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Char Aznable

A legendary pilot and military commander who shaped the Universal Century.
Jenxi Seow Published 18 Jan 2025 Updated 18 Jan 2025
Char Aznable

Char Aznable, born Casval Rem Deikun, was a legendary military commander and ace pilot who shaped the course of multiple conflicts in the Universal Century. First rising to fame as the “Red Comet” during the One Year War, he later served as a leader in the Anti-Earth Union Group under the alias Quattro Bajeena before ultimately leading Neo Zeon in their attempt to force humanity’s migration to space.

Biography

Early life

Born on 27 September UC 0059 as Casval Rem Deikun, he was the son of Zeon Zum Deikun, founder of the Republic of Zeon, and brother to Artesia Som Deikun. Following his father’s death in UC 0069, suspected to be an assassination by the Zabi family, Casval and Artesia fled to Earth under the protection of Jimba Ral, who constantly reminded Casval of the Zabis’ betrayal.

The siblings lived under the guardianship of Don Teabolo Mass, who gave them the aliases Édouard and Sayla Mass. After another attempt on their lives claimed Jimba’s life, they relocated to Texas Colony. There, Casval met a young man named Char Aznable who bore a striking resemblance to him except for their eye colours. Through a series of events involving Kycilia Zabi’s agents, Casval assumed Char’s identity after the real Char’s death in a ship explosion.

Military career

Zeon Military Academy

Entering the Zeon Military Academy as Char Aznable, he excelled in his training and formed a close friendship with Garma Zabi. He led fellow students in the “Dawn Rebellion” against Federation forces, resulting in his temporary expulsion. He spent this period at the Federation’s Jaburo construction site in Mahal, gaining valuable intelligence before being reinstated to the academy.

One Year War

After graduation, Char joined the Teaching Mobile Battalion under Kycilia Zabi before transferring to the Space Attack Force with military ID PM0571977243S. During the Battle of Loum, he earned the nickname “Red Comet” after destroying five Federation battleships using innovative high-speed assault tactics, earning a two-rank promotion to Lieutenant Commander.

His most significant rivalry developed with Federation pilot Amuro Ray during battles involving the White Base. While pursuing personal vengeance against the Zabi family, Char manipulated events leading to Garma’s death, famously telling his former friend to “blame this on the misfortune of your birth.” This resulted in his transfer from Dozle Zabi’s Space Attack Force to Kycilia’s command.

During this period, Char rarely wore standard pilot suits in combat, claiming it represented his absolute confidence in survival. He commanded the Falmel, a customized Musai-class vessel, leading the Mad Angler Corps.

His final battle of the war occurred at A Baoa Qu, where he engaged in both mobile suit combat and a personal sword duel with Amuro Ray, receiving his trademark facial scar. He completed his revenge by killing Kycilia Zabi before escaping the fortress’s destruction.

Post One Year War

After the war, Char went to Axis, where he helped defend the asteroid in two major battles against the Federation. He initially supported Haman Karn becoming Regent to Mineva Lao Zabi, but later opposed her methods of educating the young princess. During this period, he formed a relationship with Natalie Bianchi, whose death contributed to his eventual departure from Axis.

Following a civil war against Colonel Enzo’s hardline faction, Char left Axis in UC 0083 with 600 loyal followers. He returned to the Earth Sphere in UC 0084 under the alias Quattro Bajeena, joining the Anti-Earth Union Group alongside former adversaries like Amuro Ray and Bright Noa.

AEUG leadership

As Quattro, Char served as an AEUG mobile suit commander during the Gryps Conflict, mentoring Kamille Bidan. He delivered a pivotal speech at Dakar that swayed public opinion against the Titans, revealing his true identity in the process. After the conflict’s end, he disappeared following a battle with Haman Karn.

Neo Zeon Movement

In UC 0093, Char emerged as leader of Neo Zeon, forming a relationship with Nanai Miguel and gathering followers including Gyunei Guss. He attempted to force humanity’s space migration by dropping Axis onto Earth, leading to his final confrontation with Amuro Ray. Both disappeared in a psychic resonance phenomenon while preventing the asteroid’s fall.

