Sayla Mass

Sayla Mass, born Artesia Som Deikun, was a medical student and communications officer aboard the White Base during the One Year War. She was the younger sister of Char Aznable and daughter of Zeon Zum Deikun, founder of the Republic of Zeon. Living under an assumed identity to avoid persecution by the Zabi family, she served with distinction as both a communications officer and mobile suit pilot whilst concealing her true heritage from her crewmates.

Biography

Early life

Sayla was born as Artesia Som Deikun on 12 September UC 0062, the youngest child and only daughter of influential philosopher and politician Zeon Zum Deikun and his mistress Astraia Tor Deikun. She was the younger sister of Casval Rem Deikun, who would later become known as Char Aznable. Her father was the founder of Contolism and the independence movement in Side 3.

When Zeon Zum Deikun died suddenly in UC 0068 during a speech advocating independence from the Earth Federation, six-year-old Artesia was still too young to understand the political implications. The death was suspected to be an assassination orchestrated by Degwin Sodo Zabi, who subsequently seized power and transformed the Republic of Zeon into the Principality of Zeon.

Fearing for their lives, Artesia and her brother were whisked away from Side 3 by family friend Jimba Ral to avoid a purge of Zeon loyalists by the Zabi family. They were sent to Earth with the help of the Earth Federation and placed under the care of the wealthy aristocrat Don Teabolo Mass, who adopted them and gave them new identities to help avoid detection. Casval became Édouard Mass, whilst Artesia was renamed Sayla Mass.

During their time under Mass’s guardianship, the siblings lived a luxurious life in Spain. However, Jimba constantly reminded Casval about the Zabi family’s betrayal of their father, though Artesia was considered too young to be told such things. After a failed assassination attempt that killed Jimba, the children were moved to Texas Colony under the watch of colony manager Roger Aznable, though they remained under Mass’s care.

When the siblings received word that their mother Astraia had died in captivity, Sayla spent considerable time grieving at her mother’s gravestone, which Teabolo had erected under a pseudonym for security. Following the subsequent death of her beloved cat Lucifer, both Casval and Roger’s son Char Aznable left the colony to join Zeon’s growing military. However, Casval’s shuttle heading to Side 3 exploded, and everyone believed him to be dead.

Medical studies

As the years passed, Sayla decided to pursue medical studies at Side 7. Unlike her brother, who harboured deep resentment against the Zabi family, Sayla had no thoughts of revenge, thanks to her kind upbringing in the Mass family. She focused on helping people and aspired to become a doctor, working as a medical volunteer whilst studying.

By UC 0079, Sayla had established herself as a dedicated medical student, embodying the peaceful ideals her father had originally envisioned rather than the militaristic path the Principality of Zeon had taken. Her compassionate nature and dedication to healing would define her character throughout the conflicts that followed.

The One Year War

When Zeon forces attacked Side 7 on 18 September UC 0079 as part of their reconnaissance mission to investigate the Federation’s Project V, Sayla was evacuated onto the White Base along with other refugees, including Amuro Ray, Fraw Bow, Kai Shiden, Hayato Kobayashi, and Mirai Yashima.

During the evacuation, Sayla volunteered to search for other survivors in the colony. It was during this search that she encountered a masked Zeon pilot—Char Aznable—and immediately recognised him as her brother Casval in disguise. Despite her attempts to approach him, he managed to escape, leaving Sayla shaken by the realisation that her supposedly dead brother was alive and fighting for the enemy.

Service aboard the White Base

With the near-total loss of the White Base’s original crew in the Zeon attack, acting captain Bright Noa was forced to recruit civilians to help operate the ship. Sayla initially served as the ship’s communications officer, a role she performed with characteristic professionalism and stoicism. She was notably the only crew member whom Bright addressed as “Miss,” reflecting both her refined manner and the respect she commanded.

Sayla quickly proved herself invaluable to the ship’s operations, serving not only as communications officer but also as the ship’s de facto medical officer, drawing upon her training and natural compassion to tend to wounded crew members. Her calm demeanour and medical knowledge made her particularly effective during combat situations when casualties mounted.

