OVA
Description
Geneticist Gilbert Durandal pioneered DNA analysis at the Mendel colony, formulating the core concept of the Destiny Plan—a social management system assigning life roles by genetic suitability. His peers rejected the proposal, arguing it disregarded human aspirations beyond predetermined paths. His work intersected with other genetic research, including potential involvement in Ulen Hibiki's Ultimate Coordinator initiative, as suggested in spinoff manga.
Durandal maintained significant personal ties: a close friendship with Rau Le Creuset, whom he supplied stabilizing medication against genetic degradation, and a romantic relationship with Talia Gladys that ended due to genetic incompatibility preventing childbearing, though they later reconnected physically.
Rising to Chairman of the PLANT Supreme Council after the First Alliance-PLANT War, Durandal publicly advocated peace between Coordinators and Naturals, positioning himself against predecessor Patrick Zala's genocidal ideologies. Evidence, however, suggests he orchestrated catastrophic events to manipulate geopolitical stability. These included facilitating the theft of three prototype Gundams by Earth Alliance forces and enabling the deliberate "Break the World" incident—dropping Junius Seven's debris on Earth—to incite conflict and consolidate power. He utilized propaganda, omitting the Archangel's assistance during the Battle of Berlin from broadcasts, to frame ZAFT as humanity's sole protector.
His manipulation extended to key individuals: recruiting Athrun Zala into the FAITH unit by appealing to his desire for redemption, later targeting Athrun for elimination when he questioned methods; exploiting Shinn Asuka's trauma and hatred of Orb; and deploying Meer Campbell as a Lacus Clyne impersonator to control public sentiment. A recovered Mendel research notebook revealed his long-term objective: global implementation of the Destiny Plan.
After eliminating Logos leader Lord Djibril, Durandal publicly unveiled the Destiny Plan. He framed opposition from Orb, Scandinavia, and the Atlantic Federation as Logos remnants, using the superweapon Requiem to destroy Arzachel lunar base and kill Atlantic Federation president Joseph Copeland. This escalated hostilities, culminating in the Battle of Messiah.
Confronting Kira Yamato during Messiah's fall, Durandal defended the Destiny Plan as necessary to prevent human self-destruction through free will. Rey Za Burrel, previously a devoted follower, shot Durandal after rejecting genetic determinism for self-determination. Durandal perished alongside Talia and Rey in the fortress's collapse.
His legacy persisted posthumously. The Kingdom of Foundation, led by associate Aura Maha Khyber, adopted the Destiny Plan as national policy in Cosmic Era 75. This reignited conflict when Foundation attempted global imposition via military force—including nuclear strikes and a rebuilt Requiem—before its final destruction. Durandal's ideological influence continued shaping conflicts, compelling figures like Kira Yamato and Lacus Clyne to address systemic challenges to human agency in subsequent years.
Durandal maintained significant personal ties: a close friendship with Rau Le Creuset, whom he supplied stabilizing medication against genetic degradation, and a romantic relationship with Talia Gladys that ended due to genetic incompatibility preventing childbearing, though they later reconnected physically.
Rising to Chairman of the PLANT Supreme Council after the First Alliance-PLANT War, Durandal publicly advocated peace between Coordinators and Naturals, positioning himself against predecessor Patrick Zala's genocidal ideologies. Evidence, however, suggests he orchestrated catastrophic events to manipulate geopolitical stability. These included facilitating the theft of three prototype Gundams by Earth Alliance forces and enabling the deliberate "Break the World" incident—dropping Junius Seven's debris on Earth—to incite conflict and consolidate power. He utilized propaganda, omitting the Archangel's assistance during the Battle of Berlin from broadcasts, to frame ZAFT as humanity's sole protector.
His manipulation extended to key individuals: recruiting Athrun Zala into the FAITH unit by appealing to his desire for redemption, later targeting Athrun for elimination when he questioned methods; exploiting Shinn Asuka's trauma and hatred of Orb; and deploying Meer Campbell as a Lacus Clyne impersonator to control public sentiment. A recovered Mendel research notebook revealed his long-term objective: global implementation of the Destiny Plan.
After eliminating Logos leader Lord Djibril, Durandal publicly unveiled the Destiny Plan. He framed opposition from Orb, Scandinavia, and the Atlantic Federation as Logos remnants, using the superweapon Requiem to destroy Arzachel lunar base and kill Atlantic Federation president Joseph Copeland. This escalated hostilities, culminating in the Battle of Messiah.
Confronting Kira Yamato during Messiah's fall, Durandal defended the Destiny Plan as necessary to prevent human self-destruction through free will. Rey Za Burrel, previously a devoted follower, shot Durandal after rejecting genetic determinism for self-determination. Durandal perished alongside Talia and Rey in the fortress's collapse.
His legacy persisted posthumously. The Kingdom of Foundation, led by associate Aura Maha Khyber, adopted the Destiny Plan as national policy in Cosmic Era 75. This reignited conflict when Foundation attempted global imposition via military force—including nuclear strikes and a rebuilt Requiem—before its final destruction. Durandal's ideological influence continued shaping conflicts, compelling figures like Kira Yamato and Lacus Clyne to address systemic challenges to human agency in subsequent years.