History Characters / MobileSuitGundamSeedDestiny

! All spoilers for ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEED'' will be left unmarked

* [[Characters/MobileSuitGundamSEEDDestinyZAFTForce ZAFT]].
* [[Characters/MobileSuitGundamSEEDDestinyEarthAllianceForces Earth Alliance (OMNI) Forces]].

! All spoilers for ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEED'' will be left unmarked.

A summary page for the various characters in ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEEDDestiny''. Many are also characters from ''Characters/MobileSuitGundamSEED''.

[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder:ZAFT]]
-->See their [[Characters/MobileSuitGundamSEEDDestinyZAFTForce separate page]].
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Earth Alliance (OMNI) Forces]]
-->See their [[Characters/MobileSuitGundamSEEDDestinyEarthAllianceForces separate page]].
[[/folder]]


!Orb Union

[[folder:Cagalli Yula Athha]]
!!!'''Main mecha:''' MBF-02 Strike Rouge Gundam
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Creator/NaomiShindo (Japanese), VanessaMorley (English original series dub), Creator/CheramiLeigh (English HD remaster dub)
[[quoteright:227:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/cagalli_yula_athha_destiny.png]]
-->"''Please do me a favor and stop calling me 'princess'.''"

Kira's twin sister, Athrun's [[RelationshipRevolvingDoor on-again-off-again]] LoveInterest, and leader of Orb. She seems to be struggling with her position when the show begins, and is eventually forced to abandon the country as her plans fail. She plays a background role for much of the rest of the plot, but near the end comes back into focus after dealing with her personal demons.

----
* ActionPolitician: She tries to be at the beginning, but her diplomacy skills are only competent at best and the free-spirited and rebellious nature she had in the last series ''do not'' translate well to the political theater. This leaves her vulnerable to the manipulation of more experienced politicians like Unato and [[SleazyPolitician Yuna.]] She gets better near the end.
* ArrangedMarriage: Was supposed to have one with Yuna.
* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: Once Cagalli starts fighting she's Orb's most effective soldier barring only Kira & Athrun. Having access to [[spoiler:top of the line tech]] probably helps her here.
* BadassNormal: She's a Natural, but fights against Coordinators on pretty even footing. Her [[BiggerStick ride]] probably helped.
** FourStarBadass: She's Orb's Commander-in-Chief, as well as its First Representative, complete with gold-braided uniform.
* BathtubBonding: After [[PlayedForLaughs Lacus water-guns her in the face]], they have their first real on-screen in-series conversation, while sitting in the ''Archangel's'' upgraded bathing facilities. Unfortunately, Kira eavesdropping from the men's side then caused more problems.
* BiggerStick: [[spoiler:The Akatsuki, which is a huge cut above the Strike Rouge]].
* BlingBlingBang: [[spoiler:The Akatsuki, whose gold paint is actually an anti-beam coating.]]
* CurbStompBattle: Less pronounced than when Luna tried to take on Athrun, but even with the [[spoiler:Akatsuki]], Cagalli was really no match for Shinn in his Destiny.
* CurtainsMatchTheWindow: Has gold hair and gold eyes.
* DisposableFiance: Ignored her intended ArrangedMarriage to Yuna initially to be with Athrun instead, then almost went through with it. After fully learning how despicable Yuna is and witnessing the amount of damage he causes, though, she's finally able to swiftly set him aside. [[spoiler:On his rear end]].
* DroneDeployer: With [[spoiler:the Akatsuki]]. Subverted though, as she doesn't use the Shiranui pack herself nor use the Oowashi pack as an unmanned fighter. That distinction for the former goes to [[spoiler:Neo Roanoke aka Mu La Flaga]] towards the end of the series.
* HeroicBSOD: After trying to be a PoliticallyActivePrincess backfires on her, Cagalli spends a good chunk of time in this state though she tries to [[TheDeterminator keep going]] nonetheless. [[spoiler:Getting the Akatsuki and her father's final message snaps her fully out of it.]]
* ImmuneToBullets: [[spoiler:The phase-shift armor of the Strike Rouge makes it nearly impervious to physical attacks. {{Inverted}} with the Akatsuki that trades in PS armor for an anti-beam coating that can reflect any beam shots fired at it, though cannot stop beam sabers.]]
* LightningBruiser: [[spoiler:The Akatsuki. It's fast, well-armed, and impervious to beam shots]].
* LoveHurts: Whatever the status of their relationship is, by the end there's no arguing that most of her interactions with Athrun after his [[spoiler:return to the Archangel]] are pretty painful to watch.
* MirrorsReflectEverything: [[spoiler:The Akatsuki's gold plating is actually a mirror surface armor capable of reflecting nearly any beam shot.]]
* AMotherToHerMen: Cagalli clearly would rather be on the frontline with her forces than in the cabinet office with obstructives suits like Yuna and Unato.
* PinkMeansFeminine: Played with. Except for some pink lipstick which clearly doesn't suit her, Cagalli still avoids wearing it and seems to continue to favor light green and red. Her custom-made Orb pilot suit, however, is a more flattering shade of light pink, either indicating her {{Chickification}}, lack of control, or something else.
* PoliticallyActivePrincess: She attempts to become this, but massively fails. [[spoiler:Seems it worked much better in the epilogue, when she had decent support again .]]
* ProneToTears: Unlike SEED, where she usually cried out of either empathy or terror and it was never portrayed negatively, here Cagalli cries almost exclusively out of helplessness, given that nothing she does for about 4/5 of the show seems to work. It's especially a contrast given her inherent optimistic and action-oriented personality. It even causes a fight between her protective (and hypocritical) twin Kira and erstwhile fiance Athrun, who are both directly responsible for causing some of it. She ''finally'' stops crying once [[spoiler:she takes control of her MidSeasonUpgrade Akatsuki, Uzumi's final gift to her]].
* RunawayBride: Maybe the first one to [[spoiler:escape the wedding by ''mobile suit'']].
* SecretKeeper: Subverted. Given her political position in Orb, Cagalli is the one responsible for Athrun's Orb citizenship and SecretIdentity as "Alex". She then proceeds to call him Athrun right in front of random ZAFT troops and Lunamaria right after they land on the ''Minerva''. Cagalli ''did'' have a head wound and Durandal also blew it for her in front of other people very shortly afterwards; still, not a good track record.
* ShesBack: After [[spoiler:returning to Orb and retrieving the Akatsuki]]. She proceeds to massacre the ZAFT forces attacking her country. She even [[spoiler:tries taking on Shinn, who is fully in [[TheBerserker Berserker]] territory at this point]].
* SituationalSword: [[spoiler:The Akatsuki's unique Yata no Kagami coating makes it virtually immune to beam attacks, even those as powerful as the Minerva's Tannhauser. However, unlike Phase Shift Armor it's useless against ballistic, mass-based weaponry or beam sabers, meaning that it's in serious danger of being torn to pieces when facing these weapons, as demonstrated in Cagalli's fight with Shinn.]]
* SuperMode: Averted. For some reason, Cagalli never accesses her SEED mode at any point in this series.
* TookALevelInBadass: When she gets her hands on [[spoiler:the Akatsuki]], Cagalli, who had massively failed in her early gambits, returns to her old form from two years prior.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Yuna Roma Seiran]]
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Creator/KenjiNojima (Japanese), Creator/BrianDrummond (English original series dub), Creator/BrycePapenbrook (English HD remaster dub)
[[quoteright:242:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/yuuna_roma_seiran_0.png]]

-->"''This country isn't your plaything! Will you stop making decisions based on how you feel?''"

