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Gundam

Nicol Amalfi

ZAFT Elite pilot and Blitz Gundam pilot.
Jenxi Seow Published 26 Jan 2025 Updated 26 Jan 2025
Nicol Amalfi

Nicol Amalfi (ニコル・アマルフィ, Nikoru Amarufi) is a ZAFT Elite pilot in Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, known for piloting the GAT-X207 Blitz Gundam. Unlike his more aggressive comrades, Nicol is characterised by his gentle and kind personality. His death during the First Alliance-PLANT War has a profound impact on Athrun Zala, contributing to Athrun’s growing disillusionment with the conflict.

Biography

Early life and military career

Nicol Amalfi was born in Cosmic Era 57 as a Coordinator in the PLANTs. He joined ZAFT and became an Elite pilot, demonstrating exceptional skills that earned him recognition within the organisation. However, unlike his comrades Yzak Joule and Dearka Elsman, Nicol possessed a gentler personality that set him apart from the typical soldier archetype.

Nicol’s character was marked by his kindness and his reluctance to engage in unnecessary violence. His personality reflected his desire to end the war quickly and to minimise suffering, making him one of the more sympathetic members of ZAFT’s Elite forces.

Mobile Suit Gundam SEED

During ZAFT’s attack on Heliopolis to steal the Earth Alliance’s G Project mobile suits, Nicol was assigned to pilot the GAT-X207 Blitz Gundam, a stealth mobile suit equipped with the Mirage Colloid system. His initial encounters with Earth Alliance forces were standard military operations, but his gentle nature made him question the necessity of some of the violence.

Nicol served alongside Athrun Zala, Yzak Joule, and Dearka Elsman as part of ZAFT’s Elite forces. His relationship with Athrun was particularly significant, as Nicol’s kind personality provided a contrast to Athrun’s more serious and conflicted nature. Nicol often served as a voice of reason and compassion within the group.

Death and impact

Nicol’s death occurs during a battle when he attempts to protect Athrun from an attack. His sacrifice has a profound impact on Athrun, who is forced to confront the reality of losing comrades in the war. Nicol’s death serves as a turning point for Athrun, contributing to his growing disillusionment with ZAFT and the conflict.

Nicol’s gentle nature and his death highlight the human cost of war and the tragedy of losing individuals who seek peace even whilst fighting. His character serves as a reminder of the personal losses that occur in conflict and the impact of these losses on those who survive.

Personality & traits

Nicol is characterised by his gentle, kind, and compassionate personality, which sets him apart from his more aggressive comrades. He possesses a desire to end the war quickly and to minimise suffering, reflecting his compassionate nature. His reluctance to engage in unnecessary violence demonstrates his moral character and his commitment to doing what is right.

Nicol’s personality provides a contrast to the typical soldier archetype, showing that individuals with gentle natures can still serve effectively in military roles. His character serves as a reminder of the humanity that exists even within military organisations engaged in conflict.

Skills & abilities

As a ZAFT Elite pilot and Coordinator, Nicol possessed exceptional piloting skills and combat abilities. His natural talent, combined with extensive training, made him a capable pilot. Nicol’s ability to utilise the Blitz Gundam’s Mirage Colloid stealth system demonstrated his tactical skills and his understanding of stealth operations.

Nicol’s combat effectiveness was enhanced by his calm demeanour and his ability to remain focused under pressure. His gentle personality did not diminish his effectiveness as a pilot, demonstrating that compassion and military skill are not mutually exclusive.

Mecha

GAT-X207 Blitz Gundam

Nicol’s primary mobile suit, the Blitz Gundam, is a stealth mobile suit equipped with the Mirage Colloid system that allows it to become temporarily invisible. The mobile suit’s design emphasises stealth and surprise attacks, making it effective for reconnaissance and covert operations.

Relationships

Athrun Zala

Nicol’s relationship with Athrun Zala is particularly significant, as his kind personality provides support for Athrun’s more conflicted nature. Nicol’s death has a profound impact on Athrun, contributing to his growing disillusionment with ZAFT and the conflict. Their relationship demonstrates the bonds of friendship that develop even in the midst of war.

Yzak Joule and Dearka Elsman

Nicol served alongside Yzak Joule and Dearka Elsman as part of ZAFT’s Elite forces. His gentle personality provided a contrast to their more aggressive natures, and his presence contributed to the group’s dynamics. His death serves as a reminder of the personal losses that occur in conflict.

Legacy

Nicol’s character serves as a reminder of the human cost of war and the tragedy of losing individuals who seek peace even whilst fighting. His gentle nature and his death highlight the personal losses that occur in conflict and the impact of these losses on those who survive. His character contributes to the series’ exploration of the costs of war and the humanity that exists within military organisations.

Appearances

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