Despite her professional exterior, Sayla was deeply affected by the losses suffered by the White Base crew. She formed close friendships with fellow crew members, particularly Mirai Yashima, and was devastated by the deaths of comrades such as Ryu Jose and Lieutenant Matilda Ajan. The loss of Matilda was particularly difficult for Sayla to accept, as she felt helpless and guilty for being unable to save her life.

Recognition as Artesia

When the White Base was boarded by Ramba Ral and his troops, Sayla was piloting the RX-78-2 Gundam in Amuro’s absence. After relinquishing control to Amuro, Ramba immediately recognised her as Artesia, since he was the sone of Jimba Ral and had known her as a child. Their emotional reunion was cut short when Ramba was shot by Ryu Jose, forcing him to order a retreat to protect Artesia. In a final act of honour, Ramba killed himself by exploding a grenade whilst leaping into the Gundam’s hand, leaving Sayla both shocked and saddened by his sacrifice.

Piloting career

Sayla’s skills as a pilot were first demonstrated when she commandeered the Gundam in an attempt to get closer to Zeon forces and gather information about her brother. Though her inexperience led to her being overwhelmed by Ramba Ral’s forces, requiring rescue by Amuro in the RX-77-2 Guncannon, her basic competency was noted by the crew.

As punishment for her reckless actions, Sayla faced three days of solitary confinement. However, Bright Noa and the White Base crew recognised her piloting potential, and she subsequently became the Gundam’s backup pilot alongside Amuro. When the ship received its G-Fighter support unit (known as the Core Booster in the compilation films), Sayla was assigned as its primary pilot.

As a G-Fighter pilot, Sayla demonstrated considerable skill, particularly after her Newtype abilities began to manifest. She proved capable of taking out groups of enemy mobile suits, including heavily armoured MS-09R Rick Doms, working in close coordination with Amuro’s Gundam. Her performance was particularly notable during space battles, where her emerging Newtype consciousness allowed her to anticipate enemy movements and coordinate effectively with other Newtype pilots.

Final confrontations

During the climactic battles of the war, Sayla’s presence inadvertently led to one of the conflict’s most tragic moments. When Char attacked her Core Booster without knowing his sister was the pilot, Lalah Sune telepathically warned him to stop, recognising Sayla through her Newtype abilities. Char’s moment of hesitation allowed Amuro to sever his MS-14S Gelgoog Commander Type’s arm, but when Amuro moved to deliver a killing blow, Lalah sacrificed herself to protect Char, taking the fatal strike intended for him.

At the Battle of A Baoa Qu, Sayla abandoned her damaged Core Fighter and made her way into the fortress on foot. There she found Amuro and Char engaged in a fierce sword duel after their mobile suits had been destroyed. Intervening between them, she begged both to stop fighting. Upon seeing his sister, Char was reminded that the Zabis were his true enemy, prompting him to leave to complete his revenge against Kycilia Zabi. He told Sayla to escape with Amuro and “have a good life,” suggesting he recognised the bond between them.

Post-war life

After the war’s end, Sayla chose to step away from military service, following her brother’s advice to live a peaceful life. She was briefly seen during the Gryps Conflict, listening to Char’s famous speech at the Federation Assembly in Dakar via radio. Her reaction to seeing her brother publicly reveal his identity as “Quattro Bajeena” was one of melancholy, recognising the continued burden he carried.

During the First Neo Zeon War, Sayla made a surprise appearance when she rescued Judau Ashta’s younger sister Leina, though the circumstances of this rescue were never fully explained. In a conversation with her former captain Bright Noa, she expressed certainty that Char was still alive somewhere, waiting for the right time to emerge again—a prediction that would prove accurate with the events of Char’s Counterattack.

She made a final, brief appearance during the Laplace Incident of UC 0096, piloting a Core Booster in what appeared to be a support role, suggesting she maintained some connection to military operations despite her civilian status.