Legacy

Char’s influence extended far beyond his direct military achievements. His political philosophy and charismatic leadership inspired numerous movements among spacenoids. His tactical innovations influenced mobile suit combat doctrine, while his Newtype theories shaped understanding of human evolution. Even after his disappearance, his ideology continued to influence events through groups like the Sleeves and their leader Full Frontal.

Physical appearance

Char’s physical characteristics changed throughout his military career. During the One Year War, his records indicated that he was 175 cm tall, weighed 62 kg, and had AB blood type and brown eyes.

Files during the Gryps Conflict had his height at 180 cm and weight 62 kg. He was notably left-handed and had blue eyes during this time.

The scar on his forehead from his duel with Amuro at A Baoa Qu remained with him for the rest of his life.

He was known for wearing distinctive masks or sunglasses to conceal his identity, with designs varying throughout his career. During the One Year War, he carried a laser pistol similar to the one used by Kycilia Zabi. His pilot suits, when he chose to wear them, were customized in his signature red colour.

Personality

Char was a charismatic and complex individual who evolved from a revenge-driven soldier to a philosophical leader. Though outwardly confident, he harboured deep-seated emotional fragility stemming from his father’s death and expectations placed upon him as Zeon’s heir.

As a pilot, he was renowned for his exceptional abilities, particularly his high-speed combat tactics that earned him the “Red Comet” moniker. He developed into a powerful Newtype, though his abilities never matched those of Amuro Ray or Lalah Sune.

Beyond combat, Char was a skilled tactician and natural orator. He could inspire intense loyalty while manipulating events and people to achieve his goals. He showed particular interest in Newtype theory and development, both recognising and nurturing Newtype potential in others.

Char claimed to have no time for hobbies, and showed a disdain for reading, believing that there was nothing to learn from predecessors.

He displayed a preference for cacti. His favourite colours were red and gold.

Relationships

Zeon Zum Deikun

Char held deep respect for his father Zeon Zum Deikun and strongly believed in his philosophies. His father’s death, which he believed was an assassination by the Zabis, became the driving force behind his quest for revenge. The burden of being expected to succeed his father as a great leader contributed to his complex character development.

Sayla Mass

His relationship with his sister Sayla remained complex throughout his life. Despite their separation, he maintained a protective stance, attempting several times to convince her to leave the Federation military and providing her with gold to ensure her future. Their encounters during the One Year War were marked by mutual concern despite being on opposing sides.

Amuro Ray

His relationship with Amuro Ray defined much of his military career. Initially meeting as enemies during the One Year War, their rivalry intensified after Lalah’s death. During the Gryps Conflict, they formed an uneasy alliance, with Char noting that Amuro was more “lucky” than exceptional.

Their final confrontation in UC 0093 was driven by Char’s lingering resentment over Lalah’s death, though he ensured their battle would be on equal terms by leaking psychoframe technology to Anaheim Electronics.

Bright Noa

Despite being former enemies, Char served under Bright Noa during his time with the AEUG. Their professional relationship was marked by mutual respect, with Bright even urging Char to embrace his true identity as a leader for the spacenoids.

Kamille Bidan

Char served as a mentor to Kamille Bidan during the Gryps Conflict, helping the young pilot mature and evolve as both a soldier and a Newtype. Their relationship was characterised by mutual respect, with Char recognising that Kamille’s Newtype abilities eventually surpassed his own. Romantic Relationships

Lalah Sune

Lalah Sune was arguably his most significant relationship. After saving her from an Indian brothel, Char developed deep feelings for her, though these were complicated by his appreciation of her Newtype abilities. Her death protecting him from Amuro’s attack deeply affected him and influenced his future actions. He later admitted to seeking maternal qualities in her.

Natalie Bianchi

During his time on Axis, Char formed a relationship with Natalie Bianchi, who became pregnant with his child. Her death, which Haman Karn allowed to happen, was a primary factor in his departure from Axis.

Haman Karn

His relationship with Haman Karn was complex. Initially, she looked up to him and sought his support as she was discovering her Newtype powers. While Haman developed romantic feelings for Char, he maintained a guardian-like role. Their ideological differences eventually led to conflict, though Haman never completely abandoned her feelings for him.

