Axis Zeon
Remnants of the Principality of Zeon that withdrew to the asteroid base Axis following the One Year War.
Axis Zeon, also known as Neo Zeon and the First Neo Zeon Movement, was a faction comprising remnants of the Principality of Zeon who retreated to the asteroid base Axis following the end of the One Year War. Led by Haman Karn as regent to Mineva Lao Zabi, Axis Zeon sought to restore the Zabi family to power and establish spacenoid dominance over the Earth Sphere.
History
Origins and exodus
Co-developed by the Principality of Zeon and the Lunar Industrial Federation in UC 0072 as a waypoint for the Jupiter Energy Fleet, the Axis base was built under strict secrecy in the asteroid belt. Unlike the fortress asteroids A Baoa Qu and Solomon, which were deployed to the Earth Sphere, Axis remained hidden throughout the One Year War.
At the war’s conclusion, when the Principality became the Republic of Zeon and formally surrendered, nearly half of the remaining Zeon forces disobeyed orders and fled the Earth Sphere. These loyalists, including many devoted to the Zabi family, regrouped at the Axis base to rebuild and reorganise in secrecy. The exodus included approximately 30,000 refugees, comprising military personnel and their families.
Admiral Maharaja Karn, a former member of Degwin Sodo Zabi’s inner circle, emerged as the leader of the Axis refugees. He declared the infant Mineva Lao Zabi, daughter of Dozle Zabi, as the rightful heir to the Principality. Maharaja appointed himself as regent, organising the forces until Mineva should reach maturity to rule in her own right.
Reconstruction at Axis
Over the next two years, the Zeon forces focused their efforts on converting Axis from a resource mining facility into a military fortress. To accommodate the large refugee population, they constructed the Moussa block of living quarters, creating facilities comparable to the space colonies near Earth and allowing for permanent residency.
Despite their isolated location and limited resources, mobile suit development continued unabated. Engineers who had fled from the Principality brought with them the technical knowledge necessary to maintain and develop new mobile weapons, including the refinement of designs such as the AMX-004 Qubeley based on the earlier MAN-08 Elmeth.
In May UC 0081, Zenna Zabi, Mineva’s mother, died of illness. The death was followed in UC 0083 by that of Maharaja Karn himself, following the completion of the Moussa facility. The absence of established leaders within the confined space of Axis threatened the community’s stability and political cohesion.
Haman Karn’s ascension
At this critical juncture, Char Aznable, whose opinion was much respected amongst the Axis populace, proposed making Maharaja’s sixteen-year-old daughter Haman Karn the new regent. The Axis executive council approved the nomination, and she assumed command of the faction in UC 0083.
Though Haman had an older sister who had been Dozle Zabi’s lover, the younger Karn was chosen to rule because of her natural leadership ability and political acumen. Charismatic and a brilliant politician, Haman swiftly consolidated control over the situation. She rallied the people under her cause, proposing that Axis return to the Earth Sphere and forcefully re-establish the Zabi family whilst conquering the Earth Sphere.
This promise of returning home as conquerors gave hope to the people who had been forced to live isolated lives in the confined quarters of Axis. Under Haman’s guidance, morale and productivity increased substantially, transforming what seemed an impossible dream into an increasingly feasible objective.
Operation Stardust support
Shortly after assuming command, Haman learned of the Delaz Fleet’s revolt during Operation Stardust. Upholding her father’s promise made two years earlier to fight alongside other Zeon remnants, she dispatched the Axis Advance Fleet to assist the operation. Though technically neutral, the Axis fleet primarily provided support services to the Delaz forces.
Another motive for assisting the Delaz Fleet was Haman’s need to pacify the various Zeon factions that had emerged within Axis. The Gihren, Dozle, and Kycilia factions all maintained separate agendas and questioned Haman’s loyalty to the Zabi name. By assisting Aiguille Delaz, a supporter of Gihren Zabi, Haman earned the trust of the dissidents and strengthened her political position.
The Axis Advance Fleet did not participate directly in combat operations but rescued Zeon soldiers and equipment from the Delaz Fleet in the aftermath of their battles. This action demonstrated Axis Zeon’s commitment to the broader Zeon cause whilst maintaining their strategic neutrality.
Char’s departure
Char Aznable began to distance himself from Haman during this period. He recognised that her rhetoric about conquering the Earth Sphere was not merely political posturing but reflected her genuine intentions. Char, whose true identity was Casval Rem Deikun, son of Zeon founder Zeon Zum Deikun, opposed the restoration of the Zabi family regime, which he blamed for corrupting the original Zeon cause.
Char envisioned creating a new autonomous spacenoid government based on Zeon Zum Deikun’s original philosophies rather than Zabi imperialism. He believed in humanity’s continued evolution into Newtypes, which could not occur whilst mankind pursued conquest. Recognising the danger of voicing such beliefs publicly whilst Haman enjoyed popular support, Char secretly began finding allies within Axis to join his cause before eventually departing the faction.
