Newtype

A Newtype was a person who had reached a new stage of human evolution. The term was coined by Zeon Zum Deikun, who believed that humanity’s destiny lay in migrating to space and evolving into an advanced form he called Newtypes.

History

During the One Year War, several individuals displayed unusual psychic abilities that aligned with Deikun’s predictions. These emerging Newtypes were most commonly found among Spacenoids, though some like Amuro Ray were born on Earth but raised in space.

The scientific and philosophical communities initially heralded Newtypes as evidence of humanity’s advancement. However, both the Earth Federation and Principality of Zeon quickly began exploiting their abilities for military purposes. This treatment was speculated to stem from “Oldtype” humans’ fear of being rendered obsolete by evolution.

Abilities

Newtypes possessed heightened spatial awareness and empathic abilities that manifested in several ways:

• Sensing the thoughts and emotions of other Newtypes
• Detecting hostile intentions before attacks occurred
• Enhanced situational awareness and reaction time
• Telepathic communication (in some cases even with the deceased)
• Control of remote weapons through Psycommu systems

These abilities were theorised to develop as an adaptation to life in space, where the human mind needed to expand its awareness to cope with the vast emptiness. The exact nature and extent of Newtype powers remained somewhat mysterious and varied between individuals.

Cyber-Newtypes

The Flanagan Institute conducted pioneering research on Newtypes for Zeon during the One Year War. After the war, the Federation acquired this research and established laboratories to artificially induce Newtype abilities in normal humans. These “Cyber-Newtypes” possessed similar capabilities but often suffered from severe mental instability due to the conditioning process.

Notable Cyber-Newtypes included:

• Four Murasame
• Rosamia Badam
• Gates Capa
• Gyunei Guss

Notable Natural Newtypes

Amuro Ray

Amuro Ray was one of the most powerful known Newtypes. His natural affinity for machinery and piloting skills provided a strong foundation for his emerging abilities.

Char Aznable

Though Char Aznable had extensive combat training, his Newtype abilities emerged later and were not as potent as Amuro’s. Nevertheless, his combination of tactical brilliance and Newtype awareness made him a legendary pilot.

Kamille Bidan

Kamille Bidan was considered by some to be the most powerful Newtype. His abilities fully manifested after exposure to other Newtypes and Cyber-Newtypes. He could channel the spirits of fallen comrades to enhance his combat performance.

Judau Ashta

Despite lacking formal training, Judau Ashta’s Newtype powers emerged through combat experience. He demonstrated abilities like long-distance telepathy and creating psychic barriers.

Known Newtypes

Mobile Suit Gundam

• Amuro Ray
• Sayla Mass
• Mirai Yashima
• Char Aznable
• Lalah Sune
• Challia Bull
• Fraw Bow
• Kai Shiden
• Katz Kobayashi
• Kikka Kobayashi
• Letz Kobayashi
• Matilda Ajan
• Icelina Eschonbach

Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam

• Kamille Bidan
• Emma Sheen
• Reccoa Londe
• Fa Yuiry
• Jerid Messa
• Mouar Pharaoh
• Haman Karn
• Paptimus Scirocco
• Sarah Zabiarov

Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ

• Judau Ashta
• Elpeo Ple
• Glemy Toto
• Elle Vianno
• Mashymre Cello
• Leina Ashta
• Roux Louka
• Beecha Oleg
• Shinta
• Qum

Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack

• Hathaway Noa
• Quess Paraya

Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn

• Banagher Links
• Mineva Lao Zabi
• Riddhe Marcenas
• Syam Vist
• Loni Garvey

Mobile Suit Gundam F91

• Seabook Arno
• Cecily Fairchild

Mobile Suit Victory Gundam

• Uso Ewin
• Katejina Loos
• Fuala Griffon
• Shahkti Kareen
• Maria Pure Armonia

Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt

• Billy Hickam

Mobile Suit Gundam Twilight Axis

• Arlette Almage

Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative

• Jona Basta
• Rita Bernal
• Iago Haakana

Legacy

While Newtypes were initially seen as humanity’s next evolutionary step, their exploitation in warfare raised questions about mankind’s readiness to handle such advancement. The rarity of natural Newtypes persisted throughout the Universal Century, though artificial enhancement programmes continued.

The term “Newtype” eventually transcended Deikun’s original philosophy to become synonymous with individuals possessing extraordinary psychic abilities, marking a significant divergence from his vision of enhanced human understanding and peaceful space colonisation.