Amuro Ray

Amuro Ray (アムロ・レイ, Amuro Rei) was a civilian mechanic who became the Earth Federation’s most famous Newtype mobile suit pilot and second highest scoring ace of the One Year War. Originally the pilot of the RX-78-2 Gundam, he later served with Karaba and Londo Bell. He was the son of Tem Ray, the project leader for the Earth Federation’s Project V.

Biography

Early Life

Born on 4 November UC 0063, Amuro was the only child of Tem Ray and Kamaria Ray. In UC 0068, he moved to Side 7 with his father, leaving his mother behind on Earth. His father’s work on mobile suit development meant he was often absent, leaving Amuro to spend much time alone.

A talented amateur mechanic from a young age, Amuro spent most of his time tinkering with electronics in his room, often neglecting to clean up after himself or maintain his appearance. He created a talking robot called Haro and was proficient with computers. Though introverted and awkward in social situations, he maintained his self-esteem through his father’s role in mobile suit development. The neighboring Bow family, particularly their daughter Fraw, often looked after him, though Amuro felt somewhat ashamed of needing their care.

One Year War

Side 7 Incident

On 18 September UC 0079, Side 7 came under attack from Zeon forces seeking information about the Earth Federation’s Project V. During the evacuation, Amuro discovered the operations manual for the RX-78-2 Gundam. After quickly studying the manual, he activated the Gundam to defend against the attacking Zeon mobile suits. In his first combat experience, he successfully destroyed Denim’s Zaku II by piercing its cockpit and disabled Gene’s unit. During this battle, his father was ejected into space and went missing. This encounter marked the first recorded mobile suit battle in history.

White Base crew

Following the attack, the colony’s surviving civilians were evacuated aboard the assault carrier White Base. Due to a shortage of trained personnel, Captain Paolo Cassius appointed Amuro as the Gundam’s pilot despite his civilian status. Under the command of Ensign Bright Noa, Amuro helped defend the White Base during its escape from Side 7.

During the White Base’s descent to Earth, Amuro engaged with Zeon ace pilot Char Aznable in combat for the first time. Though he survived, the Gundam was separated from the ship during re-entry, making him the first mobile suit pilot to successfully navigate atmospheric entry. After landing safely, he rejoined the White Base crew.

Battle in North America

The stress of constant combat began to affect Amuro’s mental state. After a series of battles defending the White Base from Garma Zabi’s forces, he refused to pilot the Gundam, leading to a confrontation where Bright Noa slapped him. When Bright suggested replacing him with Ryu Jose, Amuro deserted with the Gundam.

During his desertion, he encountered his mother, who was working at a field hospital. Their reunion ended painfully when Amuro shot a Zeon soldier in self-defense, leading his mother to express shame at his actions. He later attacked a nearby Zeon air base, disrupting Lieutenant Matilda Ajan’s planned raid of the facility.

Evolution as a pilot

Amuro’s first significant rival was Ramba Ral, whom he met by chance in a restaurant in a desert town. Despite being enemies, they formed a mutual respect. Their subsequent battles, particularly while Amuro piloted the unfamiliar Guncannon, helped him develop as a pilot.

As the war progressed, Amuro began manifesting Newtype abilities, giving him enhanced spatial awareness and reaction times. Federation Lieutenant Matilda Ajan first suggested he might be an “Esper” after observing his increasingly superhuman abilities. His powers emerged fully during battles at Jaburo and Solomon. At Solomon, he demonstrated extraordinary skill, destroying nine Rick Doms in three minutes and sinking Commander Conscon’s flagship.

Encounter with Lalah

Amuro formed a profound psychic connection with fellow Newtype Lalah Sune after meeting her at Side 6. Their relationship ended tragically when she intercepted his attack on Char Aznable, resulting in her death. This incident deeply affected both men and intensified their rivalry.

The death of Lalah haunted Amuro throughout his life, contributing to his later reluctance to return to space. His Newtype abilities continued to develop, culminating in the ability to target enemies at distances that even other Newtypes found painful to attempt.

