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Lucrezia Noin

Italian-born OZ instructor and ace pilot who served as Relena Peacecraft's protector and Zechs Merquise's closest confidante.
Jenxi Seow Published 29 Jan 2025 Updated 29 Jan 2025
Lucrezia Noin

Lucrezia Noin was an OZ instructor and ace pilot who served during the After Colony era. Descended from Italian nobility, Noin was the instructor at the Alliance’s Lake Victoria Academy, which trained soldiers in the use of mobile suits. Known for her unwavering loyalty to Zechs Merquise and her role as Relena Peacecraft’s guardian, she played a crucial part in the events of the After Colony 195 conflicts.

Biography

Early life and training

Born in A.C. 176, Lucrezia’s early life is shrouded in doubt. In the world of Gundam Wing, the Romefeller Foundation artificially collapsed many European countries, to consolidate their own power. In the case of Lucrezia’s native Italy, this probably would have been necessary, given the legendary Italian resistance to foreign rule. It is almost certain that Lucrezia lost her parents to war at an early age.

In A.C. 186, ten-year-old Lucrezia is handpicked by Treize to take part in the Specials’ first ever assignment: to suppress a revolt in Mogadishu. Along with her are Zechs and three other cadets who, like her, were at the top of their class. The mission is a success with zero casualties on both ends, but while the rest celebrate the victory, Treize finds her in tears. Even at this young age, Noin displayed her hatred of war, which would define her character throughout her military career.

In A.C. 189, Lucrezia takes part in an operation headed by her then-instructor Treize Khushrenada to quell rebel forces in X-18999. Treize assigns her at the communications tower, and it is at this point that she asks that she simply be called Noin, as there should be “no gender in battle.” A young Heero Yuy targets the tower later on with a bazooka, but Treize takes the shot, protecting her and everyone else.

Lake Victoria Academy

As a former student of the academy, she was trained by Treize himself, and has since then graduated with the second highest marks in the history of the academy. Zechs points out that the only reason she slipped to number two was because she wanted him to look good. He muses that she is the only person who would welcome a troublesome person like him.

In A.C. 195, Noin in OZ’s Lake Victoria Academy in South Africa, where she has become the base commander and instructor for Specials recruits. During a conversation with Zechs, who was en route to her base, it is revealed that while Noin has top distinctions, she has no interest in fighting wars, stating that the only reason for her efforts is her love of outer space. Even though she is a strict commander, she is shown to be very caring towards her men, and Zechs warns her about getting too attached - to which she replies that her men will never be killed in battle as she taught them not to overdo things.

The Victoria Nightmare

The defining moment of Noin’s early career came when Chang Wufei attacked the Lake Victoria Academy. One night, after her latest class graduated, they were slaughtered without mercy by Gundam Pilot Chang Wufei when he bombed the barracks via pre-planted explosives. Angered by what he did, Noin pursued him in an Aries mobile suit, but was shot down by his Shenlong Gundam, but her life was spared. However, the incident left her emotionally scarred as a result.

Mentally and emotionally beat-up, she refuses to come out when Zechs rushes to help her out of her Aries. He tells her that he is just grateful she is alive and pulls her out, to which she responds that the only reason he is saying that is because she would have been promoted two ranks ahead of him if she died. Having just made light of her situation and his concern, Zechs is assured that she is okay. Noin then asks Zechs that she let him join him as she wanted to get stronger after what transpired. Having gone through hell with the Gundams as well, Zechs replies that he would be happy if she worked alongside him. From that point on, she and Zechs are rarely seen without each other.

Service to the Peacecrafts

Following her traumatic experience at Lake Victoria, Noin’s loyalty shifted from OZ to personal allegiances. Later, under orders from Zechs and Trieze, Noin goes to rescue Relena Darlian from Une’s bodyguards after her botched attempt to take Une’s life in revenge for her adopted father, Vice Foreign Minister Darlian’s murder. After forcing Une’s men off the scene by shooting one of their hats off, Noin proves her loyalty to Relena when she then shoots off the OZ lion pin on the discarded hat. From there, Noin becomes Relena’s personal bodyguard and closest confidant.

When Relena encourages Heero to defeat Zechs, Noin reveals to her that Zechs is really Relena’s brother Miliardo, and Zechs stays behind to deal with OZ reinforcements while everyone else escapes. This revelation cemented Noin’s role as the bridge between the Peacecraft siblings.

Sanc Kingdom defender

In spite of Sanc Kingdom’s absolute pacifism, she builds up the nation’s defenses and maintains two white Tauruses. She also retrieves Wing with the help of Sally Po, a rebel ex-Alliance officer whom she breaks out of an Alliance base, and seeks out the help of Heero and Quatre to protect the nation.

Noin ended up leaving OZ to act as Relena’s royal guard, secretly founding a defense team for the Sanc Kingdom; from here until the end of the series (including Endless Waltz), she piloted a white OZ-12SMS Taurus suit (as opposed to the standard black Taurus).