A high-ranking Orb politician, he's Cagalli's official fiancé and a total jerk to boot. In her absence he leads Orb from one disaster to another, most notably the alliance with Neo and Djibril, both of whom he is terrified.
----
* AristocratsAreEvil: A smug, upper-class dumbass.
* ArmchairMilitary: Yuna thinks he's a great commander because of his talent for strategy games, and as such, takes command of Orb's forces, believing that he will lead them to victory. [[GeneralFailure About that...]]
* ArrangedMarriage: His father and Cagalli's had set one up. Yuna's willing to go through with it because he wants the political prestige.
* BigBadWannabe: Yuna actually thinks he's a player in this game, but he's way out of his league with [[TheChessmaster Durandal]], [[DiabolicalMastermind Djibril]], and even [[ManipulativeBastard Neo]] (who scares him to death).
* BitchInSheepsClothing: He's smug and irritating initially but also soft-spoken and apologetic to Cagalli when he initially uses her to make a political point, seemingly concerned for her welfare. The shred of a nice-guy facade he has rapidly gets dropped as it's apparent that all Yuna cares about is the power and prestige of marrying her, though.
* BlingOfWar: His very fancy uniform. Standard for his Orb military rank, though.
* DirtyCoward: Even more so than Djibril, panicking at the slightest hint of difficulty.
* DisposableFiance: Not only did he not exist until ''Destiny'', he only shows up in-story after several episodes of Athrun and Cagalli together as an OfficialCouple, let alone the heavy implication they've been together for two years. He then proceeds to be a HateSink. Cagalli may have come within a hairsbreadth of actually marrying him, but he's ultimately disposed of with a punch. [[spoiler:(Or a GOUF)]].
* DroppedABridgeOnHim: Dropped a [[spoiler:crashing GOUF on him. [[AndThereWasMuchRejoicing It was hilarious]]]].
* FantasticRacism: Subverted. Yuna's not particularly anti-Coordinator himself, but he's willing to promote this sort of attitude in Orb if it racks up more political points with the Atlantic Federation.
* GeneralFailure: He manages to make Djibril (who has his [[WeHaveReserves ruthlessness]] going for him, if nothing else) look like a great commander in comparison.
* HateSink: Yuna's an incompetent moron who fancies himself a major player. Used by Djibril and crushed by Durandal, he's there to make the both of them look more capable by comparison, while having the audience despise him for what he does to Cagalli and Orb.
* HumiliationConga: Ending with him [[spoiler:being crushed to death under a falling mobile suit]].
* {{Hypocrite}}: The page quote? Directed at Cagalli but actually is more in line with how he runs the country than she does. For context, this is when Cagalli brings up the very reasonable arguments against the Orb-EA treaty, which include how they're basically threatening Orb with another invasion if they don't join them. However, Yuna, his father and their allies have much more to gain from accepting this treaty and thus are not acting in the best interest of the country but their own self-serving needs.
* {{Jerkass}}: Kind of goes without saying once you look at the rest of the tropes associated with him.
* KarmicButtMonkey: He faces one unfortunate event after another once Cagalli escapes his grasp, having her snatched away by Kira piloting the Freedom, and panicking whenever anything, especially battles, goes south. Then he's disliked by Orb's officers and citizens alike for being incompetent and getting their country attacked. When Cagalli returns and he gladly hands authority back, he's on the receiving end of a fist to the face by an Orb officer followed by a dog-pile from more officers; even Cagalli punches his face as well! And finally, [[spoiler:a GOUF crashes on top of him]].
* KarmicDeath:
** Started a pointless war. [[spoiler:Had a GOUF shot down by one of his own mobile suits land on him.]]
** In the novelization he's [[spoiler:killed by Djibril after he outlives his usefulness. Also very karmic.]]
* LaughablyEvil: Particularly in the English dub, where his status as a SmugSnake, DirtyCoward, and GeneralFailure is played for all the comedy it can provide, in contrast to the much more serious (if not much more effectual) Lord Djibril.
* {{Manchild}}: This lamo fancies himself a great military commander because of his skills in ''[[NotAGame strategy games]]'' and when things go south for his forces he will panic and try to shift blame. The manga adaptation even has him [[IWantMyMommy screaming for his father]] when he sees their family shuttle (unaware that only Djibril was onboard) taking off without him.
* ManipulativeBastard: He thinks he's one, but he's way out of his league compared to the likes of [[TheDragon Neo]] (who terrifies him) or even [[DiabolicalMastermind Djibril]], let alone [[DarkMessiah Durandal]]. His most notable onscreen accomplishment was using Cagalli's insecurities and father complex against her to effectively steer her to govern the country as he saw fit. Given that Cagalli is only a teenage head-of-state who would much rather be on the frontlines with her forces, this is hardly anything to boast about.
* MasculineGirlFeminineBoy: With Cagalli. He lampshades this on the way to their wedding, correcting Cagalli's tomboyish manner of speech into something more exaggeratedly "proper" and feminine.
* TheNeidermeyer: Seen this way by Captain Todaka and the rest of the Orb troops who have to serve under him.
* NonActionGuy: No experience in combat, no desire to see it.
* RomanticFalseLead: A pretty obvious one.
* SissyVillain: Effeminate voice and mannerisms? Check. Screams like a girl? Check. [[FashionVictimVillain Sleeps in elf pajamas]]? Check.
* SleazyPolitician: Yuna's a totall {{Slimeball}} who's only out to make himself more politically influential. He and his father devolve into full-on CorruptPolitician for granting asylum to Djibril.
* SpellMyNameWithAnS: The original romanization was "Jona".
* SmugSnake: Incredibly stuck-up, incredibly incompetent.
* SuckSessor: While he’s certainly a more experienced and proactive politician than Cagalli, Yuna isn't well-liked by Orb officers for his incompetence and reliance on his blood ties with a powerful family vying for Orb leadership now that Cagalli is the [[LastOfHisKind only surviving member]] of the Athha family. [[spoiler:And they're more than happy to pound his face in once Cagalli reappears after being "kidnapped" by Kira and orders his arrest.]]
* UnwittingPawn: Of Djibril, who while no genius, knows a sucker when he sees one, using Yuna to do his fighting, and then leaving him out to dry when things go badly.
* TheUsurper: Tries to run Orb as Cagalli's supposed "husband", while calling her an impostor when she initially attempts to return or command the forces.
* WarForFunAndProfit: Got Orb involved in the war to win political points with Djibril and maintain his position at home. It backfires pretty badly.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Captain Todaka]]
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Creator/KazuyaIchijo (Japanese), Fred Henderson (English original series dub), Creator/JasonGriffith (English HD remaster dub)
[[quoteright:287:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/gsdt_7511.png]]
-->''"I'm counting on you, Freedom.''"

Todaka was a high-ranking officer of the Orb Union military. He was one of his country's battlefield commanders and always carried out the orders given to him, even if he disagrees with them. Though he may appear single-mindedly obedient in the series, he is not without any opposing views against Orb's leadership that consolidated itself by joining the Earth Alliance especially under its self-serving representative, Yuna Roma Seiran.
----
* AFatherToHisMen: Very much. He genuinely cares for his crew and is ''not'' happy about the senseless loss of his fellow soldiers due to Yuna's incompetence in battle. This comes to a head when [[spoiler:he orders his men to abandon ship while he remains on board and takes the blame for Orb's defeat at the hands of the ''Minerva''.]]
* TheCaptain: Of an Aegis-class cruiser and later the ''Takemikazuchi'' aircraft carrier.
* DeathByIrony: [[spoiler:Shinn kills him, although neither Todaka nor Shinn were aware of each other at that point.]]
* GoingDownWithTheShip: [[spoiler:Taking the blame for his ship's defeat at the hands of the ''Minerva'', he orders his whole crew to escape the aircraft carrier while he stays on board as Shinn's Impulse Gundam (carrying its sword pack) finishes off his heavily damaged ship.]]
* HeroicSacrifice: [[spoiler:He orders his crew to flee while he remains behind and accountable for Orb's defeat against the Minerva.]]
* MustLetThemGetAway: He lets the Archangel escape from Orb after kidnapping Cagalli.
* PetTheDog: In a flashback, he tried to comfort Shinn after he lost his parents.
* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: Very sound in judgment and willing to listen to his subordinates.
* ReluctantWarrior: He very much believes in Orb's original ideals but is involved in Orb's alliance with the Earth Alliance and is forced into battles he wouldn't willingly participate in.
* SuicideByCop: Possibly. Trapped between his MyCountryRightOrWrong mentality and a criminally incompetent head of state, [[spoiler:he orders his lightly-armed aircraft carrier to make a frontal attack on the enemy's most advanced battleship. Even the captain of said enemy warship is baffled.]]
* TryNotToDie: Under orders he has to order his own fleet to open fire on Cagalli and hopes the Freedom can save her.
[[/folder]]

!Crew of the Archangel

[[folder:Kira Yamato]]
!!Main mecha: [=ZGMF-X10A=] Freedom Gundam, [=ZGMF-X20A=] Strike Freedom Gundam
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Creator/SoichiroHoshi (Japanese), Creator/MattHill (English original series dub), Creator/MaxMittelman (English HD remaster dub)
[[quoteright:217:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kira_yamato_destiny_5.png]]

-->"''I don't want to kill anymore, and I will not let others kill.''"

