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, and later by Mu La Flaga.
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[]
- M2M5D 12.5mm CIWS
- 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, such as from a Positron Blaster Cannon and even a shot from Requiem. 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 Oowashi Akatsuki'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[]
- As the Akatsuki was designed based on the GAT-X105 Strike Gundam, it also incorporated the ability to mount Striker Packs on its back.
- "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 ranged 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/deflect a shot from the Positron Blaster Cannon as well as from the Requiem, and enable it to penetrate specific beam shields or beam reflectors, such as the Requiem's positron reflectors. 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-X42S Destiny Gundam, consisting of a large linear cannon system including two spare replacement barrels, a backpack sensor assembly with missile launchers, additional chest armor, and large leg booster units. To use this equipment, the Akatsuki has to be in its basic form, without the "Oowashi" or "Shiranui" packs. When not equipped, the Zeus Silhouette's parts can combine into an autonomous support flyer.
History[]
Construction[]
The Akatsuki Gundam was originally intended to be the standard mobile suit for the Orb National Defense Force. However, due to 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 Yula Athha 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 was first piloted by Cagalli. Equipped with the "Oowashi" Sky Pack, she used 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 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 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 used the Oowashi Akatsuki to intervene in the defense of several crew members while they were trying to rescue Meer Campbell. Despite the Akatsuki's presence, Meer was killed by a bullet intended for Lacus Clyne.[4]
Battle of Messiah[]
The Akatsuki with the "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]
The Foundation Conflict[]
During the final battle with the Kingdom of Foundation in C.E.75, the Akatsuki, piloted by Mu, was sent out in a container cloaked with a Mirage Colloid Stealth System. The Akatsuki used the A-GXQ754/V2 Zeus Silhouette's Linear Cannon to destroy the primary relay ring of the repaired Requiem, then used its Yata-no-Kagami to reflect the Requiem's shot back, temporarily disabling the superweapon. The Akatsuki later returned the Zeus Silhouette to the ZGMF/A-42S2 Destiny Gundam Spec II in order for the latter to destroy the Requiem for good.[6]
Gallery[]
Linearts[]
Anime[]
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny[]
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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. |
.png "Akatsuki Gundam Full Body 01 (SEED Destiny HD Ep40).png (8.67 MB)")
.png "Akatsuki Gundam Cockpit Console 01 (SEED Destiny HD Ep40).png (2.62 MB)")
.png "Akatsuki Gundam Head Close-Up 01 (Seed Destiny HD Ep40).png (4.96 MB)")
.png "Akatsuki Gundam Head Close-Up 02 (Seed Destiny HD Ep40).png (4.69 MB)")
.png "Oowashi Akatsuki Gundam Close-Up 01 (SEED Destiny HD Ep40).png (4.51 MB)")
.png "Oowashi Akatsuki Gundam Beam Rifle Firing 01 (SEED Destiny HD Ep40).png (4.16 MB)")
.png "Oowashi Akatsuki Gundam Beam Cannon and Beam Rifle Firing 01 (SEED Destiny HD Ep40).png (2.99 MB)")
.png "Akatsuki vs Destiny 01 (Seed Destiny HD Ep41).png (4.36 MB)")
.png "Akatsuki Gundam Arm Sliced Off 01 (SEED Destiny HD Ep41).png (3.74 MB)")
.png "Oowashi Akatsuki Gundam Rear 01 (SEED Destiny HD Ep45).png (5.11 MB)")
.PNG "Shiranui Akatsuki Gundam Rear 01 (Seed Destiny HD Ep48).PNG (3.72 MB)")
.png "Shiranui Akatsuki Gundam DRAGOON 01 (Seed Destiny HD Ep48).png (2.2 MB)")
.PNG "Shiranui Akatsuki Gundam DRAGOON Firing 01 (Seed Destiny HD Ep49).PNG (2.98 MB)")
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom[]
.png "Akatsuki Gundam defects Requiem beam blast (Freedom).png (2.66 MB)")
Manga & Novel[]
Illustrations & Artwork[]
.jpg "Akatsuki (2).jpg (2.57 MB)")
Games[]
Fan Art[]
Gunpla[]
Action Figures[]
.jpg "Metal Robot Spirits Akatsuki Gundam (SEED Freedom Ver.).jpg (221 KB)")
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.
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- 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 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. In real life, Bandai has yet to release the Akatsuki in Master Grade form.
- The full assembly appears in the sequel and its MG form can be purchased in the shop, using the box art from the 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. Additionally, Mu can also summon a group of Murasame to shoot their beam rifles, though this support was later replaced with Athrun Zala's ∞ Justice.
- Due to the game-breaking potential of the Yata no Kagami 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, 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
- Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny
- PHASE-40, Legacy of Gold
- First Appearance
- PHASE-42, Freedom and Justice
- PHASE-45, Prelude to Revolution
- PHASE-46, The Song of Truth
- PHASE-49, Rey
- PHASE-40, Legacy of Gold
- Movies
References[]
.jpeg "Akatsuki Gundam File 01 (Gundam Perfect Files 100-07).jpeg (3.35 MB)")
.jpeg "Akatsuki Gundam File 02 (Gundam Perfect Files 100-08).jpeg (3.54 MB)")
- ↑ Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny PHASE-40, Legacy of Gold
- ↑ Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny PHASE-42, Freedom and Justice
- ↑ Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny PHASE-45, Prelude to Revolution
- ↑ Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny PHASE-46, The Song of Truth
- ↑ Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny PHASE-50, The Final Power
- ↑ Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom
External links[]
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