Shinn Asuka

Shinn Asuka (シン・アスカ Shin Asuka) is a fictional character of the television anime series Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny. His voice actor is Kenichi Suzumura in the original Japanese version and Matthew Erickson in the English dub. Although Shinn starts out as the series' protagonist, later conflict pits him against the established protagonists of the original Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, ending Shinn’s narrative dominance.

Background

Past

Shinn grew up in the neutral country of Orb where he lived peacefully with his parents and his younger sister. This ends when the Earth Alliance attacks the nation. Only Shinn survives when his family is caught in a fight between the GAT-X131 Calamity and the ZGMF-X10A Freedom. Orb soldier Todaka then takes care of him and later sends him to PLANT, where he joins ZAFT and graduates as one of the top students of his class as a “Redcoat.”

After graduation, Shinn is assigned to pilot ZAFT's ZGMF-X56S Impulse mobile suit, and is stationed aboard the battleship Minerva along with former miltary academy classmates Rey Za Burrel, Vino Dupre, Lunamaria Hawke, Meyrin Hawke, and Yolant Kent.

Story

The First Battle of Orb

The first scene of Gundam Seed Destiny shows Shinn and his family running to reach Orb's seaport to evacuate during the Earth Alliance invasion. While doing so, an explosion caused by the battle between Freedom and the Earth Alliance Gundams occurs and the force knocks Shinn off his feet. When he gets up, he sees the mutilated corpses of his sister and parents. Shinn breaks down and cries inconsolably until he is found by Colonel Todaka.

Battles Fought

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"Are you trying to start another one!? Another war!?"

During the Armory One Incident, Shinn fights against the three stolen Gundams and later becomes part of the team who fights against the terrorists of the Junius Seven Colony Drop on Earth (also known as "Break the World"). Down on Earth he fought many battles against the Earth Alliance. When Orb joins the battle on the Earth Alliance side, he shows no mercy against them either. In the battle near the island of Crete, Shinn destroys much of the attacking Earth Alliance/Orb fleet, and in the climax of that battle, sinking the Orb fleet's flagship the Takemikazuchi, killing his mentor Colonel Todaka.

Hatred

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Shinn angered by the ideals of Orb

Since his family's death, Shinn has a deep hatred against Orb, especially against Uzumi Nara Athha and his daughter Cagalli Yula Athha. He blames the ideals of the country for the death of his family and shows this readily when in Cagalli's presence. Also, Shinn often behaves with a critical and aloof attitude, even against his captain, and is prone to emotional outbursts. Throughout the series, his actions show that he has problems managing his anger and his attitude reflects his belief that he must follow his own sense of right and wrong no matter the consequences. Because of this, he often acts without considering the consequences and even when tragedy occurs, he will not give up his stance. The only people he seems to respect are the other mobile suit pilots of the Minerva, Lunamaria Hawke and Rey Za Burrel; the Chairman of PLANT, Gilbert Durandal; and later the Earth Alliance's Extended pilot, Stellar Loussier. He has a strong sense of justice, believing that the power he is given allows him to act without hindrance toward protecting those whom he cares for, and to do what he considers right.

Rivals

He develops a grudge against the pilot of the Freedom Kira Yamato and the battleship Archangel. When the Minerva fought the combined Earth Alliance/Orb forces, the Archangel showed up trying to break up the fight, while the Freedom disabled ZAFT and Orb mobile suits alike. Shinn's frustration over Freedom's interference turned to hatred when Kira defeated the massive mobile suit GFAS-X1 Destroy in Berlin, resulting in the death of the pilot Stellar Loussier. Stellar was an enhanced Earth Alliance pilot whom Shinn loved and wanted to protect.

Shinn is intent killing Kira in revenge, perhaps to the point of obsession, even though Athrun Zala tells him that Kira is not his enemy. Shinn admits to his companion Rey that Freedom is perhaps the strongest mobile suit in existence and its pilot is exceptional and practices computerized battle simulations between his Impulse and Freedom.