The protagonist for the [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEED previous series]], Kira returns to action following a botched assassination attempt upon Lacus. His general disillusionment and inability to trust both sides of the conflict put him at odds with Athrun, Shinn and the rest of the new cast. He eventually regains his position as the main character, and leads an independent faction (a collection of Orb soldiers loyal to Cagalli and various defectors from both OMNI and ZAFT) against Durandal. Compared to the angsty teen prone to emotional fits two years ago, this time he's much more emotionally stable.

----
* AcePilot: The best, and most infamous, pilot of the previous war, he returns to action here and walks all over the competition.
* AlertnessBlink: Kira gains a Newtype Flash when he activates the Super [=DRAGOONs=] on his first sortie on the Strike Freedom, and shows one again upon sensing Rey during their duel.
* ArchEnemy: [[DecoyProtagonist Shinn]] and later [[TheDragon Rey]] see him as this. Initially, Kira [[UnknownRival doesn't notice these a lot]]; he eventually clues in on both, he seriously tries to eliminate Shinn later and culminates an inverse BreakingSpeech against Rey.
* AsskickingEqualsAuthority: He's an Orb Admiral by the end of the series. Given that he's also willing to turn on anyone who disturbs the world's peace, this makes sense: if he's going to act on his own, why not make it legal for him? He doesn't really exercise his authority though, and only once (nervously) issues an order (for the Archangel, [[spoiler:Athrun, and Mu]] to deal with Requiem). They mostly take it as a request from a friend and ally, rather than an order from a superior.
* BashBrothers: He's nigh-unstoppable when taking the field, but it's practically impossible to even ''touch'' Kira when Athrun has his back. Their units even cover the weaknesses of each other, with the Infinite Justice being optimized for Athrun's specialty in close combat, taking care of high-speed foes like the Destiny Gundam while the Strike Freedom is able to wipe out long-ranged entrenchments that would otherwise be difficult to approach.
* BeamSpam: With the Freedom, and ''especially'' the Strike Freedom, which now uses the very same [[AttackDrone DRAGOONs]] that gave him so much trouble two years ago against Le Creuset and his Providence.
* BigBrotherInstinct: Whether he's the older one isn't yet confirmed, but it doesn't stop him from looking out for Cagalli. [[SpeakNowOrForeverHoldYourPeace Such as by turning up in his mobile suit and kidnapping her from her own wedding,]] stopping her from marrying a {{Jerkass}}. Part of the reason he rips into Athrun later is mostly because of how he's hurting Cagalli at the time, showing he'll even protect her from Athrun if he must.
* BiggerStick: The Freedom and the Strike Freedom, the latter being totally superior to any Gundam save perhaps the Infinite Justice, the Legend, and the Destiny.
* BornWinner: Being a Coordinator ''and'' reliable access to [[SuperMode SEED mode]] is a good place to be.
* BladeCatch: In his rematch with Shinn in his new Strike Freedom, Kira uses his new forearm-mounted beam shields to block and grab the Destiny's anti-ship sword before blasting it with the Freedom's railguns to get the Destiny to let go of the weapon. It's worth mentioning that this ''Should not have worked''... had he tried it on anyone else. Shinn had been on a downward spiral for a while, and that Kira managed to pull this trick off on him says ''a lot'' about [[CombatBreakdown how far he's fallen]]. It even seems like Kira was trying to teach a lesson to Shinn, the same way a Mentor or Senior might do to a rookie to demonstrate the flaws in their technique. Shinn certainly seemed to think so.
-->'''Shinn''': "'If that had been a beam (sword), this fight would be over now'...that what's you're trying to say?! Is that what this is, a ''lesson?!''"
* BreakingSpeech: Inflicts one on Rey, triggering his VillainousBreakdown.
* DisappearedDad: His adoptive father Haruma isn't seen or mentioned at all, and there's no word of what happened to him.
* TheDreaded: The reactions of everyone on both sides when the Freedom reappears would indicate that he's achieved this status. From the point of view of Shinn and the ''Minerva'' crew, he's effectively a HeroKiller. [[spoiler:When Shinn and Luna meet him at the end of the series, they're shocked that the suit's pilot is a kind, soft-spoken young man not much different from themselves.]]
* DroneDeployer: The Strike Freedom has eight [[AttackDrone DRAGOONs]].
* DualWielding: His preferred style in melee combat. He doesn't get to use this quite as often with the Freedom because it required him to discard his shield (his only means of defense) in order to draw his second beam saber. The Strike Freedom removes this problem because it has built-in beam shield generators in its forearms.
* DynamicEntry: He does this ''a lot''. Say what you will, the man knows how to make an entrance.
* FourStarBadass: Holds the rank of Admiral in the Orb military, and [[spoiler:is revealed to have become a ZAFT commander in the finale]].
* TheGreatestStoryNeverTold: Unlike Athrun, very few people know who Kira is, much less the role he played in the last war[[note]] The Earth Federation was loathe to admit that their best pilot was a Coordinator, and after the ''Strike'' went down they listed him as MIA and then buried the file.[[/note]] That Durandal and Rey seem to know is an early hint of their connection to [[spoiler:Rau Le Cruset]].
* TheHero: Quickly resumes this spot post-perspective flip.
* HeroAntagonist: Before the perspective flip. He's trying to bring a quick end to the conflict, but his questionable methods put him in direct confrontation with Athrun and Shinn.
* HeroicBSOD: When [[spoiler:Rey announces himself as Rau Le Cruset]] Kira experiences a rush of rapid fire flashbacks in a fit of PTSD.
* HeroKiller: Inverted. He's a heroic character who utterly terrifies our {{antivillain}}ous protagonists.
* HeroOnHiatus: For the first dozen episodes he chose not to involve himself with any fighting and had Lacus keep him from piloting the Freedom. Until he had to protect her once again and the Archangel became active.
* HesBack: His return [[spoiler:aboard the Strike Freedom, having been thought of as KIA by Shinn and the ''Minerva'']] left Shinn [[OhCrap in utter shock]].
* HoistByHisOwnPetard:
** Kira's HonorBeforeReason nearly gets him killed by Shinn. [[spoiler:Shinn spends his time watching over Kira's actions and realizes how he just disables his opponents rather than kill them and uses it to his advantage, allowing him to develop a plan that uses it against him.]]
** He returns the favor in their next match by using Shinn's aggressive and heavy-handed fighting style against him; Using hit-n-run tactics keep out of his reach and provoke Shinn into making mistakes.
* HonorBeforeReason: Aims to disable his opponents (by destroying their mobile suits' cameras, weapons, or limbs) rather than kill them because he wants to keep the loss of human life to a minimum. Though noble in intention, it veers into RecklessPacifist territory, which Athrun points out in his WhatTheHellHero speech. Shinn later uses it against him to [[spoiler:destroy the Freedom]]. In subsequent fights he's more active in getting rid of Shinn, frequently aiming for his cockpit. Even then, he refuses to pursue Shinn whenever the latter backs down, and passes up a few killshots.
* IDidWhatIHadToDo: Stella was completely out of control and was about to fire her Destroy's triple WaveMotionGun that would have destroyed him, Shinn, and possibly the Minerva, along with probably dozens more civilians that could have still been in the Destroy's line of fire. Seeing that Shinn's words were no longer reaching her, Kira cripples the gigantic MS and mortally wounds Stella -- his expression in the aftermath is one of regret and pity.
* ImpliedLoveInterest: The official status of his relationship with Lacus is now "more than friends, less than lovers".
* InvincibleHero: Kira is only defeated twice in the series, both while piloting an older mobile suit than his foes, and handicapped by his TechnicalPacifist tendencies. Once he gets his MidSeasonUpgrade to the Strike Freedom, he's never even ''damaged'' in combat.
* LadyAndKnight: The Knight to [[BigGood Lacus Clyne]]'s Lady.
* LightningBruiser: The Freedom and ''especially'' the Strike Freedom. The latter is equipped with the same "Voiture Lumière" propulsion system used in the Destiny, and has its own variant of the Wings of Light (minus the afterimages). During its maiden flight, the Strike Freedom singlehandedly disabled 25 [=ZAKU=]s and [=GOUF=]s in just ''two'' minutes.
