Rakan Dahkaran – MechaBay | Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ

Rakan Dahkaran was a captain and ace pilot of Neo Zeon who served during the First Neo Zeon War. A hardened veteran known for his cold and calculating demeanour, he commanded the Endra-class cruiser Mindra and eventually defected from Haman Karn’s forces to join Glemy Toto’s Neo Zeon faction.

Biography

Early service

Little was known about Rakan’s early life. By UC 0082, he served as an ensign in the Zeon military at Axis, where he piloted an MS-09R-2 Rick Dom II during an Earth Federation attack on the asteroid. Several weeks later, he piloted the same Rick Dom II as part of an exercise course led by Char Aznable that unexpectedly turned into a combat situation when Earth Federation prisoners managed to take control of one of their ships and several mobile suits. Rakan’s actions during this incident proved instrumental in rescuing Haman Karn, who had been taken hostage by the Federation forces.

First Neo Zeon War

By UC 0088, Rakan had risen to the rank of captain and become a high-ranking commander and ace pilot within the Neo Zeon military. He was given command of the Endra-class cruiser Mindra, establishing himself as one of Neo Zeon’s most capable officers. His first major action occurred when he piloted an AMX-009 Dreissen to intercept the MSZ-010 ΖΖ Gundam, piloted by AEUG member Judau Ashta, as it approached the Sadalahn-class battleship.

After the ZZ Gundam escaped from the Sadalahn, Rakan and Judau engaged in direct combat. Despite piloting a less powerful mobile suit, Rakan demonstrated his exceptional skill by gaining the upper hand, successfully destroying the ZZ Gundam’s beam rifle and even managing to cut into the more advanced machine. However, the timely arrival of Roux Louka and Elle Vianno in the MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam and RX-178 Gundam Mk-II respectively forced Rakan to retreat.

Dublin Colony Drop

Rakan’s ruthless nature became evident during the Dublin Colony Drop operation. He was tasked with destroying fleeing transport vessels to ensure that no civilians escaped the impending colony impact, viewing this mass slaughter as a demonstration of Neo Zeon’s might and resolve. While patrolling in his AMX-011 Zaku III, he encountered Judau once again and the two engaged in fierce combat as the colony fell on Dublin, killing countless innocent civilians.

The sight of such massive casualties overwhelmed Judau with anger and grief, triggering the ZZ Gundam’s Bio-Sensor system. This surge in power allowed Judau to overpower and defeat Rakan’s Zaku III, though the experienced pilot managed to escape destruction once more.

Defection and final battle

Near the end of the war, Rakan made the pragmatic decision to defect from Haman’s forces to join Glemy Toto’s Neo Zeon faction. This move reflected his opportunistic nature—he respected power and chose to follow whichever leader he believed had the greatest chance of success. Now piloting an AMX-014 Döven Wolf, he participated in the civil war that tore Neo Zeon apart.

During the Battle of Axis, Rakan faced off against one of Haman’s most devoted loyalists, Mashymre Cello. The two pilots were evenly matched until Rakan gained the advantage with assistance from three other Döven Wolf units. Mashymre, in a desperate final gambit, attempted a kamikaze attack against Rakan but failed to destroy his opponent.

Rakan’s military career came to an end during the final phase of the battle when he confronted Judau Ashta, now piloting the FA-010S Full Armor ZZ Gundam. In their climactic duel, Judau fired several missiles that damaged Rakan’s Döven Wolf. Enraged, Rakan launched a fierce counterattack, but Judau’s skill and the ZZ Gundam’s power proved superior. The beam saber of the Full Armor ZZ Gundam sliced Rakan’s AMX-014 Döven Wolf into pieces, and he perished in the resulting explosion.

Personality and traits

Rakan embodied the stereotype of a hardened war veteran: cold, calculating, and supremely confident to the point of arrogance. His pragmatic nature allowed him to take swift action against any enemy without hesitation or remorse. This ruthless efficiency was exemplified during the Dublin Colony Drop, where he remained completely unfazed by the massive civilian death toll, viewing such casualties as an inevitable part of warfare.

Rather than being driven by ideology or loyalty, Rakan respected raw power above all else. He served Haman Karn devotedly throughout most of the First Neo Zeon War due to her strength and leadership capabilities. However, when Glemy Toto amassed impressive military strength and presented a viable alternative power structure, Rakan had no qualms about switching sides. This pragmatic approach to allegiance made him a formidable but ultimately unprincipled military officer.

Skills and abilities

Rakan was recognised as one of Neo Zeon’s ace pilots, possessing exceptional mobile suit combat skills that allowed him to hold his own against the majority of opponents. His tactical acumen was particularly evident in his ability to maximise the potential of whatever mobile suit he piloted, as demonstrated when he gained the upper hand against Judau’s more powerful ZZ Gundam despite using a less advanced machine.

As a seasoned soldier and naval commander, Rakan possessed extensive knowledge of firearms, battle strategies, and combat tactics. His experience commanding the Mindra showcased his leadership abilities and understanding of fleet operations. His promotion to captain and command of his own vessel demonstrated the confidence his superiors placed in his military capabilities.

Service record

Mobile suits piloted

MS-09R-2 Rick Dom II (UC 0082) Rakan’s first known mobile suit assignment occurred during his service as an ensign at Axis. He piloted this upgraded Dom variant during Federation attacks and training exercises, including the crucial incident where he helped rescue Haman Karn from Federation captors.

AMX-009 Dreissen (UC 0088) As a captain in the Neo Zeon forces, Rakan used this heavy assault mobile suit during his first major engagement against the ZZ Gundam near the Sadalahn. The Dreissen’s firepower and armour proved well-suited to his aggressive combat style.

AMX-011 Zaku III (UC 0088) Rakan piloted this advanced Zaku variant during the Dublin Colony Drop operation, using it to prevent civilian evacuations and engage Judau in combat as the colony fell on the city.

AMX-014 Döven Wolf (UC 0088) After defecting to Glemy’s faction, Rakan received this powerful mobile suit equipped with funnels and heavy weaponry. He used it during the Battle of Axis in his conflicts with both Mashymre Cello and ultimately Judau Ashta.

Command positions

Captain, Endra-class cruiser Mindra (UC 0088) Rakan commanded his own vessel during the First Neo Zeon War, demonstrating his capabilities as both a mobile suit pilot and naval officer. The Mindra served as his base of operations throughout his service under Haman Karn.

Behind the scenes

Rakan Dahkaran was voiced by Ryūsuke Ōbayashi in the original Japanese version of Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ. The character was designed to represent the archetypal veteran soldier whose pragmatism and respect for power ultimately led to his downfall.

The character appears as a minor figure in the comedy manga Around Thirty Office Worker Haman-sama, where he is reimagined as the head director of the Neo Zeon Company’s PR department and serves as Haman’s superior in a corporate setting.

Rakan has appeared in various Gundam video games, including the Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. series, where he pilots his signature Döven Wolf mobile suit.

Appearances

Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ (Episodes 22, 35, 36, 46)
Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Deleted Affair: Portrait Of Young Comet (manga)
Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. 2
Around Thirty Office Worker Haman-sama (minor character)

External links

Rakan Dahkaran on the Gundam Wiki