When the Minerva is ordered to subdue the Archangel in the mission code-named "Operation Angel Down," Shinn gets his opportunity for revenge. Using a strategy devised by Rey Za Burrel after analysing battle footage, Shinn takes advantage of Kira's trying to disable enemy mobile suits without killing the pilots and uses his Impulse's ability to replace damaged parts. Shinn & Impulse manage to defeat Kira & Freedom, causing the Freedom to explode.

Afterwards, Shinn is shown with tears of joy for being able to avenge Stellar's death. Unknown to Shinn, Kira survives the ordeal. A section of Freedom's torso including Kira's cockpit remains intact and is rescued by Cagalli in her Strike Rouge.

His relationship with former Orb bodyguard and later ZAFT's elite FAITH pilot Athrun Zala is also rocky, shifting between respect and disdain although they do have a mentor-student relationship. Shinn has difficulty understanding how Athrun quickly goes from being a civilian, albeit former ace pilot, to being a member of ZAFT's elite FAITH, surpassing him in rank and giving him orders. When Shinn disrespects Athrun's orders and does something that was beyond the mission, Athrun slaps Shinn for displaying, what he believed, the behaviour of a hotheaded hero. Shinn then openly chastizes Athrun for being a weak soldier after his Saviour is damaged beyond repair by Freedom during the Battle of Crete. Shinn argues that if Athrun truly cared for ZAFT and his teammates, he should have performed better in battle.

When Shinn returns to Minerva after destroying the Freedom, his comrades cheer him as the "Super Ace." Athrun also witnesses the commotion and Shinn walks over to tell Athrun that he defeated Freedom and killed its pilot, redeeming his and Athrun's humiliation suffered during their prior encounters with the Freedom. Angered by the supposed death of Kira, Athrun punches Shinn in the face, saying that Shinn killed Kira but Kira never wanted to kill him. Rey Za Burrel counters that destroying Freedom and the Archangel was a direct order from ZAFT's headquarters and there is nothing wrong by following orders.

Relationship with Rey Za Burrel

He seems to be best friends with Rey Za Burrel. Rey helps Shinn to smuggle Stellar out of the Minerva. Both Shinn and Rey are extremely loyal to PLANT Supreme Council Chairman Gilbert Durandal. Shinn is determined to defeat any enemy that the Chairman designates. Shinn is extremely happy when Chairman Durandal presented him with his new mobile suit, the ZGMF-X42S Destiny. By having Shinn Asuka as the pilot of this "Complete MS", Chairman Durandal believes that the Destiny has become the strongest MS in history.

Rey Za Burrel tells Shinn to activate his Destiny to accompany him in Legend to hunt down Athrun Zala, who he says is a defector. Athrun flees ZAFT's Gibraltar military base with Meyrin Hawke in a stolen GOUF Ignited mobile suit. When Rey and Shinn catch up with Athrun, Rey starts to fight Athrun, but Shinn initially tries persuade Athrun to return to ZAFT. After Athrun refuses Shinn stabs Athrun's GOUF Ignited with his Arondight anti-ship sword, causing it to crash into the ocean and explode. Unknown to Shinn and Rey, Colonel Kisaka (Cagalli's former bodyguard) rescues Athrun and Meyrin. Shinn is shown to regret killing Athrun and Meyrin. He apologizes to Lunamaria and cries with her, though he feels his action was necessary to prevent any harm to ZAFT and to achieve the Chairman's goal of peace.

After some comforting by Chairman Durandal, Shinn prepares for the assault against LOGOS Heaven's Base Headquarters in Iceland after the Chairman's ultimatum expires. In the Minerva mobile suit hangar just prior to "Operation Ragnarok," he encourages Lunamaria about her first sortie with the Impulse, and they console each other about Athrun and Meyrin's deaths. Both blame LOGOS for their betrayal. Shinn kisses Lunamaria and promises to protect her.

When LOGOS launchs five GFAS-X1 Destroy units, the allied Earth Alliance fleet was wiped out and ZAFT begins suffering casualties. Shinn, Rey and Lunamaria launch from the Minerva to join the battle. True to his word, Shinn blocks a shot headed for Lunamaria's Impulse with Destiny's beam shield. Shinn goes into SEED mode. Between this and the Destiny's capabilities, the Destroy units are no match for Shinn. He, Lunamaria, and Rey successfully eliminate the Destroys.