* LivingEmotionalCrutch: Played with, apparently as a continuation from the last part of ''SEED'' and the two years that have followed. Kira seems to need Lacus in order to function, sees his role as protecting her and panics repeatedly at the thought of her leaving, and makes at least one ill-founded decision solely on something he overheard from her — however despite Lacus's seemingly constant presence and support, Kira has not improved at all between the five-minute {{Interquel}} and the beginning of ''Destiny''. You can draw a parallel between him and her and Rey with Shinn, although Kira at least has to finally try and function by himself for a period of time.
* LuckilyMyShieldWillProtectMe: Averted at first. The Freedom's shield is a fairly mundane physical shield with a limited defense against both solid and beam attacks, and is the only area of performance in which the Freedom is lacking in comparison to the present time Gundams. This is normally not a problem considering Kira often ditches it anyway as he engages in DualWielding his beam sabers. [[spoiler:And it doesn't help protect the Freedom in its final battle with the Impulse anyway, considering the latter's anti-ship sword just pierces through it.]] Fixed with the Strike Freedom, which has two beam shields installed in its forearms.
* MartialPacifist: Kira doesn't like to fight. He'll take you apart if you push the issue though.
* MidSeasonUpgrade: The Strike Freedom. On top of having virtually everything the Freedom has (which was already on par with the most advanced mobile suits of the time despite being two years old), it has updated specs and an OS specifically designed for Kira along with beam shields (which gave him additional melee weapons and better defense) and [[AttackDrones DRAGOONs]] to cover its backside (which can be deployed to attack from multiple directions when in space). While the Freedom was already incredibly fast, the Strike Freedom is implied to be even ''faster'', having no problems keeping up with the all-purpose Destiny Gundam. Combined with Kira's own superior skills, he is able to take on Shinn and Rey with their respective {{Bigger Stick}}s at once, although only for a short time before being overwhelmed.
* MythologyGag:
** Two of them in episode 39:
*** Kira disabling 25 [=ZAKUs=] and [=GOUFs=] in his first sortie in the Strike Freedom was a deliberate nod to Amuro destroying nine Rick Doms in under three minutes in an episode of ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam''. Also, Kira shouts "HIT THEM!" when activating the Super [=DRAGOONs=], just like Gyunei Guss activating the Funnels on his Jagd Doga in ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamCharsCounterattack'', right down to the camera angle.
** The Strike Freedom was modelled after the Hi-Nu Gundam, from the novelization of ''Char's Counterattack''.
* OhCrap: When he realizes he's lost to Shinn in the Impulse. And more so when Rey [[spoiler:invokes Rau's ghost on him in the final battle]]. The latter case he's initially rattled by the similarities on their own, but when [[spoiler:Rey declares himself Rau Le Cruset and takes on his mannerisms]] it sends him straight into an episode of PTSD severe enough that Lacus can sense that something is ''very'' wrong.
* OlderAndWiser: And just a little burnt out.
* OneManArmy: Nobody can stand up to Kira when he truly lets loose, and he leaves an army of broken mobile suits behind him whenever he enters a battle. There's a reason why people react in horror whenever the Freedom takes the field. It helps that the Freedom is optimized for engaging multiple targets simultaneously rather than focusing on a single opponent, so it can take out {{Mooks}} like nobody's business.
* RealMenDontCry: Apparently, he picked Flay's advice regarding crying over Lacus's. Whether from Flay's LastWords in SEED telling him he didn't need to cry anymore[[note]]Despite Kira being unable to hear her, it doesn't mean that he wasn't somehow influenced by her presence or that her spirit hasn't been doing what she said she would and keeping him from crying[[/note]], or the production staff deciding this trope would make him look more heroic, Kira went from ProneToTears in SEED and being characterized in-show as a crybaby to not even getting teary-eyed in GSD. [[spoiler:When it comes to things like Meer being shot and dying in front of him while Lacus and combat-hardened Athrun sob their eyes out, [[DissonantSerenity it can get a little unsettling]]]]. The other interpretation is that he is now UnableToCry.
* RealMenWearPink: Averted when he pilots the Strike Rouge. He changed its specs so its PSA would display the [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEED Strike Gundam's]] original white/blue/red colors. His pilot suit, however, does have pink stripes on its shoulder boards.
* RelationshipUpgrade: Kind of, sort of, with Lacus. He's more receptive to her affections than at the end of ''SEED'' and there's an intense desperation to his desire to protect and be by her side, but his troubled relationship experiences with Flay keeps them from being anything more than a ChastityCouple at best.
* RetiredBadass: For two years, living with Lacus, his adoptive mother Caridad Yamato, and Father Malchio and his orphans in the Solomon Islands. He was forced to come back to service after an attempt on Lacus's life.
* RogueProtagonist: He knows Durandal's got an agenda. [[UnwittingPawn Shinn]] and [[AesopAmnesia Athrun]] don't. This causes problems.
* ShellShockedVeteran: If the ThousandYardStare, constant {{flashback}}s, and TheStoic personality are any indicator.
* ShootTheDog: Forced to break his {{Technical Pacifis|t}}m to stop the Destroy from wrecking Berlin, [[spoiler:killing Stella as a side effect of damaging the Destroy's WaveMotionGun, which exploded and mortally wounded her]].
* TheStoic: He's certainly more serene compared to two years ago, [[spoiler:but that doesn't stop him from showing [[OhCrap a look of horror]] at the sight of the ruins of Junius Seven falling upon Earth, Shinn slicing his Freedom in half, and Rey explaining how he was meant to ''become'' another Rau Le Creuset]].
* SuperMode: For most of the show, he's the only member of the cast who can activate this mode ''at will''. It's one of the reasons he's an OneManArmy.
* TakeAThirdOption: He again refuses to pick a side, targeting both ZAFT ''and'' the Earth Forces, while trying to get Orb to back out. This doesn't stop the likes of Shinn from gunning for him though.
* TechnicalPacifist: His new fighting style involves severing the enemies' limbs. He's more flexible about it for enemies that can't be taken down other ways, as seen with [[spoiler:Stella and Shinn later on.]]
* ThousandYardStare: He's developed a pretty significant one since ''SEED''. In his early appearances, he's usually on the beach or at the window, staring off into space.
* ThouShaltNotKill: For the most part. He breaks the rule against Stella though, and does take a few killshots at Shinn later on.
* TooManyBelts: His civilian outfit.
* {{Ubermensch}}: He and Lacus are a messianic pair of them, rejecting the cynical, violent, racially motivated politics of the Cosmic Era in favor of their own inclusive, technically pacifistic idealism.
* UnableToCry: Possibly, in which case someone [[ThereAreNoTherapists really ought to have found him a therapist]] before expecting him to continue being a hero. It's especially disturbing when all his equally-traumatized colleagues and fellow cast members (even [[spoiler:Neo]]) still can.
* TheUnfettered: Which really sucks for political leaders with unethical agendas. He's more than willing to turn his Gundam on anyone who disturbs the peace, and he's got the allies, intel, technology and skills to make them think twice before messing with him.
* WhatTheHellHero: Athrun tries to hit Kira with this, claiming he's just making the battlefield more chaotic, but Kira more or less shrugs it off, commenting that it's not like he's got a lot of options. He then turns the tables on Athrun in their subsequent battle, which is far more effective because he utterly tears into him for refusing to understand what he and Cagalli are trying to achieve while demanding they understand what he's trying to achieve.
* WouldHitAGirl: He [[spoiler:kills]] Stella.
* ZenSurvivor: Due to a combination of shellshock and having learned, for better or worse, that he can't expect anybody else to be reasonable.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Lacus Clyne]]
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Creator/RieTanaka (Japanese), Creator/ChantalStrand (English dialogue, original series dub), Creator/JillianMichaels (English singing, original series dub), Creator/StephanieSheh (English HD Remaster dub)
[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/lacus_clyne_destiny.png]]

