Athrun Zala - Tumblr Posts
Alright, new Gundam Seed Freedom Trailer (and other materials)
We now know what most of the new Main Character Mobile suit designs are - we have the new Rising Freedom Gundam (shown above) and Athrun’s new suit, the Immortal Justice Gundam, which seems to be patterned more off the Aegis this time around (the red colour scheme and it’s a little bulkier).
I’m going to wait until the movie actually comes out for my full opinions on the designs, but notable features are:
The Rising Freedom seems to be based at least partially on the Destiny Gundam, as seen with it’s forearms, chest and shoulders (makes sense).
The Gelgoog Menace, which is almost certainly Lunamaria’s new suit, appears to be a directly upgraded Zaku Warrior, presumably with a greater emphasis on close-combat.
Shinn’s apparently back in the Impulse, almost certainly so they can reuse the model design.
I think that the Immortal Justice is going to be a transforming unit (the Rising Freedom kind of is already).
While the Gyan Strom certainly appears to be *checks notes* Agnes Gieberath’s new mobile suit, I should call out that there were two of them alongside the Immortal Justice in the trailer, so it might be that it’s a limited-production suit handed out to ZAFT’s best? It’s possible that Yzak and Dearka might also be piloting them.
The Shi-ve and Rud-ro of the Black Knight Squadron (boring name) *seem* to be patterned after the Crossbone Vanguard? Though that might just be the head fins. Otherwise, I find the Rud-ro’s rather generic looking.
From what we can tell, the Black Knight Squadron is going to be backing ZAFT (we see DINNs in the background in the trailer) and is composed of these characters (going off the matching colours and approximate numbers):
(I would go through them all but honestly I think only two at most are going to matter).
My final point is; What’s with everyone using old equipment? All I’m seeing in the trailers is GINNs, DINNs, ZuOOTs and 105 Daggers. The Impulse is maybe excusable, but it’s odd. I’d buy that ZAFT reproduced an upgraded GINN after the second Bloody Valentine War, but if they’re all using outdated equipment then it really doesn’t sell them as actual threats to the Protagonists. Yes, they should still be stopped, but it makes it feel like the conflict between the two forces is background, when the Tragedy of War is kind of Gundam’s whole thesis statement.
(Though again, I’ll probably complain a lot less is this gives us new kits for the GINN and DINN)
I love Athrun, because his entire character to me is just him trying to do the right thing as the world goes to hell around him until he eventually has the thought “fuck, Kira was right all along wasn’t he? Again. DAMN IT”.
When Kira goes to Cagalli, Lacus, Shinn, Murrue, etc etc. for emotional support it's because they're genuinely good at offering advice, empathy and a shoulder to cry on. When Kira goes to Athrun for emotional support it's because seeing one of the most important people in his life is inherently uplifting, because it sure as fuck isn't for Athrun's emotional management skills.
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom - Dir. Mitsuo Fukuda - Jan 26, 2024