T5W#381-Top 5 Alternate Universe Gundam Protagonists

We’re 8 episodes into the latest Mobile Suit Gundam adventure, The Witch from Mercury, and while my feelings are mixed, they lean more towards positive than negative.  I can feel the School vibe slowly chipping away and am eagerly awaiting when the rug is pulled out from everyone and some classic Gundam drama really kicks in.  One element I’m growing more fond of with each episode is our titular “Witch from Mercury” Suletta.  Despite her incredible social anxiety that has her stammering more than half her dialogue, Suletta is proving quite the capable lead and that dramatic turn I’m waiting for could do her some good in the long run and make her appear more like the cool and confident bad ass we saw in the posters before we met her.  Time will tell though if Suletta can measure up to Gundam leads of the past and that’s already quite the hall of fame there.  So on today’s Top 5 Wendesday, we’re gonna take a look at Suletta’s fellow Gundam Pilots and see what her competition looks like.  To make things a bit fair for her (and me), I’m going to be focusing on Gundam Pilots not associated with the Universal Century, much like Suletta herself.  And after writing down my options, wow I didn’t think there were that many Alternate U’s in Gundam, shows what I know.  Anyway, these are my Top 5 Alternate Universe Gundam Protagonists.
 
#5-Heero Yuy (Mobile Suit Gundam Wing)

For many a US Gundam fan, including myself, Heero was the very first Gundam pilot we ever encountered.  Heero is definitely a far cry from others that came before him.  He’s sure of his skills, deadly in his operational execution and isn’t whining about the sins of adults being passed onto kids.  Heero ends up being one of the more better developed characters in Gundam Wing, evolving from hardwired teenage soldier to defender of the peace with more of a heart thanks to his friendships with his Gundam Team and with Relena Peacecraft.  Also, we got introduced to Heero watching him use Wing Gundam’s Buster Rifle to take out two Aeris in one shot…not too shabby.
 

#4-Domon Kasshu (Mobile Fighter G Gundam)

I wont lie, I didn’t like Domon much when I first watched G Gundam and I think it’s because his English Voice Actor was more extra than Domon actually is in the Anime.  It wasn’t until I rewatched G Gundam for review here at the Anime Corner that I came to appreciate his character more.  He can still go wild but Domon has a more caring and compassionate side than he might let on.  For one, he genuinely likes his fellow Gundam Fighters and he is inspired to better himself because of their encounters much as they are through Domon.  His friendship/romance with Rain is one of Gundam’s more memorable romances, even though Domon really cant see how good he has it for most of the series.  Best of all, Domon has a Dragon Ball level Gundam in the God Gundam and Shining Gundams, and that’s bad ass.

 
#3-Garrod Ran (After War Gundam X)

In an era when most of mankind has been wiped out, Garrod is a refreshing breath of air.  He is a beacon of hope at a time when hope isn’t in much supply given how bad the planet looks after a crap ton of Space Colonies got dropped on it.  Garrod is also a pretty skilled thief with a heart of gold.  Couple that with his skills piloting the Gundam X and you’ve got a champion of the wastelands who wont back down from a challenge.  Best of all, his romance with Newtype Tiffa is so adorable and every moment they have together in Gundam X is pure win.  Soon, Garrod isn’t just fighting to survive the post apocalypse, he's fighting for true love, the best reason of all.
 

#2-Setsuna F. Seiei (Mobile Suit Gundam 00)

Setsuna might have one of the most tragic backstories in all of Gundam.  Raised to be a brainwashed child soldier, Setsuna barely made it out of his homeland alive before being recruited by Celestial Being to be a Gundam Meister.  There’s a lot of rage and vengeance in Setsuna’s heart and a fierce commitment to the Mobile Suit he not only pilots but idolizes to the point where he believes he and his Gundam are one in the same.  Like Heero before him, Setsuna eventually moves on past his bloodstained history to become one of the first of a new evolution of humanity, fighting to prove that whether Mankind can reach that level or not, all life is precious and should be defended no matter what.  Plus he also pilots the 00 Raiser, one of my all time favorite Gundams in the entire franchise.
 

#1-Loran Cehak (Turn A Gundam)

Seeing as Turn A Gundam was Yoshiyuki Tomino’s first big Gundam project after the depression filled Victory Gundam, Loran is a reflection of a director in a better place.  Loran also feels like the epitome of the model Gundam pilot Tomino first introduced with Amuro Ray in 1979.  Loran is a true believer in peace and he never comes off as whiny or preachy trying to make his points known.  That doesn’t change that fact that if he is pushed, Loran will take control of the Turn A Gundam and wreck anyone a new one, most times without even killing them.  Pacifist.  Optimist.  Dreamer.  Warrior.  All around good guy, Loran Cehak has earned a distinction as being one of the very best characters in Gundam for many reasons.