Quatre Raberba Winner

Quatre Raberba Winner was the pilot of Gundam Sandrock and the heir to the Winner Corporation during the After Colony conflicts. Born into one of the wealthiest families in the L4 colony cluster, Quatre became one of the five Gundam pilots sent to Earth as part of Operation Meteor. Despite his pacifist beliefs and gentle nature, he proved to be a capable military leader and strategist, eventually becoming the de facto leader of the Gundam pilots during the Eve Wars.

Biography

Early life

Quatre Raberba Winner was born on 12 December AC 180 on the Winner Resource Colony in the L4 colony cluster. Unlike his 29 older sisters, who were all conceived through artificial reproduction due to complications with natural birth in space, Quatre was born naturally. His mother, Quatrina Winner, insisted on natural childbirth despite the risks, but died during delivery. His father, Zayeed Winner, chose not to burden his son with the guilt of his mother’s death and told Quatre that he too was a test-tube baby like his sisters.

This deception led Quatre to develop feelings of inadequacy and resentment, believing himself to be an artificial creation that could be easily replaced. The Winner family had been amongst the first colonists to migrate to space, and their prolonged residence in the colonies made natural reproduction particularly difficult for them, even after the problems had been solved for other colonial families.

Growing up as the only son and heir to the Winner Corporation, Quatre received an excellent education and demonstrated exceptional talents in music and painting. He was particularly skilled at playing the violin and showed a natural empathy that would later manifest as what he termed the “heart of outer space” (uchuu no kokoro), a form of extrasensory perception that allowed him to sense the emotions of others.

Meeting the Maganac Corps

In AC 193, whilst travelling to a Winner Corporation facility, Quatre’s shuttle was hijacked by the Maganac Corps, a group of 40 Middle Eastern fighters led by Rashid Kurama. The Maganacs had commandeered the resource satellite MO-III and were seeking to negotiate for workers to return to their families on Earth. Rather than demanding his release, Quatre chose to help the Maganacs, eventually saving Rashid’s life by exposing a traitor within their ranks.

This act of courage and compassion earned Quatre the eternal respect and loyalty of the Maganac Corps, who began following him as their leader. The experience also brought him into contact with Instructor H, one of the five Gundam engineers who had been working at MO-III. Recognising Quatre’s potential and noble character, Instructor H became his mentor and began training him as a Gundam pilot.

Operation Meteor

When Doctor J and the other Gundam engineers initiated Operation Meteor in AC 195, Instructor H chose Quatre as the pilot of the XXXG-01SR Gundam Sandrock. However, H rejected the original plan’s call for colony drops and instead modified the mission to target only OZ installations. Against his father’s pacifist wishes, Quatre descended to Earth with Sandrock and began operations in the Middle Eastern desert regions alongside the Maganac Corps.

Quatre’s first encounter with his fellow Gundam pilots occurred during a mission to Corsica Base, where he briefly encountered Trowa Barton and his Gundam Heavyarms. The two developed a friendship when Trowa later sought refuge at the Maganac headquarters to repair his Gundam. Their partnership deepened during subsequent missions, including the assault on the New Edwards Base in California.

The loss of Sandrock

As OZ’s influence expanded, Quatre found himself increasingly isolated from his fellow pilots. During a mission in Singapore with Duo Maxwell and Chang Wufei, Quatre made the difficult decision to sacrifice Sandrock to create a diversion for his allies’ escape. In a poignant moment that demonstrated the bond between pilot and machine, Sandrock’s cockpit opened of its own accord, as if encouraging Quatre to continue living. The Gundam then walked forward independently before self-destructing, allowing Duo and Wufei to escape with their mobile suits.

Quatre was subsequently captured by Alliance forces but was rescued when OZ attacked the facility. He was placed in a Leo mobile suit during the battle but was critically injured when the machine was destroyed. He drifted through space for six days before being recovered by the Winner Resource Colony.

