Howard Mason (ハワード・メイスン Howādo Meisun?) is a fictional character in Season 1 of Mobile Suit Gundam 00. Howard is a Union Flag pilot with the rank of Warrant Officer. Howard is assigned to the Anti-Gundam Investigative Squad (later renamed as Over Flags) at Graham Aker's request, and helps him in his pursuit of the Gundams.
Personality & Character
Calm and collected, Howard is more passionate about the Flag than anyone else. He had a strong friendship with Graham due to their shared belief in the qualities of the Flag. He has complete trust in Graham, and is said to be second only to Graham in mobile suit piloting skills. Although he has the skills to perform the Flag's aerial transformation technique, known as the "Graham Special," he felt intimidated by the idea of using the special maneuver that was synonymous with Graham's name, so he kept the fact to himself.
History
Howard is one of the flag fighters assigned to the Anti-Gundam Investigative Squad that later became known as the "Over Flags". He was Graham's subordinate, and often worked side by side with Daryl Dodge. At the time of the Over Flags' inauguration, he immediately corrected Joshua Edwards when he mockingly called Graham's rank "lieutenant" by saying that he was a senior captain. After the joint operation by the three major forces to capture the Gundams failed, he rebuked Daryl for his opinion that the performance of the Flag was inferior to that of a Gundam, and more than anyone else, he believed in the performance of the Flag and became a martyr for it.
During Team Trinity's attack on the MSWAD base, he exploited a gap in the GNW-002 Gundam Throne Zwei to get close to it. He transformed in midair and challenged it to a close combat battle, but the Throne Zwei's GN Fangs pierced his SVMS-01O Over Flag inflicting critical damage. Before meeting his demise, he would declare one final time his pride in the Flag.
Picture Gallery
