sketchpost - gundam wing infodump
Just to get the unfamiliar up to speed, so my ramblings make more sense. xD (Or this might confuse people even more, but, uh...) Also, as a warning, I worked without references/from memory, so I jacked up color schemes and outright made some shit up on the outfits in the third and fourth rows.
From top:
01, Heero Yuy. The Perfect Soldier. Partially raised by an assassin, then by a mad scientist, and basically grew up having people try to kick the humanity out of him. And then people wonder why he has issues sorting out (or, uh, recognizing) his emotions. Threatens to kill people, but never actually goes through with said threats. Is basically indestructible, as we learn from his reckless/suicidal tendencies.
02, Duo Maxwell. The God of Death. Street kid taken in by a church, which was destroyed while he was out trying to save it, and is convinced that people who get too close to him will die. (Clearly he doesn't have to worry about this from Heero. xD) Despite this, is likely the most cheerful of the pilots, and doesn't hesitate to help out his comrades. Stealthy as hell, and notoriously... honest, let's call it.
03, Trowa Barton. The Nameless Mercenary. Brought up by soldiers, then offered to take up the name and mantle of a dead man. As you might imagine, has identity issues out the wazoo. Quietest of the bunch, and among these social rejects (the other odd numbers especially), that's saying something. Is a skilled acrobat, and as such takes cover in a traveling circus. Probably birthed the emo movement, or at least the signature hairdo.
04, Quatre Raberba Winner. The Desert Prince. Heir to a multi-trillion-dollar company, and the youngest child (and only boy, and only natural birth) of 30. No, that was not a typo, he actually has 29 older sisters. Tends to take blame and burdens on himself, and how. A real sweetheart. Becomes close to Trowa, so much that the Latin American dub actually outright had Quatre admit to being in love with Trowa. Ends up being the sort-of leader of the five.
05, Chang Wufei. The Solitary Dragon. (Are you sick of the fan nicknames yet? Oh, last name first for him, btw.) Skeptical scholar turned bewildered warrior (hey, episode title drop!) after his wife died in battle protecting him. Yes, his wife. Did I mention they were both 14 at the time? Has a strict honor code, except for that time he blew up a dorm full of sleeping military recruits. Vacillates between arrogance and self-loathing. Aside from the guilt over his wife (and later the rest of his colony), fights to uphold justice and protect the weak... incidentally, does not take losses well, and is fixated on the strong/weak dichotomy, so clearly losing or failing at anything means he's weak and should just give up. Is arguably the biggest failure with people, and like I said, this is in a group of social rejects. By now you all can tell he's my favorite, or at least that I've spent a lot of time trying to convince people that he's not the irredeemable, misogynistic asshole that swathes of fandom have painted him as.
06, Zechs Merquise/Milliardo Peacecraft. The Lightning Count (last nickname, I swear - and this one's canon!). Ace flyer for the Big Bads, revealed to be the long-lost prince of the since-destroyed pacifistic Cinq Kingdom, then joins with a totally-out-of-left-field rebel group, then switches sides and joins an intergalactic police force, then quits that and goes to join a project to terraform Mars. Boy can't keep his alignment straight! Or not, because his plan was to get revenge for the Big Bads killing his family and toppling the kingdom by going in through the inside, and from there things just got messy.
09, Lucrezia Noin. Was in love with Zechs for basically forever, though don't take that to mean she's not totally badass, because she is. Very capable officer, military academy instructor, can totally hold her own in a mobile suit, eventual intergalactic cop... oh yeah. all right there in the résumé. Also did manage to melt Zechs' heart eventually, so hey, one more point for her. Go, Noin.
11, Lady Une. Yes, both of them are Lady Une, as conflicting demands triggered a split personality. Sometimes, she is ruthless, calculating, and deadly efficient... but when she takes off her glasses and lets down her hair, she is kinder and gentler. Eventually both personalities are integrated and she becomes a more well-rounded person. Created the Preventers, that intergalactic police force I kept mentioning. Interesting leap from her position as right hand to the main antagonist, who maybe wasn't so evil after all anyway. But oh yeah. She's fierce.
13, Treize Khushrenada. I wish he had a nickname, because wow what a handle. The leader of the Big Bads himself, which is called OZ by the way, only I've just been troping too much lately. His aim is basically to achieve total peace... by inciting a war so large and horrific that people will no longer want to fight. Is a magnificent bastard at all times, of course. Has refined tastes in most things, and there are reasons for the running fandom jokes about roses and bubble baths. Curb-stomped Wufei into the ground in a swordfight (and ohhh the shutdown that caused), then during the rematch - in space! - allowed himself to be killed for the greater good. I'm pretty sure he thought himself some sort of noble, romanticized knight-templar.