Nanai Miguel

During the Second Neo Zeon War, Nanai Miguel became his formal love interest. While Char showed care for her, he remained more focused on his objectives regarding Amuro and Earth than on their relationship.

The Zabi family

Garma Zabi

His friendship with Garma Zabi was complex. While they were close during their academy days, Char ultimately used this friendship to further his revenge against the Zabis. Despite this betrayal, Char showed some regret over Garma’s death, acknowledging him as a good friend and lamenting the circumstances of his birth.

Dozle Zabi

Dozle Zabi initially trusted Char, but turned against him after Garma’s death, dismissing him from the Space Attack Force.

Kycilia Zabi

Kycilia Zabi was aware of Char’s true identity but still employed him, using his skills while maintaining careful oversight. She ultimately became his final Zabi family target.

Mineva Lao Zabi

Despite her being Dozle Zabi’s daughter, Char showed no ill will toward Mineva Lao Zabi. He attempted to protect her from Haman’s influence and ensure she received a normal upbringing. Their relationship demonstrated that his hatred of the Zabis did not extend to the next generation.

Military career

During the One Year War, Char served under military ID PM0571977243S, initially as a Lieutenant in the Space Attack Force. His exceptional performance at the Battle of Loum, where he destroyed five Magellan-class battleships, earned him a promotion to Lieutenant Commander and the nickname “Red Comet”. He later commanded the Mad Angler Corps before being promoted to Colonel under Kycilia’s command.

As Quattro Bajeena in UC 0087, he held the rank of Lieutenant Commander in the Earth Federal Forces while secretly serving the AEUG. As mobile suit team commander aboard the Argama, he led numerous successful operations including the capture of the Gundam Mk-II from the Titans at Green Noa 1, the Jaburo drop operation, and the assault on Kilimanjaro Base. His political influence peaked with the Dakar speech, which helped legitimize the AEUG’s position against the Titans.

By UC 0093, Char had emerged as Supreme Commander of Neo Zeon, effectively serving as both military leader and head of state. From his declaration at Sweetwater Colony through the Fifth Luna drop on Lhasa and the attempted Axis drop, he demonstrated both tactical brilliance and strategic vision. He orchestrated the development of psychoframe technology, secretly arranging for its inclusion in both his Sazabi and Amuro’s Nu Gundam to ensure their final battle would be on equal terms.

Combat capabilities

Char was renowned for his technical expertise in mobile suit customization and combat. His personal units typically featured enhanced thruster output, modified panoramic monitors with enhanced tracking, and reinforced joint servos to handle his high-speed maneuvers. The distinctive dark red paint scheme (Coating Type RPM-001) became his trademark, though it originated from practical considerations rather than personal choice.

His equipment evolved throughout his career, from his early war reinforced combat helmet with integrated air filtration to his later enhanced normal suit during the Second Neo Zeon War. Each iteration of his gear was specifically modified to support his aggressive combat style and leadership requirements.

In battle, Char developed a unique fighting style characterized by high-speed hit-and-run attacks and innovative use of terrain. His signature “Red Comet Kick” demonstrated his ability to adapt mobile suit combat to close-quarters fighting techniques. He frequently combined psychological warfare with mobile suit combat, using his reputation and tactical acumen to unsettle opponents before engaging them directly. His precise targeting of enemy sensors and cameras, along with masterful use of debris and asteroids as tactical cover, showcased his superior spatial awareness and combat intuition.

Philosophical rvolution

Char’s ideological development traced a complex path from personal vengeance to global revolution. His early focus on revenge against the Zabi family evolved during his AEUG period into broader advocacy for Spacenoid independence and rights. By the time he led Neo Zeon, his philosophy had crystallized around the concept of forced human evolution through space migration.

His Newtype theory centered on the belief that human consciousness needed to escape Earth’s gravity for true evolution. This belief became increasingly radical over time, eventually leading to his attempt to force humanity into space through environmental catastrophe. His famous Dakar speech articulated many of these themes, particularly the corruption of Earth Federation governance and the necessity of human evolution, while also serving as a scathing criticism of the Titans’ oppression.