Reunion and tragedy

Upon his return to the colony, Quatre was treated by his sister Iria Winner, though he did not initially recognise her as one of his siblings. His reunion with his father was strained due to Zayeed’s disapproval of Quatre’s role as a Gundam pilot. The situation deteriorated when the colony voted to remove Zayeed from office due to his refusal to allow weapons manufacturing on the satellite.

When Zayeed separated the resource satellite from the main colony to prevent weapons production, the colony responded by firing beam cannons at the satellite, destroying it and killing Zayeed whilst Quatre and Iria watched helplessly from a shuttle. The blast injured Iria, leaving her unconscious, and Quatre was consumed by grief and rage.

The Zero System rampage

Overwhelmed by the loss of his father and driven by a desire for revenge, Quatre used the resources of the Winner estate to construct the XXXG-00W0 Wing Gundam Zero, based on blueprints left behind by Instructor H. The Wing Zero was the original Gundam design from AC 180, deemed too dangerous by its creators due to its Zero System neural interface.

Unprepared for the mental strain caused by the Zero System, Quatre’s mind was twisted by the constant flow of tactical data. He began a rampage across space, destroying an OZ-occupied resource satellite and an evacuated civilian colony in his quest to eliminate all weapons from space. During a second assault on a colony, Trowa Barton intervened by blocking Wing Zero’s attacks with the OZ-13MSX1 Vayeate, seemingly perishing in the resulting explosion. This shock brought Quatre back to his senses, and he realised the horror of what he had done.

Return to sanity and leadership

Quatre and Heero Yuy were subsequently captured and taken to the Lunar Base, where OZ officer Trant Clark forced Heero to test the Zero System. When the system drove Heero into a similar rampage, Quatre engaged him using the OZ-13MSX2 Mercurius and successfully brought him back to his senses, demonstrating his growing mastery over the psychological pressures of Gundam combat.

The two pilots then returned to Earth and joined the Sanc Kingdom, where Relena Peacecraft was advocating for total pacifism. Quatre befriended Lucrezia Noin and served as part of the kingdom’s defence force. When tensions with the Romefeller Foundation escalated, Quatre retrieved the newly rebuilt Sandrock Custom from the Maganac headquarters.

The Eve Wars

During the final phase of the conflicts, Quatre returned to space aboard the battleship Peacemillion, where his Sandrock was upgraded for space combat by Mike Howard and his team. He played a crucial role in the battles against both OZ and the White Fang, serving as a strategic coordinator for the Gundam pilots.

When Heero departed to face Zechs Merquise in their final duel, Quatre temporarily installed a copy of the Zero System in Sandrock Custom. Having overcome his previous trauma with the system, he was able to use it effectively to lead the other Gundams in battle against Dorothy Catalonia and her mobile doll forces. After the battle, he immediately removed the system, demonstrating his growth as both a pilot and a leader.

Post-war activities

Following the end of the Eve Wars, Quatre proposed sending the Gundams into the sun to ensure they could never again be used for warfare. When the Mariemaia Rebellion threatened the fragile peace in AC 196, Quatre led the mission to retrieve the Gundams from their solar trajectory. He successfully modified their disposal block’s engines and redirected them back to Earth, where he joined Trowa and Duo in the final battle against the Mariemaia Army in Brussels.

After Mariemaia Khushrenada’s defeat, Quatre, Trowa, and Duo self-destructed their Gundams, marking the end of the mobile suit era. Quatre then assumed full control of the Winner Corporation and led efforts to complete the construction of Colony X-18999.

Personality and traits

Quatre was distinguished amongst the Gundam pilots by his gentle, empathetic nature and strong moral compass. Unlike his more stoic companions, he displayed his emotions openly and retained his compassion even in the midst of warfare. He was the only pilot who regularly apologised to enemy soldiers before engaging them in combat and showed genuine remorse when forced to take lives.