-->"''I am not trying to win. I'm trying to protect.''"

An important political figure, Lacus essentially dropped off the radar following the end of the First Bloody Valentine War to live quietly with Kira in the South Pacific. Forced back into action by an assassination attempt against her, she returns to space in an attempt to consolidate enough power to stop Durandal.
----
* ActionGirl: Subverted when [[spoiler:she was "piloting" the Infinite Justice, as she doesn't engage in combat. Lacus told a still-wounded Athrun and Meyrin that she was "just keeping the seat warm"]].
* BathtubBonding: She and Cagalli have their first real chance to talk in the series when they use the Archangel's upgraded Japanese-style baths. Unfortunately, it ended up not being a private discussion, since Kira was listening in from the men's side...
* BigGood: Lacus is the primary opposition to Djibril and Durandal's agendas. She also [[spoiler:hands out custom new Gundams to Kira and Athrun]].
* TheChessmaster: Not to the same degree as Durandal, but the mobile suit factories in the asteroids show that Lacus was ready to move in the event of renewed hostilities.
* ColorCodedForYourConvenience: Imagine the version of her from the last show wearing black or red, ever. That's her CharacterDevelopment for this series in visual shorthand. Also, while Durandal calls her "The White Queen", he obviously has no way of knowing that ''he's'' wearing white but she's wearing black.
* ConfrontingYourImposter: Invoked, since their meeting was arranged, but as Lacus had been notably quiet about her feelings over Meer's identity theft up to then, [[spoiler:the very kind and selfless way she dealt with her]] managed to be quite a [[TheReveal Reveal]].
* DarkIsNotEvil: Durandal is a VillainInAWhiteSuit. She's the BigGood and his greatest threat, so she wears black this time.
* DoNotAdjustYourSet: Double subverted! She interrupts ''[[BodyDouble Meer's]]'' interruption of Cagalli's broadcast and then makes it clear to the whole world that [[spoiler:she would have none of Durandal's schemes]], while also delivering a verbal bitchslap to Djibril. Also a case of ThrowingDownTheGauntlet: It was a very public challenge to [[spoiler:Durandal]], not as a piece on the board, but as an equal opponent. [[spoiler:[[ControlFreak Durandal]]]] [[JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope did not take this well.]]
* EvenTheLovingHeroHasHatedOnes: A downplayed example. No longer exactly the AllLovingHero, there’s still nobody Lacus doesn't care about... almost. She [[spoiler:has no time for Djibril and shed not a tear at Durandal's demise]]. She's far more concerned and forgiving than your average person or anybody else in the Cosmic Era, but she clearly has limits and shows more anger this time (particularly eventually at [[spoiler:Durandal after Meer’s death]]).
* TheExile: Despite the change of governments, she didn't return to PLANT after the first war and chose to stay at Rev. Malchio's in the Marshall Islands with Kira, to the point that Durandal is apparently unable to locate her. Despite [[spoiler:only finally returning when asked to do so after the end of ''GSD'']], it seems to have affected her less than Athrun.
* FriendToAllChildren: Stays in an orphanage, chaperoning a bunch of children by day and even sleeping in the same bed with them at night.
* GuileHeroine: She's the brains of the outfit, fighting back against Durandal using the same sort of political pressure and propaganda techniques that he employs.
* TheHighQueen: Given that her standard form of address now seems to be "Lacus-sama", Durandal views her power and authority as necessary to ruling himself, and [[spoiler:PLANT asked her to return and take a governing position in the epilogue]], she's pretty much now this, despite living in complete obscurity at the beginning.
* HonourBeforeReason: She's even less naive than in ''SEED'', but still wants to do things like meet Meer when everyone, including herself, knows it's a trap.
* IdiotBall: Lacus is far more upset [[spoiler:giving Strike Freedom to Kira when ''Eternal'' is under heavy attack — a suit she'd had specifically designed for him — than she was nonchalantly ''stealing'' Freedom in the last show (and putting countless people's lives at risk)]].[[labelnote: *]]Even allowing for guilt and trauma, she'd already been through this letting him back into Freedom (and had no problems with him piloting after that), she ordered a new suit built for him, and it's ''a life-threatening emergency''. It makes her look incredibly foolish and inconsistent, holding this just so she can be a "concerned girlfriend". It certainly contradicts what she says later about lives instinctively fighting what tries to destroy them. [[/labelnote]]
* IdolSinger: Played with, as she's effectively retired and only sings to orphans. We then see Meer ''pretending'' to be her and hitting every note in this trope, with overwhelming success.
* ImpersonationGambit: To steal Meer's shuttle, meaning she impersonates Meer's imitation of ''herself''. It's pretty funny, funnier in the CD drama which shows how she prepared it, and when you consider she undoubtedly had other ways of getting back to space, something of a RefugeInAudacity.
* ImpliedLoveInterest: For Kira. It's deliberately impossible to say how platonic or romantic they are.
* InTheHood: Downplayed. Again, she wears a cloak with a hood while she's in hiding, dark reddish this time. Again, it doesn't seem as though it covers enough of her face or even hair to be effective. She even subverts the trope by going without it to try some clothes on. However, no one recognizes her with it on, so it seems to do enough. [[spoiler: She pushes it back to reveal herself when she meets Meer]].
* KimonoFanservice: Not only is her battle wrap dress equally short this time and now sleeveless, it also ties in ''front''[[labelnote:*]]like the page says, it can symbolize a ''working girl''[[/labelnote]] — making it HotterAndSexier and more daring than her other two in the same style.
* LadyAndKnight: The Lady to Kira Yamato's Knight. She coordinates with the independent Terminal while he acts as her enforcer.
* LadyOfWar: Gets there by the end, [[spoiler:completing her CharacterDevelopment. She gathers and heads an army to destroy Durandal and the Destiny Plan, leading ''Eternal'' again while urging humanity to fight for their right to dreams and a future.]]
* TheLeader: She's a Charismatic Type to Terminal and the rest of the anti-ZAFT forces. [[spoiler:''Final Plus'' also shows that she was given a high-ranking position in PLANT after all had settled down.]]
* LittleBlackDress: Her battle outfit without the coat is a variant, with a sexier riff on HighClassGloves — quite possibly a very sneaky homage to her inspiration Creator/AudreyHepburn. She tries on another one later in the show.
* LivingEmotionalCrutch: Kira's for a good part of the show. Subverted in that she insists on going away to do her own thing for a period of time. Double subverted in that [[spoiler:she seems to fully sense the threats to him from Rey and Rau's ghost at the end]].
* MagicSkirt: For some reason, whenever she dons her thigh-length battle wrap dress, she manages to avoid any possible panty shots.
* MessiahCreep: Since ''SEED''. It makes her conflict with [[DarkMessiah Durandal]] that much more interesting.
* MsFanservice: {{Downplayed|Trope}}, though part of her CharacterDevelopment. Her wrap minidress is now a LittleBlackDress, worn with long black fingerless gloves — and viewers took notice. She also tries on a black outfit while shopping, wears a dress with an ImpossiblyLowNeckline in some openings and the EyeCatch, and has a FuroScene with Cagalli where we see her completely naked from behind, rear end included. It all makes the point that "HotterAndSexier Lacus" does not equal "Meer", something where Durandal's foresight or ability to care also failed.
* MusicForCourage: She sings "Fields of Hope" to calm the children during the Break the World incident.
** SoundtrackDissonance: ...which provides the music while we watch the effects it has on the planet.
* MythologyGag: She's the pink-haired daughter of the dead rebel space leader with orphans to watch over, a cult of personality, a very clever and secretive personality, a base in an asteroid, and a bone to pick with a guy with Creator/ShuichiIkeda's voice. Lacus now hits a ''lot'' of notes from the original appearance of [[Characters/MobileSuitZetaGundam Haman Karn]] in ''Anime/MobileSuitZetaGundam'', the sequel to the original series. Even her white coat with the wide shoulders and orbital trim is a nod to Haman's Qubeley mobile suit.
* NoodleIncident: A couple.
** There's absolutely no indication of [[spoiler:how her faction ended up with the Gaia. Yes, Lacus is an accomplished PhantomThief, but there's not so much as a frame of anyone cooperating or collaborating. It's never even been elaborated in side stories]].
** Even more without basis, though: so... why, exactly does independent civilian Lacus have a [[spoiler:custom-made ''last-gen''[[labelnote:*]](read: 'several months if not two years' old)[[/labelnote]] military pilot suit? Especially when she says and demonstrates that she can't pilot?]] Other than RuleOfCool, it's never been answered.
* OddFriendship: She's entirely different from blunt, outgoing, and much older Andrew Waltfeld on the surface. However they seem to have the same imaginative sense of humor and penchant for sneakiness, and get along quite well.
* PhantomThief: Her taste and penchant for helping herself to ZAFT's military hardware is unchanged. [[spoiler:She tallies a shuttle, the Gaia, and the plans for the DOM Trooper, as well as, debatably, the plans for Strike Freedom this time around. She also manages to "steal" a good bit of Durandal's forces at the end just by signaling her presence]].
* PinkMeansFeminine: Played with. Aside from some pink trim in her main, multicolored outfit, Lacus wears no pink at all in most of her clothes (and doesn't try any pink outfits while shopping). However, she does sport an elaborate pink PimpedOutDress in the EyeCatch and a couple of endings. Played straight with [[spoiler:her custom last-gen ZAFT pilot suit, which is very pink, which she wore to handle the fuchsia Infinite Justice]].
* QuirkyCurls: Her very wavy and slightly-unruly hair gets played up with particular attention in this series, both to emphasize her iconoclastic personality and contrast with Meer's more "tamed" and sleek style.
* RobotBuddy: Still has her army of Haros.
* ShoutOut: Visually, her main black/sleeveless/ponytail outfit was taken from an episode of ''WesternAnimation/{{Jem}},'' [[https://youtu.be/dqfHXDxGpcY "Old Meets New"]], and makes a quick appearance in the show's second opening.
* SignatureHeadgear: Lacus still has her distinctive double-curved barrette, and in her most frequent outfit it's now joined by an elaborate red ribbon around her ponytail. [[spoiler:Which is replaced by a large white bow for her new high-ranking position and outfit in PLANT at the end of ''Final Plus'' and the Remaster]].
* SilkHidingSteel: She was named to the Pantheon for good reason. (Just ask Durandal about that.) The girl has an iron spine. She remains as gracious and genuinely kind and beautifully-mannered as ever, but don't mess with her if you value your life.
* SuperMode: [[spoiler:She displays SEED Mode again, but just like the prequel, the seed-burst animation for her isn't shown.]]
* TechnicalPacifist: Doesn't want to kill anyone, but if she has to, she will sic Kira on them. And it will hurt both their enemies and herself.
* TenderTears: Meer's [[spoiler:HeroicSacrifice]], and subsequently reading an account of her life and how her extreme makeover took a heavy toll on her sanity, sent her crying into Kira's arms.
* {{Ubermensch}}: She and Kira are messianic versions of this.
* WarriorPoet: A female example. The fact that all the songs we hear from her are connected to war and loss may qualify her as this.
* ZenSurvivor: Due to everything that happened during the first war, she's wiser and more active in her efforts to end the second war. She also doesn't hesitate to slam both Durandal and Djibril when she [[DoNotAdjustYourSet hijacks]] [[BodyDouble Meer]]'s interruption of Cagalli's broadcast and states that it's the ''people themselves'' who are responsible for starting another war.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Murrue Ramius]]
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Creator/KotonoMitsuishi (Japanese), Creator/LisaAnnBeley (English original series dub), Creator/CarrieKeranen (English HD remaster dub)
[[quoteright:229:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/murrue_ramius.png]]