Relena Dorlian/Peacecraft. Now we're out of numbers too! Daughter of a prominent politician, who is assassinated, but not before revealing that she was adopted, and is actually the long-lost princess of Cinq. Wow, what is my grammar. Meets Heero and becomes rather fixated on him (though we can't say it doesn't happen in reverse as well). Has arguably the most character development in the series, despite what fandom might tell you about her being a stuck-up brat who gets in the way of their ship. Ends up being something of a symbol of peace in and of herself, and by the end takes over her adoptive dad's post. That's right, a teenage girl is a high-ranking politician. I'd be lying if I said she didn't help inspire my own interest in politics.
Hilde Schbeiker. Used to be an OZ cadet, until Duo talked her out of it (while she had him cornered). Later risked her life by going out into space in the middle of a battle to get vital information to the pilots. Was last seen running a scrapyard with Duo. A total shorttank/cute bruiser type. Totally biffles with Duo, though has commented that she thinks Trowa's pretty hot. How can a girl so adorable also be so kickass? I don't know, but Hilde totally is.
Cathrine Bloom. Knife-thrower in the circus Trowa travels with. Adopts a big sister attitude with him, especially in regard to trying to keep him away from battle for his own safety. In fact, that's kind of her berserker button. (She hit him once over it. That's right - she hit a Gundam pilot. And is still alive to tell the tale.) Has played the role with Trowa's comrades as well, though more in the realm of feeding and caring for them. She's also pretty awesome, but I repeat myself, because all the Wing ladies are fierce HBICs.
Dorothy Catalonia. Becomes close to Relena - though, uh, she was a spy. Admires her for real, though, even if it seemed like they held opposing views (declaring the glory of war miiiight be at odds with total pacifism, just a little bit). Surprise, it turns out that she actually hates war because that's how she lost her father and grandfather (and eventually cousin Treize), and only pushed what she did out of a cynical sort of urge to further Treize's goals - to make the whole world as disgusted with war as she was. Can't stand people who don't take action to reach their goals, which affords her a crowning moment of awesome. Yes, she's not entirely good the whole time. Yes, she's kind of a bitch. But she is so fierce. (And hey, Quatre could see she had a good side, and that was right after she'd injured him. Yep.)
Sally Po. Former military major turned rebel, field doctor, eventual Preventer... she's done it all. Is probably the definition of badass normal, in this universe. Largely an optimist, though still keeps her feet firmly on the ground, so to speak. Has an amazing sort of calm inner strength. Is always willing to help and heal people, physically or otherwise, and to this end is selfless even to the point of self-sacrifice. Am I sounding biased yet? Fascinated by Heero's physical strength, and is notoriously not only able to completely see through Wufei, but also the only one able to properly talk him out of one of his slumps. Got him to join Preventers at the end, so yeah, they're partners, and I'm gonna stop here because seriously this whole guide has been tl;dr, and anyway if I go any farther on this section I'm sure my OTP will show too much. xD
From top:
01, Heero Yuy. The Perfect Soldier. Partially raised by an assassin, then by a mad scientist, and basically grew up having people try to kick the humanity out of him. And then people wonder why he has issues sorting out (or, uh, recognizing) his emotions. Threatens to kill people, but never actually goes through with said threats. Is basically indestructible, as we learn from his reckless/suicidal tendencies.
02, Duo Maxwell. The God of Death. Street kid taken in by a church, which was destroyed while he was out trying to save it, and is convinced that people who get too close to him will die. (Clearly he doesn't have to worry about this from Heero. xD) Despite this, is likely the most cheerful of the pilots, and doesn't hesitate to help out his comrades. Stealthy as hell, and notoriously... honest, let's call it.
03, Trowa Barton. The Nameless Mercenary. Brought up by soldiers, then offered to take up the name and mantle of a dead man. As you might imagine, has identity issues out the wazoo. Quietest of the bunch, and among these social rejects (the other odd numbers especially), that's saying something. Is a skilled acrobat, and as such takes cover in a traveling circus. Probably birthed the emo movement, or at least the signature hairdo.
04, Quatre Raberba Winner. The Desert Prince. Heir to a multi-trillion-dollar company, and the youngest child (and only boy, and only natural birth) of 30. No, that was not a typo, he actually has 29 older sisters. Tends to take blame and burdens on himself, and how. A real sweetheart. Becomes close to Trowa, so much that the Latin American dub actually outright had Quatre admit to being in love with Trowa. Ends up being the sort-of leader of the five.
05, Chang Wufei. The Solitary Dragon. (Are you sick of the fan nicknames yet? Oh, last name first for him, btw.) Skeptical scholar turned bewildered warrior (hey, episode title drop!) after his wife died in battle protecting him. Yes, his wife. Did I mention they were both 14 at the time? Has a strict honor code, except for that time he blew up a dorm full of sleeping military recruits. Vacillates between arrogance and self-loathing. Aside from the guilt over his wife (and later the rest of his colony), fights to uphold justice and protect the weak... incidentally, does not take losses well, and is fixated on the strong/weak dichotomy, so clearly losing or failing at anything means he's weak and should just give up. Is arguably the biggest failure with people, and like I said, this is in a group of social rejects. By now you all can tell he's my favorite, or at least that I've spent a lot of time trying to convince people that he's not the irredeemable, misogynistic asshole that swathes of fandom have painted him as.