His upbringing as the heir to a wealthy corporation instilled in him natural leadership qualities and diplomatic skills. He was capable of inspiring fierce loyalty in his subordinates, as demonstrated by the devotion of the Maganac Corps. Despite his youth, Quatre possessed remarkable strategic acumen and often served as the voice of reason amongst the Gundam pilots.

The trauma of his rampage with Wing Zero left lasting psychological scars, but also taught him the importance of self-control and the dangers of unchecked power. His experience with the Zero System made him uniquely qualified to help other pilots who struggled with its effects, and he became instrumental in developing countermeasures for its psychological influence.

Skills and abilities

Piloting expertise

Quatre demonstrated exceptional mobile suit piloting skills, particularly in desert combat where Sandrock’s design gave him tactical advantages. His intuitive understanding of mobile suit mechanics allowed him to adapt quickly to different machines, from the ground-focused Sandrock to the space-optimised Sandrock Custom and the psychologically demanding Wing Zero.

Strategic leadership

As the conflicts progressed, Quatre emerged as the strategic leader of the Gundam pilots. His ability to coordinate complex multi-unit operations and make tactical decisions under pressure proved invaluable during the chaotic battles of the Eve Wars. His experience with corporate management translated well to military command, allowing him to effectively direct both the Maganac Corps and his fellow pilots.

Spatial empathy

Quatre possessed a unique form of extrasensory perception he called the “heart of outer space,” which allowed him to sense the emotions and intentions of others. This ability proved particularly useful in combat situations, enabling him to anticipate enemy movements and coordinate with allies even when communications were compromised. The ability was especially pronounced when interacting with other Gundam pilots, suggesting a connection facilitated by their shared experiences.

Musical and artistic talents

Beyond his military capabilities, Quatre was an accomplished musician and artist. His skill with the violin provided him with an emotional outlet during stressful periods, and his artistic sensibilities contributed to his empathetic nature and strategic thinking.

Relationships

Trowa Barton

Quatre’s relationship with Trowa Barton began as a professional partnership but evolved into the deepest friendship among the Gundam pilots. Their bond was tested when Trowa sacrificed himself to stop Quatre’s Zero System rampage, an act that both shocked Quatre back to sanity and deepened his guilt. When Trowa survived but lost his memory, Quatre’s determination to restore their friendship demonstrated the strength of their connection.

The Maganac Corps

Quatre’s relationship with the Maganac Corps exemplified his leadership style and personal character. Despite being their employer’s son, he earned their respect through his actions rather than his position. The Maganacs became a surrogate family for Quatre, providing the acceptance and loyalty he had never received from his biological family.

Zayeed Winner

The relationship between Quatre and his father was complicated by their conflicting philosophies regarding war and peace. Zayeed Winner’s absolute pacifism clashed with Quatre’s belief that violence was sometimes necessary to protect others. Despite their disagreements, Quatre’s grief over his father’s death revealed the depth of his love and respect for the man who had raised him.

Heero Yuy

Quatre’s relationship with Heero Yuy was characterised by mutual respect and complementary abilities. While Heero possessed superior combat skills and tactical flexibility, Quatre provided emotional support and strategic coordination. Their shared experience with the Zero System created a unique bond, as Quatre was one of the few people capable of understanding the psychological pressures Heero faced.

Mecha

XXXG-01SR Gundam Sandrock

The XXXG-01SR Gundam Sandrock was Quatre’s primary mobile suit throughout most of the Earth-based conflicts. Built by Instructor H using Winner Corporation resources, Sandrock was specifically designed for desert combat operations. Its robust armour and advanced communication systems made it ideal for coordinating the Maganac Corps mobile suits in large-scale operations.

Sandrock’s distinctive Heat Shotels became Quatre’s signature weapons, reflecting his preference for decisive close-combat engagements. The mobile suit’s advanced sensor systems, including a sub-camera designed to function in sandstorms, gave Quatre significant tactical advantages in his preferred desert environment. The Gundam’s apparent sentience during its final self-destruction demonstrated the deep bond between pilot and machine that characterised Quatre’s approach to mobile suit combat.

