The ORB-01 Akatsuki Gundam (aka Akatsuki Gundam, Akatsuki) is a Mobile Suit introduced in the anime Mobile

Suit Gundam SEED Destiny . It is initially piloted by Cagalli Yula Athha, then by Mu La Fraga.

Features

The Akatsuki Gundam was developed by merging the knowledge acquired by Orb's engineers from the study of the GAT-X105 Strike Gundam and its support system, the Striker Pack, with newer prototype technologies based on Orb. Its standard weapons include a double-beam sword, head-mounted CIWS cannons, an arm-mounted shield, and a beam rifle. Its most notable feature is its gold-colored armor, known as Yata-no-Kagami. Gold is the color reserved for Orb's ruling class, and this armor is actually a "mirror surface" type, capable of deflecting and even reflecting beam fire with the aid of Akatsuki sensors, making the MS virtually impervious to beam attacks. Despite this, its vulnerability to melee and physical weapons (such as shells) remains the same as any other MS, hence the presence of a shield as part of its armament.

The Akatsuki can also equip two optional backpacks, derived from the Striker packs of the Strike Gundam, to enhance its combat capabilities. On Earth, it can use an aerial backpack known as the "Oowashi" Sky Pack, granting it atmospheric flight capabilities. Armed with two beam cannons, the Oowashi can detach from the machine and transform into a support aircraft, similar to the Fatum-00 of the... ZGMF-X09A Justice Gundam. With this pack, the Mobile Suit is known as the Oowashi Akatsuki Gundam. When operating in space, the Akatsuki can use another backpack known as the "Shiranui" Space Pack, which increases the machine's mobility and equips it with seven remotely controlled turret units (funnels) that have offensive and defensive capabilities. With this pack, the Mobile Suit is known as the Shiranui Akatsuki Gundam.

• Striker Pack

Since the Akatsuki was designed based on the GAT-X105 Strike Gundam, it also incorporates the ability to mount Striker Packs on its back.

• "Oowashi" Sky Pack

Attached to the back, it serves as an optional backpack for atmospheric flight. The Oowashi is equipped with four jet engines and two rocket-type thrusters, allowing the Akatsuki to fly at subsonic speeds. Like the Justice Gundam's Fatum-00, the Oowashi can detach from the Mobile Suit and transform into an unmanned aerial vehicle to support the Akatsuki in combat. In this configuration, it can operate independently using its AI system or be remotely controlled by the Akatsuki pilot.

• "Shiranui" Space Pack

Attached to the rear is an optional backpack for space combat. Besides the fact that the Mobile Suit is more mobile thanks to the additional thrusters, it is also equipped with the DRAGOON system in the form of seven M531R guided beam mobile turret systems. The Akatsuki can use these weapons remotely to increase its firepower or defensive capabilities.

• OS (Operating System)

The Akatsuki uses a customized version of the operating system of General Unilateral N euro-link Dispersive Autonomic Maneuver Operating System, the same operating system used on the "GAT-X" series, created by Kira Yamato . This system is designed to allow natural pilots to master combat using a Mobile Suit, enabling them to be on equal footing with coordinator pilots.

• "Yata-No-Kagami" Anti-Beam Defensive reflection System

The Akatsuki's golden armor (including that on their weapons and backpacks) is a "mirror-surface" type armor composed of beam-reflecting nano-layers and ultra-thin critical plasma suppression layers. It not only protects against incoming beams by deflecting them, but can also utilize the Akatsuki's sensors to track enemies and automatically redirect those beams back at them, thus combining offense and defense. This armor also allows the Akatsuki to block or deflect shots from the Positron Blaster Cannon and the Requiem, and to penetrate specific shields or beam reflectors, such as the Requiem's ​​Positron Reflectors. However, the armor provides no protection against melee attacks such as direct hits from beam sabers or beam boomerangs. Furthermore, its manufacturing and maintenance costs are enormous. The amount spent to equip a Mobile Suit with this armor is said to be equal to the production of more than 20 MBF-M1 M1 Astrays.

• A-GXQ754/V2 Zeus Silhouette

A set of heavy equipment originally designed for the The ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam consists of a large linear cannon system with two spare barrels, a sensor suite in the backpack with missile launchers, additional armor, and large booster units. To use this equipment, the Akatsuki must be in its base form, without the "Oowashi" or "Shiranui" packs. When not equipped, the Zeus Silhouette's components can be combined into a self-contained support fighter.