Final Battles

Amuro’s growing abilities as a Newtype began to exceed the Gundam’s mechanical limitations. Engineer Mosque Han upgraded the mobile suit with magnetic coating to improve its response time before the Battle of A Baoa Qu. In the final battle, Amuro engaged in a fierce duel with Char Aznable that ended in mutual destruction of their mobile suits. They continued fighting with sidearms and swords before Char withdrew to confront the Zabi family. Amuro survived and returned to his comrades aboard the White Base.

Post-War Period

After the war, the Earth Federation placed Amuro under house arrest, wary of his Newtype abilities. Though he lived in a luxurious mansion, possibly funded by royalties from his Haro design patents or military pension, his servants were actually government agents monitoring his movements. He worked as an instructor at the Cheyenne Mobile Suit Academy but suffered from chronic combat fatigue and feared returning to space, haunted by memories of Lalah.

In UC 0081, Amuro was assigned to test new mobile suit developments in Japan, including the Movable Frame system and panoramic monitor with linear seat. However, after demonstrating continued high performance despite being retired, he was transferred to the Cheyenne base.

Gryps Conflict

In UC 0087, at age 23, Amuro escaped government surveillance with help from Fraw Bow and her family. He joined the anti-Titans organisation Karaba, serving as commander of the 18th Tactical Fighter Aggressor Squadron during the Gryps Conflict. Though offered the chance to return to space by Char Aznable, then using the alias Quattro Bajeena, Amuro remained on Earth, citing his fear of zero gravity and possible encounters with Lalah’s spirit.

During this period, he led several crucial missions, including attacks on the Titans’ base at Mount Kilimanjaro and the Federation Congress Building in Dakar. His relationship with Char had evolved into an uneasy alliance, though they disagreed on matters such as the handling of Kamille Bidan and Four Murasame’s relationship. During this time, he also became romantically involved with Beltorchika Irma, though their relationship was often strained.

First Neo Zeon War

Following the Gryps Conflict, Karaba’s strength remained largely intact while the AEUG had been significantly weakened. As a result, many Karaba pilots, including Amuro, were sent to space to support the AEUG against the new threat of Haman Karn’s Neo Zeon.

During this period, some sources suggest he led a special test team piloting three new Zeta Gundam units under the codename “White Unicorn”. His team, which included pilots codenamed “Red Snake” (Yurii Ajissah) and “Gray Wolf” (Shin Matsunaga), played a crucial role in repelling Neo Zeon forces throughout the conflict.

Second Neo Zeon War

By UC 0093, at age 29, Amuro had achieved the rank of captain in Londo Bell, serving as combat squad commander aboard the Ra Cailum. His relatively low rank despite his accomplishments was seen as a sign of the Federation’s continued mistrust of Newtypes.

When Char Aznable emerged leading a new Neo Zeon movement, Amuro initially piloted the RGZ-91 Re-GZ. On 4 March UC 0093, he attempted to prevent Neo Zeon from dropping the Fifth Luna on Lhasa. Although he managed to defeat Gyunei Guss’s Jagd Doga, the operation ultimately failed.

Amuro later received the RX-93 ν Gundam, a mobile suit he had helped design. During this period, he developed a relationship with Chan Agi. He encountered Char again in Londenion, where their reunion devolved into a fistfight.

In the final battle at Axis on 12 March UC 0093, Amuro broke through Axis’s defense line single-handedly and engaged in a fierce duel with Char’s MSN-04 Sazabi. After destroying the Sazabi and capturing Char’s escape pod, Amuro attempted to prevent Axis from colliding with Earth by pushing against it with the ν Gundam, declaring “a mere asteroid is nothing to the Gundam.” His actions inspired other mobile suit pilots from both sides to join the effort.

Though they succeeded in altering Axis’s trajectory, the extreme resonance of the psychoframe system caused both Amuro and Char to disappear in a brilliant aurora. The Earth Federation later classified him as missing in action.

Legacy

During the Laplace Incident in UC 0096, Amuro’s photograph could be seen displayed in Bright Noa’s office aboard the Ra Cailum. His spirit, along with those of Char and Lalah, appeared briefly during the conflict, suggesting both men had indeed perished at Axis.

