Setsuna F Seiei

Infobox animanga character
name = Setsuna F Seiei
series = Mobile Suit Gundam 00


caption = Setsuna F Seiei
first = Episode 1, Celestial Being
last =
creator =
voiced by = Mamoru Miyano (Japanese)
Yuka Nishigaki (Japanese, child)
Brad Swaile [ [http://gundam00.bandai-ent.com/news/news-002.php] ] (English)
alias = Setsuna F Seiei
Soran Ibrahim (real name)
Kamal Majirif
age = 16 (Season 1)
21 (Season 2)
height = 162cm
born = April 7, 2291
death =
occupation = Former KPSA member
nationality = Kurdish
relatives =
divider = yes
aux1 name = Allegiance
aux1 = Celestial Being
aux2 name = Rank
aux2 = Gundam Meister
aux3 name = Mobile weapons
aux3 = GN-001 Gundam Exia
GN-001/hs-A01 Gundam Avalanche Exia
GN-0000 00 Gundamnihongo|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 nihongo|Soran Ibrahim|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 cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=8190|title="Mobile Suit Gundam 00" (TV)|publisher=Anime News Network|accessdate=2008-02-05] when appearing as a child. Miyano won the "Best Seiyū" award in the 2007 Animage's Anime Grand Prix and 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 was thought to be Soran, since in episode 7, in a flashback, a woman believed to be his mother called him by that name just before he shot her. Later in episode 19 his true name was confirmed to be Soran Ibrahim, by Johann Trinity before Team Trinity retreat from the battle against Exia, Virtue/Nadleeh and Dynames. The name Soran Ibrahim may be 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.

History

First Season

Setsuna was born in the former Republic of Kurdish [cite web|url=http://gundam00.bandai-ent.com/setsuna.php|title=Mobile Suit Gundam 00|accessdate=2008-07-12] . When war broke out between the Republic of Kurdish 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 "See Episode 7: Unrepayable Soul"] . As a consequence of these actions, Setsuna bears a deep hatred towards Ali. He also has since renounced the existence of God.

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's parents and younger sister "See Episode 19: Bond"] . At some point (around the age of 10), when Setsuna's squad of fellow child soldiers was wiped out during guerilla fighting by Azadistani army's Anf mobile suits, the timely appearance of Celestial Being's O 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.

What Setsuna was doing in the period between the end of the war and his recruitment into the organization, roughly a period of four years, is currently unknown.

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 princess of Azadistan Marina Ismail, as well as being the first of the four Meisters to take armed action against the Trinity Siblings, citing them as a source of conflict.

During the final battle with the UN forces, he battles Alejandro Corner in his 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 is unknown. He is last seen unconscious in Exia's cockpit with a hole from Graham's beam saber only centimeters away from his head. However, it is known from the second season that Setsuna was able to survive the final attack on the Ptolemaios.

econd Season

After surviving the battle against Graham Aker 4 years ago, Setsuna still dreams of a world without conflict, but after the oppression of peace being caused by the A-Laws, he decides to fight with his Gundam once more. Setsuna heads towards and infiltrates the "Proud" space colony and witnesses forced labour prisioners being killed by the A-laws's new Automatom assault droids. Setsuna successfully destroys some of them and saves one of the workers who turns out to be Saji Crossroad.

Setsuna uses the by then outdated and damaged Gundam Exia to battle against three A-Law`s units, and among them, unbeknown to Setsuna, was Louise Halvey, and is saved at the eleventh hour by Tieria Erde in his new Seravee Gundam. After a brief discussion with Tieria about his new Gundam, Setsuna is confronted by Saji who bears a deep resentment against Celestial Being, believing them to be responsible for his sister's death and his girlfriend's injury. Setsuna once again joins Celestial Being and goes back to Earth to recruit Lyle Dylandy as the new Lockon Stratos.

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.cite web|url=http://www.gundam00.net/character/index.html|title="Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Official Site"|publisher=Sunrise|accessdate=2008-02-05] He's emotionally reactive and acts upon his feelings, which makes him a liability at times with Celestial Being. His psychological post-trauma in Azadistan and vendetta with Ali still remains deep within him, going so far as to exit the Exia's cockpit mid-battle to confirm Ali Al's existence as the enemy pilot. 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. Tieria Erde has expressed disapproval over this, believing that his brash actions will breach the code of secrecy amongst the members of Celestial Being. Marina Ismail, Princess of Azadistan, knows Setsuna’s identity because of a chance encounter and Setsuna’s brash attitude. He's 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 often questions whether he really is a "Gundam," and continually searches for the answer to this question throughout the series.

Setsuna appears to have an indifferent attitude towards his towards all people, including his fellow Meisters. Setsuna decidedly spends most of his time with Lockon Stratos, compared to the other Meisters, who, in turn, looks out for him. Tieria Erde is the pilot he shares the rockiest relationship with, Tieria doubting why Setsuna is even a Gundam Meister. However, it should be noted that Tieria thinks this about all the Meisters other than himself. In later episodes, Tieria has found more common ground with the Meisters, Setsuna in particular, in their mutual disapproval of the Throne Gundams, "See Episode 17: Throne Strikes"] to the point where Tieria actually acted without orders to reinforce Setsuna in battle against the Throne Gundams. Although never previously agreeing, they engaged the Thrones in coordinated formations. Lead Throne Meister Johann Trinity attempted to disrupt the opposing Meisters by revealing to Lockon Stratos that Setsuna had been previously allied with the terrorist group responsible for the deaths of Lockon's parents and sister. Although this briefly created distrust, both Setsuna and Lockon reaffirmed their friendship by their vow to eradicate war as Gundam Meisters. Setsuna, as well as many others, cried after Lockon had died.

Setsuna harbored dislike for the Trinity siblings when he first met them on the Ptolemaios, despite Nena Trinity kissing him and taking a liking to him. However, the Gundam Thrones' subsequent assaults on various military installations and unarmed civilians only served to further intensify Setsuna's hatred for them, escalating into armed conflict between the two parties. Setsuna, of his own accord, makes the first move against the Thrones, citing them as a source of conflict."See Episode 18: Spearhead of Malice"]

References