TV Special
Description
Andrew Waltfeld is a Coordinator, a genetically enhanced human, who serves as a prominent figure in the conflicts of the Cosmic Era. Born on July 20, he is approximately thirty years old during the initial war and thirty-two in the subsequent conflict. Standing 181 centimeters tall with brown hair and blue eyes, he is known by his fears epithet, the "Desert Tiger," a title earned for his exceptional tactical skill in desert combat, notably his victory over an Earth Alliance tank corps at El Alamein.
Before the war, Waltfeld worked as an advertising psychologist and was an authority on vibration engineering, a background that contributes to his analytical mind. However, as a ZAFT officer, he is the commander of the North African garrison, operating from the land battleship Lesseps. His personality stands in stark contrast to the grim nature of war. Waltfeld is famously relaxed, casual, and philosophical, maintaining his composure even in the heat of battle. He possesses a deep and well-documented passion for coffee, constantly experimenting with exotic blends and flavors, a hobby he pursues with almost obsessive dedication. This lighthearted demeanor makes him a unique and memorable presence.
His primary motivation is not rooted in blind ideology but in a more pragmatic and questioning stance on the conflict. Waltfeld is one of the few individuals within ZAFT who openly questions the morality and purpose of the war. This is most evident during his memorable encounter with the young protagonists Kira Yamato and Cagalli Yula Athha. After inviting them to his home, he challenges Kira's simplistic view of ending the conflict by destroying the enemy, asking him if he truly believes that is the right way, an encounter that deeply impacts Kira's perspective on fighting.
In the story, Waltfeld initially serves as a formidable antagonist to the crew of the Archangel. He observes their struggles from a distance, developing a respect for the pilot of the Strike Gundam, whom he dubs a "Berserker". He lives and fights alongside his lover and battle partner, Aisha, who serves as his gunner in his custom mobile suit. Their relationship is a significant part of his life, and her loss is a pivotal tragedy. During a final, decisive battle against Kira, Waltfeld's LaGOWE is destroyed. While Aisha perishes, Waltfeld miraculously survives but sustains catastrophic injuries, losing his left arm, left eye, and one of his legs.
His development is a profound journey from enemy to ally. Rescued and given prosthetic limbs, he is initially appointed captain of the new ZAFT battleship Eternal by Chairman Patrick Zala. However, disillusioned with Zala's extremism, he aligns himself with the Clyne Faction, led by Lacus Clyne. He becomes the Eternal's captain, defecting with the ship to join forces with the Archangel and the Orb ship Kusanagi, forming the Three Ships Alliance to end the war. After the war, he goes into seclusion in the neutral nation of Orb, living a quiet life while secretly maintaining an intelligence network to monitor the world's fragile peace. When conflict reignites, he emerges from retirement, taking on the role of first mate aboard the Archangel and later returning to command the Eternal once more, becoming a reliable and steadfast ally to his former enemies.
Despite his physical handicaps, Waltfeld remains a highly capable soldier. His prosthetic left arm is equipped with a concealed gun, which he uses with deadly accuracy. While his injuries might suggest a decline in his piloting abilities, he proves this assumption wrong by skillfully piloting several mobile suits, including a custom orange MVF-M11C Murasame and later a captured ZGMF-X88S Gaia Gundam, which he uses to protect his allies in combat. His greatest abilities, however, are his sharp tactical mind, his level-headed command presence, and his unique capacity for wisdom and empathy, making him a grounding force for the younger, more emotionally driven pilots around him.
Before the war, Waltfeld worked as an advertising psychologist and was an authority on vibration engineering, a background that contributes to his analytical mind. However, as a ZAFT officer, he is the commander of the North African garrison, operating from the land battleship Lesseps. His personality stands in stark contrast to the grim nature of war. Waltfeld is famously relaxed, casual, and philosophical, maintaining his composure even in the heat of battle. He possesses a deep and well-documented passion for coffee, constantly experimenting with exotic blends and flavors, a hobby he pursues with almost obsessive dedication. This lighthearted demeanor makes him a unique and memorable presence.
His primary motivation is not rooted in blind ideology but in a more pragmatic and questioning stance on the conflict. Waltfeld is one of the few individuals within ZAFT who openly questions the morality and purpose of the war. This is most evident during his memorable encounter with the young protagonists Kira Yamato and Cagalli Yula Athha. After inviting them to his home, he challenges Kira's simplistic view of ending the conflict by destroying the enemy, asking him if he truly believes that is the right way, an encounter that deeply impacts Kira's perspective on fighting.
In the story, Waltfeld initially serves as a formidable antagonist to the crew of the Archangel. He observes their struggles from a distance, developing a respect for the pilot of the Strike Gundam, whom he dubs a "Berserker". He lives and fights alongside his lover and battle partner, Aisha, who serves as his gunner in his custom mobile suit. Their relationship is a significant part of his life, and her loss is a pivotal tragedy. During a final, decisive battle against Kira, Waltfeld's LaGOWE is destroyed. While Aisha perishes, Waltfeld miraculously survives but sustains catastrophic injuries, losing his left arm, left eye, and one of his legs.
His development is a profound journey from enemy to ally. Rescued and given prosthetic limbs, he is initially appointed captain of the new ZAFT battleship Eternal by Chairman Patrick Zala. However, disillusioned with Zala's extremism, he aligns himself with the Clyne Faction, led by Lacus Clyne. He becomes the Eternal's captain, defecting with the ship to join forces with the Archangel and the Orb ship Kusanagi, forming the Three Ships Alliance to end the war. After the war, he goes into seclusion in the neutral nation of Orb, living a quiet life while secretly maintaining an intelligence network to monitor the world's fragile peace. When conflict reignites, he emerges from retirement, taking on the role of first mate aboard the Archangel and later returning to command the Eternal once more, becoming a reliable and steadfast ally to his former enemies.
Despite his physical handicaps, Waltfeld remains a highly capable soldier. His prosthetic left arm is equipped with a concealed gun, which he uses with deadly accuracy. While his injuries might suggest a decline in his piloting abilities, he proves this assumption wrong by skillfully piloting several mobile suits, including a custom orange MVF-M11C Murasame and later a captured ZGMF-X88S Gaia Gundam, which he uses to protect his allies in combat. His greatest abilities, however, are his sharp tactical mind, his level-headed command presence, and his unique capacity for wisdom and empathy, making him a grounding force for the younger, more emotionally driven pilots around him.