The Genius Behind Kira Yamato: The Smartest Gundam Pilot Ever!

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Summary

  • Gundam pilots rely on instincts, but Kira Yamato stands out for his technical knowledge.
  • Kira’s engineering background gives him an edge in understanding and modifying his Gundam.
  • Kira’s intelligence shines when he rewrites Strike Gundam’s OS mid-battle to defeat enemies.

The Gundam series has seen a multitude of remarkable pilots over its extended run, from Amuro Ray, cold as ice Heero Yuy, to relentless Mikazuki Augus. Each pilot boasts a unique combat style, yet they mostly rely on their instincts and reflexes in battle. Since they can quickly assess opponents during combat while reacting intuitively to enemy maneuvers, it’s safe to say that their ability to adapt is truly remarkable.

Natural abilities, strategic skills, and special traits like newtypes/coordinator capabilities often propel certain pilots to greater heights. However, among all these skilled individuals, one pilot truly shines due to his exceptional technical expertise – Kira Yamato from the series Gundam Seed. This is why many consider him as the franchise’s smartest pilot across its entire span.

The Most Technical Pilot

An Engineer Turned Pilot

As a diehard Gundam fan, I’ve noticed that many of these dynamic characters have a common thread – they either come from military backgrounds or have undergone rigorous technical training, which equips them with the essential know-how about mobile suits and their technology. However, there are always exceptions like Mikazuki Augus from ‘Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphan’ or Domon Kasshu from ‘Mobile Fighter G Gundam’. Mostly, these Gundam pilots walk into the cockpit with some prior understanding of mobile suits, but every once in a while, we witness an outlier who defies the norm!

Kira Yamato isn’t your typical guy. Despite his military school background, his initial foray into the Strike Gundam cockpit was as an Engineering College student. This sets him apart from his peers, as he boasts a greater understanding of technical matters, particularly when it comes to his Gundam. In essence, he’s like a race car driver who also knows how to tinker under the hood. The show doesn’t specify which engineering discipline Kira specialized in during college, but we do know that he’s an exceptionally talented software engineer.

To clarify, all pilots are capable of providing thorough feedback to mechanics and engineers regarding their mobile suits, given their years of piloting experience with their Gundams. However, Kira stands out due to his engineering expertise. He can perform repairs and modifications himself if needed – a skill that sets him apart from other Gundam pilots.

“This is nuts! How do they expect to move complex machinery using this kind of OS?”

—Kira Yamato, Episode 2

The Incomplete State of GAT-X105 Strike Gundam

Let’s momentarily shift the conversation from Kira’s intelligence to delve into his primary mobile suit, the GAT-X105 Strike Gundam, as it significantly reflects Kira’s intelligence and hands-on expertise.

An Overpowered Prototype

To counteract ZAFT’s superior mobile suits, Earth Alliance’s Atlantic Federation covertly engineered an advanced model of mobile suit, rumored to outclass all existing ones across the cosmos. This top-tier technology includes five units, one being the Strike Gundam.

Although these mobile suits outperform others significantly, it’s essential to note they are indeed prototypes. They may excel in movement and functionality compared to other mobile suits, but their Operating System remains unfinished. In essence, these mobile suits can physically perform, but their cognitive capabilities, represented by the OS, are yet to be fully developed.

An Incomplete Operating System

You might wonder why the operating system (OS) is so important in mobile suits? Isn’t it enough if it can move and attack the enemy? However, the OS plays a vital role in a mobile suit, similar to how an operating system powers a computer. Even if you build a top-notch computer with premium components, without an OS like Windows, MacOS, or Linux, that setup becomes nothing more than an expensive decorative piece, comparable to an expensive coffee table.

You could set up a custom operating system on your computer, which enables it to execute basic functions, but at the cost of not utilizing the sophisticated features provided by high-end hardware. This is similar to the condition of Strike Gundam when Kira initially gained control over the cockpit; it’s a powerful machine, yet its capabilities are restricted due to an inadequate operating system.

Kira’s Technical Skills in Action

In the course of the series, Kira’s intelligence and hands-on abilities shine on multiple occasions. However, there are two situations that particularly highlight his genius:

1. The first instance occurs when he manages to access the Strike Gundam’s operating system.
2. The second time is during an intense battle, where he skillfully modifies the settings of his Gundam on the fly.

Rewriting the OS of Strike Gundam

The spark of genius unfolds as soon as the second installment. In the face of ZAFT’s assault on an Earth Alliance base, Kira finds herself in the cockpit of the Strike Gundam, sharing this space with Murrue Ramius, an officer from the Earth Alliance. She attempts to operate the Strike Gundam to ward off the encroaching ZAFT mobile suits. However, her piloting abilities are limited and the Gundam is difficult to handle.

It’s at this point that Kira steps up to manage the Gundam, noticing its partially developed operating system in the process. He swiftly locates the integrated keyboard, enters the system, and begins to refine the OS while skillfully dodging the relentless enemy attacks. With remarkable speed, he activates multiple features and weapons on the Strike Gundam, fine-tuning settings so that it moves more fluidly than ever before. Kira’s technical acumen proves crucial in their eventual victory against the adversary using the freshly updated yet unfinished Strike Gundam.

Adjusting the Settings in the Middle of a Battle

In the 16th episode, I find myself witnessing a captivating turn of events. Kira, here, is compelled into a battlefield that resembles a vast, sun-scorched desert. Opposing him is a ZAFT unit, renowned for their prowess in desert combat. Their adversaries, the TMF/A-802 BuCUE mobile suits, are custom-made to navigate the sand effortlessly and swiftly. This unique ability allows them to execute intricate maneuvers and dissipate like grains of sand in the wind within seconds.

Due to Kira’s long-term combat experience in space, encountering numerous adversaries in a barren desert, where his Strike Gundam finds it difficult to even stand, let alone maneuver, is an unexpectedly tough test. Also, unlike in space, hovering on Earth quickly depletes booster energy and makes you a vulnerable target for the enemy, so it’s not an option.

Again, Kira accesses Strike’s internal keyboard and tinkers with its Gundam settings. He fine-tunes the balance and stability controls, boosts the sensitivity of the sensors, and amplifies the power and agility of the joints, among various other adjustments. As in episode two, he carries out these modifications while under constant enemy fire. Truly, if this isn’t a testament to his intelligence and adaptability, we’re not sure what is.

Mobile Suit Gundam Seed is available to stream on Crunchyroll.

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2025-02-24 17:55