The Gundam Wiki
Register
Advertisement
The Gundam Wiki
This article refers to the mobile suit. You may be looking for another Akatsuki.

The ORB-01 Akatsuki Gundam (aka Akatsuki Gundam, Akatsuki) is a Mobile Suit introduced in the anime Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny. It is initially piloted by Cagalli Yula Athha using the "Oowashi" Sky Pack, and later by Mu La Flaga using the "Shiranui" Space Pack.

Technology & Combat Characteristics[]

The Akatsuki Gundam was developed through the fusion of the knowledge that the Orb engineers had gained from studying the GAT-X105 Strike Gundam and its Striker Pack support system, with newer Orb-based prototype technologies. Its standard armaments include a twin beam saber, head-mounted CIWS, an arm-mounted shield, and a beam rifle. Its most remarkable feature is its gold-colored armor, known as the Yata-no-Kagami. Gold is the color reserved for Orb's ruling class, and this armor is actually a mirror surface armor capable of deflecting and even reflecting beam fire with help from the Akatsuki's sensors, making the mobile suit virtually impervious to beam shots. Despite this, its vulnerability to melee and physical weapons remained equal to that of any other mobile suit, hence the presence of a shield as part of its armaments.

The Akatsuki can also equip two optional backpacks, which are derived from the Strike Gundam's Striker Packs, to improve its combat abilities. On Earth, it can use an aerial backpack known as "Oowashi" Sky Pack, granting it atmospheric flight capabilities. Armed with two beam cannons, the Oowashi can separate from the mobile suit and transform into a support aircraft, similar to the ZGMF-X09A Justice Gundam's Fatum-00. With this pack on, the suit is known as Oowashi Akatsuki Gundam. When operating in space, the Akatsuki can use another backpack known as the "Shiranui" Space Pack, which increases the suit's mobility and equipped it with seven remote control beam turret units that have offensive and defensive capabilities. With this pack on, the suit is known as Shiranui Akatsuki Gundam.

Armaments[]

The Akatsuki is equipped with a pair of head-mounted 12.5mm CIWS (Close-In Weapon System). The CIWS is a small-caliber shell firing weapon designed to intercept incoming missiles, projectiles, and lightly armored vehicles.
  • Type 72D5 "Hyakurai" Beam Rifle
The Akatsuki is equipped with a "Hyakurai" Beam Rifle as its primary ranged weapon, it has an excellent rate of fire and is stored on the right side armor when not in use. The rifle also has a slot below its barrel for equipping the Experimental Twin Beam Saber, turning it into a gun-sword.
  • Type 73J2 Experimental Twin Beam Saber
The Akatsuki is equipped with an Experimental Twin Beam Saber for close combat and it is stored on the left side armor when not in use. The Twin Beam Saber can detach into two individual beam sabers when required. It can also be mounted to the bottom of the "Hyakurai" Beam Rifle, turning the latter into a gun-sword.
  • Type 71 Experimental Defensive Shield
For added protection, the Akatsuki can mount an experimental shield on its left forearm or carry it in hand. It has the same anti-beam reflective coating as on the suit's body and is capable of deflecting or reflecting large beam blasts, including from the Positron Blaster Cannon. Unlike the armor on the suit's body, the shield is also strong enough to withstand physical attacks, such as missiles and other projectile weapons, and is mainly used for this purpose.
  • Type 73F Kai High-Energy Beam Cannon
Mounted at the bottom of the "Oowashi" Sky Pack, the pair of High-Energy Beam Cannons is the Oowashi Akatsuki Gundam's strongest ranged weaponry. They are positioned under the shoulders when in use, and can extend to reveal a handle each on the bottom side. However, holding this handle is not required for firing the cannons.
  • M531R Guided Mobile Beam Turret System
The seven remote weapons mounted on the "Shiranui" Space Pack, they are comparable to the first generation DRAGOON System. Each unit mounts a single beam cannon, which can also function as a beam shield emitter when used together with the other two beam shield emitters at the side. By using these emitters on all the seven remote weapon units, a large beam shield can be created to provide protection for about one to two battleships.