Strategic operations

The Granada Incident in UC 0079 demonstrated Char’s innovative approach to space warfare, as he utilized asteroids for tactical cover in ways that would influence future space combat doctrine. His undercover period at the Jaburo construction site provided him with detailed intelligence that proved crucial in later operations.

During the Axis Civil War in UC 0083, he commanded loyalist forces against Colonel Enzo’s hardline faction, successfully preventing a premature war with the Federation. His victory in this internal conflict came at a personal cost, contributing to his eventual departure from Axis with 600 loyal followers. These experiences shaped his later leadership style and tactical approach, particularly in space warfare and political maneuvering.

Notable achievements

  • Battle of Loum: Destroyed 5 Magellan-class battleships
  • Side 7 Incident: Led reconnaissance mission that discovered Project V
  • Jaburo Infiltration: Successfully penetrated Earth Federation headquarters
  • A Baoa Qu Defense: Commanded mobile suit forces in final battle

Mecha

Char piloted numerous mobile suits throughout his career, typically customised in his signature red colour scheme and tuned for high-speed performance:

One Year War

Gryps Conflict

Second Neo Zeon War

  • MSN-04 Sazabi - Final mobile suit, custom-built for Char

Command vessels

  • Falmel - Custom Musai-class light cruiser
  • Zanzibar-class mobile cruiser
  • Argama - Served aboard as mobile suit commander
  • Rewloola - Neo Zeon flagship

Behind the scenes

Creation and Development

Char’s character was inspired by World War I fighter ace Manfred von Richthofen, known as the “Red Baron”, sharing similar nicknames and characteristics. His name was derived from French singer Charles Aznavour (シャルル・アズナブール). Series creator Yoshiyuki Tomino combined this with inspiration from the character Sharkin in the anime series Reideen.

The distinctive red colour of his mobile suits was originally a practical choice—the animation company had excess pink-red paint at the time. This would become one of his most recognizable traits and influence many future Gundam characters.

Cultural impact

The character became immensely popular in Japan, leading to numerous products branded as “Char Custom” versions, including:

  • A Char Custom laptop
  • A Char Custom Nintendo GameCube
  • A Char Custom motorbike helmet
  • A Char Custom credit card that offered three times the regular points
  • A Char Custom Toyota Auris

Japanese internet investor Daisuke Enomoto planned to dress as Char during a 2006 spaceflight aboard Soyuz TMA-9, though medical issues prevented his participation.

Voice acting

Shuichi Ikeda has voiced Char in most of his appearances since the original series. The role helped establish Ikeda’s career, and his performance is considered iconic in the anime industry.

Michael Kopsa was the voice actor for Char for the English dub of Mobile Suit Gundam and Char’s Counterattack.

In Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin, the young Char was voiced by Toshihiko Seki in Japanese and Keith Silverstein in English.

Trivia

  • Despite being an ace pilot, Char was never shown driving a car in any of his animated appearances
  • He typically avoided wearing pilot suits during the One Year War, only adopting them regularly after that conflict
  • His nickname “Red Comet” was based on destroying five Federation battleships in the Battle of Loum
  • The emblem on his personal mobile suits features the letter “A” with a bird design
  • His signature combat move was a kick, which he used both in mobile suit combat and personal combat
  • He had a habit of verbally counting down before launching in his mobile suit
  • His mask designs changed throughout his career, with each new identity having a distinct style
  • The “three times faster” description of his mobile suits became a running theme in the franchise
  • He preferred casual clothing to formal uniforms during his leadership of Neo Zeon
  • His birthday is officially listed as September 27, UC 0059, though some sources list November 17
  • He was left-handed, as shown in several combat sequences
  • The term “Char Clone” became used to describe similar characters in later Gundam series who wore masks or piloted red mobile suits

Technical notes

  • All his custom mobile suits featured enhanced thrusters and mobility systems
  • His mobile suits typically used a distinctive dark red paint scheme (Coating Type RPM-001)
  • He was one of the first pilots to effectively use psychological warfare in mobile suit combat
  • His custom Zaku II featured enhanced vernier thrusters that made it significantly faster than standard models
  • The mono-eye sensor on his mobile suits was typically programmed with a unique scanning pattern

Appearances

TV Series

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

OVA/ONAs

  • Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO
  • Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn
  • Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin