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Leina Ashta

Younger sister of Judau Ashta who served as the driving force behind his actions during the First Neo Zeon War.
Jenxi Seow Published 14 Jun 2025 Updated 14 Jun 2025
Leina Ashta

Leina Ashta (リィナ・アーシタ, Ryina Āshita) was the younger sister of Judau Ashta and a student living in the Shangri-La colony on Side 1 during the First Neo Zeon War. She served as the driving force and primary motivation behind most of her brother’s actions throughout the conflict.

Biography

Early life

Leina grew up with her elder brother Judau Ashta in the space colony of Shangri-La on Side 1. The two siblings lived together largely on their own for much of their childhood, as their father had departed the colony with an unspecified return date and their mother was away working to send money back to them. Despite their challenging circumstances, Leina attended school whilst Judau worked as a junk dealer, salvaging scrap parts and technology to sell for cash.

Leina was highly critical of Judau’s lifestyle choices, believing that he should attend school rather than skipping classes to work. She often found herself in the unusual position of being the more responsible sibling, despite being younger. When she learned that Judau had been attempting to steal mobile suits from the visiting Argama to sell them, she was disgusted by his actions.

Joining the AEUG

When Bright Noa recognised Judau’s potential and attempted to recruit him and his comrades to fight against Neo Zeon, Judau initially refused. However, Leina believed that having a more consistent, stable job in a military setting would improve their standard of living and provide Judau with a more productive way to spend his time. She therefore conspired with Bright to recruit her brother, at one point playing off his honour by insisting that since Bright had paid for a meal Judau had eaten, he needed to work to earn what he had consumed.

Once aboard the Argama, Leina was relegated to performing chores alongside the other young children on the ship, Shinta and Qum. During her time with the Anti-Earth Union Group, she continued to support Bright’s disciplinary actions regarding her brother and his comrades, maintaining her role as a voice of conscience.

Capture by Neo Zeon

Leina’s life took a dramatic turn when she was captured by Neo Zeon forces. During a mission to retrieve supplies, Leina insisted on joining Roux Louka to pursue her errant brother, saying that Judau would only listen to her. Whilst in space, they encountered Glemy Toto, and during the ensuing battle with Chara Soon, Leina was ejected from the cockpit of the Neo Core Fighter. Glemy, believing she was Roux, rescued her and brought her aboard his ship.

Life as Glemy’s captive

Once in Glemy’s care, he resolved to transform Leina from what he considered an “uncultured colonial girl” into a “refined lady” suitable for the Zeon court. Although she already knew how to play the piano, he insisted she continue improving her skills with regular lessons. He also taught her table manners and provided her with appropriate dresses to wear.

Despite Glemy’s attempts at cultural refinement, Leina remained dedicated to escaping. She made several attempts to flee, including during a dinner when she used improper etiquette as a distraction. When Glemy learned from Gottn Goh that Leina was Judau’s sister, he put her in a normal suit and displayed a holographic message threatening to kill her if Judau did not surrender.

During her captivity, Leina was moved between various Neo Zeon vessels and locations, including Axis. At one point, she was used as a hostage by being tied to a Gaza-C mobile suit. She also encountered Elpeo Ple during her time on Axis and witnessed Ple’s energetic behaviour.

The Dakar incident

When Haman Karn gathered members of the Earth Federation for a Neo Zeon declaration in Dakar, Glemy brought Leina along. There, she began to demonstrate her emerging Newtype abilities. As Haman gave her address and the assembled officials applauded, Leina was overwhelmed with disgust as she sensed that every one of them was lying and had no loyalty—they simply believed that Neo Zeon would win the war and wanted to secure places in the new government in advance.

During this event, Leina found Judau as he was having an encounter with Haman. When Haman aimed a gun at her brother, Leina threw herself in front of him to shield him. As Judau tried to wrestle the gun from Haman’s hands, it fired and grazed Leina’s shoulder. Despite being wounded, she managed to give a stirring speech insulting the Earth Federation officials present, displaying stunning poise and conviction that caused them to retreat in shame. Her charisma was so impressive that even the Neo Zeon guards believed her claim that her and Judau’s departure was under Glemy’s orders, allowing them to escape.

Near-death experience

After escaping with Judau, Leina drifted in and out of consciousness due to her injury until the Core Base they were riding crashed, knocking both siblings unconscious. Elpeo Ple found them and led Leina to a hut for safety. However, Leina became suspicious of Ple’s intentions, believing she was trying to eliminate her to take her place in Judau’s affections. The two clashed with makeshift weapons until Judau found them and convinced Ple that the three of them could become a family together.

As Leina’s condition deteriorated with a growing fever, Ple attempted to care for her. However, at some point during this crisis, Sayla Mass arrived and spirited Leina away before the huts were destroyed when Amantha Pola’s MS-09G Dwadge crashed into them and exploded. Judau, believing his sister had perished, was devastated and became detached from reality.

Recovery and reunion

Leina was shown briefly sitting in a wheelchair next to Sayla Mass as the former crew of the Argama prepared to launch into space. She had been saved and cared for by Sayla during her recovery. At the end of the First Neo Zeon War, she reappeared together with Sayla as Judau was preparing to depart for Jupiter, and the siblings were tearfully reunited.

Post-war life

Following the First and Second Neo Zeon War, Leina worked under Sayla Mass as a private secretary. In this capacity, she and Sayla discussed various matters, including the determination of Kikka Kobayashi in retracing Amuro Ray’s steps in life. Sayla believed that Leina, as a Newtype, would have a better grasp of how far Kikka would be prepared to go in her pursuits.

Personality & traits

Leina was essentially a reasonable and responsible individual—the exact opposite of her irresponsible elder brother. In many ways, she took care of Judau despite being younger, though he also did his share for her. She continually motivated and pursued him regarding his junk-dealing activities and lifestyle choices.

Despite her tender age, Leina demonstrated remarkable maturity and poise, even in the face of adversity. Her strong sense of justice and compassion inspired those around her, including Bright Noa and his crew. She had remarkable charisma and presence for her age, which was evident even after being shot when she delivered a stirring speech criticising Earth Federation officials for their cowardice and disloyalty to their citizens.

Leina displayed a more rebellious side once she was captured by Glemy Toto. When he attempted to turn her into a “proper lady” of the style appreciated in the Zeon court, she repeatedly tried to escape and sabotage his plans. While she was loyal and reasonable, she did compete with Elpeo Ple for Judau’s affections, at one point misjudging Ple’s intentions and becoming mistrustful of her.

Skills & abilities

As the series progressed, Leina began to exhibit signs of being a Newtype, demonstrating heightened senses and empathetic abilities. Her most notable display of these powers occurred during the Dakar incident, where she could sense the deceit and self-serving motivations of the Earth Federation officials present, feeling overwhelmed by their collective dishonesty.

Her Newtype abilities also allowed her to maintain a telepathic connection with her brother Judau, who possessed similar powers. This connection proved crucial during the war, as Judau was able to sense that she was still alive even when others believed she had perished.

Leina possessed natural musical talent, already knowing how to play the piano before her capture by Glemy Toto. She was also an accomplished student who took her education seriously, unlike her brother who frequently skipped school.

Relationships

Judau Ashta

Leina’s relationship with her elder brother was built on a foundation of love, trust, and mutual support. She continually motivated Judau, encouraging him to pursue a more stable and productive path rather than his risky junk-dealing activities. Despite being younger, she often acted as the more responsible sibling, criticising his lifestyle choices and encouraging him to attend school.

When Judau was recruited by the AEUG, Leina supported the decision and conspired with Bright Noa to convince her reluctant brother to join. Her capture by Neo Zeon became the defining motivation for Judau’s actions throughout the war, as he risked everything to rescue her. The siblings maintained a telepathic connection through their shared Newtype abilities, allowing them to sense each other’s presence and emotional state across great distances.

Sayla Mass

Sayla Mass played a crucial role in Leina’s life by rescuing her during the final stages of the First Neo Zeon War. After the conflict, Leina worked under Sayla as a private secretary, developing a professional relationship based on mutual respect. Sayla recognised Leina’s Newtype abilities and valued her insights on various matters, including her assessment of Kikka Kobayashi’s determination.

Elpeo Ple

Leina’s relationship with Elpeo Ple was complicated by their mutual affection for Judau. Initially mistrustful of Ple’s intentions, Leina at one point accused her of trying to eliminate her to take her place in Judau’s life. However, Judau convinced both of them that they could become a family together. Despite their rivalry, Ple ultimately attempted to care for Leina when she was injured and feverish.

Glemy Toto

Glemy Toto became obsessed with transforming Leina into what he considered a “refined lady” suitable for Zeon high society. Despite his attempts at cultural education through piano lessons, table manners, and etiquette instruction, Leina remained defiant and repeatedly attempted to escape. Their relationship was that of captor and captive, with Glemy using her as leverage against her brother.

Behind the scenes

Leina Ashta was voiced by Maya Okamoto in the original Japanese version of Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ. In the English dub, she was voiced by Andrea Kwan. In some English versions and video games, she was also voiced by Nicole Bouma.

The character served as both a humanising influence on the series’ protagonist and a driving force for the plot, with her capture and rescue forming a central narrative thread throughout Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ. Her character design reflected her role as a responsible student, contrasting with her brother’s more casual appearance as a junk dealer.

Appearances

See also