Orphee Lam Tao (オルフェ・ラム・タオ?) is the main antagonist of the animated film Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom.
Personality & Character[]
Orphee portrays an outwardly gentle and noble demeaner, but is actually incredibly calculating and manipulative, trying to exploit Lacus Clyne. He is very callous and cruel, sacrificing an entire city of people for his plans. He is also very egotistical and narcissistic just like the rest of the Black Knight Squad, believing he is superior to regular humans and coordinators because he is an Accord. His pride in his genes causes him to look down upon Naturals and even other coordinators such as Kira Yamato.
Orphee believes that people only have worth depending on their capability and worth and that people should act accordingly. He believes he was born to lead people to a better future because they are unable to do it themselves and refuses to accept any other standards about human worth.
Despite his calm demeaner, he is easily angered when things don't go his way. He lost his temper when Lacus refused his advances and physically abused Ingrid Tradoll when she failed her mission. He can also be incredibly jealous, as seen with his attitude towards Kira. He is also quick to undermine others rather than accepting any criticism as shown when he slandered Lacus in the final battle.
Skills & Abilities[]
Orphee manipulating Lacus
He is a skilled commander and politician, executing Aura Maha Khyber's plans to take down Compass and implement the Destiny Plan. He is also a good mobile suit pilot, as seen when he fought Kira and his Strike Freedom Type II in his Cal-re.A. He also possesses the abilities of an Accord being especially skill at manipulating people and causing Lacus to love him like she loves Kira. He can also communicate with the other Accords telepathically.
Physical Aspects & Clothing[]
History[]
Orphee was created by Maha at the Mendel Genetics Lab as an Accord in order to usher in a new era of peace and prosperity in accordance with Gilbert Durandal's Destiny Plan. He was raised by Aura and at some point became the Chancellor of Foundation under Aura's leadership as well as one of the Black Knight Squad.
Orphee confronts Kira about Lacus
He first appears in Lacus' dream, replacing Kira as her lover. He later welcomed Lacus and the other members of Compass when they came to Foundation in order to make an alliance and take down Michael, the leader of the remnants of Blue Cosmos. During their stay he becomes closer with Lacus and impresses her with his talk about peace. He invites her to dance with him and takes her out to the flower garden while showering her with praises and flattery. Throughout all this, he uses his abilities as an Accord to mentally manipulate Lacus into becoming more attached to him while simultaneously driving a wedge into her relationship with Kira. He confronts the latter after Lacus runs from his and tells him that he is more worthy of her and that Kira is unable to do anything for her. He then meets Lacus and comforts her while manipulating her once again with his abilities.
When the two parties begin their joint operation, he sets his own plan into motion and has Shura Serpentine cause Kira to see an illusion of Michael and manipulate him into crossing the border into Eurasia, triggering a conflict with the nation. He then coerces Lacus into ordering her troops against Kira, breaking their relationship apart. His forces then attack Compass after disrupting communication with and NJ Dazzler and launch nuclear weapons at Ishtaria, after which he evacuates along with Maha and the unassuming Lacus in a space shuttle.
All the blame for the nuclear weapons goes to Eurasia, a country of Naturals, and Compass, who failed to stop them. Orphee then boards the Gullveig while Hari Jagannath betrays the PLANT Supreme Council and takes over PLANT. After acquiring the Requiem, they use it on the capital city of the Eurasian Federation and caused a massacre, then attempt to blackmail the nations of the Earth into accepting the Destiny Plan. He makes further advances on Lacus and once again tries to manipulate her, but this time she resists and pushes him away, citing her love for Kira. Though initially surprised, he mockingly tells her that Kira is now dead thanks to her orders. He reacts in anger when she tells him that people aren't loved based on whether they are needed or not, and entrusts Maha's protection to Shura and Ingrid while he sorties. He once again uses the Requiem, this time against a fleet from the Earth Alliance.
When he learns about the Millennium is moving, he mocks Cagalli Yula Athha and orders that the Requiem be used to destroy Olofat. However, Kira who is still alive contacts them and goads them for trying to kill him and later telling them that they are defeated, causing Maha to order Orphee and the others to aim for the Millennium instead. The beam misses the ship and Orphee prepares for battle. He once again pleads with Lacus at Artemis to join him and even attempts to force himself on her, but she adamantly refuses him. This causes his hatred and jealousy for Kira to grow. He then leads the attack against the Millennium and once again orders the firing of the Requiem on the city of Olofat, enraged by Kira rescuing Lacus. However, he is thwarted by Mu La Flaga who stops the Requiem.
Operating the Cal-re.A
He later watches in anger as a freed Lacus denounces the Foundation and the Destiny Plan in a public broadcast. He slaps Ingrid Tradoll for failing to keep Lacus in their custody, and later pilots the NOG-M2D1/E Cal-re.A alongside her. They joins Shura in the battle against Kira and the trio overpower him with their two mobile suits, but Athrun intercepts them and backs up Kira. Orphee orders his troops to concentrate all their fire on the Freedom, but Lacus arrives with the Proud Defender and his forces are overwhelmed by the Mighty Strike Freedom Gundam. Though he continues to yell at Lacus, he is overwhelmed by Kira and defeated. He continues to insist on his duty but Ingrid comforts him and he finally calms down. The pair die together in the Cal-re.A's cockpit as it explodes.[1]
Relationships[]
Aura Maha Khyber[]
Aura is the mother of all Accords and Orphee treats her as his real mother, giving her his full loyalty.
Gilbert Durandal[]
Orphee is devoted to Durandal's Destiny Plan, attempting to carry it out even after his death.
Kira Yamato[]
Orphee looks down on Kira, seeing him as incompetent and unworthy of Lacus. As Lacus chooses Kira over him, he becomes jealous and his loathing for Kira increases.
Lacus Clyne[]
Orphee sees Lacus as his equal as another Accord with superior genes. He believes that they are destined to be together and even attempts to take her by force, but she continually rejects him. He becomes angered by her and later accuses her of wanting to be surrounded by inferiors in order to feel a sense of superiority. They are unable to see eye to eye until the end.
Ingrid Tradoll[]
Orphee is indifferent towards Ingrid, not realising her feelings for him. He is not above hitting her for failing a mission.
Shura Serpentine[]
Orphee respects Shura and has at least some attachment to him, insulting his enemies when they kill him.
Quotes[]
Quote:Orphee Lam Tao
Gallery[]
Character Designs[]
Animation[]
Notes & Trivia[]
- Orphee shares his voice actor (Hiro Shimono) with Takuya Irei from Unicorn and Narrative.
Appearances[]
- Movies
- Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom
- First Appearance; Decease
References[]
External Links[]
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