is a
fictional characterA character is the representation of a person in a narrative or dramatic work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr through its Latin transcription character, the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its...
from the Japanese science fiction
animeis animation originating in Japan. The world outside Japan regards anime as "Japanese animation". Anime originated about 1917.Anime, like manga , has a large audience in Japan and high recognition throughout the world...
television series
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, often shortened to Gundam SEED, is an anime television series animated by Sunrise and directed by Mitsuo Fukuda. The plot follows Kira Yamato's involvement in the war between Naturals, and Coordinators; humans genetically modified before birth to possesses enhanced traits.The series spans fifty...
.
Nicknamed , Andrew Waltfeld is commander of the ZAFT forces in the PLANT-pledged African Community, headquartered at Banadiya, and is assisted by his executive officer
Martin DaCostaMartin DaCosta is a fictional character from the Japanese science fiction anime television series Mobile Suit Gundam SEED. DaCosta also makes an appearance in the Gundam SEED Astray R manga....
. Andrew earned his nickname for his skill at desert combat, as demonstrated on May 30, CE 70 in the Battle of Suez, when he defeated a huge Eurasian Federation tank corps at
El AlameinEl Alamein is a town in northern Egypt on the Mediterranean Sea coast in Matruh Governorate. It is west of Alexandria and northwest of Cairo...
in Northern Africa, using
TMF/A-802 BuCUEThis article is about a fictional weapon from the Cosmic Era timeline of the anime Gundam metaseries.The TMF/A-802 BuCUE is a quadrupedal mobile suit used by ZAFT and designed for ground combat. Its superior balance, running speed, and maneuverability give the BuCUE a distinct advantage over...
s and his cunning tactics.
Andrew seems to have an obsession with coffee and experiments with different blends and flavors often making odd combinations for himself.
He lives with his lover Aisha, who assists him in his military operations and eventually serves as the co-pilot of his
TMF/A-803 LaGOWEThis article is about a fictional weapon from the Cosmic Era timeline of the anime Gundam metaseries.The TMF/A-803 LaGOWE is a quadrupedal commander-type mobile suit used by ZAFT and designed for ground combat. It is generally similar to the TMF/A-802 BuCUE, but is slightly larger and has a...
.
is a
fictional characterA character is the representation of a person in a narrative or dramatic work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr through its Latin transcription character, the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its...
from the Japanese science fiction
animeis animation originating in Japan. The world outside Japan regards anime as "Japanese animation". Anime originated about 1917.Anime, like manga , has a large audience in Japan and high recognition throughout the world...
television series
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, often shortened to Gundam SEED, is an anime television series animated by Sunrise and directed by Mitsuo Fukuda. The plot follows Kira Yamato's involvement in the war between Naturals, and Coordinators; humans genetically modified before birth to possesses enhanced traits.The series spans fifty...
.
Nicknamed , Andrew Waltfeld is commander of the ZAFT forces in the PLANT-pledged African Community, headquartered at Banadiya, and is assisted by his executive officer
Martin DaCostaMartin DaCosta is a fictional character from the Japanese science fiction anime television series Mobile Suit Gundam SEED. DaCosta also makes an appearance in the Gundam SEED Astray R manga....
. Andrew earned his nickname for his skill at desert combat, as demonstrated on May 30, CE 70 in the Battle of Suez, when he defeated a huge Eurasian Federation tank corps at
El AlameinEl Alamein is a town in northern Egypt on the Mediterranean Sea coast in Matruh Governorate. It is west of Alexandria and northwest of Cairo...
in Northern Africa, using
TMF/A-802 BuCUEThis article is about a fictional weapon from the Cosmic Era timeline of the anime Gundam metaseries.The TMF/A-802 BuCUE is a quadrupedal mobile suit used by ZAFT and designed for ground combat. Its superior balance, running speed, and maneuverability give the BuCUE a distinct advantage over...
s and his cunning tactics.
Andrew seems to have an obsession with coffee and experiments with different blends and flavors often making odd combinations for himself.
He lives with his lover Aisha, who assists him in his military operations and eventually serves as the co-pilot of his
TMF/A-803 LaGOWEThis article is about a fictional weapon from the Cosmic Era timeline of the anime Gundam metaseries.The TMF/A-803 LaGOWE is a quadrupedal commander-type mobile suit used by ZAFT and designed for ground combat. It is generally similar to the TMF/A-802 BuCUE, but is slightly larger and has a...
. Not much is known about Aisha, and her last name is never mentioned, but Andrew clearly cares for Aisha very much; in both series he keeps a picture of her close by. His flagship is the land battleship
Lesseps, which is escorted by the land cruisers
Petrie and
Henry Carter.
Unlike other ZAFT and Earth Alliance officers, he is surprisingly human and well aware of the repercussions of war. In his initial appearances in
Gundam SEED, he has his troops warn the people of Tassil, the city acting as a homebase for resistance group Desert Dawn, of an impending attack so that they can evacuate before their city is destroyed. His actions are easily misinterpreted and he is a scapegoat; the people believe that he was cruel to let them live while struggling to survive on very few supplies while Andrew had the intention that if they lived, at least they would have a chance of surviving rather than suffering death and loss of loved ones. He is suspicious of ZAFT High Commander
Rau Le Creusetis a fictional character and the principal antagonist in the Japanese science fiction anime television series Mobile Suit Gundam SEED.-Pre-Gundam SEED:...
and hints at those feelings to
Dearka Elsmanis a fictional character rom the Japanese science fiction franchise Mobile Suit Gundam SEED.In some Japanese merchandise and other products, Dearka's family name may be romanized as Elthman.- Gundam SEED :...
and
Yzak Jouleis a fictional character from the Japanese science fiction anime television series Mobile Suit Gundam SEED and its squeal Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny.In some Japanese merchandise and other products, Yzak's family name may be romanized as Jule...
, who were members of the infamous Le Creuset Team, when he first meets them.
African campaign
While the
ArchangelThe Archangel-class assault ship is a fictional ship class from the Cosmic Era timeline of the Gundam anime metaseries. They are functionally equivalent to the current day aircraft carriers; their primary mission being to launch and recover mobile suits and mobile armors...
is traveling through the desert, Andrew leads his forces to attack the ship. He quickly discerns that the pilot of the
GAT-X105 StrikeThis article is about a series of fictional mobile weapons from the Cosmic Era timeline of the Gundam anime metaseries.The GAT-X105 Strike Gundam is initially designed by Junichi Akutsu and cleaned up by Kunio Okawara for the series Mobile Suit Gundam SEED as one of the five mobile suits developed...
is a Coordinator, and a highly skilled one considering the pilot was able to adapt to the gravity of earth as well as the conditions of the environment quickly.
He later meets
Kira Yamatois a fictional character and main protagonist from the Japanese science fiction anime television series Mobile Suit Gundam SEED. Kira is also an important character in the sequel Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny....
, the pilot of the Strike, and
Cagalli Yula Athhais a fictional character from the Japanese science fiction anime television series Mobile Suit Gundam SEED. Cagalli has done well on single popularity polls in Anime Grand Prix. In 2002, she came in 2nd place, and later goes down to 4th place in 2003. She was 2nd in both the 27th and 28th. Cagalli...
when they are sent by the
Archangel and Desert Dawn to gather supplies. Kira saves Andrew from a Blue Cosmos assassination. Even though they are fighting on opposite sides, Kira and Andrew actually grow fond of each other, which makes it very difficult for them to fight each other in their next and decisive battle. Kira asks Andrew to stop because the battle is over, but Andrew is determined to keep fighting until one of them is destroyed. He moves in for a final attack as the Strike loses its Phase Shift armor due to lack of power. Kira goes into SEED mode and destroys the
TMF/A-803 LaGOWEThis article is about a fictional weapon from the Cosmic Era timeline of the anime Gundam metaseries.The TMF/A-803 LaGOWE is a quadrupedal commander-type mobile suit used by ZAFT and designed for ground combat. It is generally similar to the TMF/A-802 BuCUE, but is slightly larger and has a...
that Andrew and Aisha is piloting. They embrace before the LaGOWE explodes, and Kira cries because he did not want to kill Andrew.
In the manga
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Astrayis a collection of "gaiden" set in the Cosmic Era of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED. Whereas the main story of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED focuses on the struggles between the Earth Alliance, ZAFT, and Orb Union, the Astray series is focused on the three MBF-P0x mobile suit prototypes and their respective...
, it is revealed that Andrew is rescued by Junk Guild member
Lowe Gueleis a fictional character from the Japanese science fiction franchise Mobile Suit Gundam SEED....
with the aid of Martin DaCosta. As thanks, he gives Lowe and his team the
Lesseps land battleship, which they use to get to Orb.
Three Ships Alliance
The Desert Tiger reappears later in the PLANTs, having lost his left eye, left arm and right leg (which he replaced with an artificial leg), and, of course, Aisha. Andrew claims loyalty to Chairman
Patrick Zalais one of the principal antagonists from the Japanese science fiction anime television series Mobile Suit Gundam SEED.Patrick Zala, father of Athrun Zala, is the National Defense Committee Chairman who is the radical faction leader of the PLANT Supreme Council...
and is assigned as captain of the support ship
Eternal; however, along with Martin DaCosta and other Clyne Faction loyalists, he helps
Lacus Clyneis a fictional character from the Japanese science fiction anime television series Mobile Suit Gundam SEED. She is a popular female vocalist and becomes the co-leader of the Clyne Faction...
steal the ship and joins up with the
Archangel and Orb's
Kusanagi in their desperate fight against
Patrick Zalais one of the principal antagonists from the Japanese science fiction anime television series Mobile Suit Gundam SEED.Patrick Zala, father of Athrun Zala, is the National Defense Committee Chairman who is the radical faction leader of the PLANT Supreme Council...
