Donovan Matgloss is a supporting character in Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin who begins his service as a member of the Munzo Defense Force, where he holds the rank of ensign and serves directly under Captain Ramba Ral. During this early period, he is part of a close-knit unit that includes other subordinates such as Tachi O'Hara. His personality is marked by diligence and a willingness to follow orders, even when those orders are unconventional. This is most notably demonstrated when he is tasked with locating a missing cat named Lucifer, the pet of Artesia Som Deikun. To successfully capture the animal, Matgloss employs a dragonfly net, a method that underscores his practicality and earnest approach to his duties.

His primary role in the story evolves significantly over time. Initially, he is a loyal and reliable soldier in the pre-war Republic of Munzo. He participates in key security operations, including the escort of the Deikun family following the death of Zeon Zum Deikun. By the later stages of the One Year War, he has been promoted to the rank of captain. In this capacity, he finds himself in a far more complex and morally significant position during the Battle of A Baoa Qu. Serving as a security officer in a command room, he is assigned to interrogate Sayla Mars, who has been captured by Zeon forces. This assignment is a direct catalyst for the most critical action of his life.

The character undergoes a profound development from a disciplined military officer to a rebellious figure willing to risk everything for a greater cause. When Gihren Zabi is killed by Kycilia Zabi, the chain of command fractures, and Matgloss is presented with a crucial choice. He approaches his prisoner, Sayla Mars, and asks her to become a symbol of rebellion. Convinced that she represents a future free from the Zabi family's tyranny, he leads an uprising that successfully seizes control of the command room. In his final moments, he demonstrates ultimate bravery and selflessness. Recognizing a timed explosive device planted by Kycilia Zabi just before it detonates, he uses his own body to shield Sayla Mars from the blast, sacrificing his life to save her. This key relationship, turning from captor to protector, defines his legacy.

Regarding notable abilities, the narrative does not depict Matgloss as a Mobile Suit pilot or a master of any particular martial art or technology. His notable characteristic is his unwavering sense of duty, which matures into principled, decisive action. His most significant acts are those of a soldier and a bodyguard: capturing a small animal on request and, later, giving his own life as a human shield to protect a future leader.