OVA
Description
Admiral Eiphar Synapse is a senior officer in the Earth Federation Forces who serves as the captain of the Pegasus-class assault carrier Albion, holding the rank of Colonel. At the time of the Delaz Conflict in U.C. 0083, he is 45 years old. Synapse is a seasoned frontline veteran whose military career dates back to the One Year War, where he earned commendations and a steady rise in rank through proven competence in combat.
As a commander, Synapse is characterized by a commanding presence and a sharp tactical mind. He is a professional who demands efficiency and punctuality, earning even the begrudging respect of his Zeon adversary, Anavel Gato, who calls him a earnest captain for the Federation. Synapse possesses a strong sense of responsibility and a pragmatic willingness to rely on his own judgment, particularly when official support is lacking. While he is a man of principle respected as a gentleman by his subordinates like South Burning, official character notes also describe him as somewhat short-tempered. He struggles with the immense stress of his position, and a fondness for alcohol leads to his consumption being medically restricted.
Synapse's motivations are rooted in a straightforward sense of duty and a desire to prevent catastrophe, specifically the successful execution of Operation Stardust. He is not driven by political ambition but by the practical need to stop a nuclear threat and prevent a colony from being dropped on Earth. His loyalty to his crew and the mission overrides his adherence to rigid military protocol when human lives are at stake.
His role in the story begins as the transport commander delivering the prototype RX-78GP01 and RX-78GP02A Gundams to the Torrington Base in Australia. When the RX-78GP02A is stolen by Zeon remnants, Synapse is ordered to pursue it across the globe and into space. Operating under the authority of Admiral John Kowen, who belongs to a minority political faction, Synapse consistently finds himself denied adequate support from Federation high command. This isolation forces him to act independently, culminating in his decision to ignore direct orders to secure the powerful RX-78GP03 Dendrobium, which he uses to single-handedly pursue the Delaz Fleet in a final desperate attempt to halt the colony laser strike.
Key relationships include his direct superior, Admiral John Kowen, whose political downfall removes Synapse's protection from internal military coups. He shares a professional and paternal bond with his crew, including pilots Kou Urak i and South Burning, as well as the ship's staff. He is trusted by his subordinates and defends their actions in the field. Notably, he has a prior acquaintance with Kou Uraki's father, adding a layer of personal connection to his mentorship of the young pilot. He is later shown to be a respected former commander to officers like Wes Murphy, who resent his eventual fate.
Synapse undergoes significant development from a by-the-book officer following orders to a renegade commander willing to commit insubordination for the greater good. He starts the series managing a routine test and ends it as a fugitive from his own military hierarchy, having commandeered a top-secret weapon to fight a desperate battle. His arc illustrates the tragic conflict between operational necessity and legal authority within a corrupt bureaucracy.
His notable abilities include high-level strategic command, exceptional leadership skills demonstrated by forging a new, untested crew into a highly effective unit in a very short time, and keen tactical acumen. However, his effectiveness in the field is matched by a lack of political savvy, which ultimately leads to his downfall. Following the conflict, Synapse is arrested and tried by the victorious Jamitov Hymen faction. For his actions in defying orders and effectively commandeering the Albion, he is found guilty and sentenced to death, a fate confirmed in novelizations and supplementary materials, though the OVA only implies his removal from command.
As a commander, Synapse is characterized by a commanding presence and a sharp tactical mind. He is a professional who demands efficiency and punctuality, earning even the begrudging respect of his Zeon adversary, Anavel Gato, who calls him a earnest captain for the Federation. Synapse possesses a strong sense of responsibility and a pragmatic willingness to rely on his own judgment, particularly when official support is lacking. While he is a man of principle respected as a gentleman by his subordinates like South Burning, official character notes also describe him as somewhat short-tempered. He struggles with the immense stress of his position, and a fondness for alcohol leads to his consumption being medically restricted.
Synapse's motivations are rooted in a straightforward sense of duty and a desire to prevent catastrophe, specifically the successful execution of Operation Stardust. He is not driven by political ambition but by the practical need to stop a nuclear threat and prevent a colony from being dropped on Earth. His loyalty to his crew and the mission overrides his adherence to rigid military protocol when human lives are at stake.
His role in the story begins as the transport commander delivering the prototype RX-78GP01 and RX-78GP02A Gundams to the Torrington Base in Australia. When the RX-78GP02A is stolen by Zeon remnants, Synapse is ordered to pursue it across the globe and into space. Operating under the authority of Admiral John Kowen, who belongs to a minority political faction, Synapse consistently finds himself denied adequate support from Federation high command. This isolation forces him to act independently, culminating in his decision to ignore direct orders to secure the powerful RX-78GP03 Dendrobium, which he uses to single-handedly pursue the Delaz Fleet in a final desperate attempt to halt the colony laser strike.
Key relationships include his direct superior, Admiral John Kowen, whose political downfall removes Synapse's protection from internal military coups. He shares a professional and paternal bond with his crew, including pilots Kou Urak i and South Burning, as well as the ship's staff. He is trusted by his subordinates and defends their actions in the field. Notably, he has a prior acquaintance with Kou Uraki's father, adding a layer of personal connection to his mentorship of the young pilot. He is later shown to be a respected former commander to officers like Wes Murphy, who resent his eventual fate.
Synapse undergoes significant development from a by-the-book officer following orders to a renegade commander willing to commit insubordination for the greater good. He starts the series managing a routine test and ends it as a fugitive from his own military hierarchy, having commandeered a top-secret weapon to fight a desperate battle. His arc illustrates the tragic conflict between operational necessity and legal authority within a corrupt bureaucracy.
His notable abilities include high-level strategic command, exceptional leadership skills demonstrated by forging a new, untested crew into a highly effective unit in a very short time, and keen tactical acumen. However, his effectiveness in the field is matched by a lack of political savvy, which ultimately leads to his downfall. Following the conflict, Synapse is arrested and tried by the victorious Jamitov Hymen faction. For his actions in defying orders and effectively commandeering the Albion, he is found guilty and sentenced to death, a fate confirmed in novelizations and supplementary materials, though the OVA only implies his removal from command.