Setsuna F Seiei

Setsuna F Seiei
Mobile Suit Gundam 00 character
File:Setsuna00.JPG　 Setsuna F Seiei
First appearance	Season 1, Episode 1, Celestial Being
In-universe information
Alias	Soran Ebrahim (real name) Kamal Majirif
Occupation	Former KPSA soldier
Relatives	Father (unnamed,deceased) Mother (unnamed,deceased)
Nationality	Kurdish

Setsuna F Seiei (刹那・F・セイエイ, Setsuna Efu Seiei) is the main protagonist in the Gundam series, Mobile Suit Gundam 00. His real name is Soran Ebrahim (ソラン・イブラヒム, Soran Iburahimu). He is the pilot of the GN-001 Gundam Exia and the GN-0000 00 Gundam.

He is voiced by Mamoru Miyano, and Yuka Nishigaki when appearing as a child. Miyano won the "Best Actor in a leading role" at the 2008 Seiyu Awards for his performance as Setsuna.

Name

The name Setsuna F Seiei is a codename used by Setsuna mainly for missions. He originally gives Marina Ismail the name Kamal Majirif, in episode 8, when they first meet. However when he reveals his position as a Gundam Meister to her, he gives her his code name. He uses his codename in Japan; he introduced himself to Saji Crossroad as Setsuna F. Seiei.

Setsuna's real name is Soran Ebrahim. In episode 7, a flashback shows a woman believed to be his mother call him by that name just before he shoots her. Johann Trinity confirms Setsuna's true name to be Soran Ebrahim in episode 19 just before Team Trinity retreats from the battle against Exia, Virtue/Nadleeh and Dynames. The name Soran Ebrahim is most likely a reference to Soran Ebrahim, a Kurdish actor who had a part in the movie Turtles Can Fly which is about orphans in a war torn Kurdistan. Oddly, it seems that Setsuna now sees his codename as bearing more significance than his birth name.

According to the director in the September 2008 issue of Newtype magazine, the codename "Setsuna F. Seiei" stands for "刹那 FROM 聖永", which literally means "a moment from the holy eternity", representing the moments of revolutions in the long history of mankind, hinting at Setsuna being the true innovator, the one who is going to bring revolution to mankind."刹那 FROM 聖永". Retrieved 2009-03-02.

History

First season

File:Young Setsuna Episode 7.png

Soran (Setsuna) as a child soldier.

Setsuna was born in the former Republic of Krugis, roughly equivalent to real world Kurdistan. When war broke out between the Republic of Krugis and Kingdom of Azadistan, he was recruited by Ali Al-Saachez as a child soldier into a terrorist organization known as the KPSA. Some time later, in order to prove his devotion to god and KPSA's goals, he was forced to kill his parents. As a consequence of these actions, Setsuna bears a deep hatred towards Ali.

It is unclear how long Setsuna was with Ali's group of child soldiers; it is known that Setsuna was part of the organization, the KPSA, that was responsible for the deaths of Lockon Stratos' parents and younger sister. At some point (around the age of 10), when Setsuna's squad of fellow child soldiers was wiped out during guerrilla fighting by the Azadistani army's Anf mobile suits, the timely appearance of Celestial Being's GN-000 0 Gundam saved him from a certain death. He was later recruited into Celestial Being as a Meister, given his potential as a pilot. It can be assumed that this is also when Setsuna took his current name.

In episode 19, Johann Trinity revealed that Setsuna was a part of the organization responsible for the deaths of most of Lockon’s family. In confronting him about it, Setsuna did not deny his involvement, and even implied that he would understand if Lockon were to kill him, given that his hope to eradicate war would continue in Lockon. Lockon, however, decided against shooting him, understanding their real enemy was the man behind KPSA, Ali Al-Saachez. Setsuna, as well as many others, cried after Lockon had died.

During the final battle with the UN forces, he battles Alejandro Corner in his GNMA-XCVII Alvatore and manages to defeat him, stating that Alejandro is the cause of the world's distortion. Following a fierce battle with Graham Aker's newly completed GN Flag at the conclusion of season one, Setsuna's current status was unknown. He was last seen unconscious in Exia's cockpit with a hole from Graham's beam saber only centimeters away from his head.

Second season

After surviving Celestial Being's final battle, Setsuna retreated into hiding for four years. He used this time to conduct repairs to the Exia while closely watching the actions of the Earth Sphere Federation's newly established autonomous peace-keeping force.

File:HorribleRaws Gundam 00 R2 - 1 640x360 123 0001.jpg

Setsuna, aged 21, meets with Lyle Dylandy.

