Ryu Jose
Federation test pilot who served as mentor and mediator aboard the White Base during the One Year War.
Ryu Jose (リュウ・ホセイ, Ryū Hosei) was a test pilot-in-training for the Earth Federation Forces who served aboard the assault carrier White Base during the One Year War. A gentle and caring comrade, Ryu served as the primary mediator between the uptight Captain Bright Noa and the young civilian recruits who comprised much of the ship’s crew.
Biography
Early life and military service
Ryu was stationed on Side 7 as a test pilot-in-training for the Earth Federation. He was one of the few professional military personnel present at the colony when Char Aznable led the attack on 18 September UC 0079 that marked the beginning of the White Base’s odyssey.
Attack on Side 7
When Zeon forces attacked Side 7, Ryu took immediate action to protect the Federation’s secret Project V mobile suits. He commandeered an FF-X7 Core Fighter to defend the White Base and assist in the evacuation of survivors from the devastated colony. This quick thinking and decisive action helped ensure the survival of the ship and its precious cargo of prototype mobile suits.
Service aboard the White Base
Following the escape from Side 7, Ryu became an integral member of the White Base crew. His military background and steady temperament made him invaluable in maintaining morale and discipline amongst the largely civilian crew. Ryu frequently served as the pilot of the RX-75 Guntank, with Hayato Kobayashi acting as his gunner.
Ryu’s most important role, however, was as a mentor and mediator. He helped ease tensions between the strict military discipline that Captain Bright attempted to maintain and the young recruits who had been thrust into combat situations. Ryu took particular interest in Amuro Ray, often defending the young pilot when conflicts arose with Bright over military protocol.
When Amuro briefly deserted the White Base with the RX-78-2 Gundam and was subsequently imprisoned upon his return, Ryu advocated for his release. He understood that Amuro’s value as a pilot far outweighed any breach of military discipline, and he worked to convince Bright to give the young Newtype another chance.
Encounter with Ramba Ral
During Ramba Ral’s infiltration of the White Base, Ryu played a crucial role in defending the ship during close-quarters combat. When Ral and his men boarded the vessel, Ryu engaged the enemy directly. In the ensuing firefight, he shot and critically wounded Ramba Ral, though he sustained serious injuries himself when Ral returned fire before retreating.
Final sacrifice
While recovering from his wounds in the ship’s infirmary, Ryu witnessed Crowley Hamon’s revenge attack on the White Base. Despite his injuries and against medical advice, he left the infirmary to assist in the battle. Seeing that Hamon’s Magella Top was positioned to deliver a killing blow to Amuro’s Gundam, Ryu commandeered a Core Fighter and crashed it kamikaze-style into Hamon’s unit on 5 November UC 0079, sacrificing his life to save both Amuro and the ship.
His death had a profound impact on the entire crew of the White Base. Many blamed themselves for not preventing his sacrifice, and crew members would later call upon his spirit for guidance during difficult moments. The reality of war truly began to sink in for the young crew following Ryu’s heroic death.
Personality and traits
Ryu possessed a gentle, caring, and considerate nature that made him beloved by his crewmates. His large, stocky build and dusky complexion reflected his Latino heritage. Despite his imposing physical presence, Ryu was known for his calm demeanour and ability to mediate conflicts.
As one of the few professional soldiers aboard the White Base, Ryu understood military protocol whilst also recognising the unique circumstances that had brought together the ship’s eclectic crew. He possessed the wisdom to know when rules needed to be bent for the greater good, and the courage to speak up when he believed his commanders were making mistakes.
Ryu’s protective instincts extended particularly to the younger crew members. He saw potential in pilots like Amuro and worked tirelessly to ensure they received the support and guidance needed to reach their full capabilities. His mentorship style was patient and understanding, in contrast to Bright’s more rigid military approach.
Skills and abilities
As a trained test pilot, Ryu possessed excellent piloting skills and was comfortable operating various Federation aircraft and mobile weapons. His experience with the Core Fighter made him one of the most capable pilots aboard the White Base when it came to atmospheric flight operations.
Ryu’s military training also made him proficient in close-quarters combat, as demonstrated during the hand-to-hand fighting when Ramba Ral’s forces boarded the ship. His steady nerves and tactical thinking served him well in both mobile suit operations and infantry combat situations.
Perhaps most importantly, Ryu possessed exceptional interpersonal skills that allowed him to serve as an effective mediator and mentor. His ability to understand different perspectives and find common ground made him invaluable in maintaining crew cohesion during the ship’s long journey.
Relationships
Amuro Ray
Ryu served as a father figure and mentor to Amuro Ray, recognising the young pilot’s potential whilst understanding his struggles with military discipline. When others criticised Amuro’s behaviour, Ryu defended him and worked to create an environment where the pilot could develop his abilities. His faith in Amuro never wavered, even when the pilot briefly deserted with the Gundam.