Return to the Earth Sphere
On 6 February UC 0086, Axis was fitted with large thermonuclear pulse thrusters and began its journey towards the Earth Sphere. The trip took nearly two years, with Axis arriving in October UC 0087 during the height of the Gryps Conflict.
Haman used Axis as a mobile base and headquarters for her forces in the three-way battle between the AEUG, Titans, and Axis Zeon. Both the AEUG and Titans sought to ally with Axis, recognising its potential to tip the balance of the conflict. Haman skillfully played both sides against each other, initially allying with the Titans before switching allegiance to the AEUG when advantageous.
In a remarkable tactical manoeuvre, Axis itself was used as a weapon when Haman rammed the asteroid into the Titans’ base, the Gate of Zedan, destroying it whilst Axis suffered only minor damage. This action demonstrated both the faction’s military capability and Haman’s willingness to use unprecedented tactics.
Transition to Neo Zeon
Following the Battle of Gryps in February UC 0088, which left both the AEUG and Titans severely weakened, Haman renamed Axis Zeon to Neo Zeon and declared the restoration of the Principality of Zeon on 3 March UC 0088. This marked the beginning of the First Neo Zeon War.
With the Earth Federation and AEUG forces devastated by the civil war, Neo Zeon faced minimal opposition to their invasion of the Earth Sphere. The faction launched operations including the Dublin Colony Drop, demonstrating their willingness to cause massive civilian casualties to achieve their objectives.
Internal division and collapse
The faction’s success was undermined by internal division when Glemy Toto, claiming to be a clone of Gihren Zabi, initiated a rebellion against Haman’s rule on 25 December UC 0088. Glemy’s faction, known as the Glemy Army, possessed advanced mobile suits and an army of Ple clones, leading to a civil war within Neo Zeon.
The conflict culminated in the Battle of Axis in January UC 0089, where both the loyalist and rebel Neo Zeon factions virtually annihilated each other. Glemy Toto was killed by Roux Louka, whilst Haman Karn died in a final duel with Judau Ashta, choosing suicide over defeat.
With both leaders dead and Mineva Lao Zabi revealed to have been replaced by a body double since the end of the Gryps Conflict, Neo Zeon officially surrendered to the Earth Federation on 17 January UC 0089, bringing the First Neo Zeon War to a close.
Organisation
Government structure
Axis Zeon maintained a monarchist government structure with Mineva Lao Zabi as the nominal head of state and Haman Karn serving as regent. Real political power rested with Haman, who acted as supreme leader whilst using Mineva’s presence to legitimise the faction’s claim to the Zabi legacy.
Initially governed by an executive council headed by Maharaja Karn, the faction became increasingly centralised under Haman’s rule. The government combined elements of the old Principality’s structure with Haman’s personal authority, creating an effective military dictatorship dressed in monarchist trappings.
The faction maintained some advisory bodies, but key decisions were made by Haman and her inner circle. A system of knightly titles was introduced for commanders, reflecting the faction’s attempt to create a romantic idealisation of their cause that would inspire loyalty amongst their forces.
Military organisation
The Axis Zeon military inherited the structure and traditions of the Principality of Zeon’s armed forces. Leadership was primarily comprised of former Principality officers who had fled to Axis, though many positions were filled by the children of Zeon refugees who had been raised and trained on Axis.
The faction maintained separate commands for space and terrestrial operations, with mobile suit forces forming the backbone of their military capability. Naval forces consisted primarily of Gwazine-class battleships and Musai-class cruisers inherited from the Principality, supplemented by new Endra-class heavy cruisers developed at Axis.
High-ranking officers often held both military and political positions, reflecting the faction’s nature as a government-in-exile organised around military objectives. Personal loyalty to Haman became increasingly important for advancement within the hierarchy.
Administration
The faction’s administrative structure was designed to govern both the military forces and the civilian population living on Axis and later captured territories. Different factions within Axis Zeon represented the political legacies of the original Zabi family members—Gihren, Dozle, and Kycilia—each maintaining separate spheres of influence and agendas.
Administrative regions were established in captured territories during the First Neo Zeon War, with varying degrees of success depending on local resistance and the faction’s military control. The temporary occupation of parts of Africa and the seizure of facilities like the Dakar Assembly demonstrated their capacity for territorial governance.
Military
Mobile suit forces
Axis Zeon’s mobile suit corps formed the cornerstone of their military capability. The faction inherited older units from the Principality whilst developing new designs suited to their strategic objectives. The Gaza series of transformable mobile suits, beginning with the AMX-003 Gaza-C, became their primary mass-production units.
Elite units included the AMX-004 Qubeley series, designed specifically for Newtype pilots, and various specialised designs such as the AMX-015 Geymalk and NZ-000 Quin Mantha. The faction’s mobile suit technology emphasised transformable designs and psycommu systems, reflecting their focus on mobility and Newtype capabilities.