Eventually, Setsuna manages to infiltrate the Proud space colony, where the A-Laws are conducting the deployment of automatons to massacre prisoners. During this mission, Setsuna manages to rescue Saji Crossroad - who had been imprisoned under false charges of involvement with Katharon's anti-government terrorist operations - and sorties in the partially salvaged Exia. After a close brush with death, Setsuna is saved by Tieria Erde's timed arrival in the GN-008 Seravee Gundam.

After reuniting with Celestial Being, Setsuna is given the newly-developed and unstable GN-0000 00 Gundam. He then recruits Lyle Dylandy and Sumeragi Lee Noriega back to CBS-74 Ptolemaios II. During Allelujah Haptism's rescue operation he also manages to save Marina, who is being held hostage by the Federation. During their time together she tries to persuade him to stop fighting, but he chooses to keep fighting to bring peace to the world. Over the course of time, old enemies such as Ali Al-Saachez and Mr.Bushido reappear. He also learns of the myterious force controlling the A-Laws movements calling themselves the Innovators.

When Celestial Being returns to space, Setsuna partakes in the testing of the GNR-010 0 Raiser. Afterwards they are engaged by waves of A-Laws enemy forces. With the true power of the 00 Raiser having been activated, Setsuna disposes of several enemy units before returning to the Ptolemaios II. When Saji confronts Setsuna about Louise's involvement in the A-Laws, Setsuna tells him to fight. Saji responds by angrily punching him, and telling him that he refuses to be grouped with the likes of Celestial Being.

In the assault on the Memento Mori, Setsuna provides back-up for the Ptolemaios 2 and the Katharon and also goes toe to toe with Healing Care, eventually disabling her mobile suit with assistance from Nena Trinity. It is shortly after the battle that he comes across Nena again, almost shooting her unit until she sends him the data of the whereabouts of the Ptolemaios 2.

While looking for the Ptolemaios, Setsuna runs into Ali Al-Saachez, who leads him to the Kurdish ruins. There, Setsuna encounters the leader of the Innovators, Ribbons Almark. Ribbons reveals to Setsuna that he was both the O Gundam's pilot and the one who drafted Setsuna (through Veda)to become a Gundam Meister. He then claims that the 00 Raiser is the mobile suit intended for him to pilot, and that Setsuna's time of piloting the suit is over. In response, Setsuna refuses to hand over the Gundam and Ali shoots him in the arm. Setsuna then battles Ali in his GNW-20000 Arche Gundam by activating the 00's Trans-Am System. He is able to disable the Arche Gundam and is about to kill Ali Al-Saachez but stops when he hears Marina singing with the Katharon base children.

Setsuna later arrives at Katharon's Suille base in order to receive treatment for his injuries and has a talk with Marina. Later meets with Ikeda and is told that the Ptolemaios 2 is in Europe, thereby leading to Setsuna's immediate departure. When Setsuna receives word from Katharon that a coup d’état is taking place at the AEU's Orbital Elevator in Africa, he heads there believing that the Ptolemaios crew should be within the same vicinity. However, during his flight there he encounters Mr. Bushido waiting for him in his mobile suit, the Masurao. Setsuna states that he does not have the time to deal with Bushido's meaningless fight, after which Bushido activates the suit's newly built Trans-Am capability which stuns Setsuna. This prompts Setsuna to activate the 00 Gundam's Trans-Am as well, in order to compete with the Masurao. However, the battle is cut short when the other three Celestial Being pilots arrive, which forces Mr. Bushido's retreat.

After Sumeragi realizes that the A-Laws have a backup 'Memento Mori' orbital weapon system and wants to head out into space, Setsuna suggests that he heads instead out with the 00 Gundam and the 0 Raiser with the request of Saji Crossroad to assist him in hopes to save the lives of thousands on the Earth's surface, which in turn motivates Saji to accept his duty. After both the 00 Gundam and the 0 Raiser dock together, both Setsuna and Saji defeat Divine in his Empruss unit and manage to severely damage the orbital weapon with a massive beam saber generated from the Trans-Am powered Raiser. However, the disabled 'Memento Mori' still manages to fire one shot towards the Orbital Elevator, which causes it to nearly collapse. Four months later, the pair successfully manage to destroy the Memento Mori using the same method.

In episode 18, while still being treated for his injuries, Anew mentions that Setsuna is suffering from the effects of the fake GN Particles (when Setsuna was shot, Ali Al-Saachez was holding onto the gun, which seemed like it was emitting red particles, possibly particles similar to those emitted from the fake GN Drives). However, she also states that the cellular mutation caused by it is spreading slowly, and displays symptoms different to that of Lasse's. Ribbons suggested that the wound should have been in the fatal stages, especially with the wound that was inflicted on Setsuna. After seeing the 00 Raiser sortie after the orbital elevator incident, Ribbons is shocked to see that Setsuna is still able to pilot it, and wonders if the increase of GN Particles emitted from 00 Raiser could be halting and reversing the damage done by Ali Al-Saachez.