By UC 0105, during the Mafty Uprising, his influence could still be felt. The Ξ Gundam was designed to carry on the legacy of his ν Gundam, and its pilot, Hathaway Noa, claimed to hear Amuro’s voice during critical moments.

In UC 0110, Amuro’s combat data was used to develop the Type AR computer system for the Gundam F90. This system could provide support to pilots and even make independent decisions based on Amuro’s battle experience. The F90 continued to serve as a testbed for this technology until UC 0122.

Personality

Initially introverted and socially awkward, Amuro matured through his wartime experiences. Though burdened by the trauma of combat and killing, he maintained his belief in humanity’s potential for positive change. This optimism often contrasted with Char’s more cynical worldview.

In his youth, he showed a tendency to be untidy and careless about his personal appearance, often remaining in casual clothes even when Fraw Bow visited. He had a habit of biting his nails when stressed, which persisted into adulthood. Despite his initial reluctance to fight, he developed a strong sense of responsibility towards his comrades.

As a Newtype, Amuro retained more traditional human sensibilities compared to others like Kamille Bidan. His powers developed more gradually, and he maintained a pragmatic approach to combat despite his enhanced abilities.

Relationships

Tem Ray

Amuro’s relationship with his father was complicated. Though he chose to follow Tem to space rather than stay with his mother, their interactions were limited by Tem’s dedication to his work. Young Amuro saw his father as a pitiful man who couldn’t stand up to his mother’s infidelity, but felt compelled to stay with him fearing his father would fall apart without him. His father’s apparent death during the Side 7 incident affected him deeply, though he rarely spoke of it.

Kamaria Ray

His relationship with his mother Kamaria became strained after their separation in UC 0068. Their reunion during the One Year War ended painfully when she expressed shame at his becoming a soldier, declaring he was no longer her son after witnessing him shoot a Zeon soldier in self-defence.

Lalah Sune

Amuro’s brief connection with fellow Newtype Lalah Sune marked him deeply. As an emerging Newtype, Amuro often felt lonely and struggled to achieve real understanding from his crewmates. Lalah was the first person he could truly relate to, creating a unique bond enhanced by their Newtype abilities.

Her death at his hands when she intercepted his attack on Char created lasting trauma and complicated his rivalry with Char. Even years later, their spiritual connection influenced his relationships with others, often disrupting his relationships with other women. Their bond was so profound that Amuro was the only individual shown to have such a deep spiritual connection with her.

Sayla Mass

During the One Year War, Amuro developed a close relationship with Sayla Mass. Their shared Newtype abilities allowed them to communicate telepathically, creating a unique bond. In the novels, their relationship became explicitly romantic, with them sharing intimate moments. Before his death in the novels, his final thoughts reached out to express his love for her and regret at not being able to spend his life with her.

Beltorchika Irma

During the Gryps Conflict, Amuro had a relationship with Beltorchika Irma. Their relationship was often strained, with other characters viewing it unfavourably. Mirai warned Beltorchika not to interfere in matters she did not understand, while Kamille expressed concern about their involvement in Hong Kong, suggesting they were merely “licking each other’s wounds.”

Chan Agi

During the Second Neo Zeon War, Amuro developed a relationship with Chan Agi. Though their time together was brief, they shared a mutual understanding despite Amuro’s occasional emotional distance. Chan noted his tendency to alternate between kindness and coldness, commenting “Usually you’re kind, but sometimes you’re so cold.”

Char Aznable

Amuro’s relationship with Char evolved dramatically over the years. They first met face-to-face when Amuro’s car got stuck in mud, with Char and Lalah helping him, though neither knew each other’s identity at the time. Their initial rivalry was intensified by Lalah’s death, though Char once suggested Amuro join him, claiming it was what Lalah would have wanted.

During the Gryps Conflict, they developed an uneasy alliance, with Amuro crediting Char for inspiring his return to combat. Char seemed to seek Amuro’s presence, often mistaking other Newtypes for him. However, their final confrontation in UC 0093 became deeply personal, fueled by their opposing visions for humanity’s future and the lingering impact of Lalah’s death.

