In Mobile Suit Gundam, Char Aznable appears many times as an adult and serves as Amuro Ray's nemesis. However, this work depicts the story before he meets Amuro, carefully depicting what must have been the most difficult period of his life, from childhood to piloting a mobile suit. So this time, we won't be introducing the Char from Mobile Suit Gundam, but rather the Char who goes by three names, "Casval Rem Deikun," "Edward Mass," and "Char Aznable," as seen in Mobile Suit Gundam THE ORIGIN.
Casval's dignified posture even as a child
This is Casval as a child, and his facial features reveal a much more composed demeanor. However, he's still a child. He doesn't yet display the sharp gaze he displays when he's obsessed with revenge, and his round blue eyes give him the feel of a young master.
Casval still can't match adults in strength
Char is known for his superior strength in hand-to-hand combat and brawls, but as a child, he couldn't do that. Kycilia, a soldier, easily lifted him up, pinned him down, and handcuffed him. It seems he was breaking out in a cold sweat at the time.
Still, his fighting spirit is stronger than anyone else's.
However, even in such a situation, Casval never gives up on the defensive. Even while handcuffed, he maintains a condescending attitude, threatening, "I'm the son of Zeon Zum Deikun!" and ordering Kycilia to remove the handcuffs. While this incident ultimately did not turn into a serious incident, Kycilia, who considered Casval a threat, relentlessly monitored him.
Casval is usually dignified, but he loves his mother very much.
Casval is always on his toes and desperately tries to protect his younger sister, Artesia. He never shows any signs of dependence, even in front of his mother. However, on the night his mother, Istarcia, was imprisoned in the tower and they would be separated from each other the next day, Casval snuggled up to his mother in bed. This scene shows just how much Casval loves his mother.
Exile to Earth. The name changes from Casval to Édouard.
Casval escapes to Earth aboard a ferry and is adopted by the Mass family along with Artesia, taking the name Édouard Mass. Three years have passed since their exile from Earth, and while Artesia hasn't changed much, Casval's appearance has grown significantly since then.
Even as an adult, Édouard remains a gentle character who desperately protects his sister.
Edouard has grown considerably in appearance since Casval's time, but his devotion to Sayla remains unchanged. In this scene, he escapes with the sick and weakened Sayla, and while protecting her, he goes head-to-head with an armored man acting on the orders of the Zabi family. In the end, he manages to stab his sword through a small gap in the armored man's face and successfully protect Sayla.
Edouard and Char: A Fateful Encounter
Edouard's meeting with Char was arguably the biggest turning point in his life. Even his sister Sayla was shocked at how similar the two looked, with the only differences being their personalities, voices, and eye color. When the two met for the first time, they introduced themselves and exchanged high-fives. Incidentally, Sayla was nervous at the time, worried that something might happen if the two look-alikes met face to face.
Edouard's desire for revenge is fueled by his mother's death.
Edouard lived a relatively peaceful life after that, but after receiving news of his mother, Istarcia's death, his desire for revenge against the Zabi family suddenly flared up. A shadow casts over his face, revealing a clearly disturbed expression. From this point on, Edouard's mind gradually begins to deteriorate.
Edouard Breaks Down Completely
Furthermore, when Edouard spots the man watching them, he doesn't give him a second thought and pours beer over his head, beating him to a pulp. By this point, he seems to have gained considerable confidence in his strength, easily defeating the man who counterattacked. He then attempts to finish off the fallen man with a piece of wood with nails stuck in it. Although Sayla's screams ultimately prevent him from delivering the final blow, he would surely have killed the man had she not been there.
Time for revenge against the Zabi family. Édouard leaves Sayla
The moment came suddenly. Standing in front of Istarcia and Lucifer's grave, Édouard told Sayla that he had decided to attend the same school as Char, and said goodbye. Sayla followed him, crying at the sudden farewell. However, Édouard left the scene without looking back.
From this day on, he swapped places with Char and became Char Aznable.
Edward and Char are checked in at the terminal before heading to the military academy. However, a gun is found in Char's luggage, causing him to be delayed. Char panics, fearing he'll be late for the entrance ceremony. Edward suggests they switch bodies. After exchanging clothes in the restroom, Char successfully makes it to the ferry, pretending to be Edward. However, from that day on, the two remain swapped bodies forever.
A new "Char" sees "Char" off with a fearless smile.
Edouard, now Char, wears an expression that seems to say, "Just as planned." That's no surprise, since it was he who put the gun in Char's bag. There were always multiple guards stationed by the Zabi family around him, and he knew he would be assassinated if he boarded the ferry. That's why he planned a switch, having Char board the ferry in his place as Edouard.
Char wears sunglasses after entering the military academy
After successfully switching bodies with Char, Édouard enrolls in the military academy as "Char." From this point on, Char begins to wear sunglasses at all times. The reason for this is said to be a congenital pigmentation disorder... Perhaps it was to hide his eye color, the only difference between him and the real Char.
Char's physical strength is outstanding
After enrolling in the military academy and becoming close to the Zabi family, Char was expected to take immediate action, but instead, he diligently led his school life. His grades were outstanding, with straight A's in every subject, even impressing Dozle, the school's president. In the running scene shown in the image, he runs at a high pace during combat, exhausting the students behind him (lol).
Garma's Rivalry Against Char
Char boasts outstanding grades at school, but there's one man who harbors a burning rivalry. His name is Garma Zabi. He's a member of the family Char is plotting revenge against. Garma always harbors a sense of rivalry with Char, who always ranks higher than him. However, after Char helps him at one point, they become friendly. However, as he rises in rank, his rivalry begins to flare up again.
Even so, Garma is manipulated by Char's will.
Garma is a fierce rival of Char and has even tried to outwit him, but he is a very kind-hearted man, and unlike Char, he is unable to turn to evil. He is constantly manipulated by Char and plays around with him.
Char as a Mobile Suit Pilot
Char is undeniably skilled in hand-to-hand combat and physical strength, but his skills as a mobile suit pilot are top-notch! He constantly flies around the battlefield, shooting down enemy ships as if they were children. Not only is the mobile suit he pilots, but Char's outfit is also quite flashy and eye-catching.
The Red Comet: Char's Zaku
When you think of Char, you think of the "Char's Zaku"! With its bright red body and horns, it races across the battlefield at three times the normal speed. Its speed is so impressive that it impresses both enemies and allies. Its nickname, "Char the Red Comet," has been given to it. This Zaku's safety features have been disabled, and it has been modified by Char to operate at 100% power, instead of the usual 80% power required.
Char the Red Comet Summary
This time, we've introduced the story's protagonist, Char Aznable. This work depicts the journey of "Char's journey to becoming Char," so if you're a Char fan, be sure to check it out!