In episode 21, Setsuna showed Saji the changes that has affected his body by revealing to him that his eyes are glowing, which has surprised Saji. After he went to the Eclipse colony at Lagrange 5, Setsuna met Wang Liu Mei & was given the location of where Veda is and offers her to help her escape, but she turns him down because she feels that she can’t go with him. What she doesn’t tell him is that it’s because they’re after different things. Setsuna later sees the 00 being held hostage by the the Susanoo, and was shocked by the identity of the pilot being Graham Aker and challenged Setsuna to a duel, which he ultimately accepts. In the middle of the battle, both Setsua and Saji notic the Throne Drei there and was surprised that Louise is there also and finishing of the unit. Both Setsuna and Graham eventually activate their respective Trans-Am systems, and it leads to Graham awakening in the dream-like world. Setsuna is there as well, and he explains that it’s actually a place where the quantum concentrates. What’s more, Setsuna claims to understand the reason that Aeolia Schenberg created the GN Drives, and he thinks that all the military intervention was in preparation for this. Aeolia’s goal was to guide humanity to innovation, and shows Graham his eyes glowing and declares that he's been trying to change.

Personality

Setsuna believes that war can only be stopped through direct confrontation, and therefore has little tolerance for diplomats and politicians, believing that their "peace talks" only lengthen the conflict and cause more casualties. His exposure to Gundam as a youth resulted in his idolization and viewing Gundams as if they were a divine power. He wishes to become a "Gundam" and he often questions whether he really is a "Gundam", and continually searches for the answer to this question throughout the series. He's emotionally reactive and acts upon his feelings, which makes him a liability at times with Celestial Being.

His psychological post-trauma in Krugis and his vendetta with Ali still remains deep within him. This is also a prime motivating factor behind his combat potential with Gundam Exia. Despite his reclusive personality and common loyalty to the rest of the organization, his character is more open to those outside of Celestial Being, partly due to his temper and arrogance he is also honest almost to a fault. Due to killing his parents as a child Setsuna has renounced the existence of God and despite being an atheist, he still wonders where the people's "God" is. Ironically, he himself actually appears to hold views of the Gundams as though they were his "God" in a sense. He's also shown to be a traditional martyr at heart and has embodied his feelings into the Gundams, even as far as willing to risk his life for his beliefs.

Setsuna is frequently seen taking brash, insubordinate actions such as exiting his cockpit mid-battle to confirm the identity of the enemy pilot as Ali Al-Saachez and exposing his identity as a Gundam Meister to the First Princess of Azadistan Marina Ismail, as well as being the first of the four Meisters to independently take armed action against the Team Trinity, citing them as a source of conflict.

As of Season 2, although Setsuna has matured, he still views the now-united world as one of conflict. His loyalty to Celestial Being, and not just his Gundam, has also increased as he goes to recruit a new Meister and bring back Celestial Being's tactician. During his first battle in the new twin-drive mobile suit 00 Gundam, he says it is not only his Gundam but Celestial Being's Gundam as he defeats the final GNX-609T GN-XIII unit sent by the A-Laws. Setsuna also begins voicing his own opinions and acting as a more prominent member of Celestial Being, such as ordering the Ptolemaios to change course to Azadistan to deliver Marina Ismail and meeting with the Katharon leaders as the sole Celestial Being representative along with Sumeragi Lee Noriega.

Abilities

As a child soldier raised in the war-torn Middle East, Setsuna went through military training at a young age, and has displayed proficiency in the use of assault rifles, handguns, explosives, and bladed weapons. Notable among these is his skill in knife-fighting, taught to him by his future nemesis Ali Al-Saachez, which he applies when piloting his Gundam Exia. He is among one of the best pilots in the series, as demonstrated by his ability to fend off multiple enemies simultaneously, even when facing pilots far more experienced than himself. He is, however, prone to over-dependence on his mobile suit's abilities when facing lower-spec units.

In Season 2, Setsuna proves his skill by decimating a task force of A-Laws, despite his Gundam having been shoddily repaired, and the fact that his opponents were using newer, modern units. He is only defeated when faced with a superior GNX-704T Ahead. In the new 00 Gundam, Setsuna is able to completely dominate most A-Laws mobile suits and pilots in battle. Graham Aker and Ali Al-Saachez are so far the only ones who can beat Setsuna in piloting, often forcing him to use his Gundam's superior tech to match his opponents. Graham does, however, note that his aim and long-range combat abilities have improved since the two faced each other in the final episode of the first season.

Four months after the orbital elevator incident, Setsuna is shown to have developed an ability to sense quantum brain waves, which worries Ribbons Almark as he fears that Setsuna may become stronger due to the 00 Gundam's GN Particles. In addition, his eyes now occasionally glow with a digital hue, evidence of his becoming an Innovator biologically.