The captain of the ''Archangel'', and Kira's commanding officer from two years ago. Initially working as an engineer (which was, after all, her original job) in Orb, she answers Kira's call to action and reprises her role as the ''Archangel'''s captain once they enter the conflict.
----
* ActionGirl: She's able to outgun a squad of trained ZAFT (read: Coordinator) assassins after Lacus's head and come out unscathed, even scoring a few kills. That's impressive.
* BadassNormal: Is a genetically unmodified Natural, yet holds her own when a group of coordinators attacks Lacus's home.
* TheCaptain: She serves as the ''Archangel'''s leader.
* CoolShip: The ''Archangel'' is still pretty damn cool.
* OfficialCouple: With [[spoiler:Neo Roanoke, aka Mu La Flaga]].
* PlatonicLifePartners: With Waltfeld, on account of both of them [[HeartbrokenBadass having lost their loved ones]].
* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: Still the most rational military leader around.
%%* SupportingLeader
* TeamMom: To the ''Archangel'' crew.
* WrenchWench: She's been responsible for keeping the Freedom in good repair after it was badly damaged during the climactic [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEED Battle of Jachin Due]].
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Andrew Waltfeld]]
!!Main mecha: [=MVF-M11C=] Murasame (yellow), [[spoiler:[=ZGMF-X88S=] Gaia Gundam (red)]]
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Creator/RyotaroOkiayu (Japanese), Creator/BrianDrummond (English original series dub), Matt Giroveanu (English HD remaster dub)
[[quoteright:281:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/andrew_waltfeld_55.png]]

A former ZAFT ace, who defected near the end of the previous war. Still has the scars from his battle with Kira.
----
* AceCustom: His mobile suit for the first half of the series is a recolored Murasame in his personal colors.
* AnimalMecha: Somehow acquired the [[spoiler:Gaia]] later on in the show.
* ArmCannon: Hides a really nasty gun within his prosthetic arm.
* ArtificialLimbs: Has a prosthetic arm, complete with a built-in shotgun.
* BiggerStick: While it may not be the latest in military technology by Episode 39, the [[spoiler:Gaia Gundam]] is still a more powerful mobile suit than the Murasame he starts out with, and more than a match for the ZAKU Warrior and GOUF Ignited units used by ZAFT by that point.
* TheCaptain: Of the ''Eternal'' once it gets back in action. Subverted in that while this indeed is his job, Lacus only refers to him as "Commander Waltfeld" this time.
* CoolOldGuy: As cool as ever despite his advancing age.
* FirstNameBasis: He's one of very few people who simply call Lacus "Lacus", no honorific. It's more impressive considering that he was more deferential two years ago and that she is technically his boss, if more practically something like a partner-in-crime.
* GoodScarsEvilScars: His face is disfigured by scarring from his duel with Kira.
* HandicappedBadass: He can hold his own despite having lost an eye and an arm (now replaced with a prosthetic arm which also conceals a gun [[CrazyPrepared just in case]]).
* ImpersonationGambit: The other half of Lacus's double act to steal Meer's shuttle. He plays her manager and points out that Lacus is the one who comes up with these "daring plans".
* MidSeasonUpgrade: He gets [[spoiler:a recolored Gaia Gundam by Episode 39, which he uses to defend the ''Eternal'' against ZAFT Mobile Suits]].
* OddFriendship: He seems to be able to read the startling and awe-inspiring Lacus more easily than most people, and they work together and get along quite well despite being outwardly quite different.
* PlatonicLifePartners: With Ramius. [[spoiler:After Mu returns, it is shown in the epilogue that he has become the ThirdWheel.]]
%%* TeamDad: To the ''Archangel'' crew.
* TransformingMecha: Starts off with an Ace Custom variant of Orb's Murasame variable-fighter [nicknamed "Torasame" ("Tiger Shark") by Japanese fans], then switches to [[spoiler:a recaptured Gaia, recolored according to his specifications. It works out nicely for him seeing as its animal form is more or less the [=LaGOWE=] which was his machine of choice back in SEED]].
* ZenSurvivor: Waltfeld's not exactly cynical, but he has a knack for spotting trouble and opportunity from a distance and being quite cryptic in his methods.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Miriallia Haw]]
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Creator/MegumiToyoguchi (Japanese), Creator/AnnaCummer (English original series dub), Creator/CassandraLeeMorris (English HD remaster dub)
[[quoteright:222:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/miriallia_haw.png]]

An old friend of Kira's, and an ''Archangel'' crew member in ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEED''. She's a photojournalist covering the war when we first see her in ''Destiny'', but she ends up back on the ''Archangel'' after running into her old crewmates again.
----
* DemotedToExtra: Although she was with Kira and Cagalli during their secret meeting with Athrun.
* MythologyGag: Her post-war profession and the nature of her reintroduction is rather reminiscent of Kai Shiden in ''Anime/MobileSuitZetaGundam''.
* OffScreenBreakup: With Dearka, before the series began.
* ShipSinking: When she returns to the Archangel, chief mechanic Murdoch asks what happened to Dearka; she responds "I dumped him." Unlike countless instances of this trope, however, fans were happy to a degree since it confirms that they ''were'' an OfficialCouple, even if that's no longer the case.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Hilda Harken, Mars Simeon, and Herbert Von Reinhard]]
!!Main mecha: [=ZGMF-XX09T=] DOM Trooper
!!! '''Hilda voiced by''': Creator/MichikoNeya (Japanese), Creator/TabithaStGermain (English original series dub), [[Creator/MarianneMiller Marin Miller]] (English, HD Remaster dub)
!!! '''Mars voiced by''': Creator/JunichiSuwabe (Japanese), Philip Pacaud (English original series dub), Bill Butts (English, HD Remaster dub)
!!! '''Herbert voiced by''': Creator/TaitenKusunoki (Japanese), Creator/LeeTockar (English original series dub), [[Creator/LittleKuriboh Martin Billany]] (English HD Remaster dub)
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/hilda_and_simeon_and_herbert.jpg]]

Hilda, Mars, and Herbert are a trio of former ZAFT pilots who are very loyal to Lacus Clyne.