XXXG-01SR2 Gundam Sandrock Custom

When Quatre returned to space for the Eve Wars, Mike Howard and his team aboard Peacemillion upgraded Sandrock for space combat, creating the XXXG-01SR2 Gundam Sandrock Custom. The modifications included additional verniers for improved mobility in zero gravity and enhanced thrust systems that maintained the mobile suit’s effectiveness outside its original desert environment.

The Custom variant retained Sandrock’s signature Heat Shotels and communication systems whilst adding space-combat capabilities that allowed Quatre to effectively coordinate multi-unit operations during the complex battles against both OZ and White Fang forces. Quatre’s temporary installation of a Zero System interface in the Custom demonstrated his growth as a pilot and his ability to master even the most challenging mobile suit technologies.

XXXG-00W0 Wing Gundam Zero

Quatre’s construction and piloting of Wing Gundam Zero represented both his greatest triumph and his most devastating failure. Built using blueprints left by Instructor H, the Zero was the original Gundam design from AC 180, deemed too dangerous by its creators due to its revolutionary Zero System neural interface.

Quatre’s initial experience with Wing Zero was catastrophic, as the System’s psychological pressure drove him to commit atrocities that haunted him for the remainder of the conflicts. However, his eventual mastery of the System’s effects allowed him to use Zero effectively during critical moments, including his coordination of the final battles against Dorothy Catalonia’s mobile doll forces. His decision to remove the Zero System from Sandrock Custom after the battle demonstrated his wisdom in recognising the technology’s dangers despite its tactical advantages.

Behind the scenes

Character conception

Quatre Raberba Winner was designed by the Gundam Wing creative team to serve as the emotional heart of the five Gundam pilots. His name, derived from the French word “quatre” meaning “four,” reflects his designation as Pilot 04 and his origin from the L4 colony cluster. The character’s Arabian heritage and association with desert combat were intended to provide visual and thematic contrast with the other pilots whilst emphasising themes of cultural diversity in the colonial space age.

Voice acting

Quatre was voiced by Ai Orikasa in the original Japanese version and Brad Swaile in the English dub. Orikasa’s female voice initially led to confusion among Western audiences, with some publications mistakenly identifying Quatre as female in early promotional materials. ToyFare Magazine notably referred to Quatre as “her” when showcasing Endless Waltz model kits, later correcting the error in a subsequent issue.

According to Sunrise, Quatre’s birthday of 12 December was chosen to match Ai Orikasa’s actual birthday, demonstrating the studio’s appreciation for her performance. Brad Swaile’s English performance established him as one of the most recognisable voices in the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise, as he would later voice multiple Gundam pilots including Amuro Ray and Setsuna F. Seiei.

Cultural impact

Despite being considered the least popular of the five Gundam pilots in Japanese fan polls, Quatre developed a devoted following among international audiences who appreciated his emotional openness and moral complexity. His nickname “Desert Rose,” popularised by fan communities, references both his Middle Eastern background and his beautiful yet resilient nature. The character’s influence extended to SD Gundam works, where Sandrock-based characters often serve as team leaders in reference to Quatre’s leadership role in the later episodes of Gundam Wing.

Appearances

Television series

• Mobile Suit Gundam Wing (1995)

Films

• Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz (1998)

Manga

• New Mobile Report Gundam Wing: Episode Zero (1997)
• New Mobile Report Gundam Wing: Battlefield of Pacifists (1997)
• Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Glory of the Losers (2010-2019)

Novels

• New Mobile Report Gundam Wing: Frozen Teardrop (2010-2015)

Video games

• Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Endless Duel (1996)
• Gundam vs. Gundam series (2008-present)
• Super Robot Wars series (1991-present)