach Federation-controlled airspace. Garma stated that he had anticipated this and deployed defenses there. He then asked a mobile squadron to be prepared and for Char to be informed to prepare for sortie. Before he left, he invited Icelina to the Zeon homeland once he captures the Federation's new weapons. They then shared one last kiss.[9]

Death[]

At S-3 point (formerly known as Seattle), Garma's mobile squadron, which consisted of three Gaw attack carriers and numerous Dopp fighters, attempted to corner the White Base in the ruined city. In response, the White Base hid in the half-destroyed dome of a baseball stadium, hiding it from the Zeon air force. Meanwhile, Garma was getting anxious that his patrols were unable to locate the White Base. At the suggestion of Char, he began carpet bombing the ruins of the city using the Gaws. However, the White Base was shielded from the worst of the bombing by the stadium dome.

As the White Base still did not appear, Garma grew even more anxious while Char remarked that the ship's crew had grown experienced from battles. Garma wanted to search for the White Base from the ground, but Char offerred to deploy in his stead. Char then stated that Garma was being hastier than usual, and that he should not impatient for a woman. After Char left, Garma spoke to himself, insisting that he was calm.

After leading a mobile suit team to the ground and briefly engaging the Gundam, Char realized that the Gundam was leading them away from the White Base and soon discovered the ship's hiding place. However, he intentionally mislead Garma by reporting that the Gundam was heading toward the White Base, causing his squadron to chase after it. As the squadron passed the baseball stadium, the White Base, the Guntank, and the Guncannon fired all weapons at the rear of the squadron, devastating it.

Garma's Gaw was heavily damaged by the massive barrage. When he was informed by the pilot that the Gaw was unable to increase altitude, he ordered the pilot to turn around and ram the plane it into the White Base. At this point, Char radioed the Gaw and gloated to Garma, saying that he should blame the misfortune of his birth. Char then stated that while Garma was a good friend, it was his father who was at fault before laughing at him.

Finally realizing Char's betrayal, Garma threw away his headset in anger and took over the Gaw's controls, remarking that a man of the Zabi family cannot die in vain. Aboard the White Base, Captain Bright Noa realized Garma's intent and ordered the White Base to ascend as it continued to fire at the Gaw. As Garma's Gaw exploded harmleslly, he cried out his last words, "Glory to the Principality of Zeon!" His final thoughts were of Icelina, running towards him with a smile on her face.[9]

Legacy[]

When informed of Garma's death by her father, Icelina was heartbroken. Meanwhile, when news of Garma's death reached the Zeon homeland, Sovereign Degwin Sodo Zabi was so stricken with grief that his cane slipped from his grasp. He then recalled Dozle and Kycilia back to Zum City for a meeting. Dozle, in particular, expressed sadness and anger at the loss of Garma. However, Gihren was unphased, simply stating that the war cannot be won by dwelling on the past.

Despite Degwin's wish for a quiet funeral, Gihren insisted on holding a state funeral and using Garma's death to boost morale. Degwin ultimately relented, but became greatly disillusioned with the war. Garma's state funeral was held on October 6, U.C. 0079. During the funeral, which was broadcast to the entire Earth Sphere, Gihren gave the following speech:

We have lost a hero! But does this mean we are finished?! No! We are only beginning!


Zeon's national strength is less than 1/30th that of the Earth Federation. In spite of that, how is it that we've been able to fight for so long? My people! It is because the Principality of Zeon's aims in this war are just!

As you all know best, we were forced off of the Earth to become space colonists. For 50 years, a handful of elite have extended the Earth Federation's control out to space! How many times has the Federation quashed our demands for freedom? God will not abandon the Principality of Zeon so long as each one of us is fighting for our freedom! My younger brother, Garma Zabi, who was beloved by you all, is dead! Why?!

History demands that we, the chosen nation, must dominate this new age! Therefore, we must straighten our shoulders, and for the sake of all mankind, commit ourselves to winning this war! The hardships of living in space have also served to train our civilization for this day! Zeon Deikun said that the rebirth of man would begin with us, those who live in space!

However, the cowardly moles in the Earth Federation presume to rule over us! Over all mankind! And so they wage war upon us! All of you have lost fathers and sons to the Federation's senseless resistance. Keep this sadness and hatred alive within you! That is what Garma died to show us!

If we gather this hatred we share and smash the Federation Forces, then true victory will be within our grasp! And that victory will be the ultimate vindication to all of those who have died in this conflict!

My people! My people, transform your grief into rage and arise! Never forget we, the citizens of Zeon, are the chosen! We, the superior race, shall save mankind!

SIEG ZEON!

—Gihren Zabi

Immediately after learning of Garma's death, Dozle ordered a special duties team led by Lieutenant Ramba Ral to descend onto Earth, with the sole goal of avenging Garma. Also, because of Char's failure to protect Garma, Dozle had him demoted.[15][9]

Garma's death threw Zeon's Earth Attack Force into chaos, allowing the Earth Federation Forces to launch a series of counterattacks, which would eventually culminate in Operation Odessa. Meanwhile, the White Base Corps' reputation as a Newtype Corps began to grow.[6][16]

Gallery[]

Appearances[]

Notes & Trivia[]

References[]