Personality & traits

Sayla was characterised by her refined, noble bearing and professional demeanour. She was very much by-the-books and polite, often to the point of appearing stoic in her duties aboard the White Base. Despite this professional exterior, she was genuinely kind to others when outside of combat situations and possessed a strong moral compass that led her to admire bravery whilst abhorring cowardice and selfishness.

This moral stance initially put her at odds with Kai Shiden, whose cynical attitude and apparent lack of commitment to the cause frustrated her. Her famous slapping of Kai whilst calling him a “coward” became an iconic moment that demonstrated her unwillingness to tolerate what she perceived as moral weakness.

However, Sayla’s strongest character trait was her unwavering loyalty to her brother Char, which frequently led her to act outside military protocol and put herself and others at risk. She would go to extraordinary lengths to protect him or at least avoid causing him harm, even when doing so compromised her duties or endangered her fellow crew members.

Despite her aristocratic background and her status as an heir to the Deikun legacy, Sayla showed no interest in political power or position. Unlike her brother, who was driven by revenge and political ambition, she genuinely preferred peace and focused her energy on helping others through her medical training and compassionate nature.

Her upbringing in the Mass family had instilled in her a gentle, forgiving nature that contrasted sharply with Char’s bitter quest for vengeance. She harboured no negative feelings towards the Zabi family, despite their role in her father’s death and her family’s exile. This fundamental difference in outlook would become a source of tension between the siblings as the war progressed.

Skills & abilities

Medical expertise

Sayla’s primary skill set centred around her medical training, which made her invaluable aboard the White Base. Her knowledge of anatomy, pharmacology, and emergency medical procedures allowed her to serve as the ship’s primary medical officer despite having no formal military medical training. She demonstrated particular skill in trauma surgery and battlefield medicine, often working under extreme pressure during combat situations.

Piloting capabilities

Though initially inexperienced in mobile suit operations, Sayla quickly demonstrated natural piloting ability that impressed her superiors. Her calm demeanour under pressure and quick decision-making skills made her an effective pilot, even if she never reached the exceptional levels of aces like Amuro or her brother.

Her piloting style was characterised by tactical awareness and precise execution rather than raw combat instinct. She proved particularly effective in support roles, working in coordination with other pilots rather than engaging in solo combat missions. Her performance in the G-Fighter/Core Booster demonstrated her ability to adapt to different types of mobile weapons and fighting styles.

Newtype abilities

Sayla manifested Newtype abilities during the course of the One Year War, though these powers were never as pronounced or developed as those of Amuro Ray or Lalah Sune. Her Newtype consciousness primarily manifested as enhanced spatial awareness and an ability to sense the presence and emotions of other Newtypes.

These abilities proved particularly useful in mobile suit combat, allowing her to anticipate enemy movements and coordinate effectively with other Newtype pilots. However, her powers remained relatively limited compared to other Newtypes, and she showed little interest in developing them further after the war.

Communications and technical skills

Her role as communications officer required considerable technical knowledge and the ability to operate complex communication systems under combat conditions. Sayla proved adept at maintaining communication links during battle, coordinating between mobile suit teams, and managing information flow throughout the ship.

Relationships

Char Aznable

Sayla’s relationship with her brother Char Aznable was the defining element of her character throughout the One Year War. Despite being on opposite sides of the conflict, she maintained deep affection for him and consistently sought opportunities to make contact or gather information about his welfare.

Her discovery that the masked “Red Comet” was actually her supposedly dead brother Casval created enormous emotional conflict for her. She repeatedly risked her safety and military discipline to either protect him or attempt to convince him to abandon his quest for revenge against the Zabi family. These actions often put her at odds with her duties and endangered her fellow crew members.

The siblings’ final meeting at A Baoa Qu demonstrated both the strength of their bond and the fundamental differences in their outlooks. Whilst Char remained consumed by his need for vengeance, Sayla represented the possibility of forgiveness and moving forward. Her intervention during his duel with Amuro reminded him of his original purpose and may have been instrumental in his decision to complete his revenge against the Zabis rather than continue fighting Amuro.

