Cagalli Yula Athha
Encyclopedia
is a fictional character
introduced in the Japanese science fiction
anime
television series Mobile Suit Gundam SEED
by Sunrise, part of the Gundam
franchise. In the series, Cagalli is one of the regular humans, labeled as Naturals, fighting against genetically enhanced humans known as Coordinators in a prolonged war. Despite being seen fighting on the battlefield at various times alongside the Naturals military organization the Earth Alliance, Cagalli is later revealed to be the daughter of Uzumi Nara Athha, the leader of the neutral country of Orb. After assisting her new allies to stop the war, Cagalli becomes the leader of Orb. Her new role as such is further explored in the series sequel, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny
. Cagalli is voiced by Naomi Shindō in Japanese and by Vanessa Morley
in the English adaptation.
Cagalli has also reprised her role from the TV series, in the films recollections from Gundam SEED and Gundam SEED Destiny as well as its manga
adaptations. Her character has also being well-received in Japan, having appeared various times in the Anime Grand Prix polls for the favorite female anime character category, as well as online polls by Sunrise regarding the Gundam franchise. Critical reception for Cagalli has also been positive, mostly because of her strong personality and development across both TV series.
who leads her to an evacuation shelter. She reappears when ZAFT's Andrew Waltfeld destroys the town of Tassil, forcing her and her comrades from the Desert Dawn to chase after him. Outmatched, several resistance fighters are killed until Kira arrives in the Strike to save them. Cagalli stays with the Archangel ship assisting it in battle with a spare FX-550 Skygrasper. When the Archangel reaches Orb, Cagalli reveals that she is the daughter of the Orb Union's Chief Representative Uzumi Nara Athha. Cagalli stays with Orb and later learns that captured ZAFT soldier Athrun Zala
has apparently killed Kira. She confronts Athrun but ultimately allows him to return to ZAFT. Cagalli later learns of Kira's survival and reunites with him as well as Athrun who has joined forces with Kira.
When the Earth Alliance under the direction of Blue Cosmos attacks Orb, Cagalli's father gives her a photograph of her and Kira when they were babies revealing that they are twins. Cagalli then escapes on board the Kusanagi as her father and the other Orb leaders sacrifice their lives by self-destructing the Kaguya mass driver in order to prevent it from being used by the Earth Alliance. Cagalli then joins the Three Ships Alliance, which is trying to stop the genocidal intentions of the leaders of both sides. There, she starts a romantic relationship with Athrun and becomes the pilot of the mobile suit to protect him.
By Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny
, set two years after Gundam SEED, Cagalli has taken her father's former position as Chief Representative of the Orb Union. She is accompanied by Athrun, who acts as her aide and bodyguard, on a diplomatic mission to the PLANT's where she meets with Chairman Gilbert Durandal to discuss matters regarding increased militarization. Within Orb, Cagalli is manipulated by others to endorse an alliance between the Earth Alliance and Orb and to go through with an arranged marriage with Yuna Roma Seiran to finalize the agreement. Kira kidnaps Cagalli during her wedding and takes her to the Archangel. Cagalli realizes her mistake and from the Archangel attempts to reason with Orb's military forces in an effort to stop them from fighting against ZAFT. However, Yuna refuses to acknowledge Cagalli and orders Orb's forces to open fire on her. Having returned to ZAFT, Athrun blames the Archangel for making the situation worse, much to Cagalli's shock. When the Archangel returns to Orb, it is under attack by ZAFT and Earth Alliance forces seeking the sheltered Lord Djibril, leader of Logos. There Cagalli receives the mobile suit as Uzumi's will. Piloting the Akatsuki, Cagalli resumes her position as Orb's leader and orders the arrest of Yuna. She then leads a counter-attack against ZAFT. She is able to keep Shinn Asuka at bay long enough for Kira's return. Afterwards, Cagalli remains in Orb to tend to her responsibilities as Orb's leader, while the Archangel returns to space to continue the fight against ZAFT.
and Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny: Special Edition
which retell the events from its respective series. In the latter film's ending as well as the original video animation, Cagalli makes a peace agreement with ZAFT, remaining in Orb. She is also featured in the manga
adaptations of both Gundam SEED and Gundam SEED Destiny, the latter also including Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny: The Edge. She is also featured in the video games Mobile Suit Gundam Seed: Rengou vs. Z.A.F.T.
and Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Destiny: Rengou vs. Z.A.F.T. II
piloting the Strike Rouge and the Akatsuki. She has also been featured in a character CDs from the series with tracks performed by her Japanese voice actress, Naomi Shindō.
poll, Cagalli was voted as the most popular female anime character from the 2000's. Cagalli was also the winner in a Sunrise poll that asked fans what female character from Gundam SEED and Gundam SEED Destiny would they want to see in swimsuit. She was also first in another that asked what female characters from the Gundam franchise would they want to see in a wedding dress. Two other polls from the same site asked fans what was the most memorable characters from Gundam SEED and from Gundam SEED Destiny; Cagalli was fourth in both of them.
Publications for manga, anime and other media have commented on Cagalli's character, giving generally positive response. In a review by Mania Entertainment writer Kim Wolstenholme, Cagalli was described with praise as a strong female character rather than a "wishy-washy character" seen in other anime series. He also liked her involvement in Gundam SEED following her short appearance in the series' first episode. A similar comment was made by Ross Liversidge from UK Anime Network who praised Cagalli's return in the series due to the fact the importance from her role was found "unexpected". Moreover, Liversidge favorited the episodes in which Cagalli and Athrun meet and fight for the first time, as it also developed their characters as the two talked. Writing for Mania, Chris Beveridge also liked Cagalli's involvement in the series citing her experience in combat as well as a romantic triangle that appeared to be between her, Kira and Flay Allster. In a later episode, Wolstenholme found that Cagalli's character had become more mature when she confronts Athrun about the reasons to kill somebody following her father's teachings, citing it as a strong quiet moments from the series. Reviewing the manga of Gundam SEED Destiny Julie Gray from Comic Book Bin praised Cagalli's romantical relationship with Athrun featured in the volume, emphasizing how integral is it to the story and pointing as the romantical theme brought by the series. Vanessa Morley
's work as Cagalli's English voice actress was found to be "satisfyingly tomboyish" by Anime News Network
writer Theron Martin despite noting that her Japanese voice actress, Naomi Shindō, portrayed more manly.
Character (arts)
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
introduced in the Japanese science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
television series Mobile Suit Gundam SEED
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED
is an anime series developed by Sunrise and directed by Mitsuo Fukuda. As with other series from the Gundam franchise, Gundam SEED takes place in a parallel timeline, in this case the Cosmic Era, the first to do so...
by Sunrise, part of the Gundam
Gundam
The is a metaseries of anime created by Sunrise studios that features giant robots called "Mobile Suits" ; usually the protagonist's MS will carry the name Gundam....
franchise. In the series, Cagalli is one of the regular humans, labeled as Naturals, fighting against genetically enhanced humans known as Coordinators in a prolonged war. Despite being seen fighting on the battlefield at various times alongside the Naturals military organization the Earth Alliance, Cagalli is later revealed to be the daughter of Uzumi Nara Athha, the leader of the neutral country of Orb. After assisting her new allies to stop the war, Cagalli becomes the leader of Orb. Her new role as such is further explored in the series sequel, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny
is an anime television series, acting as a sequel of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED by Sunrise. It retains most of the staff from Gundam SEED, including Director Mitsuo Fukuda. Set two years after the original Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, the plot follows the new character Shinn Asuka, a soldier from ZAFT,...
. Cagalli is voiced by Naomi Shindō in Japanese and by Vanessa Morley
Vanessa Morley
Vanessa Morley is a Canadian actress and is the younger sister of another actress, Natasha Morley.-TV and movie roles:* The X-Files: I Want To Believe as random FBI Agent * The Engagement Ring as Young Alicia...
in the English adaptation.
Cagalli has also reprised her role from the TV series, in the films recollections from Gundam SEED and Gundam SEED Destiny as well as its manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
adaptations. Her character has also being well-received in Japan, having appeared various times in the Anime Grand Prix polls for the favorite female anime character category, as well as online polls by Sunrise regarding the Gundam franchise. Critical reception for Cagalli has also been positive, mostly because of her strong personality and development across both TV series.