, who had essentially taken over ZAFT, and his plans to bring the end of the world with GENESIS.
Kira is shocked upon seeing Andrew, who he thought was dead, again. He tells Andrew that he has every right to want revenge, but Andrew shakes his head and says he will do no such thing - as they've both got an important job to do together.
Towards the end of the series, Andrew helps the Three Ships Alliance bring an end to the war before the Earth Alliance and ZAFT destroy each other and all of humanity.
Gundam SEED Destiny
After the Bloody Valentine War, Andrew enlists in the Orb military and is given a field commission. He lives in the Orb Union with
Murrue Ramiusis a fictional character from the Japanese science fiction anime television series Mobile Suit Gundam SEED and its sequel Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny....
, who also lost a lover in the war. As an additive protection measure, his new (apparently fully-functional) cybernetic prosthetic arm conceals a shotgun. When Reverend Malchio's orphanage is destroyed by the fall of Junius Seven, Andrew and Murrue open their home to Malchio and his orphans, as well as
Kira Yamatois a fictional character and main protagonist from the Japanese science fiction anime television series Mobile Suit Gundam SEED. Kira is also an important character in the sequel Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny....
,
Lacus Clyneis a fictional character from the Japanese science fiction anime television series Mobile Suit Gundam SEED. She is a popular female vocalist and becomes the co-leader of the Clyne Faction...
, and Kira's adoptive mother, who had also been living at the orphanage. He alerted the ZAFT battleship
MinervaThe Minerva-class battleship is a fictional ship class from the Cosmic Era timeline of the anime Gundam metaseries. It is a naval space vessel used by ZAFT.-Design and construction:...
of Orb's alliance with the Earth Alliance and told them to leave (he told them he was a messenger from Andrew Waltfeld, something Murrue giggled at). He planned on moving to the PLANTs with Kira, Lacus, and perhaps Murrue, because of Orb joining with the Earth Alliance; but this plan fell through due to the assassination attempt on Lacus.
Return to the battlefield
In CE 73, after an assassination attempt on Lacus, he leaves Orb aboard the
Archangel joining Kira, Lacus, Murrue and many of the original
Archangel crew. Murrue offers him command of the ship but he declines and instead serves as the ship's tactical and navigational officer as well as a mobile suit pilot with his custom MVF-M11C Murasame. When Lacus decides to return to space, Andrew goes with her in a goofy disguise, and the two operate from Terminal's asteroid base until early C.E. 74. His position as executive officer of the Archangel was replaced by lieutenant Amagi. When ZAFT forces discover the location of the
Eternal, Andrew pilots a recolored ZGMF-X88S Gaia in an attempt to hold off the ZAFT forces until Kira appeared. After regrouping with Kira Yamato and the
Archangel, Andrew returns to the
Eternal and once again assumes command as her captain for the rest of the war, leading the support ship to the final battle of the
Second Bloody Valentine WarThe Second Bloody Valentine War is a fictional conflict in Cosmic Era era of the Gundam franchise. This event is covered in the television series Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny.-Post-Bloody Valentine War Background:...
.
Trivia
- Originally, Andrew was supposed to have died along with Aisha in Gundam SEED when Kira destroyed their TMF/A-803 LaGOWE
This article is about a fictional weapon from the Cosmic Era timeline of the anime Gundam metaseries.The TMF/A-803 LaGOWE is a quadrupedal commander-type mobile suit used by ZAFT and designed for ground combat. It is generally similar to the TMF/A-802 BuCUE, but is slightly larger and has a...
. However, he was such a popular character amongst fans that Mitsuo FukudaMitsuo Fukuda is the director of Future GPX Cyber Formula, Gear Fighter Dendoh, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED and Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny....
brought him back, saying in an interview that there were not many "cool adults" left in the cast. He continued on to play an important role in Gundam SEED Destiny as well.
- Prior to his return as a leader of the Clyne Faction, Andrew's role was very similar to that of Ramba Ral
was a character in the classic anime TV series Mobile Suit Gundam.-History:Ramba Ral was the son of Jimba Ral, longtime friend of Zeon Zum Deikun. After the assassination of Zeon Zum Deikun, Deikun's two children, Casval and Artesia, came to live with the Ral family...
in Mobile Suit Gundamis a televised anime series, created by Sunrise. Created and directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino, it premiered in Japan on Nagoya Broadcasting Network between April 7, 1979 and January 26, 1980, spanning 43 episodes...
. Ironically, Ramba was voiced by Masashi Hirose' is a Japanese seiyū born on November 6, 1947 in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. He is currently represented by Production Baobab.He is most known for the roles of Ramba Ral , Rikishiman , Gosterro , and Nakano-sensei .-TV Anime:*Blue Comet SPT Layzner *Ashita no Nadja *Astro Boy 1980...
, who later voiced Andrew's rival Sahib Ashman in Gundam SEED.