Durandal

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Gilbert Durandal (Durandal; 迪兰达尔)
Alias(es)	Chairman Durandal
Gender	Male
Affiliation	PLANT Supreme Council
Occupation/Role	Genetic scholar; politician; Chairman of the PLANT Supreme Council
Status	Deceased — remains in Messiah after being shot by Noer Cassia; dies when the fortress is destroyed 789
First Appearance	Chapter 32: My Name Is Durandal 32

Background / History

Durandal was a renowned genetic scholar before entering politics. He resigned from the Genetic Research Institute to pursue what he believed was the answer to his life’s work—an answer he thought was hidden within Noer’s body. 32

His earlier dream was modest: a peaceful life with Talia alongside family and friends. Their genetic incompatibility meant they could not have children, and Talia ultimately left him; Durandal later framed this loss as the moment he chose to resist the “fate” imposed upon him. 557 685

By the time of his first major dealings with Noer, Durandal had become Chairman of the Supreme Council through extraordinary political advancement and possessed enough prestige to make the council resemble a near-dictatorship. 128 After the Junius Treaty, he was formally elected Chairman, convened a military tribunal, protected several wartime accomplices from harsher punishment, expelled former councillors, and adopted conciliatory measures toward Orb immigrants. 472

Appearance

Durandal is a tall, slender man with long black hair. He maintains a meticulously refined and graceful bearing, with controlled speech, gestures, and expression even during hostile negotiations. 128 789

• Usually appears calm, elegantly dressed, and composed before subordinates and rivals. 128 713
• Wears the long coat associated with the Chairman of the PLANT Supreme Council. 789
• Frequently receives guests over tea, using the ritual as part of his carefully controlled conversations. 128 252 326

Personality

Durandal is articulate, observant, and exceptionally difficult to read. He uses gentle phrasing, courteous hospitality, and apparent openness to disarm others, while embedding threats, tests, and political calculations into conversation. His polished manner allows him to manipulate people without appearing openly coercive. 128 129 713

He sincerely desires a world free of poverty, hatred, discrimination, and war. However, he believes human desire and ignorance make such a world impossible without direction and control. This conviction develops into the Destiny Plan: a system intended to place every person into the role for which they are inherently suited. 422 557 765 783

Despite his self-image as a rational leader, Durandal is deeply lonely. He seeks validation from people capable of understanding him—especially Noer—and repeatedly attempts to turn practical alliances into genuine friendship. 269 420 663 His willingness to sacrifice lives, manipulate conflicts, and weaponize public opinion nevertheless grows more absolute as he commits himself to his vision. 258 268 714

Abilities & Skills

Genetics and Research

Durandal is an acclaimed genetic scholar with access to sensitive medical, genetic, and military-development information.

• Resigned from the Genetic Research Institute to investigate the answer he believed existed within Noer. 32
• Provides Noer with data concerning genetic treatment and the production of three potions. 269 326
• Offers to slow Noer’s genetic breakdown and later uses Noer’s condition as leverage in recruitment attempts. 269 559

Political Strategy

Durandal excels at identifying pressure points within factions, institutions, and individuals, then converting them into long-term advantages.

• Uses Cruze’s actions to undermine PLANT’s rigid political structure while maintaining a balance among competing factions. 143 256
• Plans to weaken Irene Canaver’s position and secure control of the Supreme Council through war, public opinion, and factional realignment. 420 423
• Protects and pardons selected figures after the war, gaining political legitimacy while removing former councillors from power. 472
• Creates conditions in which Noer’s available choices repeatedly lead back to cooperation with him. 268 422

Information Warfare and Propaganda

Durandal can turn truthful information, public grief, and political outrage into strategic weapons.