Bright Noa

Despite their initial conflicts aboard the White Base, including the famous slapping incident, Amuro and Bright developed a strong mutual respect. Bright promised Amuro’s mother he would look after him like a brother, a commitment he maintained throughout their careers. By the Gryps Conflict, they interacted as equals rather than superior and subordinate.

Fraw Bow

His childhood friend Fraw Bow often supported and encouraged him, though their relationship remained platonic. During the One Year War, she showed signs of romantic interest, particularly when jealous of his attraction to Matilda Ajan. She often tried to take care of Amuro, though this sometimes frustrated him as he saw it as a challenge to his independence.

She later helped him escape government surveillance to join Karaba, and their friendship endured despite her marriage to Hayato Kobayashi.

Ramba Ral

Though they were enemies, Ramba Ral significantly influenced Amuro’s development as a pilot and soldier. Their encounters, both on and off the battlefield, helped Amuro understand the human side of war and the honor that could exist between opponents.

Ral was something of a father figure to Amuro, and his death as a soldier made a lasting impression on the young pilot.

Mecha

One Year War

• TGM-79 GM Trainer
• FF-X7 Core Fighter
• RX-78-2 Gundam
• RX-75 Guntank (temporary)
• RX-77-2 Guncannon (temporary)
• G-Bull
• G-Sky
• RX-78-2 Gundam + B-Parts
• RX-78-3 G-3 Gundam (novels only)

Gryps Conflict

• RMS-099 Rick Dias
• MSK-008 Dijeh
• MSZ-006A1 Zeta Plus A1

First Neo Zeon War

• MSZ-006-3A Zeta Gundam 3A Type “White Unicorn”

Second Neo Zeon War

• RGZ-91 Re-GZ
• RX-93 ν Gundam
• RX-93-ν2 Hi-ν Gundam

Behind the scenes

Amuro was created by Tomino Yoshiyuki as a realistic teenage protagonist, contrasting with the more conventionally heroic mecha anime leads of the time. His character originated from the project proposal “Freedom Fighter”, which was planned as a space version of “Fifteen Boys on a Desert Island”. The character was inspired by Jack, an introverted character from that story, as the planning team felt a high-tech child would be more interesting than a traditional leader figure.

His original name in early drafts was Hongo Higashi (本郷東). Character designer Yasuhiko Yoshikazu initially conceived him as a red-haired, blue-eyed foreigner with a carrot-like appearance, but this was changed to make him a Japanese-American with brown hair due to production compromises.

Different sources cite various birthplaces for Amuro: Japan’s San’in region in the TV series, Prince Rupert in British Columbia, Canada in the compilation films, or Mexico’s Rosarito in The Origin.

Tomino spent a month developing the name “Amuro Ray”, unaware that Amuro was an actual place name in Okinawa. Upon learning this three months after the series began airing, he buried a Gundam coin in the sand of Amuro island to commemorate the completion of the movie trilogy.

Writing and characterisation

The character was deliberately written as an ordinary person to contrast with the charismatic Char Aznable. Tomino found Amuro more challenging to write because of this intended contrast with Char, whom he considered more interesting. The scene where Bright Noa slaps Amuro was considered vital by Tomino as a representation of the type of correction needed for a young person to mature.

Originally, Tomino did not want to include Amuro in Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam and attempted to kill him off, but failed to do so. Instead, he decided to develop Amuro’s friendly relationship with Char, based on their mutual understanding as soldiers.

For Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack, Tomino initially planned to have Amuro married, but this was opposed by the film’s investors who didn’t want to see the movie’s hero married. Tomino ultimately agreed, feeling that having the protagonist become “someone’s possession” would conflict with the mecha genre’s themes.

In the novel Beltorchika’s Children, Amuro and Beltorchika Irma remained together and were expecting a child during the Second Neo Zeon War, though the novel Hi-Streamer suggests they separated after the Gryps Conflict, with Beltorchika telling Bright that Amuro would likely never be happy in a relationship with a woman.