Their relationship was further complicated by the death of Lalah Sune, which occurred partly due to Sayla’s presence in the battle. This incident created additional guilt and trauma that would affect both siblings long after the war’s end.

Amuro Ray

Sayla’s relationship with Amuro Ray evolved from professional cooperation to deep mutual respect and affection. As the primary Gundam pilot and her frequent partner in mobile suit operations, they developed an effective working relationship based on their shared Newtype abilities and complementary skills.

Their relationship was complicated by the fact that Amuro was frequently engaged in combat with her brother Char. Sayla found herself torn between her loyalty to her brother and her growing friendship with Amuro, creating significant emotional conflict throughout the war.

In the novel version of events, their relationship developed into a romantic one, with Sayla even asking Amuro to kill her brother for the greater good—a request he refused. Their bond was described as deep and meaningful, with Amuro’s final telepathic message to her expressing his love and regret at not being able to spend his life with her.

Bright Noa

Bright Noa served as both Sayla’s commanding officer and a protective figure during her time aboard the White Base. Despite the difference in their ages and backgrounds, they developed a relationship of mutual respect based on their shared commitment to the ship and crew.

Bright was notably the only crew member to address Sayla as “Miss,” reflecting both her refined background and the respect she commanded. He recognised her value to the ship’s operations and consistently supported her development as both a communications officer and pilot, even when her actions regarding her brother created disciplinary problems.

Their relationship continued after the war, with Sayla maintaining contact with Bright during subsequent conflicts. During the First Neo Zeon War, she provided him with insights about Char’s psychological state and expressed her concerns about his increasing instability.

Mirai Yashima

Sayla formed a close friendship with Mirai Yashima, the White Base’s helmsman. Both women were among the few civilians who became integral to the ship’s operations, and they supported each other through the emotional challenges of war.

Their friendship was based on mutual respect and shared experiences as women serving in combat roles. Mirai’s steady, practical nature complemented Sayla’s more emotional and idealistic personality, creating a supportive relationship that helped both women cope with the stresses of military service.

Ramba Ral

The encounter with Ramba Ral was particularly significant for Sayla, as it represented a connection to her childhood and her father’s legacy. Ramba immediately recognised her as Artesia and showed her the respect due to the daughter of Zeon Zum Deikun, even choosing to sacrifice his own life rather than cause her harm.

This meeting forced Sayla to confront the weight of her family’s legacy and the impact of the political conflicts that had shaped her life. Ramba’s death deeply affected her, representing not only the loss of a connection to her past but also the tragic consequences of the war that had consumed so many honourable people.

Kai Shiden

Sayla’s relationship with Kai Shiden began adversely due to his cynical attitude and apparent cowardice, which conflicted with her strong moral principles. Her famous slapping of Kai whilst calling him a “coward” became an iconic moment that demonstrated her intolerance for what she perceived as moral weakness.

However, their relationship evolved throughout the war as Kai matured and demonstrated genuine courage and commitment to his duties. By the conflict’s end, they had developed mutual respect, and Kai would later serve as a connection between Sayla and the events of subsequent wars.

Mecha

RX-78-2 Gundam

Sayla’s experience piloting the RX-78-2 Gundam was limited but significant. She first commandeered the mobile suit in an attempt to gather information about her brother from approaching Zeon forces, demonstrating basic competency despite her lack of formal training. Though her inexperience led to difficulties when confronted by Ramba Ral’s forces, requiring rescue by Amuro, her natural ability was evident.

She later piloted the Gundam again during Ramba Ral’s boarding attempt on the White Base, successfully engaging the enemy until she could transfer control to the more experienced Amuro. Her ability to handle the sophisticated mobile suit effectively, despite minimal training, impressed the crew and led to her appointment as the Gundam’s backup pilot.

The Gundam’s learning computer system recorded her piloting data, which contributed to the development of the RGM-79 GM mass-production mobile suit. Her calm, analytical approach to piloting provided valuable data on how civilian pilots could effectively operate advanced mobile weapons with appropriate training.

