OVA
Description
Artesia Som Deikun, also known under the assumed name Sayla Mass, is a central figure in Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin. Born on September 12, Universal Century 0062, she is the daughter of Zeon Zum Deikun, the ideological founder of the Side 3 space colony cluster, and the younger sister of Casval Rem Deikun. She has blonde hair and blue eyes. Her early childhood was abruptly shattered by the sudden death of her father, an event that she and her brother believed was orchestrated by the rising Zabi family, who sought to seize political power. To ensure their survival, Artesia and Casval were forced to flee their home, escaping to Earth under the protection of family loyalists like Jimba Ral.
Upon arriving on Earth, Artesia was adopted into the household of Teabolo Mass, a wealthy acquaintance of the Ral family, and given the new identity of Sayla Mass to hide from the Zabis' reach. This period of her life is marked by a deep internal conflict. While her brother Casval, who took the name Edward Mass, was consumed by a thirst for revenge and meticulously planned his return to space as the masked Char Aznable, Artesia yearned for a quiet and peaceful existence. The official description of her character notes that she grew into a kind-hearted girl who wished that nobody would ever have to shed tears of sorrow. This core desire for peace stands in stark contrast to the violent destiny that her lineage and her brother's actions seem to demand.
Despite her wish for a normal life, Artesia's path is inevitably intertwined with the conflicts of the Universal Century. Her primary motivation throughout The Origin is not power or revenge, but survival and the protection of her loved ones, often from the consequences of her brother's schemes. She is forced to confront her past repeatedly, and her role in the story is that of a reluctant participant in the larger political and military drama. She is a steadying moral presence, frequently serving as a foil to the increasingly ruthless and manipulative Char, whom she loves but cannot support in his quest for vengeance. Her key relationships are fundamentally defined by her family. The bond and subsequent ideological rift with her brother, Casval, is the most significant dynamic of her life. Other relationships from her childhood, such as those with the Ral family, also carry deep emotional weight and later lead to painful encounters when they find themselves on opposing sides of the war.
Artesia's character development shows a transition from a sheltered, traumatized child to a resilient and decisive young woman. While her preference is for peace, she demonstrates a strong will and a pragmatic acceptance of her circumstances. She is known to be determined and unafraid to challenge authority or transgress orders when she believes them to be unjust. This inner strength translates into notable abilities. Although not initially a soldier, Artesia proves to be highly capable in crisis situations. She demonstrates excellent combat instincts and piloting skills, eventually becoming skilled enough to pilot a mobile suit and the G-Fighter support craft, showcasing her innate Newtype potential, a heightened level of spatial awareness and empathy.
Upon arriving on Earth, Artesia was adopted into the household of Teabolo Mass, a wealthy acquaintance of the Ral family, and given the new identity of Sayla Mass to hide from the Zabis' reach. This period of her life is marked by a deep internal conflict. While her brother Casval, who took the name Edward Mass, was consumed by a thirst for revenge and meticulously planned his return to space as the masked Char Aznable, Artesia yearned for a quiet and peaceful existence. The official description of her character notes that she grew into a kind-hearted girl who wished that nobody would ever have to shed tears of sorrow. This core desire for peace stands in stark contrast to the violent destiny that her lineage and her brother's actions seem to demand.
Despite her wish for a normal life, Artesia's path is inevitably intertwined with the conflicts of the Universal Century. Her primary motivation throughout The Origin is not power or revenge, but survival and the protection of her loved ones, often from the consequences of her brother's schemes. She is forced to confront her past repeatedly, and her role in the story is that of a reluctant participant in the larger political and military drama. She is a steadying moral presence, frequently serving as a foil to the increasingly ruthless and manipulative Char, whom she loves but cannot support in his quest for vengeance. Her key relationships are fundamentally defined by her family. The bond and subsequent ideological rift with her brother, Casval, is the most significant dynamic of her life. Other relationships from her childhood, such as those with the Ral family, also carry deep emotional weight and later lead to painful encounters when they find themselves on opposing sides of the war.
Artesia's character development shows a transition from a sheltered, traumatized child to a resilient and decisive young woman. While her preference is for peace, she demonstrates a strong will and a pragmatic acceptance of her circumstances. She is known to be determined and unafraid to challenge authority or transgress orders when she believes them to be unjust. This inner strength translates into notable abilities. Although not initially a soldier, Artesia proves to be highly capable in crisis situations. She demonstrates excellent combat instincts and piloting skills, eventually becoming skilled enough to pilot a mobile suit and the G-Fighter support craft, showcasing her innate Newtype potential, a heightened level of spatial awareness and empathy.