Space conflicts

When Romefeller finally invades Sanc, though, Relena is forced to surrender the kingdom. She submits herself as a hostage so as to end everyone’s suffering. This leaves Noin and the others no choice but to withdraw and head off into space. Later on, Noin and Quatre meet with the other Gundam pilots in space and along with Sally Po and the sweeper crew of Peacemillion, they continue the fight for peace.

However, her world turns upside down when she finds out that Zechs has become the leader of the White Fang revolutionists, and he declares an all-out war against the Earth. Despite this betrayal of her expectations, Noin continued to believe in Zechs’ ultimate intentions.

Preventers and beyond

After the Kingdom fell, Noin went to space with the Gundam pilots and participated in the final battles with White Fang. She then joined the Preventer organization with the codename “Fire”. During the Mariemaia Rebellion, she once again fought alongside the Gundam pilots, this time with Zechs returning as Preventer Wind.

After the end of the Mariemaia Rebellion, she went to Mars with Zechs to help with the terraforming project. At an unknown date, Zechs and Noin marry and produce twins, Naina and Mille.

Personality and traits

Noin, as she prefers to be called, appears to be a somewhat tomboyish yet mature woman. Most mobile suit pilots (including the Gundam boys with the probable exception of Wufei) respect her as reputable figure and a formidable pilot. She is also esteemed as a top-notch instructor of Specials recruits. Despite her merits, however, she actually dislikes war and only does what she does out of love for space. For a soldier she is quite the idealist, believing that “battles that risk men’s lives are miscalculations,” and often tries to resolve matters through less violent means.

In spite of her military background and her somewhat strict attitude, Noin is patient, protective and very caring to the point of being maternal. She has good instincts and a rather wry humor. She apparently seems to be quite vocal about her thoughts and feelings, too: telling Zechs that he fails to see what is important, and that, just like stars, she wants to know more about him.

Skills and abilities

Noin was recognised as one of the most skilled pilots of her generation. As a former student of the academy, she was trained by Treize himself, and has since then graduated with the second highest marks in the history of the academy. Her piloting skills were exceptional, allowing her to hold her own against even Gundam pilots in inferior mobile suits.

Beyond her piloting abilities, Noin proved to be an excellent instructor and military strategist. In spite of Sanc Kingdom’s absolute pacifism, she builds up the nation’s defenses and maintains two white Tauruses, demonstrating her ability to balance idealistic goals with practical military necessities.

Relationships

Zechs Merquise

Noin is known to be very loyal and giving to Zechs, and is believed to have fallen in love with him at an early age. She assists him with his personal goals and even leaves OZ at his request to protect a certain someone. While she does not always agree with his decisions and actions, she remains to have an unshakeable faith in him even through extremely trying circumstances. She also has a habit of counting the days they have last seen each other.

Noin has been deeply in love with Zechs for many years. Their relationship evolved from fellow students to trusted comrades, and eventually to marriage and parenthood.

Relena Peacecraft

After becoming Relena’s guardian, Noin developed a protective, almost maternal relationship with the young princess. She served not only as her bodyguard but also as her advisor and confidante, helping guide Relena through the complex political landscape of the After Colony era.

Family connections

The novel also reveals that Lucrezia Noin is actually the daughter of the President of the Noinheim Konzern, and is the younger sister of the (late) first President of the Mars Federation, Dix-Neuf Noinheim. This connection would prove significant in later events, particularly in the Frozen Teardrop timeline.

Mecha

OZ-07AMS Aries

Noin’s first combat mobile suit was a customised OZ-07AMS Aries. Noin first pilots a green Aries (as opposed to the normal dark blue), indicating her status as a commander or ace pilot. She used this mobile suit during her pursuit of Chang Wufei at Lake Victoria Academy, though she was ultimately defeated.

OZ-12SMS Taurus

Noin’s signature mobile suit became the OZ-12SMS Taurus. The pilot most associated with the Taurus was Noin, who piloted a white Taurus after defecting to the Sanc Kingdom. Noin first pilots a green Aries (as opposed to the normal dark blue) and then a white Taurus (normally black).

The Taurus is primarily armed with a beam rifle and could use a beam cannon when heavier firepower is needed. Like most mass production mobile suits employed by the OZ and the United Earth Sphere Alliance, the Taurus is typically not equipped with any close-range weapons. However, it could be equipped with up to two beam sabers when necessary, as seen with the Sanc Kingdom’s units.

Behind the scenes

Lucrezia Noin was given voice by Chisa Yokoyama in Japanese and Saffron Henderson in English. The character’s name derives from the German word “neun,” meaning “nine.”

Because Lucrezia Noin (its intended pilot) was originally envisioned as a Garma Zabi-like character, the Taurus was designed with the keywords “sleek” and “sinister” in mind. The design remained largely unchanged even after Noin was reimagined into a compassionate, motherly character.

Appearances

TV series

OVA

  • New Mobile Report Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz

Manga

  • New Mobile Report Gundam Wing: Episode Zero
  • New Mobile Report Gundam Wing: Battlefield of Pacifists

Novels

  • New Mobile Report Gundam Wing: Frozen Teardrop