G-Fighter

The G-Fighter became Sayla’s primary mobile weapon during the latter stages of the One Year War. This versatile support fighter was specifically assigned to her after her piloting abilities were recognised, allowing her to provide aerial support for the Gundam whilst maintaining her own combat capability.

Sayla’s performance in the G-Fighter improved dramatically as her Newtype abilities manifested, enabling her to effectively engage multiple enemy mobile suits and coordinate complex battlefield manoeuvres. She proved particularly adept at the fighter’s transformation capabilities, utilising its ability to combine with the Gundam in various configurations including the G-Armor assault mode and G-Sky reconnaissance configuration.

Her final mission in the G-Fighter occurred during the approach to A Baoa Qu, where she successfully engaged enemy forces before being forced to abandon the craft due to engine damage. The G-Fighter’s modular design allowed her to escape in its Core Fighter component, demonstrating the effectiveness of the Core Block System in providing pilot survivability.

FF-X7-Bst Core Booster

In the compilation films, Sayla’s G-Fighter was replaced by the more realistic FF-X7-Bst Core Booster, which served the same tactical role whilst providing enhanced performance and capabilities. The Core Booster’s improved thrust-to-weight ratio and beam weaponry made it more effective in both atmospheric and space combat.

Sayla’s unit was designated “006” to distinguish it from Sleggar Law’s “005” unit. She demonstrated considerable skill with the Core Booster’s beam cannons, successfully engaging and destroying multiple MS-09R Rick Dom units during various battles. Her performance was particularly notable during the battle against Char’s forces, where her presence inadvertently led to the tragic death of Lalah Sune.

The Core Booster’s enhanced communication systems also made it valuable for coordination between mobile suit teams, allowing Sayla to utilise her communications expertise whilst maintaining combat effectiveness. She made a final appearance piloting a Core Booster during the Laplace Incident of UC 0096, suggesting she maintained proficiency with the craft long after the One Year War.

RGM-79 GM Close Combat Type

In Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin, Sayla piloted a specialised RGM-79 GM Close Combat Type during the Battle of A Baoa Qu. This unit featured enhanced armor and was equipped with a Core Pod escape system, representing the Federation’s attempt to improve pilot survivability based on lessons learned during the war.

Despite being her first time piloting a mass-production mobile suit in combat, Sayla performed exceptionally well, at one point defeating a MA-05 Bigro with apparent ease. Her performance was so impressive that the enemy pilot mistakenly assumed he was facing Amuro Ray, the famous “Fed Newtype.”

The GM was eventually severely damaged in combat, forcing Sayla to abandon it using the Core Pod escape system. This experience demonstrated both her adaptability as a pilot and the effectiveness of the GM series as a combat platform for pilots with her level of training and natural ability.

Behind the scenes

Creation and development

Sayla Mass was designed by Yasuhiko Yoshikazu as part of the original Mobile Suit Gundam cast. Her character served multiple narrative functions: providing a civilian perspective on the war, creating emotional conflict through her relationship with Char, and representing the possibility of reconciliation and peace in contrast to the cycle of revenge that drove many other characters.

The character’s name “Sayla” was chosen to sound Western and sophisticated, reflecting her aristocratic background, whilst “Mass” provided a connection to her adoptive family. Her birth name “Artesia” was designed to sound both exotic and noble, befitting her status as the daughter of Zeon’s founder.

Voice acting

Japanese voice actors:

• Yō Inoue: Original series, compilation films (1979-1982)
• Megumi Han: Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin, Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn (2015-present)

English voice actors:

• Alaina Burnett: Original English dub, games
• Candice Moore: Early English dub
• Olivia Bardeau: Compilation films
• Colleen O’Shaughnessey: Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin

Yō Inoue’s portrayal of Sayla became iconic, with her performance defining the character’s refined, compassionate nature. Inoue’s death in 2003 was a significant factor in Sayla’s reduced presence in later Universal Century productions, as the production staff felt her voice was irreplaceable.

