Zabi family
The Zabi family, collectively known as the Zabis, was a spacenoid political dynasty originating from Side 3 whose members played influential roles in the Universal Century from at least the late UC 0050s to the middle 0090s. The family was most noted for being the founding royal family of the Principality of Zeon and is considered infamous by many people of the Earth Sphere for the ruthless and despotic actions taken by family members during their rise to power and throughout the One Year War.
Family history
Rise to power
The Zabis’ rise to prominence began in UC 0057 when Degwin Sodo Zabi gave shelter to the rising street activist Zeon Zum Deikun, who was about to be arrested by Earth Federation agencies stationed in Munzo. Degwin subsequently became Deikun’s closest aide, serving as chief of staff and vice chairman of the later-founded Autonomous Republic of Munzo.
Initially acting as a cooperator in supporting Deikun’s ideology and building up a military, Degwin’s children gradually came to hold positions of authority throughout the dominant Zeon Party. Gihren Zabi and Sasro Zabi served as directors of the political and national campaign departments respectively, Dozle Zabi enlisted as a major in the Munzo Defence Force, and Kycilia Zabi worked as commander of the Munzo State Security Police.
A faction of supporters gradually surrounded Degwin whilst Gihren steadily manoeuvred him to the centre of political power, though they continued to maintain Deikun as their public figurehead. This controlling influence created tensions with other Deikun supporters, particularly the Ral family, who opposed Zabi dominance within the Zeon Party.
The Deikun succession
In UC 0068, when Zeon Zum Deikun mysteriously died in front of the Republic’s Diet during a speech, Degwin claimed that the dying Deikun had appointed him as his successor. Despite conspiracy theories from Jimba Ral suggesting the Zabis had poisoned Deikun, Degwin was able to succeed his fallen ally following the purging of his opponents.
The succession was consolidated when Sasro Zabi was killed in a terrorist bombing during Deikun’s funeral procession. Whilst supporters of the Zabi regime blamed the Ral family for the assassination, conspiracy theorists suggested Kycilia Zabi was responsible for eliminating her own brother, who had struck her earlier for allowing Deikun’s children to be placed under Ral family protection.
Establishment of the Principality
Following their consolidation of power, the Autonomous Republic of Munzo became the Autonomous Republic of Zeon, with the Zabis using their political strength to change Side 3’s national character. The name “Zeon” was presumably chosen to appease citizens who still revered Deikun in death, though the Zabis retained actual power within the national Diet.
On 15 August UC 0069, Degwin declared Side 3 the Principality of Zeon with himself as Sovereign, transforming the colony from a republic into an aristocratic principality. He claimed that an efficient dictatorship would be better able to counter the Federation’s hostile intentions and preserve the nation’s independence. Loyalists of the Deikun faction were purged or exiled, cementing Zabi control over the spacenoid nation.
Family members
First generation
Degwin Sodo Zabi (UC 0017-0079) served as the patriarch of the Zabi family and sovereign of the Principality of Zeon. Once Zeon Zum Deikun’s closest comrade, Degwin came to power upon his mysterious death and established the Principality to unite his people. However, he grew increasingly despondent as the deaths and ambitions of his children became apparent during the war. In a final attempt at peace, he appealed to Federation General Revil for negotiations, but was killed when both their ships were destroyed by the Solar Ray cannon under his eldest son’s orders.
Second generation
Gihren Zabi (UC 0044-0079) served as Degwin’s eldest son and Supreme Commander of the Principality of Zeon. A perceptive and quick-witted man with a 240 IQ, Gihren initially served as his father’s supportive aide but gradually undermined Degwin’s powers to direct the war effort himself. Using his natural talents and authority, he was directly and indirectly responsible for much of the Principality’s war crimes during the One Year War. He motivated the Zeon people to continue fighting under the belief they were fulfilling Deikun’s ideals, though he reinterpreted these to mean the “superior race” of Zeon should control all of humanity. He eventually killed his father with the Solar Ray to keep the war going, but was later executed by his sister Kycilia at the Battle of A Baoa Qu.
Sasro Zabi (unknown-UC 0068) was Degwin’s second son who served as director of the Zeon Party’s national campaign department. He focused on manipulating information to instil strong hatred for the Federation amongst Munzo’s citizens, using the media to spread exaggerated accounts of Federation garrison forces’ behaviour. Merciless to his political rivals and severe even to his own family, Sasro was killed in a terrorist bombing during Deikun’s funeral procession, though conspiracy theorists blamed Kycilia for the assassination.
Dozle Zabi (UC 0051-0079) was the third son of Degwin, whose natural chivalry was put to use in the Munzo Defence Force where he gained popularity whilst carrying out his responsibility for national defence. His fair character gave a favourable impression of the scheming Zabi family, and he was extremely popular amongst Munzo-born soldiers under his command. He served as principal of the Autonomous Republic of Zeon’s Space Defence Military Academy before leading the Principality’s Space Strike Fleet during the One Year War. He eventually fell in battle to Amuro Ray whilst piloting the MA-08 Big Zam at the Battle of Solomon, and was survived by his daughter Mineva Lao Zabi.