Special Equipment & Features[]

  • "Oowashi" Sky Pack
Attached to the back, it is an optional backpack unit for atmospheric flight. The Oowashi is equipped with four jet engines and two rocket boosters, allowing the Akatsuki to fly at subsonic speeds. Like the ZGMF-X09A Justice Gundam's Fatum-00, the Oowashi can detach from the mobile suit and change into an unmanned aircraft to support Akatsuki in battle. In this scenario, it can either function independently due to its AI system or be remote-controlled by the Akatsuki's pilot.
  • "Shiranui" Space Pack
Attached to the back, it is an optional backpack unit for space combat. Besides boosting the suit's mobility due to the added thrusters, it is also equipped with the DRAGOON system in the form of seven M531R guided mobile beam turret systems. The Akatsuki can use these remote weapons for either increased firepower or defensive capabilities.
  • Operating System
The Akatsuki utilizes a customized version of the General Unilateral Neuro-link Dispersive Autonomic Maneuver Operating System - the same operating system used on the "GAT-X" series - created by Kira Yamato. This system was devised to make Natural pilots combat-proficient in using a mobile suit, allowing them to be on par against Coordinator pilots.
  • "Yata-no-Kagami" Anti-beam Defensive Reflection System
The Akatsuki's golden armor (including those on its armaments and backpacks) is a mirror surface armor composed of nano-scale beam-diffracting lattice layers and ultra-fine critical plasma suppression layers. It not only protects against incoming beams by deflecting the beam fire, but can also use the Akatsuki's sensors to track enemies and automatically redirect these beams back at them, thus combining offense and defense. This armor also allows Akatsuki to block a Positron Blaster Cannon blast and gives it the ability to penetrate specific beam shields or beam reflectors, such as the Requiem's Positron reflector. However, the armor provides no protection against melee attacks such as direct strikes from beam sabers or beam boomerang. Additionally, its manufacturing and maintenance costs are enormous. The amount spent on equipping one mobile suit with this armor is said to be equal to producing more than 20 MBF-M1 M1 Astrays.
A set of heavy equipment originally designed for the ZGMF/A-42S2 Destiny Gundam Spec II, consisting of a large beam launcher system including two spare replacement barrels, a backpack sensor assembly with missile launchers, additional chest armor, and large leg booster units. When not equipped, the Zeus Silhouette's parts can combine into an autonomous support flyer.

History[]

Construction[]

The Akatsuki was originally intended to be the standard mobile suit for the Orb national defense force. However, due to the development difficulties and high cost caused by the anti-beam reflection system, the Akatsuki had a protracted development and the project was frozen after the basic mobile suit was completed. As a result, it was not ready during the First Battle of Orb. However, despite the freeze on its development, its weapon system continued to be developed in secret in anticipation of its possible use in the future. The single prototype's existence remained a secret as per Uzumi Nara Athha's orders, only to be used as the nation's last line of defense, or if Cagalli is in dire need of additional power (though according to his voice-recorded will, Uzumi hoped that the day that the mobile suit's hangar will be opened would never come).

Second Battle of Orb[]

The completed Akatsuki Gundam was first piloted by Cagalli Yula Athha. Using the Oowashi pack, she piloted this mobile suit to defend Orb against a ZAFT attack during the Second Alliance-PLANT War, after being informed of its existence by Ledonir Kisaka. Cagalli assumed command of the Orb military, and used the Akatsuki Gundam to try and defend Orb against ZAFT's forces, but was soon confronted by ZAFT's top ace, ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam pilot Shinn Asuka.[1] While Shinn's ranged beam attacks are ineffective, he easily outperformed her by using melee attacks, causing minor damage to the gold mobile suit.[2] When the battle headed to space, the Akatsuki Gundam was repaired and with Cagalli's orders, she lent it to Mu La Flaga, while Cagalli remained behind in Orb to take charge of her country.[3]

Intervention at Copernicus[]

While the Archangel was docked at the lunar city of Copernicus, Mu La Flaga used the Akatsuki Gundam with "Oowashi" Sky Pack to intervene in the defense of several crew members while they were trying to rescue Meer Campbell. Despite Akatsuki Gundam's presence, Meer was killed by a bullet intended for Lacus Clyne.[4]

Battle of Messiah[]

The Akatsuki Gundam, with "Shiranui" Space Pack, played a major role in ending the Second Alliance-PLANT War by defending the Archangel and the Eternal, as well as aiding in the destruction of the Requiem superweapon.[5]

Gallery[]

Linearts[]

Anime[]

Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny[]

NOTE: Most of the screencaps below are from the original 4:3 aspect ratio versions of the TV Anime, while other screencaps from the Special Edition/HD Remastered Version will feature some additionally drawn details.

