Judau Ashta

Judau Ashta was a fourteen-year-old junk dealer from the Side 1 colony Shangri-La who became the pilot of the MSZ-010 ZZ Gundam during the First Neo Zeon War. Born around UC 0074, he joined the Anti-Earth Union Group after initially attempting to steal their mobile suits and became one of the most powerful Newtype pilots of his generation.

Biography

Early life

Judau was born around UC 0074 in the Side 1 space colony Shangri-La. He lived with his younger sister Leina Ashta after their parents left the colony to find work elsewhere, with their father’s whereabouts becoming unknown and their mother taking a job away from the colony. Left to care for his sister, Judau worked as a junk dealer in the Shangri-La junkyard, often skipping school to earn money for Leina’s education and future.

Despite his poverty, Judau was determined to help his sister attend private school and have better opportunities than he would. He often worked with his friends Beecha Oleg, Mondo Agake, Elle Vianno, and Iino Abbav in their junk-dealing activities, though he sometimes avoided sharing profits with them.

Meeting Yazan Gable

In UC 0088, whilst scavenging for junk, Judau and his friends discovered an escape pod containing Yazan Gable, a Titans pilot who had survived the Gryps Conflict. When Yazan learnt that the Argama was docked at Shangri-La, he forcefully recruited Judau and his friends to help him attack the ship and steal the MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam.

During the attempted theft, Judau broke free from Yazan and decided to steal the Zeta Gundam himself, intending to sell it for money. However, his attempts repeatedly failed, and he often ended up inadvertently helping the AEUG forces against both Yazan and Neo Zeon attackers.

Joining the AEUG

After multiple failed attempts to steal the Zeta Gundam, Judau gradually befriended the crew of the Argama, particularly Bright Noa and Roux Louka. His sister Leina also encouraged him to join the AEUG, believing that military service would provide more stable employment and a better future for both of them.

Eventually, Judau and his friends officially joined the AEUG and became known as the “Gundam Team”. Judau initially piloted the Zeta Gundam but later received the more powerful MSZ-010 ZZ Gundam from Anaheim Electronics. He also occasionally piloted the MSN-00100 Hyaku Shiki when needed.

Personal mission

Judau’s involvement in the war became deeply personal when Neo Zeon forces kidnapped his sister Leina during an operation. This event transformed his motivations from financial gain to a desperate desire to rescue her. He frequently disobeyed orders and went into battle against superior forces in his attempts to save Leina.

During one of these rescue attempts, Judau infiltrated the Axis asteroid and met Elpeo Ple, a Neo Zeon pilot who developed romantic feelings for him and eventually defected to the AEUG. He also had his first encounter with Haman Karn, the leader of Neo Zeon, who became fascinated with his idealism and powerful Newtype abilities.

Awakening as a Newtype

Judau’s Newtype powers awakened during a confrontation with Haman Karn in Dakar. When Haman shot at him and accidentally grazed Leina’s shoulder, Judau’s rage manifested as a terrifying ghostly presence that frightened even Haman, causing her to flee in tears. From that point forward, his abilities continued to develop rapidly.

According to Haman herself, Judau’s Newtype abilities rivalled those of Char Aznable. He demonstrated the ability to communicate telepathically with his sister over vast distances, predict enemy movements, and boost the power of the ZZ Gundam. When emotionally triggered, he could create protective barriers and channel the power of deceased Newtypes.

Tragedy and loss

During the Dublin Colony Drop, Judau witnessed the devastating destruction of the city. In the ensuing battle, Elpeo Ple sacrificed herself to protect him from Ple Two and the MRX-009 Psyco Gundam Mk-II. Earlier, Judau had believed Leina was killed when a mobile suit fell during their escape from Dakar, though he sensed she was still alive even when others thought he had lost his mind.

Battle of Axis

During the climactic Battle of Axis, Judau played a crucial role in the final defeat of Neo Zeon. When Glemy Toto launched his coup against Haman Karn, the AEUG exploited the civil war within Neo Zeon ranks. In the final battle, Judau faced Haman in a one-on-one mobile suit duel and defeated her.

True to his compassionate nature, Judau offered to let Haman come with him rather than face certain capture by Federation forces. However, Haman declined his offer and took her own life, telling him before she died that she was happy to have met “such a good kid”. Judau was finally reunited with Leina, who had been saved by Sayla Mass.