LOGOS's Heaven's Base Headquarter surrenders and both Talia (Minerva's captain) and Arthur (Minerva's XO) are impressed and perhaps intimdated by Shinn's battle skills. Chairman Durandal is obviously pleased by Shinn's victory.

Developing Events

ZAFT forces occupy Heaven's Base, arresting many LOGOS members. Shinn learns that Lord Djibril escaped, and is rumored to be hiding in Orb, he becomes furious and vows to hunt Djibril down no matter what.

Shinn has nightmares about Stellar's suffering and his fights against Freedom, the killing of Athrun and Meyrin, and the battles against LOGOS. Rey tells Shinn that he did the right thing because they were all ZAFT's enemies. PLANT's Supreme Council awards a second Nebula Medal to Shinn for his performance in Operation Ragnarok and Supreme Council Chairman Gilbert Durandal appoints both Shinn and Rey to the elite FAITH. After confirmation that the Sarans (the rulers of Orb at the time) are providing sanctuary to the Lord Djibril, ZAFT initiates "Operation Fury," a full-scale assault on Orb in order to capture Lord Djibril. Cagalli launches in her new ORB-01 Akatsuki mobile suit, leading the Astray and Murasame squadrons to defend Orb. Exercising his FAITH powers, Shinn launches alone from Minerva in his Destiny and immediately faces off against Cagalli.

Cagalli is determined to stop Shinn, but he dodged or blocked all of Akatsuki's shots with the beam shields. Angry that he cannot hit the Akatsuki effectively, Shinn instead slices up a Murasame squadron supporting the Akatsuki. In a close-quarter melee fight Destiny damages the Akatsuki, but Kira arrives in the ZGMF-X20A Strike Freedom and protects Cagalli.

Shocked and enraged that Kira has survived, Shinn turns his attention to the Freedom. The two engage in extended battle until Rey orders Shinn to return to the Minerva to resupply and recharge. After this, Shinn and Rey launch to face Strike Freedom.

Ghosts from the Past

The battle continues, with Shinn and Rey working together against Kira. Athrun arrives in the ZGMF-X19A Infinite Justice. Shinn is surprised and angry that Athrun survived when his blue GOUF exploded in their last encounter. Athrun demands that Shinn stop attacking Orb and questions his motives for war. Believing that Athrun is a traitor, Shinn goes into SEED mode. Athrun also goes into SEED mode, and slices off Destiny's right wrist (the one holding the anti-ship sword), causing a small explosion. Shinn is stunned, he'd deemed Athrun to be useless in combat up to that point.

Archangel destroys several ZAFT support ships and submarines and Lord Djibril successfully escapes. Minerva's captain Talia Gladys orders the retreat of all ZAFT forces, including Shinn and Rey.

Uncertainty

Cagalli's broadcast from Orb is interrupted by Meer Campbell (speaking as Lacus Clyne). But then she (Meer) is interrupted by the real Lacus Clyne, leaving the crew of the Minerva confused. Shinn asks Rey for his opinion. Rey replies the enemy is using another "Lacus Clyne" as a psychological weapon.

Lord Djbril unleashes the Requiem beam and destroys some of the January and December PLANTS. Rey blames the failure to kill Lord Djibril on themselves (especially Lunamaria). In turn he blames Kira for his interference and Shinn then blames on Athrun for his interference.

Resolution

Shinn, along with the rest of the Minerva, are ordered by Chairman Durandal to attack the Requiem and the Daedalus base. Shinn and the Destiny manage to cripple the defenses of the lunar stronghold. Lord Djibril is killed by Rey as he was trying to escape.

With the last remnants of Blue Cosmos/LOGOS eliminated, Chairman Durandal unveils his ultimate solution to war - The Destiny Plan. Chairman Durandal as an expert geneticist will act as the overseer and assign roles to individuals according to their genetic makeup. Every individual will then be governed by their genetic "destiny" and not by their individuality. The ultimate goal in this endeavour is to make wars obsolete, according to Chairman Durandal.