Kycilia Zabi (UC 0055-0079) was the fourth child and only daughter of Degwin, who developed her quick-witted abilities as commander of the Munzo State Security Police before later concentrating her efforts on forming the secret police-like Kycilia Agency. Acting as leader of the Zeon Mobile Assault Force during the One Year War, she was quick to adapt to changing technology and was equally proficient in gathering intelligence for use against the Federation. She was responsible for creating numerous elite mobile suit units, including Char Aznable’s forces, whilst being aware of his true identity. During the Battle of A Baoa Qu, she executed her brother Gihren when she learned he had killed their father, but was later decapitated by Char Aznable.
Garma Zabi (UC 0059-0079) was Degwin’s youngest child, whose honesty and charm reduced Munzo citizenry’s animosity towards his family. Extremely popular amongst the people of Zeon due to his elegant appearance and natural charisma, he was used to enact Zeon propaganda. Following the outbreak of the One Year War, he led the Zeon Earth Attack Force until his death at the manipulation of his supposed friend, Char Aznable, and the fighting prowess of the White Base.
Third generation
Mineva Lao Zabi (born UC 0079) was Dozle and Zenna Zabi’s only child, born during the One Year War. She was placed in the care of Axis Zeon regent Haman Karn in preparation for inheriting the Zeon throne, but disappeared before the first fall of Neo Zeon. She didn’t reappear until UC 0096 under the alias “Audrey Burne” when she and Banagher Links released the truth of Laplace’s Box, bringing the Zabi family’s influence in Universal Century politics to its conclusion.
Family relationships and dynamics
The Zabi family was characterised by complex internal relationships marked by both genuine affection and ruthless political calculation. Degwin showed particular favour towards his youngest son Garma, whilst Dozle looked forward to the day when Garma would become a general capable of commanding him. However, sibling rivalries and political ambitions often created tensions, particularly between Gihren and Kycilia, who were constantly at odds over policy and power.
Gihren’s cold pragmatism contrasted sharply with Dozle’s emotional reactions to family losses, particularly Garma’s death. Kycilia maintained a calculating approach to family relationships, using her intelligence networks to monitor both enemies and family members alike. The family’s political machinations ultimately proved self-destructive, with internal conflicts contributing to their downfall during the One Year War’s final battles.
Political and military influence
During their rise to power, the Zabis established a comprehensive system of control over Side 3’s political, military, and social institutions. Gihren and Sasro controlled political messaging and propaganda, Dozle commanded military forces and training, whilst Kycilia managed intelligence and security operations. This division of responsibilities allowed the family to maintain tight control over all aspects of Zeon society.
The family’s influence extended beyond Side 3 through their development of mobile suit technology and military doctrine that would shape warfare throughout the Universal Century. Their establishment of the Zeon Military Forces and commissioning of advanced weapons systems like the Solar Ray demonstrated their commitment to achieving spacenoid independence through military might.
Legacy and impact
The Zabi family’s legacy proved both transformative and destructive for the Universal Century timeline. Their actions directly led to the One Year War, which resulted in the deaths of billions of people and fundamentally altered the relationship between Earth and the space colonies. The war’s devastation included the destruction of entire space colonies, massive civilian casualties from the colony drop on Australia, and widespread environmental damage to Earth’s surface.
Despite their ultimate defeat, the Zabis’ influence persisted long after the One Year War’s conclusion. Various Zeon remnant groups, including the Delaz Fleet and subsequent Neo Zeon movements, drew inspiration from Zabi ideology and sought to continue their vision of spacenoid independence. The family’s political theories and military innovations influenced conflicts throughout the Universal Century, from the Gryps Conflict to the Second Neo Zeon War.
The Zabi name became synonymous with both spacenoid nationalism and the dangers of unchecked ambition. Their transformation from supporters of Deikun’s peaceful vision to perpetrators of unprecedented warfare served as a cautionary tale about how idealistic movements could be corrupted by those seeking personal power. Even decades after their deaths, the Zabi legacy continued to shape Universal Century politics through both those who sought to emulate their example and those who worked to prevent similar tragedies.
Behind the scenes
The Zabi family was created by Yoshiyuki Tomino and Hajime Yatate as the primary antagonist faction for Mobile Suit Gundam. Their character designs were created by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko, who drew inspiration from historical political dynasties whilst creating a family that would represent both the appeal and dangers of charismatic leadership.
The family’s political dynamics were deliberately crafted to reflect real-world historical parallels, particularly drawing comparisons to fascist regimes of the 20th century. Tomino has stated that Gihren Zabi was specifically designed as a character who embodied the worst aspects of such leaders, whilst other family members represented different facets of how power can corrupt even those with initially noble intentions.
See also
External links
- Zabi family on the Gundam Wiki
- Zabi family on Wikipedia