Megumi Han, daughter of Keiko Han (the original voice of Lalah Sune), took over the role for newer productions, bringing her own interpretation whilst maintaining the character’s established personality.

Cultural impact

Sayla became one of the most beloved characters in the Gundam franchise, representing an ideal of compassion and moral strength that resonated with audiences. Her famous slapping of Kai Shiden became an iconic moment that spawned numerous references and parodies in later anime series.

The character’s absence from later Universal Century productions became a point of disappointment for many fans, leading to speculation about what role she might have played in subsequent conflicts. Her brief appearances in Zeta Gundam, Gundam ZZ, and Gundam Unicorn were treated as significant events by the fan community.

Design evolution

In Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin, Yasuhiko Yoshikazu updated Sayla’s character design to provide more depth to her background and relationships. The manga and OVA adaptation expanded significantly on her childhood, her relationship with her mother Astraia, and her early interactions with Ramba Ral.

Novel differences

In Tomino Yoshiyuki’s novelisation of Mobile Suit Gundam, Sayla’s story took a markedly different path. She developed an intense romantic and sexual relationship with Amuro Ray, with their connection going far beyond the implied attraction of the anime series.

The novel depicted their relationship as deeply physical and emotional, with Sayla visiting Amuro’s quarters after hours and the two becoming lovers. In a dramatic departure from the anime, she even asked Amuro to kill her brother for the greater good, though he refused to do so. When Amuro was killed at the Battle of A Baoa Qu, his consciousness reached out to Sayla telepathically, expressing his love and regret at not being able to spend his life with her.

The novel concluded with Sayla swimming in the Mediterranean Sea, hearing Amuro’s voice and knowing that “Amuro is with her” - a spiritual connection that transcended death. After Amuro’s death, Sayla told her brother that he had killed the man she loved, adding another layer of tragedy to their already complex relationship.

This version presented a much more romantic and tragic arc for Sayla compared to her anime counterpart, where their relationship remained largely implied. The novel’s mature themes and explicit romantic content reflected Tomino’s intention to create a more sophisticated, adult-oriented version of the story than what could be shown in the television series.

Production notes

Sayla’s noticeable absence in post-Mobile Suit Gundam productions was largely due to Inoue Yō’s unavailability and eventual death in 2003. This real-world limitation significantly affected the character’s story arc across the Universal Century timeline, leading to her reduced role in major conflicts despite her potential narrative importance.

In Super Robot Wars games, developers have interpreted Sayla and Char’s relationship differently depending on the title, sometimes showing her unwilling to fight alongside her brother due to his actions, whilst other versions depict varying degrees of trust and cooperation.

The character’s medical background and piloting abilities made her versatile for different story scenarios, though her potential was never fully explored in animated productions due to voice acting limitations.

Appearances

Anime

• Mobile Suit Gundam (episodes 2–43)
• Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin (OVA and TV compilation)

Films

• Mobile Suit Gundam I
• Mobile Suit Gundam II: Soldiers of Sorrow
• Mobile Suit Gundam III: Encounters in Space

OVAs

• Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn (episode 7, brief appearance)
• Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn RE:0096 (ending sequence)

Brief appearances

• Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ (episodes 31, 47)

Manga

• Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin (2001–2011)
• Mobile Suit Gundam by Okazaki Yu (1979–1980)
• Mobile Suit Gundam 0079 by Kondo Kazuhisa (1993–2005)

Novels

• Mobile Suit Gundam trilogy by Tomino Yoshiyuki

Games

• Mobile Suit Gundam: Journey to Jaburo
• Mobile Suit Gundam: Encounters in Space
• Mobile Suit Gundam: Federation vs. Zeon series
• Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Zeta Gundam
• SD Gundam G Generation series
• Super Robot Wars series
• Mobile Suit Gundam U.C.ENGAGE
• Dynasty Warriors: Gundam series

External links

• Sayla Mass on the Gundam Wiki
• Sayla Mass on Wikipedia