Life after the war

Following the end of the First Neo Zeon War, Judau and Roux Louka left the AEUG and joined the Jupiter Energy Fleet to start a new life away from Earth and the space colonies. This decision reflected his desire for peace and a fresh beginning after the trauma of war.

Personality & traits

Judau began as a brash, smart-mouthed teenager with a strong streak of greed, though his desire for money stemmed entirely from his wish to provide for his sister’s education and future. Unlike many Gundam protagonists, he was not angst-ridden or burdened by complex psychological trauma, instead maintaining a fundamentally optimistic and cheerful personality even in difficult circumstances.

Initially, Judau harboured deep resentment towards adults, blaming them for the wars that plagued the Universal Century. He particularly despised authority figures and was not afraid to speak his mind, no matter how blunt or harsh his words might seem. However, his experiences with the Argama crew, especially Bright Noa, gradually changed his perspective.

As the war progressed, Judau matured significantly, developing genuine sympathy even for his enemies. Despite his hatred for the conflict, he came to understand the complexity of war and the humanity of those fighting on opposing sides. He genuinely mourned the death of Chara Soon and offered compassion to Haman Karn in her final moments.

Judau’s defining characteristic was his unwavering loyalty to his friends and family. His devotion to Leina bordered on what could be considered a sister complex, driving many of his most dangerous decisions throughout the war. He was equally protective of his friends and willing to risk everything for their safety.

Skills & abilities

Combat skills

Judau was not particularly skilled in physical combat, preferring to rely on stealth and cunning when necessary. He was capable of sneaking around undetected, particularly in familiar environments like the Shangri-La junkyard. His youthful appearance even allowed him to disguise himself as a woman when needed.

His true talents emerged when piloting mobile suits. Though initially sloppy with the Zeta Gundam, he improved rapidly and demonstrated exceptional skill with the ZZ Gundam. He occasionally piloted other machines such as the Hyaku Shiki and consistently defeated enemies that his more experienced friends could not handle.

Newtype abilities

As a Newtype, Judau possessed extraordinary psychic abilities that were said to rival those of Char Aznable. His powers included:

• Telepathic communication: He could communicate with his sister Leina across vast distances and sense her presence even when others believed she was dead.
• Precognition: He could predict enemy movements and tactics, giving him a significant advantage in combat.
• Psychic amplification: He could boost the power output of the ZZ Gundam and create protective barriers when emotionally triggered.
• Spiritual channelling: During the Battle of Axis, several deceased Newtypes, including Kamille Bidan, lent Judau their power, allowing him to operate the ZZ Gundam single-handedly and dramatically enhance its high mega cannon output.

According to director Tomino Yoshiyuki, Judau possessed the strongest mental fortitude and was the second most powerful Newtype in the Universal Century.

Relationships

Family

Judau’s relationship with his younger sister Leina Ashta was the driving force behind most of his actions throughout the series. He was fiercely protective of her and worked tirelessly to provide for her education and future. Their parents had left Shangri-La to find work, leaving Judau as Leina’s primary caretaker. His deep love for her sometimes led to reckless decisions, particularly when she was captured by Neo Zeon forces.

Friends and allies

Judau formed close friendships with his fellow junk dealers Beecha Oleg, Mondo Agake, Elle Vianno, and Iino Abbav, who joined him aboard the Argama. He also developed a strong partnership with Roux Louka, with whom he eventually left for Jupiter after the war.

His relationship with Captain Bright Noa evolved from initial hostility to deep respect. Bright became something of a father figure to Judau, helping him mature from a reckless teenager into a responsible young man.

Romantic interests

Elpeo Ple developed strong romantic feelings for Judau, referring to him as her “big brother” and eventually defecting from Neo Zeon to be with him. Her death while protecting him from Ple Two was one of the most traumatic events of his life.

Enemies

Judau’s relationship with Haman Karn was complex and multifaceted. Despite being enemies, Haman became fascinated with his idealism and good nature, repeatedly offering him positions within Neo Zeon. Their philosophical discussions revealed a mutual respect, and Judau genuinely sympathised with her despite their opposing sides. In their final confrontation, he offered her escape rather than defeat, demonstrating his compassionate nature even towards his greatest enemy.

Mecha

MSZ-010 ZZ Gundam

Judau’s primary mobile suit was the MSZ-010 ZZ Gundam, which he received from Anaheim Electronics after proving his abilities with the Zeta Gundam. The ZZ Gundam was specifically designed to take advantage of his powerful Newtype abilities, featuring a sophisticated psycommu system and the ability to separate into multiple components.

