OVA
Description
Alfred Izuruha, known as Al, is an eleven-year-old boy living in the neutral Side 6 colony of Ribo during the One Year War's final stages. He resides with his parents, though his relationship with his Federation-employed father, Ems Izuruha, is strained by frequent absences; his mother is present but less involved in his daily life. Al attends school but performs poorly academically, showing little interest in improvement. He exhibits a habit of compulsive lying, often fabricating stories to avoid trouble or bolster his image.
Al possesses a naive, romanticized view of warfare, especially fascinated by mobile suits despite Ribo's neutrality. He particularly admires Zeon's Zaku mobile suits, finding them "cool," while expressing doubt about the Federation's rumored powerful Gundam. His hobbies include photography and video recording, which lead to his involvement in military events.
His life shifts when he discovers a crashed Zeon Zaku pilot, Bernard "Bernie" Wiseman, after a skirmish. Al befriends Bernie, forming a quick bond. He trades photos he took of a suspicious Federation cargo (the hidden Gundam NT-1 Alex prototype) for Bernie's Zeon badge. Al frequently visits Bernie's hidden Zaku, sometimes exploring its cockpit, viewing Bernie as an older brother figure. He also shares a close, sister-like bond with his neighbor, Christina "Chris" Mackenzie, unaware she is secretly the test pilot for the Alex.
When Bernie returns with the Zeon Cyclops Team commando unit tasked with destroying the Alex (Operation Rubicon), Al involves himself. Attempting to follow their trucks leads to an altercation where team member Garcia strikes him. In retaliation, Al falsely reports the team to police, then visits their hideout. When an officer arrives and Garcia prepares to shoot, Al lies, claiming Bernie is his long-lost brother. The team leader, Steiner, questions Al, learns he took the Alex photos, gives him a badge making him an honorary member, and orders Bernie to monitor him.
Later, Al helps Bernie infiltrate a Federation facility to gather intelligence on the Alex. He witnesses Operation Rubicon's brutal failure firsthand, seeing devastation, civilian casualties, and most Cyclops Team members killed, shattering his romantic war perception. Bernie, the sole survivor, reveals Zeon will nuke Side 6 unless he destroys the Alex before Christmas Day. Bernie initially plans to flee, provoking Al's anger. After Bernie leaves, Al tries to warn authorities about the nuke but is dismissed due to his past falsehoods.
Bernie contacts Al, deciding to return and attempt destroying the Alex to save the colony. Al assists Bernie in repairing his damaged Zaku and setting booby traps. Bernie gives Al a recorded disc, instructing him to view it only if he dies. On the battle day, Al learns the nuclear-armed Zeon fleet was intercepted, making Bernie's sacrifice unnecessary. He rushes to stop the fight but arrives as Bernie engages the Alex. Al desperately tries to intervene but witnesses Bernie's Zaku being destroyed, killing him instantly. He then sees Chris, injured and extracted from the Alex, realizing she was the pilot.
Traumatized, Al views Bernie's message. Bernie urges him not to hate Chris or the Federation, stating they fight for their beliefs. Later, Chris, preparing to leave, asks Al to say goodbye to Bernie for her. Al, concealing Bernie's fate, tearfully agrees. Returning to his damaged school, Al breaks down crying during a principal's speech about war's costs, fully internalizing war's horrific reality. This profoundly alters his perspective, leaving him disillusioned and grieving.
Al possesses a naive, romanticized view of warfare, especially fascinated by mobile suits despite Ribo's neutrality. He particularly admires Zeon's Zaku mobile suits, finding them "cool," while expressing doubt about the Federation's rumored powerful Gundam. His hobbies include photography and video recording, which lead to his involvement in military events.
His life shifts when he discovers a crashed Zeon Zaku pilot, Bernard "Bernie" Wiseman, after a skirmish. Al befriends Bernie, forming a quick bond. He trades photos he took of a suspicious Federation cargo (the hidden Gundam NT-1 Alex prototype) for Bernie's Zeon badge. Al frequently visits Bernie's hidden Zaku, sometimes exploring its cockpit, viewing Bernie as an older brother figure. He also shares a close, sister-like bond with his neighbor, Christina "Chris" Mackenzie, unaware she is secretly the test pilot for the Alex.
When Bernie returns with the Zeon Cyclops Team commando unit tasked with destroying the Alex (Operation Rubicon), Al involves himself. Attempting to follow their trucks leads to an altercation where team member Garcia strikes him. In retaliation, Al falsely reports the team to police, then visits their hideout. When an officer arrives and Garcia prepares to shoot, Al lies, claiming Bernie is his long-lost brother. The team leader, Steiner, questions Al, learns he took the Alex photos, gives him a badge making him an honorary member, and orders Bernie to monitor him.
Later, Al helps Bernie infiltrate a Federation facility to gather intelligence on the Alex. He witnesses Operation Rubicon's brutal failure firsthand, seeing devastation, civilian casualties, and most Cyclops Team members killed, shattering his romantic war perception. Bernie, the sole survivor, reveals Zeon will nuke Side 6 unless he destroys the Alex before Christmas Day. Bernie initially plans to flee, provoking Al's anger. After Bernie leaves, Al tries to warn authorities about the nuke but is dismissed due to his past falsehoods.
Bernie contacts Al, deciding to return and attempt destroying the Alex to save the colony. Al assists Bernie in repairing his damaged Zaku and setting booby traps. Bernie gives Al a recorded disc, instructing him to view it only if he dies. On the battle day, Al learns the nuclear-armed Zeon fleet was intercepted, making Bernie's sacrifice unnecessary. He rushes to stop the fight but arrives as Bernie engages the Alex. Al desperately tries to intervene but witnesses Bernie's Zaku being destroyed, killing him instantly. He then sees Chris, injured and extracted from the Alex, realizing she was the pilot.
Traumatized, Al views Bernie's message. Bernie urges him not to hate Chris or the Federation, stating they fight for their beliefs. Later, Chris, preparing to leave, asks Al to say goodbye to Bernie for her. Al, concealing Bernie's fate, tearfully agrees. Returning to his damaged school, Al breaks down crying during a principal's speech about war's costs, fully internalizing war's horrific reality. This profoundly alters his perspective, leaving him disillusioned and grieving.