Bright Noa
Ryu maintained a respectful but sometimes challenging relationship with Captain Bright Noa. As fellow military personnel, they shared common ground in understanding the necessities of command. However, Ryu was not afraid to question Bright’s decisions when he felt they were counterproductive, particularly regarding the treatment of civilian pilots like Amuro.
Hayato Kobayashi
Hayato Kobayashi served as Ryu’s gunner aboard the Guntank, and the two developed a close working relationship. Ryu helped channel Hayato’s competitive nature into productive contributions to the team, whilst Hayato looked up to Ryu as a steady, reliable presence aboard the ship.
Job John
Job John served alongside Ryu and greatly admired his leadership qualities. Years after Ryu’s death, Job credited both Ryu and Bright as the mentors that Amuro needed during the war. Job also revealed that Ryu had convinced him not to desert the ship during Amuro’s court-martial, demonstrating Ryu’s continued influence on crew morale even during difficult periods.
Mobile suits and equipment
FF-X7 Core Fighter
Ryu frequently piloted the FF-X7 Core Fighter, both as a standalone aircraft and as the core component of the RX-78-2 Gundam. His experience as a test pilot made him one of the most skilled Core Fighter operators aboard the White Base. The Core Fighter’s speed and manoeuvrability suited Ryu’s aggressive piloting style, and he used it effectively in both atmospheric and space operations.
It was whilst piloting a Core Fighter that Ryu made his final sacrifice, crashing the aircraft into Crowley Hamon’s Magella Top to save Amuro and the Gundam. This act of heroism demonstrated both his piloting skills and his willingness to put the mission and his comrades above his own safety.
RX-75 Guntank
Ryu served as the primary pilot of the RX-75 Guntank, working in partnership with gunner Hayato Kobayashi. The Guntank’s role as a long-range artillery unit suited Ryu’s tactical mindset and his ability to coordinate with other crew members. His steady hand ensured accurate fire support for the Gundam and Guncannon during combat operations.
The Guntank’s heavy armour also reflected Ryu’s willingness to put himself in harm’s way to protect others. He used the mobile suit’s defensive capabilities to shield other units whilst providing covering fire during retreats and tactical manoeuvres.
Recon Type Saberfish “Duckbill”
In Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin, Ryu was shown piloting a Recon Type Saberfish “Duckbill” during the Battle of Loum. This earlier service demonstrated his skills as a fighter pilot before joining the White Base crew and highlighted his experience with various Federation aircraft.
Behind the scenes
Ryu Jose was originally conceived as a black character, but this was changed during production due to concerns from broadcasting executives about potential racial discrimination issues. The character’s appearance was modified to reflect Latino heritage instead, and his surname was later changed from the Japanese “Hosei” to the Hispanic “Jose” in subsequent publications.
Voice actors
Ryu Jose was voiced by Shōzō Iizuka in the original Japanese version of Mobile Suit Gundam. Iizuka was a veteran voice actor known for roles such as Nappa in Dragon Ball Z and Heart in Fist of the North Star. He passed away on 15 February 2023 at the age of 89.
In the English dub, Ryu was voiced by Ward Perry in the television series and Bob Papenbrook in the compilation movies. For Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin, the character was voiced by Miou Tanaka in Japanese and Bryce Papenbrook in English.
Legacy and influence
Ryu’s character established the template for the mentor figure that would appear in many subsequent Gundam series. His role as mediator between military command and civilian pilots became a recurring theme, with characters like Sleggar Law filling similar roles in later parts of the same series.
The impact of Ryu’s sacrifice was felt throughout the remainder of the One Year War and beyond. Fifteen years after his death, when Kikka Kobayashi interviewed Job John for a biographical piece on Amuro Ray, Job specifically cited Ryu alongside Bright as the mentors who helped shape Amuro into an effective pilot.
Adaptations and variations
In the live-action game Gundam 0079: The War for Earth, Ryu was renamed “Duke” and depicted as a black character, closer to the original design concept. He also served as the sole pilot of the Guntank in this adaptation, as Hayato was completely removed from the story.
In the mobile game Gundam Breaker Mobile, Ryu’s surname appears as “Hosei,” reflecting the character’s original Japanese naming convention.
Recognition and promotion
In recognition of his heroic sacrifice, Ryu was posthumously promoted by two ranks to lieutenant in the television series. In the compilation movie trilogy, he received an even greater honour, being promoted three ranks to captain. When Amuro learned of this promotion at Jaburo, he was outraged that such a modest recognition was all Ryu received for his sacrifice, highlighting the profound impact the pilot’s death had on his comrades.
Appearances
- Mobile Suit Gundam
- Mobile Suit Gundam I
- Mobile Suit Gundam II: Soldiers of Sorrow
- Mobile Suit Gundam III: Encounters in Space
- Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin
- Mobile Suit Gundam: Journey to Jaburo
- Mobile Suit Gundam: Encounters in Space
- Gundam Breaker Mobile