Manga & Novel[]

Illustrations & Artwork[]

Games[]

Fan Art[]

Gunpla[]

Action Figures[]

Notes & Trivia[]

  • The name Akatsuki means "dawn" or "daybreak" in Japanese; it also bears the meaning of "beginning". Morgenroete, the company that built Akatsuki, means "dawn" in German. The kanji of "Akatsuki" is engraved on the mobile suit's right shoulder as well. "ORB-01 ALBA" is also engraved on the left side of the Akatsuki's head. Alba means "dawn" in Italian, a reference to the unit's name.
    • Oowashi roughly translates to "Sea Eagle", perhaps referring to the Oowashi pack's flight capabilities. The sea aspect of the name may refer to the fact Orb is an island nation, surrounded by the ocean. Shiranui translates to "Unknown Fire", involving an optical phenomenon in Japanese stories. This name likely refers to the recurring 'Fire' and 'Dawn' motifs that shroud Cagalli and Orb.
  • "Yata no Kagami" is named after a legendary mirror that is one of the Three Sacred Treasures of Japan.
  • The Guided Mobile Beam Turret System's ability to collectively generate a beam shield could be a reference to the v Gundam using its Fin Funnels to do the same.
  • The Akatsuki is likely a homage to the MSN-00100 Hyaku Shiki from Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, bearing a similar color scheme and golden reflective anti-beam coating.
  • Cagalli gave the Akatsuki Gundam to Mu La Flaga after using it for a single battle, making it the fastest handed-down Gundam.
MSGSD-Akatsuki-(On-Air-Version)
  • The original TV anime features Akatsuki (in its battle sequences) in a flat gold color palette, before the home video releases (DVD), including the HD Remastered Edition, adds a chromed gold effect.

Game-specific[]

  • In the game Gundam Memories: Memories Of Battle, the two remote beam cannons on top of the Shiranui Space Pack can be fired when they are still attached to the backpack. It is unknown if this ability is official.
  • The Akatsuki's arms appear in Gundam Breaker and can be built from scratch using the Strike's arms (no packs) in both HG and MG forms. This is odd considering that the Akatsuki in Master Grade form was never produced (by Bandai itself; there is a third-party Master Grade), though a No Grade 1/100 model does exist.
    • The full assembly appears in the sequel and its "MG" form can be purchased in the shop, using the box art from the aforementioned 1/100 No Grade version.
  • In G Generation Cross Rays, Mikazuki Augus, Kudelia Aina Bernstein, and Atra Mixta all have special dialogue when piloting the Akatsuki, referencing the name of their son.
  • The Akatsuki appears in the Extreme Vs. series piloted by Mu, being able to swap between its Shiranui and Oowashi packs. Under the Oowashi pack, the unit still retains the Oowashi's High-Energy Beam Cannon, beam saber, and CIWS, while the Shiranui pack will have the DRAGOONs used either to shoot at targets or to form a barrier around Mu or his teammate. The Shiranui pack also allows Mu to pull out all the DRAGOONs for a sustained shot similar to the Strike Freedom's Full Burst Mode though the Oowashi allows Mu to dive in with the twin-beam saber. The Akatsuki will still retain its beam rifle through both forms. Additionally, Mu can also summon a group of Murasame to shoot their beam rifles for him, though this support was later replaced with Athrun's ∞ Justice.
  • Due to the game-breaking potential of the Yata no Kagami automatically nullifying or deflecting beams, several games have either forced it to become a manual activation such as in the Gundam Vs. and Extreme Vs. series or have outright ignored it like in some SD Gundam G Generation games.
    • In the case of the former, in the original Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny: Alliance vs. Z.A.F.T. II made it so deflected beams would go through Yata no Kagami. In the Extreme Vs. series, a deflected beam will fizzle out if it reaches the Akatsuki. Humorously, in Gundam vs Gundam, a deflected beam could still be deflected again, and a pair of Akatsukis could repeatedly reflect a single beam on one another.

Appearances[]

Television Series

References[]

External links[]

Logo Mobile Suit Gundam Seed
This article is part of Project: SEED

Please read the linked project page before editing this article.

Project Leader: User:CD298


Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny Mechanics
edit
ZAFT
Mobile Weapon
Mobile Suit
AMA-953 BABI | AMF-101 DINN | AMRF-101C AWACS DINN | TFA-4DE GAZuOOT | TMF/A-802 BuCUE | TMF/S-3 GINN OCHER Type | UEMF/S-1 GINN WASP Type Custom | UMF-4A GOOhN | UMF-5 ZnO | UMF/SSO-3 ASH | UTA/TE-6P Geo-GOOhN | ZGMF-515 CGUE | ZGMF-601R GuAIZ R | ZGMF-1000 ZAKU Warrior | ZGMF-1000/A1 Gunner ZAKU Warrior | ZGMF-1000/K Slash ZAKU Warrior | ZGMF-1000/M Blaze ZAKU Warrior | ZGMF-1001 ZAKU Phantom | ZGMF-1001/A1 Gunner ZAKU Phantom | ZGMF-1001/K Slash ZAKU Phantom | ZGMF-1001/M Blaze ZAKU Phantom | ZGMF-1017 GINN | ZGMF-1017 GINN Ceremonial Decoration Type | ZGMF-2000 GOUF Ignited | ZGMF-X23S Saviour Gundam | ZGMF-X24S Chaos Gundam | ZGMF-X31S Abyss Gundam | ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam | ZGMF-X56S Impulse Gundam | ZGMF-X56S/α Force Impulse Gundam | ZGMF-X56S/β Sword Impulse Gundam | ZGMF-X56S/γ Blast Impulse Gundam | ZGMF-X88S Gaia Gundam | ZGMF-X666S Legend Gundam