In the television series
Cagalli is first seen in the Heliopolis space colony where she discovers that advanced mobile suits have been developed for the Earth Alliance by Orb. During ZAFT's attack on Heliopolis, Cagalli runs into Kira YamatoKira Yamato
is a fictional character first introduced as the protagonist from the 2002 Japanese anime television series Mobile Suit Gundam SEED by Sunrise, part of the Gundam franchise. In the series, Kira is a first-generation Coordinator, a genetically enhanced human being born of normal humans...
who leads her to an evacuation shelter. She reappears when ZAFT's Andrew Waltfeld destroys the town of Tassil, forcing her and her comrades from the Desert Dawn to chase after him. Outmatched, several resistance fighters are killed until Kira arrives in the Strike to save them. Cagalli stays with the Archangel ship assisting it in battle with a spare FX-550 Skygrasper. When the Archangel reaches Orb, Cagalli reveals that she is the daughter of the Orb Union's Chief Representative Uzumi Nara Athha. Cagalli stays with Orb and later learns that captured ZAFT soldier Athrun Zala
Athrun Zala
is a fictional character from the Japanese science fiction anime television series Mobile Suit Gundam SEED and its sequel Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny, part of the Gundam franchise. In the former, Athrun Zala is introduced as a member from the military organization ZAFT, composed of...
has apparently killed Kira. She confronts Athrun but ultimately allows him to return to ZAFT. Cagalli later learns of Kira's survival and reunites with him as well as Athrun who has joined forces with Kira.
When the Earth Alliance under the direction of Blue Cosmos attacks Orb, Cagalli's father gives her a photograph of her and Kira when they were babies revealing that they are twins. Cagalli then escapes on board the Kusanagi as her father and the other Orb leaders sacrifice their lives by self-destructing the Kaguya mass driver in order to prevent it from being used by the Earth Alliance. Cagalli then joins the Three Ships Alliance, which is trying to stop the genocidal intentions of the leaders of both sides. There, she starts a romantic relationship with Athrun and becomes the pilot of the mobile suit to protect him.
By Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny
is an anime television series, acting as a sequel of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED by Sunrise. It retains most of the staff from Gundam SEED, including Director Mitsuo Fukuda. Set two years after the original Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, the plot follows the new character Shinn Asuka, a soldier from ZAFT,...
, set two years after Gundam SEED, Cagalli has taken her father's former position as Chief Representative of the Orb Union. She is accompanied by Athrun, who acts as her aide and bodyguard, on a diplomatic mission to the PLANT's where she meets with Chairman Gilbert Durandal to discuss matters regarding increased militarization. Within Orb, Cagalli is manipulated by others to endorse an alliance between the Earth Alliance and Orb and to go through with an arranged marriage with Yuna Roma Seiran to finalize the agreement. Kira kidnaps Cagalli during her wedding and takes her to the Archangel. Cagalli realizes her mistake and from the Archangel attempts to reason with Orb's military forces in an effort to stop them from fighting against ZAFT. However, Yuna refuses to acknowledge Cagalli and orders Orb's forces to open fire on her. Having returned to ZAFT, Athrun blames the Archangel for making the situation worse, much to Cagalli's shock. When the Archangel returns to Orb, it is under attack by ZAFT and Earth Alliance forces seeking the sheltered Lord Djibril, leader of Logos. There Cagalli receives the mobile suit as Uzumi's will. Piloting the Akatsuki, Cagalli resumes her position as Orb's leader and orders the arrest of Yuna. She then leads a counter-attack against ZAFT. She is able to keep Shinn Asuka at bay long enough for Kira's return. Afterwards, Cagalli remains in Orb to tend to her responsibilities as Orb's leader, while the Archangel returns to space to continue the fight against ZAFT.
In other media
Besides starring in the TV series, Cagalli is also featured in two series of films Mobile Suit Gundam SEED: Special EditionMobile Suit Gundam SEED: Special Edition
are three special edition movies that were released following the conclusion of Gundam SEED.-Overview:Much like the Mobile Suit Gundam theatrical movies, the Gundam SEED: Special Edition movies are intended to be an override of the story from the TV series.These episodes are in fact a complete...
and Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny: Special Edition
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny: Special Edition
is Gundam SEED Destinys counterpart to Gundam SEED: Special Edition. It is a four-part compilation movie.-Overview:Like the three specials of Gundam SEED, these specials feature new or changed scenes of the TV series...
which retell the events from its respective series. In the latter film's ending as well as the original video animation, Cagalli makes a peace agreement with ZAFT, remaining in Orb. She is also featured in the manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
adaptations of both Gundam SEED and Gundam SEED Destiny, the latter also including Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny: The Edge. She is also featured in the video games Mobile Suit Gundam Seed: Rengou vs. Z.A.F.T.