* AttackPatternAlpha: Their Jet Stream Attack.
* EliteMooks: This trio is among the best pilots in Terminal and head-and-shoulders above any ZAFT pilot.
* {{Expy}}: They are the show's equivalent of the [[Anime/MobileSuitGundam Black Tri-Stars]], right down to replicating their own version of the "Jet Stream Attack."
* EyepatchOfPower: Hilda wears one. Also, she's the one leading the trio and is a very committed ace in her DOM Trooper and as a mobile suit pilot.
* FlatCharacter: We don't learn anything about them, other than their UndyingLoyalty to Lacus Clyne.
* PraetorianGuard: During the FinalBattle, they defend the ''Eternal'', which has Lacus onboard, with their lives.
* UndyingLoyalty: They are extremely loyal to Lacus.
[[/folder]]

!Other
[[folder:Sato]]
!!Main mecha: [=ZGMF-1017M2=] GINN High Maneuver Type II
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Taro Yamaguchi (Japanese TV series), Kazuhiro Nakata (Japanese Special Edition), Creator/PaulDobson (English original series dub), Creator/BeauBillingslea (English HD remaster dub)
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/sato_5.jpg]]

Leader of a group of former ZAFT pilots who commence an operation to drop the remains of Junius 7 onto Earth.
----
* CynicismCatalyst: [[TheLostLenore His wife Christine]] was killed in the Bloody Valentine incident, which gave birth to a hatred for the Naturals of Earth.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Rau Le Creuset]]
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Creator/ToshihikoSeki (Japanese), Creator/MarkOliver (English original series dub), Kevin T. Collins (English HD remaster dub)
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rau_le_creuset.jpg]]
--> "''Everything is born into this world, and eventually, dies. That's the pure and simple truth of it.''"

The (late) BigBad of [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEED the previous war]], Rau makes several appearances in various characters' flashbacks, many of which expand upon his life and philosophy, helping to further explain his actions in SEED, while also showing his legacy two years later.
----
* BeautyEqualsGoodness: The less-deteriorating and war-and-pain-crazed version of Rau ''also'' saves kids from hell...and without the mask, he's probably the most handsome character in the entire series. [[spoiler:This is how Rey sees him at the very end]].
* BigBadFriend: To [[spoiler:Durandal]], before the show began.
* CoolMask: We see both how long he's had it and him without it, finally.
* DeadPersonConversation: Has an episode length one with Durandal.
* FalseFriend: Despite their interactions appearing friendly, Rau and Durandal's philosophical differences lead to them trying to out-match each other. Ultimately, Durandal is on the losing end.
* {{Foil}}: To Rey, as Durandal persistently refuses to recognize the fact that despite DNA, they are not identical; to Durandal, who can never quite grasp that Rau disagreeing with ''or'' encouraging him may actually be harmful, and to Neo Roanoke, who does a LaserGuidedKarma very bad imitation of him (see things like Flay vs. Stella).
%% Le Creuset is not a GreaterScopeVillain, as determined on AskTheTropers, please bring this topic to discussion and persuade for its inclusion before re-adding.
* ManipulativeBastard: Checkmates and out-philosophizes his "friend" about his pathological ControlFreak tendencies.
* PetTheDog: His interaction with [[spoiler:Rey]] is a retroactive example of this, and helps to humanize him more.
* ThePhilosopher: Continues elaborating on his view of humanity always making the worst choices.
* PosthumousCharacter: But for a dead guy, his influence on the plot is pretty significant.
* PredecessorVillain: The BigBad and ManBehindTheMan of the last show and war, he ends up having a significant influence on the BigBad of this one.
* PromotionToParent: Given how Rau [[spoiler:found Rey, rescued him, reassured him, seemingly gave him a SignificantWardrobeShift to a NiceSuit, and is shown hand-in-hand with him, sitting with him, taking him to visit Durandal, and letting him play the piano, he was apparently this to his sibling]]. It also explains his ParentalSubstitute tendencies in ''SEED'' with characters like Athrun and Flay.
* RedIsHeroic: Before he became the VillainInAWhiteSuit from SEED, Rau wore what's either the precursor to the modern ZAFT redcoat model or simply an Earth military CustomUniform (or both, but the fact that it isn't elaborated on at all just adds to his mystique). He did it while rescuing a child and attempting to GiveHimANormalLife. It's played with in that is clearly meant as a ShoutOut to the original Gundam MalevolentMaskedMan, RedIsViolent Char Aznable (who is played by Durandal's seiyuu Creator/ShuichiIkeda). Almost as big a surprise as finally seeing his face, considering he was originally so carefully ColorCodedForYourConvenience.
* RescueIntroduction: With [[spoiler:Rey. Rau found him and freed him when he was a much smaller child from some [[NothingIsScarier unspecified very dark past]]]]. It also gives some more context to his saving Flay at Alaska in ''SEED''.
* TheReveal: His face is ''finally'' revealed during one of [[spoiler:Durandal's flashbacks, and again at the end of Final Plus. There was nothing wrong with him either time, by the way.]]
* ShoutOut: Given how he interacts with [[Characters/GundamCharAznable the original]], his murky relationship with and potential betrayal of Durandal, surprise red uniform, and a younger sibling with a StrongFamilyResemblance and vastly different personality and goals are all meant to reference Char Aznable, even more so than his original CharClone status. Part of the many, ''many'' ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam'' {{Mythology Gag}}s in ''Destiny''.
* SiblingYinYang: Rey is TheQuietOne and an IceKing; Rau's a [[LargeHam flamboyant]] [[DramaQueen dramatist]] with a lot more experience in the world and a definite desire to do particular people a good bit of harm. Contrast the way they both treat Athrun over his Kira issues, or Rau's admiration of Lacus with Rey's HeroWorship of Durandal. Even Rey's persistently straight hair with Rau's very wavy look -- basically, the similarities between them are far outweighed by the differences.
* SmartPeoplePlayChess: Definitely one of the [[TheChessmaster smartest]] [[ManipulativeBastard people]] in the series, and as his flashbacks demonstrate, he was capable of checkmating [[spoiler:[[EvilGenius Durandal]]]], both literally and philosophically.
* StrawNihilist: Subverted, with the subversion even lampshaded by Rau. Le Creuset's philosophical beef was never that there was no point at all to life or that goodness didn't matter, just that [[HumansAreBastards the value of goodness is lost on humanity]] as they keep defaulting to making hateful and destructive choices.
--> '''Durandal:''' "So you're saying there's no point?"
--> '''Rau:''' "No, that's '''not''' what I'm saying."
* StrongerSibling: Inverted. [[spoiler:He was far more dangerous than Rey, and continues to influence both him and Durandal.]]
* UnfinishedBusiness: Seemingly why he's still a presence, although he only appears to Durandal, then [[spoiler:Kira (and Lacus), sort of, in the FinalBattle, and Rey at the very end.]]
* VillainousFriendship: Seemingly has one with Durandal. How much of it was genuine is up for debate.
* VillainousLegacy: Many of his predictions from the first series come true and drive the plot of this one, as well as his debates with Durandal, and Rey's relationships with him, Gil, and Shinn. Kira also continues to battle with the severe PTSD he induced.
[[/folder]]

* {{Expy}}: They are the show's equivalent of the [[Anime/MobileSuitGundam Black Tri-Stars]], right down to replicating their own version of the Jet Stream Attack.

* BeautyEqualsGoodness: The less-deteriorating and war-and-pain-crazed version of Rau ''also'' saves kids from hell... and without the mask, he's probably the most handsome character in the entire series. [[spoiler:This is how Rey sees him at the very end]].

%%* DeterminedWidow

* {{Gainaxing}}: Whenever the ''Archangel'' gets a nasty hit, she gets bouncy, [[spoiler:such as when the ''Minerva'' blew up one of her ship's twin "Gottfried" cannons.]]

* HiddenBuxom: Lacus generally wears somewhat conservative clothing and is depicted as modestly endowed, particularly compared to Meer's BuxomIsBetter, when even fans in-show notice and comment on the difference. However, some of the openings depict her with BarbieDollAnatomy and others as well as the mid-episode eye-catches have her in a very low-cut PimpedOutDress, so DependingOnTheArtist, Lacus' bust may be considerably bigger than it may first appear.

* IDidWhatIHadToDo: Never says it out loud or tries to justify himself, but this is essentially what his ShootTheDog moment (see below) boiled down to: Stella was completely out of control and was about to fire her triple WaveMotionGun that would have destroyed him, Shinn, and possibly the Minerva, along with probably another dozen civilians that could have still been in the Destroy's line of fire. Kira disables the gigantic MS and mortally wounds Stella, but his expression afterwards clearly conveys his regret.