06, Zechs Merquise/Milliardo Peacecraft. The Lightning Count (last nickname, I swear - and this one's canon!). Ace flyer for the Big Bads, revealed to be the long-lost prince of the since-destroyed pacifistic Cinq Kingdom, then joins with a totally-out-of-left-field rebel group, then switches sides and joins an intergalactic police force, then quits that and goes to join a project to terraform Mars. Boy can't keep his alignment straight! Or not, because his plan was to get revenge for the Big Bads killing his family and toppling the kingdom by going in through the inside, and from there things just got messy.
09, Lucrezia Noin. Was in love with Zechs for basically forever, though don't take that to mean she's not totally badass, because she is. Very capable officer, military academy instructor, can totally hold her own in a mobile suit, eventual intergalactic cop... oh yeah. all right there in the résumé. Also did manage to melt Zechs' heart eventually, so hey, one more point for her. Go, Noin.
11, Lady Une. Yes, both of them are Lady Une, as conflicting demands triggered a split personality. Sometimes, she is ruthless, calculating, and deadly efficient... but when she takes off her glasses and lets down her hair, she is kinder and gentler. Eventually both personalities are integrated and she becomes a more well-rounded person. Created the Preventers, that intergalactic police force I kept mentioning. Interesting leap from her position as right hand to the main antagonist, who maybe wasn't so evil after all anyway. But oh yeah. She's fierce.
13, Treize Khushrenada. I wish he had a nickname, because wow what a handle. The leader of the Big Bads himself, which is called OZ by the way, only I've just been troping too much lately. His aim is basically to achieve total peace... by inciting a war so large and horrific that people will no longer want to fight. Is a magnificent bastard at all times, of course. Has refined tastes in most things, and there are reasons for the running fandom jokes about roses and bubble baths. Curb-stomped Wufei into the ground in a swordfight (and ohhh the shutdown that caused), then during the rematch - in space! - allowed himself to be killed for the greater good. I'm pretty sure he thought himself some sort of noble, romanticized knight-templar.
Relena Dorlian/Peacecraft. Now we're out of numbers too! Daughter of a prominent politician, who is assassinated, but not before revealing that she was adopted, and is actually the long-lost princess of Cinq. Wow, what is my grammar. Meets Heero and becomes rather fixated on him (though we can't say it doesn't happen in reverse as well). Has arguably the most character development in the series, despite what fandom might tell you about her being a stuck-up brat who gets in the way of their ship. Ends up being something of a symbol of peace in and of herself, and by the end takes over her adoptive dad's post. That's right, a teenage girl is a high-ranking politician. I'd be lying if I said she didn't help inspire my own interest in politics.
Hilde Schbeiker. Used to be an OZ cadet, until Duo talked her out of it (while she had him cornered). Later risked her life by going out into space in the middle of a battle to get vital information to the pilots. Was last seen running a scrapyard with Duo. A total shorttank/cute bruiser type. Totally biffles with Duo, though has commented that she thinks Trowa's pretty hot. How can a girl so adorable also be so kickass? I don't know, but Hilde totally is.
Cathrine Bloom. Knife-thrower in the circus Trowa travels with. Adopts a big sister attitude with him, especially in regard to trying to keep him away from battle for his own safety. In fact, that's kind of her berserker button. (She hit him once over it. That's right - she hit a Gundam pilot. And is still alive to tell the tale.) Has played the role with Trowa's comrades as well, though more in the realm of feeding and caring for them. She's also pretty awesome, but I repeat myself, because all the Wing ladies are fierce HBICs.
Dorothy Catalonia. Becomes close to Relena - though, uh, she was a spy. Admires her for real, though, even if it seemed like they held opposing views (declaring the glory of war miiiight be at odds with total pacifism, just a little bit). Surprise, it turns out that she actually hates war because that's how she lost her father and grandfather (and eventually cousin Treize), and only pushed what she did out of a cynical sort of urge to further Treize's goals - to make the whole world as disgusted with war as she was. Can't stand people who don't take action to reach their goals, which affords her a crowning moment of awesome. Yes, she's not entirely good the whole time. Yes, she's kind of a bitch. But she is so fierce. (And hey, Quatre could see she had a good side, and that was right after she'd injured him. Yep.)
Sally Po. Former military major turned rebel, field doctor, eventual Preventer... she's done it all. Is probably the definition of badass normal, in this universe. Largely an optimist, though still keeps her feet firmly on the ground, so to speak. Has an amazing sort of calm inner strength. Is always willing to help and heal people, physically or otherwise, and to this end is selfless even to the point of self-sacrifice. Am I sounding biased yet? Fascinated by Heero's physical strength, and is notoriously not only able to completely see through Wufei, but also the only one able to properly talk him out of one of his slumps. Got him to join Preventers at the end, so yeah, they're partners, and I'm gonna stop here because seriously this whole guide has been tl;dr, and anyway if I go any farther on this section I'm sure my OTP will show too much. xD