Production capabilities were limited by their isolated position and resource constraints, leading to a mixed fleet that included refurbished One Year War era units alongside cutting-edge prototypes. Quality generally compensated for quantity, with Axis Zeon mobile suits often outperforming their Federation counterparts.
Naval forces
The faction’s space fleet comprised vessels inherited from the Principality supplemented by new construction at Axis. Major warships included Gwazine-class battleships serving as flagships and Endra-class heavy cruisers developed specifically for Axis operations.
The fleet was organised around mobile suit operations, with most vessels serving as carrier platforms rather than traditional warships. This doctrine reflected both the Federation’s weakened state and Axis Zeon’s confidence in mobile suit superiority established during the One Year War.
Transportation and logistics were handled by modified Musai-class cruisers and purpose-built supply vessels. The faction’s ability to maintain extended operations far from their base demonstrated effective logistical planning and resource management.
Special forces
Elite units within Axis Zeon included Newtype corps utilising advanced psycommu-equipped mobile suits. These forces were considered the faction’s most valuable military assets and were deployed in critical operations throughout their campaigns.
The Cyber-Newtype programme, exemplified by units like Elpeo Ple and the subsequent Ple clones, represented the faction’s attempt to artificially enhance pilot capabilities. This controversial programme reflected their willingness to use extreme measures to achieve military superiority.
Special assault teams were responsible for infiltration and reconnaissance missions, including multiple successful penetrations of AEUG vessels and installations. These units demonstrated the faction’s capability for unconventional warfare alongside their conventional military operations.
Economy
Resource management
Axis Zeon’s economy was fundamentally constrained by their isolated position in the asteroid belt. The original Axis facility provided mining resources, but the faction relied heavily on captured materials and equipment for their military operations.
Resource allocation prioritised military development over civilian needs, reflecting the faction’s nature as a military movement rather than a stable state. Mobile suit production and maintenance consumed the majority of available industrial capacity.
Trade relationships were limited to covert dealings with sympathetic organisations and the acquisition of materials through military action. The faction’s economic sustainability depended entirely on their ability to capture territory and resources in the Earth Sphere.
Industrial capabilities
Manufacturing capabilities at Axis included mobile suit production facilities and basic industrial infrastructure necessary to support their military forces. The Moussa facility expansion included workshops and laboratories for continued technological development.
The faction maintained research and development programmes that produced advanced mobile suit designs despite resource limitations. Collaboration with engineers who had fled from the Principality enabled continued innovation in mobile suit technology.
Production volumes were limited compared to the Federation’s industrial base, requiring the faction to emphasise quality over quantity in their military equipment. This constraint influenced their tactical doctrine and strategic planning throughout their campaigns.
Society and culture
Ideology and beliefs
Axis Zeon’s ideology combined elements of Zeon Zum Deikun’s original Contolism with the Zabi family’s authoritarian interpretation of spacenoid supremacy. The faction promoted the belief that spacenoids represented a superior form of humanity destined to rule the Earth Sphere.
The restoration of the Zabi family was presented as essential for achieving true spacenoid independence and prosperity. This monarchist ideology served to legitimise Haman’s rule whilst providing a unifying narrative for the diverse factions within Axis Zeon.
Newtype theory played a significant role in the faction’s worldview, with enhanced individuals seen as the vanguard of human evolution. This belief justified both their elite status and their right to guide humanity’s future development.
Social structure
The faction’s society was heavily militarised, with most civilians serving in support roles for the military effort. Social status was determined primarily by military rank and perceived loyalty to the Zabi cause.
The refugee population maintained distinct factional identities based on their loyalties to different members of the original Zabi family. These divisions occasionally created internal tensions that Haman was forced to manage through political maneuvering and carefully balanced appointments.
Educational systems emphasised military training and ideological indoctrination, particularly for children born on Axis. The goal was to create a generation wholly committed to the spacenoid cause and the restoration of Zeon supremacy.
Behind the scenes
Axis Zeon was conceived as the successor to the original Principality of Zeon for the Universal Century timeline. The faction’s design drew inspiration from historical examples of governments-in-exile and resistance movements that continued fighting after their parent nations’ defeat.
The faction’s aesthetic maintained the distinctive Zeon design elements whilst introducing new visual motifs such as the Gaza series’ transformable capabilities. Character designs by Yasuhiko Yoshikazu and mechanical designs by Okawara Kunio and others established the faction’s distinctive appearance.
The political dynamics within Axis Zeon reflected creator Tomino Yoshiyuki’s interest in exploring themes of legitimacy, succession, and the corruption of revolutionary ideals. The faction’s ultimate failure through internal division served as a commentary on the self-destructive nature of extremist movements.
Appearances
Anime
Manga
- Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Deleted Affair
Games
- Gundam Spirits of Zeon
- Dynasty Warriors: Gundam
See also
External links
- Axis Zeon on the Gundam Wiki