Kusanagi

The Kusanagi (クサナギ, Kusanagi) was an Orb Union mobile suit carrier that served as the flagship for Cagalli Yula Athha and the Three Ships Alliance during the First Alliance-PLANT War in Cosmic Era 71. Named after the legendary Japanese sword, the Kusanagi represented Orb’s commitment to neutrality and self-determination, serving as a symbol of the nation’s ideals.

History

Development and deployment

The Kusanagi was developed by the Orb Union as a mobile suit carrier designed to support Orb’s military operations and to demonstrate the nation’s technological capabilities. The vessel was equipped with advanced systems that reflected Orb’s commitment to maintaining a capable military force whilst remaining neutral in conflicts between the Earth Alliance and ZAFT.

The Kusanagi became associated with Cagalli Yula Athha, the spirited leader of Orb, who used the vessel as her flagship. The ship’s name, derived from Japanese mythology, reflected Orb’s cultural heritage and its commitment to its ideals of neutrality and self-determination.

Three Ships Alliance

The Kusanagi became part of the Three Ships Alliance, a neutral coalition comprising the Archangel, the Eternal, and the Kusanagi. This alliance sought to end the war through intervention rather than victory, working to protect civilians and de-escalate conflicts.

As part of the Three Ships Alliance, the Kusanagi served as a base of operations for Orb’s mobile suits, including the MBF-02 Strike Rouge piloted by Cagalli. The vessel’s role in the alliance demonstrated Orb’s commitment to peace and its willingness to work with other factions to achieve that goal.

Design

The Kusanagi featured a design that reflected Orb’s technological capabilities and its commitment to neutrality. The vessel’s hull incorporated advanced systems that made it a capable mobile suit carrier, whilst its design emphasised functionality and effectiveness. The ship’s appearance reflected Orb’s cultural heritage and its position as a technologically advanced neutral nation.

The Kusanagi’s design included mobile suit catapults and hangar bays capable of supporting multiple mobile suits. The vessel’s facilities included maintenance and repair capabilities, making it effective as a mobile suit support ship.

Armaments

The Kusanagi was equipped with weapons suitable for a mobile suit carrier:

Beam cannons

The Kusanagi featured multiple beam cannons for defensive purposes, providing protection against enemy attacks. These weapons were sufficient for self-defence, with the vessel relying primarily on its mobile suits for offensive capabilities.

Known crew

• Cagalli Yula Athha – Commander and pilot (Strike Rouge)

Appearances

• Mobile Suit Gundam SEED
• Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny

External links

• Kusanagi on the Gundam Wiki
• Kusanagi on MAHQ