  1. Mobile Suit Gundam Episode 11, Icelina- Love's Remains
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 皆川ゆか (2001-03-21). 機動戦士ガンダム 公式百科事典 GUNDAM OFFICIALS [Mobile Suit Gundam Official Encyclopedia GUNDAM OFFICIALS] (in Japanese). 講談社 [Kodansha], pp. 132-135. ISBN 9784063301106. 
  3. Mobile Suit Gundam Episode 9, Fly! Gundam
  4. (2006-07-26) 〈復刻版〉機動戦士ガンダムモビルスーツバリエーション (1) ザク編 (in Japanese). 講談社編 [Kodansha], p. 9. ISBN 9784063721751. 
  5. (1991-11-01) 機動戦士ガンダム 戦略戦術大図鑑~1年戦争全記録 [Mobile Suit Gundam Big Book of Strategy and Tactics ~ One Year War Complete Collection] ENTERTAINMENT BIBLE.39 (in Japanese). Bandai, p. 77. ISBN 9784891891770. 
  6. 6.0 6.1 (2006-07-26) 〈復刻版〉機動戦士ガンダムモビルスーツバリエーション (3) 連邦軍編 (in Japanese). 講談社編 [Kodansha], pp. 149-150. ISBN 9784063721775. 
  7. Mobile Suit Gundam (Novel)
  8. (2006-07-26) 〈復刻版〉機動戦士ガンダムモビルスーツバリエーション (2) ジオン軍MS・MA編 (in Japanese). 講談社編 [Kodansha], p. 186. ISBN 9784063721768. 
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 9.7 Mobile Suit Gundam I
  10. (1991-11-01) 機動戦士ガンダム 戦略戦術大図鑑~1年戦争全記録 [Mobile Suit Gundam Big Book of Strategy and Tactics ~ One Year War Complete Collection] ENTERTAINMENT BIBLE.39 (in Japanese). Bandai. ISBN 9784891891770. 
  11. 11.0 11.1 (2006-07-26) 〈復刻版〉機動戦士ガンダムモビルスーツバリエーション (2) ジオン軍MS・MA編 (in Japanese). 講談社編 [Kodansha], pp. 154-159. ISBN 9784063721768. 
  12. Mobile Suit Gundam: Zeonic Front
  13. 皆川ゆか (2001-03-21). 機動戦士ガンダム 公式百科事典 GUNDAM OFFICIALS [Mobile Suit Gundam Official Encyclopedia GUNDAM OFFICIALS] (in Japanese). 講談社 [Kodansha], pp. 482-483. ISBN 9784063301106. 
  14. 14.0 14.1 皆川ゆか (2001-03-21). 機動戦士ガンダム 公式百科事典 GUNDAM OFFICIALS [Mobile Suit Gundam Official Encyclopedia GUNDAM OFFICIALS] (in Japanese). 講談社 [Kodansha], pp. 475-476. ISBN 9784063301106. 
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 皆川ゆか (2001-03-21). 機動戦士ガンダム 公式百科事典 GUNDAM OFFICIALS [Mobile Suit Gundam Official Encyclopedia GUNDAM OFFICIALS] (in Japanese). 講談社 [Kodansha], pp. 129-132. ISBN 9784063301106. 
  16. 皆川ゆか (2001-03-21). 機動戦士ガンダム 公式百科事典 GUNDAM OFFICIALS [Mobile Suit Gundam Official Encyclopedia GUNDAM OFFICIALS] (in Japanese). 講談社 [Kodansha], pp. 135-136. ISBN 9784063301106. 

External Links[]

Earth Federation White Base Amuro Ray · Bright Noa · Sayla Mass · Hayato Kobayashi · Kai Shiden · Ryu Jose · Fraw Bow · Mirai Yashima · Sleggar Law · Marker Clan · Oscar Dublin · Omur Fang · Job John · Sunmalo · Tamura · Paolo Cassius · Vammas · Howard · Maximilian · Kal · Humrau
Jaburo Officers Gopp · Woody Malden · Kolin · Antonio Callas
Luna II Officers Wakkein · Robinson · Reed · Camilla
EFSF Officers Tianem · Elran
EFF engineers Tem Ray · Mosk Han · Seki
General Revil · Matilda Ajan · Shin
Principality of Zeon Char Aznable · Degwin Sodo Zabi · Dozle Zabi · Garma Zabi · Gihren Zabi · Kycilia Zabi · Lalah Sune · M'Quve · Jimba Ral · Black Tri-Stars · Cecilia Irene · Miharu Ratokie · Cucuruz Doan · Challia Bull · Simus Al Bakharov · Dren · Gadem · Darota · Butsham · Vice · Lang · Torgan · Smith Onizawa · Sagred · Madison · Ghien · Li Hwan · Jittal · Bamlo · Kom · Fix · Matthew · Bison · Beebe · Klink · Habe · March · Delamin · Godard · Goro · Hamble · Guevil · Joyce · Kamp · Keji · Mile · Miru
A Baoa Qu Garrison Asakura · Twanning · Rio Marini
M'Quve's subordinates Uragang · Judock · Barom
Dozle's subordinates Conscon · Lackoc
Ramba Ral's Corps Ramba Ral · Crowley Hamon · Clamp · Tachi · Cozun Graham · Acous · Zeygan · Stetch
Akahana's team Akahana · Ivanov · Callahan · Lasa · Marcy · Boraskyniv
Char's troops Denim · Slender · Gene · Crown · J.Q. · Kohm
Patrol corps Cuaran · Giyal · Sol · Ross · Magu
Mad Angler corps Flanagan Boone · Connolly · Carioca
Zanzibar soldiers Mulligan · Tokwan · Dimitri
Civilians Katz · Letz · Kikka · Kamaria Ray · Fam Bow · Cameron Bloom · Icelina Eschonbach · Eschonbach · Persia · Coaly · Smith · Pero · Rolland Chuan · Chiyo · Kum · Milly Ratokie · Jill Ratokie · Bergamino · Haro
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