To have the Destiny Plan become a reality, Chairman Durandal has to defeat any nation with the capability and the resolve to challenge him. Before the battle, Durandal calls Shinn and Rey to meet in person at his mobile fortress Messiah. When they meet, Durandal tells Shinn about the Destiny Plan and his goals. Shinn hesitates about putting his full support behind the Destiny Plan. After some convincing arguments from Rey, Shinn finally decides that his role is to end the war and bring peace through the Destiny Plan. Shinn pledges his loyalty to Chairman Durandal. After the pain Shinn experienced, the Destiny Plan seems to be the only answer to the world's problems that makes sense to him.

The battle has already started near the location of the Requiem cannon on the moon. Lunamaria in the Force Impulse tries unsuccessfully to stop Athrun in his Infinite Justice. Seeing Athrun attacking Lunamaria, an enraged Shinn attacks at Athrun. Shinn then goes into SEED mode. Lunamaria moves between the two, trying to stop the fight. Athrun goes into SEED mode as well, saves Lunamaria, and cripples the Destiny, which crashes onto the moon's surface.

Shinn is last seen in Lunamaria's arms, crying, and watching Messiah crash into the moon, with Gilbert Durandal and best friend Rey on board.

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Shinn shakes hands with Kira at last

During the brief he is unconscious after his defeat, Shinn has a vision of Stellar Loussier. Her words, though disjointed and cryptic, seem to imply that because of Shinn, she had truly lived for the first and only time in her short life. This seems to put Shinn at ease.

At the end of Final Plus, Shinn is seen paying tribute to his deceased family in ORB. Also present are Athrun, Meyrin and Lunamaria. There he expresses his conflicted emotions for his homeland ORB, and confesses that he had wanted to visit ORB before. He encounteres Kira Yamato, who is accompanied by Lacus Clyne. Athrun introduces Kira to Shinn as the pilot of Freedom. Shinn is stunned by the identity of the pilot whom he tried to defeat numerous times; he had previously encountered Kira at the memorial several months earlier. Kira makes an overture to Shinn to make peace with him, indicating he does not have any grudges against him, and "absolves" him for his past transgressions. Kira asks Shinn to join him and Athrun to fight for humanity's peace, if there were to be another war. After a brief contemplation, a crying Shinn finally accepts Kira's offer. In Gundam Seed Destiny Special Edition Shinn is seen along with Kira, Athrun, Lunamaria, Meyrin, and the 3 DOM pilots going to meet with Lacus - who is accompanied by Yzak Joule, Dearka Elsman, Shiho Hahnenfuss, and Arthur Trine - before she enters the Supreme Council chambers. Shinn is not wearing the FAITH pin insignia in this scene.

Gundam SEED Destiny: The Edge

In this manga series, Shinn's relationship with Athrun is expanded. Although it is still a love-hate relationship, he is more respectful to Athrun at times. During the Junius 7 colony drop, when Cagalli unintentionally hurt Athrun's feelings, Shinn reminds her that one of the terrorists had invoked the ideals of Patrick Zala as their reason for carrying out the drop. He then says that Athrun is too pitiful if Cagalli comforts him with mere empty words.

Athrun also has a somewhat greater role acting as his mentor, reminding him before the battle of Gulnahan that he is ZAFT's trump card. Athrun also scolds him when he throws tantrums at the briefing. On another occasion, Athrun grabs Shinn by the collar when Shinn once noted that the FAITH pilot has gotten to where he is by killing many people. He then reminds Shinn that nothing can be solved by using guns.

Lunamaria also mentions to Athrun that during their days at the academy, Shinn had repeatedly rebuked their officers and instructors. Athrun replies that Shinn's nature isn't bad; he is just "more crude" in many areas.

After Shinn's first time in SEED mode (defending the Minerva during the Earth Alliance ambush at Orb), he replies to Lunamaria's queries that he isn't sure how he did it. When he saw the Orb vessels firing, he got enraged at the thought of dying here; "suddenly, my mind just turned blank". When Luna suggests that his rage had gotten to him, he doesn't think that was exactly the case.