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Gene (ジーン Jean?) is a character that appears in Yoshikazu Yasuhiko's Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin manga. An enlisted Lance Corporal in the Principality of Zeon, Gene is infamous for his insubordination against Denim as well as being Amuro Ray's first opponent.
History[]
Initial Introduction[]
In a bonus chapter of The Origin, On the Eve, Gene is shown to be an enlisted Lance Corporal in the Principality of Zeon, stationed aboard Char Aznable's Musai-class The Falmer.
While in the hangar of the ship, Gene accidentally bumps into Pacheco, who in turn both lambasts and makes fun of Gene for being an inexperienced pilot. It is assumed via text that Gene may have experience piloting a MS-06C-6/R6 Zaku II, stating that while its his first time in real battle against the Earth Federation, he is both a capable pilot and has more to show for it than Pachecho. Pachecho, angered and humiliated, engages in a fist fight against Gene, who pulls out a switch blade with the intent of maiming or killing Pacheco. Pleaded with to stop by Denim, it is ultimately Char Aznable who breaks up the fight. Fearful of Char, Gene concedes and breaks down crying in frustration.
Battle Against Amuro[]
During the One Year War, he was under the command of Denim, his Sergeant Major, and infiltrated the Side 7 colony known as Noa. Piloting a MS-06C-6/R6 Zaku II, which was distinguished by his personal symbol, a black Zeon cross on the forehead above the monoeye, Gene engages in battle against the unarmed Federation in an all out attack with his compatriots, Ash, Slender, Pachecho and Denim. As Pacheco and Ash are killed instantly by the RX-78-1 Prototype Gundam, Gene vows to get revenge for Ash, his Sergeant, who appears to have been a close friend. Violently attacking the Federation, an inactive shell dropped by Gene's Zaku Machine Gun kills an onslaught of civilians, including Fraw Bow's mother and grandfather.
Amuro, once in the RX-78-2 Gundam engages Gene in a similar manner akin to the broadcast version, however, Gene realizes his disadvantage and begins to sob, begging Denim to save him. Amuro kills Gene as he runs away for safety, causing a similar string of events akin to Mobile Suit Gundam.
Appearance & Personality[]
Gene in The Origin is shown to be of a similar temperament to his broadcast counterpart, however is shown to be more volatile when physically challenged. Gene is shown to have blue eyes and mustard blonde hair, albeit briefly. In an illustration for The Origin, Yoshikazu Yasuhiko depicts Gene in the Zeon Military Academy with blonde eyes and blue hair while in a photograph with Char Aznable, Garma Zabi and what appears to be Klink. He stands roughly at 5'7" and boasts a well muscled, lean body with neck patches to signify his rank.
While aggressive when provoked physically, Gene is shown to have a compassionate side and mourns the death of Ash, his sergeant, and vows for revenge. Had Ash not died at the hands of the RX-78-1 Gundam, Gene's fate could have possibly been decided to be different. Gene, when reprimanded by Char for engaging in a violent knife fight, shows that he is prone to Char's approval of him.
Gallery[]
Notes & Trivia[]
- Gene is the first character to encounter Amuro Ray in battle, but also one of the first characters to engage the Earth Federation in a battle within a colony.
- Gene's name is a play off of the in studio joke "Slender Denim Jean" when romanized in Japanese.
- Gene is the only Zeon soldier shown to engage in a fight against a fellow compatriot with a handheld weapon.
- Based on the timeline of events with Mobile Suit development by Dozle Zabi at the Dark Colony, it is assumed that Gene became a part of the program after his time in the military academy due to his ready proficiency with a MS-06C-6/R6 Zaku II as well as for having a personal mark, though not obtaining the level of ace status.
- In a brief scene in the manga, it is shown that Gene once served under Dozle Zabi, having had been "given" to Char Aznable's new fleet upon Dozle awarding Char the rank of Commander for his participation in the early MS project as well as for his valiant efforts during The Battle of Loum.