Gundam Seed: Rengou vs. Z.A.F.T.
Gundam Seed: O.M.N.I. vs Z.A.F.T. is a third person arcade game based on the Gundam Seed franchise. It was developed in 2005 by Capcom and published by Bandai in Japan. Similarly to Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Z Gundam, the player can choose to ally themselves with either O.M.N.I., Z.A.F.T. or...
and Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Destiny: Rengou vs. Z.A.F.T. II
Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Destiny: Rengou vs. Z.A.F.T. II
Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Destiny: Rengou vs. Z.A.F.T. II is a third person arcade game developed by Capcom and published by Namco Bandai Games. It is the sequel to Gundam Seed: Rengou vs. Z.A.F.T. with a slightly revised fighting system, new units and characters, and updates to old characters...
piloting the Strike Rouge and the Akatsuki. She has also been featured in a character CDs from the series with tracks performed by her Japanese voice actress, Naomi Shindō.
Reception
Cagalli's character has been very popular in Japan; she has appeared various on the popularity polls in Anime Grand Prix as one of the best female anime characters. In 2002, she came in second, and later went fourth in 2003. She was second in both the 27th and 28th, and remained fourth in the 29th. In a NewtypeNewtype (magazine)
is a monthly magazine publication originating from Japan, covering anime and manga . It was launched by publishing company Kadokawa Shoten on March 8, 1985 with its April issue, and has since seen regular release on the 10th of every month in its home country...
poll, Cagalli was voted as the most popular female anime character from the 2000's. Cagalli was also the winner in a Sunrise poll that asked fans what female character from Gundam SEED and Gundam SEED Destiny would they want to see in swimsuit. She was also first in another that asked what female characters from the Gundam franchise would they want to see in a wedding dress. Two other polls from the same site asked fans what was the most memorable characters from Gundam SEED and from Gundam SEED Destiny; Cagalli was fourth in both of them.
Publications for manga, anime and other media have commented on Cagalli's character, giving generally positive response. In a review by Mania Entertainment writer Kim Wolstenholme, Cagalli was described with praise as a strong female character rather than a "wishy-washy character" seen in other anime series. He also liked her involvement in Gundam SEED following her short appearance in the series' first episode. A similar comment was made by Ross Liversidge from UK Anime Network who praised Cagalli's return in the series due to the fact the importance from her role was found "unexpected". Moreover, Liversidge favorited the episodes in which Cagalli and Athrun meet and fight for the first time, as it also developed their characters as the two talked. Writing for Mania, Chris Beveridge also liked Cagalli's involvement in the series citing her experience in combat as well as a romantic triangle that appeared to be between her, Kira and Flay Allster. In a later episode, Wolstenholme found that Cagalli's character had become more mature when she confronts Athrun about the reasons to kill somebody following her father's teachings, citing it as a strong quiet moments from the series. Reviewing the manga of Gundam SEED Destiny Julie Gray from Comic Book Bin praised Cagalli's romantical relationship with Athrun featured in the volume, emphasizing how integral is it to the story and pointing as the romantical theme brought by the series. Vanessa Morley
Vanessa Morley
Vanessa Morley is a Canadian actress and is the younger sister of another actress, Natasha Morley.-TV and movie roles:* The X-Files: I Want To Believe as random FBI Agent * The Engagement Ring as Young Alicia...
's work as Cagalli's English voice actress was found to be "satisfyingly tomboyish" by Anime News Network
Anime News Network
Anime News Network is an anime industry news website that reports on the status of anime, manga, Japanese popular music and other otaku-related culture within North America, Australia and Japan. Additionally, it sometimes features similar happenings throughout the Anglosphere and elsewhere in the...
writer Theron Martin despite noting that her Japanese voice actress, Naomi Shindō, portrayed more manly.