Under Judau’s control, the ZZ Gundam became one of the most formidable mobile suits of the First Neo Zeon War. His Newtype powers allowed him to unlock the machine’s full potential, including the devastating high mega cannon that could destroy multiple enemy units with a single shot. During the Battle of Axis, his connection with deceased Newtypes enabled him to operate the normally three-pilot transformable suit entirely alone.

MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam

Before receiving the ZZ Gundam, Judau piloted the MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam, though his initial performance was uneven. His first attempts at piloting were sloppy, reflecting his lack of formal training and the complex nature of the transformable suit. However, he quickly improved and demonstrated natural talent for mobile suit combat.

Other mobile suits

Judau occasionally piloted the MSN-00100 Hyaku Shiki when tactical situations required it, successfully completing missions that challenged more experienced pilots. His natural piloting abilities and developing Newtype powers allowed him to adapt quickly to different mobile suit types.

Later years

In his later appearances in Mobile Suit Crossbone Gundam: Skull Heart, Judau (under the alias Grey Stoke) piloted a heavily modified and battle-worn ZZ Gundam disguised as a civilian mobile suit called the Gump. This machine retained much of the ZZ Gundam’s capabilities while appearing to be an ordinary Jupiter Fleet mobile suit.

Later life

Jupiter Fleet service

After leaving the AEUG, Judau and Roux Louka joined the Jupiter Energy Fleet, seeking a peaceful life away from the Earth Sphere’s constant conflicts. This move reflected his desire to escape the cycle of war that had defined his teenage years.

Grey Stoke identity

In his later appearances, Judau operated under the alias “Grey Stoke”, a name derived from Tarzan’s human identity. Under this pseudonym, he worked to prevent various threats from destabilising the Jupiter Sphere while maintaining his commitment to peace.

Crossbone Gundam involvement

During the events of Mobile Suit Crossbone Gundam: Skull Heart, Judau enlisted the help of Tobia Arronax and the Crossbone Vanguard to prevent the Jupiter Empire from obtaining Amuro Ray’s combat data. He feared that such information could be used to create an ultimate artificial intelligence for mobile suit combat.

Victory Gundam era

By the time of Mobile Suit Victory Gundam, Judau had become a leader within the Jupiter Fleet, commanding the Jupitris-class ship Heinlein. He oversaw the Dandelion colony, which housed a community of Newtypes, many of whom were kept in cold sleep. When the Zanscare Empire threatened the colony, he assisted Uso Ewin in its defence.

Eventually, Judau left the Solar System entirely, travelling to Proxima Centauri with Kamui Gian aboard the interstellar vessel Dandelion, which would establish humanity’s first interstellar colony in UC 0653.

Behind the scenes

Judau Ashta was voiced by Kazuki Yao in Japanese across all his animated appearances. Yao, born on 17 June 1959, is a veteran voice actor also known for roles such as Franky in One Piece and Shinobu Fujiwara in Dancouga. In English dubs, Judau has been voiced by Darren Pleavin in the television series and by Andrew Francis in the Dynasty Warriors: Gundam video games.

The character was created by director Tomino Yoshiyuki as a deliberate contrast to previous Gundam protagonists. Unlike the psychologically troubled Amuro Ray or Kamille Bidan, Judau was designed to be more optimistic and cheerful, representing a shift towards lighter storytelling in the post-Zeta Gundam era.

Judau’s “Grey Stoke” alias in later appearances was derived from Tarzan’s human name, as noted by Uso Ewin in Mobile Suit Victory Gundam Outside Story. This reference reflects Judau’s role as someone who had left civilisation behind for a simpler life, only to return when duty called.

According to Tomino, Judau possesses the strongest mental fortitude among Universal Century Newtypes and ranks as the second most powerful Newtype overall, highlighting his significance within the broader Gundam mythology.

Appearances

Anime

• Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ
• Gundam Evolve (Evolve 10)

Manga

• Mobile Suit Crossbone Gundam: Skull Heart (as Grey Stoke)
• Mobile Suit Victory Gundam Outside Story (as Grey Stoke)

Games

• SD Gundam G Generation series
• Super Robot Wars series
• Dynasty Warriors: Gundam series
• Mobile Suit Gundam: Extreme Vs. series
• Mobile Suit Gundam U.C. Engage