Land Vehicle
Cargo Truck | Command Vehicle | Connected Armored Vehicle | PLANT Elecar | Mobile Command Truck | Supply Truck
Land Battleship
Compton-class | Lesseps-class | Petrie-class
Naval Ship / Submarine
Patrol Boat | Vosgulov-class
Aircraft / Spacecraft
Agile | Command Shuttle | Guul | Gyro Helicopter | Jet Fan Helicopter | Silhouette Flyer | Space Shuttle | YFX-M56S Core Splendor
Transporter / Supply Ship
Descent Capsule | Descent Capsule Carrier | VoLPHAU | VTOL Supply Transport
Cruiser / Mother Ship
Gondwana-class | Laurasia-class | LHM-BB01 Minerva | Nazca-class
Super Weapon
Neo-GENESIS | Neutron Stampeder
Earth Alliance
Mobile Weapon
Mobile Suit
GAT-01A1 Dagger | GAT-01A1+AQM/E-A4E1 Jet Dagger | GAT-01A1+AQM/E-X03 Launcher Dagger | GAT-02L2 Dagger L | GAT-02L2+AQM/E-A4E1 Jet Dagger L | GAT-02L2+AQM/E-M11 Doppelhorn Dagger L | GAT-04 Windam | GAT-04+AQM/E-A4E1 Jet Windam | GAT-04+AQM/E-M11 Doppelhorn Windam | GAT-04+Mk438/B Multi Striker Windam | GAT-333 Raider Full Spec | GAT-707E Forbidden Vortex | GFAS-X1 Destroy Gundam | RGX-01 Chaos Gundam | RGX-02 Abyss Gundam | RGX-03 Gaia Gundam
Mobile Armor
TS-MA4F Exus | TS-MB1B Euclid | YMAF-X6BD Zamza-Zah | YMAG-X7F Gells-Ghe

Land Vehicle
Bulldog | Cargo Truck | Linear Gun Tank | Radar Truck | Self-Propelled Linear Howitzer
Land Battleship
Hannibal-class
Naval Ship / Submarine
Arkansas-class | Attack Submarine | Danilov-class | Des Moines-class | Fraser-class | Spengler-class
Aircraft / Spacecraft
F-7D Spearhead | VTOL Fighter
Transporter / Supply Ship
Transport Plane | VTOL Transport
Cruiser / Mother Ship
Agamemnon-class | Drake-class | Girty Lue-class | Nelson-class
Super Weapon
Requiem
Orb Union
Mobile Weapon
Mobile Suit
MBF-M1 M1 Astray | MBF-M1+EF-24R M1 Astray Shrike | MVF-M11C Murasame | MVF-M11C Murasame Reconnaissance Type | ORB-01 Akatsuki Gundam

Land Vehicle
Orb Military Vehicle
Naval Ship
Aegis-class | Kuraomikami-class | Rubber Boat | Takemikazuchi
Aircraft / Spacecraft
Albatross | Heli | Seiran Family Shuttle | Orb Union Shuttle
Transporter / Supply Ship
Transport Ship
Cruiser / Mother Ship
Izumo-class
Three Ships Alliance
Mobile Weapon
Mobile Suit
GAT-02L2 Dagger L | MBF-02 Strike Rouge | MBF-02+AQM/E-X01 Aile Strike Rouge | MBF-02+EW454F Strike Rouge Ootori | MVF-M11C Murasame | ORB-01 Akatsuki Gundam | ZGMF-X10A Freedom Gundam | ZGMF-X19A ∞ Justice Gundam | ZGMF-X20A Strike Freedom Gundam | ZGMF-X88S Gaia Gundam | ZGMF-XX09T DOM Trooper
Support Weapon
METEOR

Aircraft / Spacecraft
FX-550 Skygrasper | Investigation Shuttle | Orb Union Shuttle
Transporter / Supply Ship
Descent Capsule
Cruiser / Mother Ship
Agamemnon-class | Archangel-class | Drake-class | FFMH-Y101 Eternal | Izumo-class | Laurasia-class | Nazca-class | Nelson-class
Terrorists / Civilians
Mobile Weapon
Mobile Suit
ZGMF-1017M2 GINN High Maneuver Type II
Mobile Pod
Work Pod

Land Vehicle
Buggy
Aircraft
Press VTOL
Advertisement