Voice acting

Furuya Tōru provided Amuro’s Japanese voice throughout the franchise, taking the role on recommendation from sound director Matsuura Noriyoshi. Furuya saw the opportunity to play an introverted character as a chance to break away from his typical heroic roles. His first line as Amuro (“Haro, you’re energetic today”) required significant consideration as he felt it would define the character.

During the recording of Char’s Counterattack, Furuya was close to Amuro’s age (35 years old) and approached the role with a greater sense of maturity. However, he noted that during battle scenes, his voice would sometimes revert to the younger Amuro’s tone. For the 2022 film Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan’s Island, Furuya found his work nostalgic and noted how the film emphasized the clashing relationship between Amuro and Bright.

English voice actors:

• Brad Swaile (TV series, Char’s Counterattack, and most video games)
• Michael Lindsay (compilation films)
• Matthew Erickson (Zeta Gundam)
• Fryda Wolff (young Amuro in The Origin)
• Lucien Dodge (adult Amuro in The Origin)

Cultural impact

Amuro’s character influenced later mecha anime protagonists, particularly in his portrayal as a reluctant teenage pilot dealing with the moral complexities of war. Anime director Goro Taniguchi has noted similarities between Amuro and Suzaku Kururugi from Code Geass, though he maintains the latter was primarily inspired by Luke Skywalker.

The character’s popularity led to his inclusion on commemorative stamps in Japan. On 23 October 2000, Amuro and his RX-78-2 Gundam were featured on stamps in the 20th Century Stamp Series. He was again featured in 2005 as part of the “Anime Heroes and Heroines” stamp series.

Reception

Despite being the protagonist, Amuro was often noted to be less popular than his rival Char Aznable, coming second to Char in the first two Animage Anime Grand Prix polls in 1979 and 1980. However, he has consistently ranked highly in various popularity polls, including placing fourth in Newtype’s list of most popular male characters from the 1980s.

Critics have praised the character’s realistic portrayal and development from an ordinary teenager into a skilled pilot, noting how his struggles with the psychological impact of war helped establish the more serious tone of the Real Robot genre. His relationship with Char has been particularly well-received, though some critics found their final confrontation in Char’s Counterattack somewhat repetitive of their earlier conflicts.

Trivia

• An Earth Federation Space Force military outfit was used on a poster to encourage Japanese people to vote, which became known as the “Amuro style election poster”.
• Merchandising based on Amuro’s underwear was released.
• Amuro’s Japanese voice actor, Furuya Tōru, also voiced Ribbons Almark in Mobile Suit Gundam 00, using the pseudonym Noboru Sougetsu.
• In the detective series Detective Conan, the character Rei Furuya and his alias Tōru Amuro are references to both Amuro and his voice actor.
• In Gintama episode 234, there is a scene parodying one of Amuro’s battles with Char, featuring Elizabeth (voiced by Furuya) battling Darth Vader (voiced by Char’s actor Shuichi Ikeda).
• In 2014, Furuya Tōru sat in the cockpit of Suidobashi Heavy Industries’ Kuratas, which was used in the first-ever robot duel against MegaBot’s Mk II.

Appearances

Anime

• Mobile Suit Gundam
• Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam

Films

• Mobile Suit Gundam I
• Mobile Suit Gundam II: Soldiers of Sorrow
• Mobile Suit Gundam III: Encounters in Space
• Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack
• Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan’s Island

OVA/ONAs

• Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin
• Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn (photograph only)
• Gundam Evolve

Manga

• Mobile Suit Gundam
• Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin
• Mobile Suit Gundam-san
• Mobile Suit Vs. Giant God of Legend: Gigantis’ Counterattack
• Mobile Suit Moon Gundam

Video games

• Gundam: Battle Assault series
• Dynasty Warriors: Gundam series
• Super Robot Wars series
• Another Century’s Episode series
• SD Gundam series

External links

• Amuro Ray on Wikipedia
• Amuro Ray on Japanese Wikipedia
• Amuro Ray on the Gundam Wiki