* ZenSurvivor: Due to everything that happened during the first war, she's wiser and more active in her efforts to end the second war. She also doesn't hesitate to slam both Durandal and Djibril when she [[DoNotAdjustYourSet hijacks]] [[BodyDouble Meer]]'s interruption of Cagalli's broadcast and states that it's the ''people themselves'' who are responsible for starting another war. She's also less eager for Kira to go out into the field, hesitating when she hands him access to the Freedom and Strike Freedom this time around, though she doesn't stop him, but considering she spent the last two years caring for him, and he's already an ShellShockedVeteran as is, can you really blame her for not being keen on Kira going back into the world that broke him?

!!!'''Main mecha:''' MBF-02 Strike Rouge Gundam, [[spoiler:ORB-01 Akatsuki Gundam]]

* ZenSurvivor: Due to everything that happened during the first war, she's wiser and more active in her efforts to end the second war. She also doesn't hesitate to slam both Durandal and Djibril when she [[DoNotAdjustYourSet hijacks]] [[BodyDouble Meer]]'s interruption of Cagalli's broadcast and states that it's the ''people themselves'' who are responsible for starting another war.

* NoCelebritiesWereHarmed: Lacus's journey from entertainer to widely-adored political figure also has a parallel in UsefulNotes/EvaPeron, including [[Theatre/{{Evita}} the version with the singing]].
--> '''Evita:''' I'm amazed, for I'm only an actress. Nothing to shout about; only a girl on the air... But when you act, the things you do affect us all.
--> '''Peron:''' But when you act, you take us away from the squalor of the real world.

* InTheHood: Downplayed. Again, she wears a cloak with a hood while she's in hiding, dark reddish this time. Again, it doesn't seem as though it covers enough of her face or even hair to be effective. However, no one recognizes her with it on, so it seems to do enough. [[spoiler: She pushes it back to reveal herself when she meets Meer]].

* MidSeasonUpgrade: The Strike Freedom. On top of having virtually everything the Freedom has (which was already on par with the most advanced mobile suits of the time despite being two years old), it has updated specs and an OS specifically designed for Kira along with beam shields (which gave him additional melee weapons and better defences) and [[AttackDrones DRAGOONs]] to cover its backside (which can be deployed to attack from multiple directions when in space). While the Freedom was already incredibly fast, the Strike Freedom is implied to be even ''faster'', having no problems keeping up with the all-purpose Destiny Gundam. Combined with Kira's own superior skills, he is able to take on Shinn and Rey with their respective {{Bigger Stick}}s at once, although only for a short time before being overwhelmed.

%%* MessiahCreep
* MidSeasonUpgrade: The Strike Freedom. On top of having virtually everything the Freedom has (which was already on par with the most advanced mobile suits of the time despite being two years old), it has updated specs and an OS specifically designed for Kira along with beam shields (which gave him additional melee weapons and better defenses) and DRAGOONS to cover its backside (which can be deployed to attack from multiple directions when in space). While the Freedom was already incredibly fast, the Strike Freedom is implied to be even ''faster'', having no problems keeping up with the all-purpose Destiny Gundam. Combined with Kira's own superior skills, he is able to take on Shinn and Rey with their respective {{Bigger Stick}}s at once, although only for a short time before being overwhelmed.

!!! '''Herbert voiced by''': Creator/TaitenKusunoki (Japanese), Creator/LeeTockar (English original series dub), Creator/MartinBillany (English HD Remaster dub)

* MsFanservice: {{Downplayed|Trope}}, though part of her CharacterDevelopment. Her wrap minidress is now a LittleBlackDress, worn with long black fingerless gloves — and viewers took notice. She also tries on a black ZettaiRyouiki outfit while shopping, wears a dress with an ImpossiblyLowNeckline in some openings and the EyeCatch, and has a FuroScene with Cagalli where we see her completely naked from behind, rear end included. It all makes the point that "HotterAndSexier Lacus" does not equal "Meer", something where Durandal's foresight or ability to care also failed.

* MsFanservice: {{Downplayed|Trope}}, though part of her CharacterDevelopment. Her wrap minidress is now a LittleBlackDress, worn with long black fingerless gloves — and viewers took notice. She also tries on a black ZettaiRyouiki outfit while shopping, wears a dress with an ImpossiblyLowNeckline in the some openings and the EyeCatch, and has a FuroScene with Cagalli where we see her completely naked from behind, rear end included. It all makes the point that "HotterAndSexier Lacus" does not equal "Meer", something where Durandal's foresight or ability to care also failed.

* HiddenBuxom: Lacus generally wears conservative clothes and the general animation doesn't do her any favors, but with higher overall art quality of some of the openings depict her with {{barbie doll anatomy}} and the mid-episode eye-catches have her in a low cut dress, both of which showing that Lacus' bust is considerably bigger than it may look at a glance.

* MsFanservice: {{Downplayed|Trope}}, though part of her CharacterDevelopment. Her wrap minidress is now a LittleBlackDress, worn with long black fingerless gloves — and viewers took notice. She also tries on a black ZettaiRyouiki outfit while shopping and has a FuroScene with Cagalli where we see her completely naked from behind, rear end included. It all makes the point that "HotterAndSexier Lacus" does not equal "Meer", something where Durandal's foresight or ability to care also failed.

* LivingEmotionalCrutch: Kira seems to need Lacus in order to function, sees his role as protecting her and panics repeatedly at the thought of her leaving, and makes at least one ill-founded decision solely on something he overheard from her. You can draw a parallel between him and her and Rey with Shinn, although Kira at least has to try and function by himself for a period of time. Pretty justified, considering Kira was hit with at least a whole year of discrimination and dehumanization, intentional and otherwise, with Lacus being the only one who never did and had always assured him that he deserved to live for his own sake. In essence, we're seeing the fallout of the entire TraumaCongaLine that was the entirety of his life during ''SEED''.

* IdiotBall: Lacus is far more upset [[spoiler:giving Strike Freedom to Kira when ''Eternal'' is under heavy attack — a suit she'd had specifically designed for him — than she was nonchalantly ''stealing'' Freedom in the last show (and putting countless people's lives at risk)]].[[labelnote: *]]Even allowing for guilt and trauma, she'd already been through this letting him back into Freedom (and had no problems with him piloting after that), she ordered a new suit built for him, and it's ''a life-threatening emergency''. It makes her look incredibly foolish and inconsistent, holding this just so she can be a "concerned girlfriend". It certainly contradicts what she says later about lives instinctively fighting what tries to destroy them. Then again, it can't be understated that she was the strongest thing keeping him from the brink for two years, so while it is a moment of emotional weakness from her, not being sure about sending him back into the world that broke him would still be an understandable knee-jerk reaction [[/labelnote]]

* LivingEmotionalCrutch: Kira seems to need Lacus in order to function, sees his role as protecting her and panics repeatedly at the thought of her leaving, and makes at least one ill-founded decision solely on something he overheard from her. You can draw a parallel between him and her and Rey with Shinn, although Kira at least has to try and function by himself for a period of time.

* IdiotBall: Lacus is far more upset [[spoiler:giving Strike Freedom to Kira when ''Eternal'' is under heavy attack — a suit she'd had specifically designed for him — than she was nonchalantly ''stealing'' Freedom in the last show (and putting countless people's lives at risk)]].[[labelnote: *]]Even allowing for guilt and trauma, she'd already been through this letting him back into Freedom (and had no problems with him piloting after that), she ordered a new suit built for him, and it's ''a life-threatening emergency''. It makes her look incredibly foolish and inconsistent, holding this just so she can be a "concerned girlfriend". It certainly contradicts what she says later about lives instinctively fighting what tries to destroy them.[[/labelnote]]

* StrawNihilist: Subverted, with the subversion even lampshaded by Rau. Le Creuset's philosophical beef was never that there was no point at all to life or that goodness didn't matter, just that [[HumansAreBastards the value of goodness is lost on humanity]].

* StrawNihilist: Subverted, with the subversion even lampshaded by Rau. Le Creuset's philosophical beef was never that there was no point at all to life or that goodness didn't matter, just that people continually kept making wrong and brutal choices.

* QuirkyCurls: A RapunzelHair variant, but her very wavy and slightly-unruly hair gets played up with particular attention in this series, both to emphasize her iconoclastic personality and contrast with Meer's more "tamed" and sleek style.

* DarthVaderClone: Carrying through from the last series, and kind of necessary if you're going to have an obvious Palpatine in the form of Durandal.