Weapons

• M2M5D 12.5mm CIWS: The Akatsuki is equipped with a pair of 12.5mm CIWS (Close-In Weapon System) in its head. The CIWS is a small-caliber firearm designed to intercept missiles, projectiles, and lightly armored vehicles.
• Type 72D5 "Hyakurai" Beam Rifle: The Akatsuki is equipped with a "Hyakurai" beam rifle as its primary weapon. It boasts an excellent rate of fire and is stored on the right side of the mobile suit when not in use. The rifle also has a slot beneath its barrel for equipping the Experimental Twin Beam Saber, transforming it into a sword-gun.
• Type 73J2 Experimental Twin Beam Saber: The Akatsuki is equipped with an Experimental Twin Beam Saber for close combat, which is stored on the left side of the Mangekyō Sharingan when not in use. The saber can separate into two individual sabers if necessary. It can also be mounted at the bottom of the Hyakurai rifle, transforming it into a sword-like weapon.
• Type 71 Experimental Defensive Shield: For added protection, the Akatsuki can mount an experimental shield on their left forearm or carry it in their hand. It has the same radiation-resistant coating as the machine's body and is capable of deflecting or reflecting large beams, such as those from a Positron Blaster-type cannon and even a shot from the Requiem. Unlike the armor on the MS's body, the shield is also strong enough to withstand physical attacks, such as missiles and other projectile weapons, and is primarily used for this purpose.
• Type 73F Kai High-Energy Beam Cannon: Mounted at the bottom of the "Oowashi" Sky Pack, the pair of high-energy beam cannons is the Oowashi Akatsuki's most powerful ranged weapon. They are positioned below the shoulders when in use and can extend to reveal a grip on the lower side. However, it is not necessary to hold this grip to fire the cannons.
• M531R Guided Mobile Beam Turret System: The seven ranged weapons mounted on the "Shiranui" Space Pack are comparable to the first-generation DRAGOON system. Each unit is equipped with a single beam cannon, which can also function as a beam-type shield emitter when used with the other two shield emitters simultaneously. By using these emitters on all seven ranged weapon units, a large beam-type shield can be created to provide protection for approximately one or two battleships.

History

The Akatsuki Gundam was originally intended to be the standard mobile suit for the Orb National Defense Force. However, due to development difficulties and the high cost caused by the anti-beam reflection system, the Akatsuki underwent a prolonged development, and the project was put on hold after the completion of

The basic Mobile Suit. Consequently, it was not ready during the first Battle of Orb. However, despite its development being frozen, its weapon system continued to be secretly developed in anticipation of its possible future use. The existence of the unique prototype remained a secret on the orders of Uzumi Nara Athha, intended only for use as the nation's last line of defense, or if Cagalli Yula Athha needed additional power (although, according to her recorded will, Uzumi hoped the day the Mobile Suit hangar would be opened would never come).

The completed Akatsuki is piloted by Cagalli. Equipped with the "Oowashi" Sky Pack, she uses this machine to defend Orb against a ZAFT attack during the Second Alliance-PLANT War, after being informed of its existence by Ledonir Kisaka. Cagalli takes command of Orb's army and uses the Akatsuki to try and defend Orb against ZAFT's forces, but finds herself facing ZAFT's best ace, the ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam and its pilot Shinn Asuka. Although Shinn's ranged attacks are ineffective, he easily overpowers his opponent using melee attacks, inflicting minor damage to the golden Mangekyō Sharingan. When the battle ends in space, the Akatsuki is repaired and, on Cagalli's orders, is loaned to Mu La Fraga, while Cagalli remains behind in Orb to take control of his country.

While the Archangel is docked at the lunar city of Copernicus, Mwu uses the Oowashi Akatsuki to intervene in the defense of several crew members, while they attempt to save Meer Campbell. Despite the presence of the Akatsuki, Meer is killed by a bullet meant for Lacus Clyne.

The Akatsuki with the "Shiranui" space pack plays a major role in the end of the Second Alliance-PLANT War by defending the Archangel and the Eternal, as well as helping to destroy the super weapon Requiem.

During the final battle with the Foundation Kingdom in CE75, the Akatsuki, piloted by Mwu, is sent in a container disguised with a Mirage Colloid stealth system. The Akatsuki uses the linear cannon of the A-GXQ754/V2 Zeus Silhouette to destroy the primary relay ring of the repaired Requiem, then uses his Yata-no-Kagami to reflect the Requiem's ​​shot, temporarily disabling the super weapon. The Akatsuki then returns the Zeus Silhouette to ZGMF/A-42S2 Destiny Gundam Spec II so that the latter will destroy the Requiem for good.

Did you know?

• The name Akatsuki means "dawn" or "sunrise" in Japanese. It also carries the meaning of "beginning." Morgenroete, the company that built Akatsuki, means "dawn" in German. The kanji for "Akatsuki" is also engraved on the right shoulder of the MS. The code "ORB-01 ALBA" is also engraved on the left side of the Akatsuki's head. Alba means "dawn" in Italian, a reference to the unit's name.
• Oowashi roughly translates to "Sea Eagle," perhaps a reference to the Oowashi pack's flying abilities. The marine aspect of the name may allude to Orb being an island nation surrounded by the ocean. Shiranui translates to "Unknown Fire," implying an optical phenomenon in Japanese stories. This name likely refers to the recurring "Fire" and "Dawn" motifs that cover Cagalli and Orb.
• "Yata no Kagami" is named after a legendary mirror that is one of the three sacred treasures of Japan.
• The Guided Mobile Beam Turret System's ability to collectively generate a beam shield could be a reference to the Gundam v which uses its Funnels to do the same thing.
• The Akatsuki is a tribute to MSN-00100 Hyaku Shiki of Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, wearing a similar color combination and a gold reflective anti-beam coating.
• Cagalli gave the Akatsuki Gundam to Mu La Fraga after using it for only one battle, making it the Gundam with the fastest pilot change.
• The original (televised) version of the anime features the Akatsuki (in its battle sequences) in a flat gold color palette, prior to home video (DVD) releases, including the HD Remastered Edition, which adds a chrome gold effect.