• Confesses to arranging or facilitating the Freedom Gundam activation code, supplies for three warships, PLANT intelligence leaks, the S2 virus, and the Reborn Gundam plan. 268
• Broadcasts LOGOS’s crimes worldwide, provoking mass unrest against the organization and encouraging forces and nations to support ZAFT. 711
• Uses public addresses to present himself as a peace advocate while directing military and political operations behind the scenes. 321 597

Military Command

Although not depicted as a mobile-suit pilot, Durandal directs major military initiatives and employs advanced weapons as political and strategic instruments.

• Oversees development of the Savior Gundam and the Destiny Gundam Prototype Verification Unit, pursuing a mobile suit capable of suppressing opponents at both range and close quarters. 610
• Grants Athrun a FAITH badge, allowing him to act outside the regular command structure according to his convictions. 621
• Directs ZAFT’s campaign against LOGOS and later uses Requiem and the new Genesis from Messiah as deterrents and battlefield weapons. 711 769 782

Story Role / Major Arcs

Alliance with Noer and the First War

Durandal approaches Noer as an informed and threatening potential ally, revealing knowledge of Noer’s connections to Kennf Ruggini and Cruze. He offers cooperation, political protection, and access to military opportunities in return for Noer’s support. 128 129

As the conflict escalates, Durandal admits that he expects a war between Naturals and Coordinators and sees himself as accelerating a historical momentum rather than creating it. He accepts large-scale casualties as the cost of reshaping the political order. 258 259

He deliberately maintains a balance between opposing forces, enabling key players such as Noer, Lacus, and the Earth Alliance to obtain powerful mobile suits and strategic assets. 256 268

The Wager and the Destiny Plan

Durandal gives Noer a disk containing the truth of their shared past and calls the future of Noer, himself, and the world a “wager.” He admits that he is uncertain whether he wants to win or lose, torn between personal emotion and the political utility of defeat. 252 253

He later openly recruits Noer for the Destiny Plan, arguing that people are lost because they have not found the direction determined for them from birth. Noer recognizes that Durandal also seeks his support as reassurance against his own doubts. 422

Chairman of PLANT

Following his political ascension, Durandal consolidates authority through clemency, careful faction management, military reform, and public displays of moderation. 472 564 621

He projects himself as a leader who mourns war and seeks reconciliation, but repeatedly uses crises to remove uncontrollable variables and strengthen his control over the Supreme Council. 321 420 423

War Against LOGOS

Durandal leads the international campaign against LOGOS by exposing its atrocities and presenting ZAFT as the force capable of ending the war system. His broadcasts trigger popular anger, military defections, and the collapse of LOGOS’s political support. 705 711

After LOGOS’s defeat, he reveals that its destruction was only the first stage of his larger objective: gaining sufficient trust and authority to implement the Destiny Plan. 765

Messiah and Final Defeat

From the Messiah fortress, Durandal prepares the new Genesis and orders its firing against the opposing fleets, inflicting catastrophic losses while buying time for the weapon to recharge. 782

As Messiah collapses, Noer reaches Durandal for a final conversation. Durandal refuses to escape, declaring that he cannot deny the fate and choices he has accepted. Noer shoots him; Talia and Ray remain with him as Messiah is destroyed. 789

Relationships

• Noer Cassia — Ally, political tool, ideological challenger, and the person Durandal most often calls his friend. Durandal recruits, manipulates, and repeatedly tries to win Noer’s support for the Destiny Plan; Noer ultimately shoots him during Messiah’s destruction. 129 422 713 789
• Talia Cladis — Former lover and long-term confidante. Their separation over genetic incompatibility deeply affects Durandal’s view of fate; she stays with him during his final moments. 685 750 789
• Rau Le Creuset / Cruze — Close friend and strategic counterpart. Durandal knows of Cruze’s activities and uses their mutual relationship to influence the first war’s balance. 128 143 256
• Ray Za Burrel — Treated with clear paternal warmth. Ray finds comfort in Durandal’s affection and chooses to remain with him at Messiah. 662 789
• Athrun Zala — A valued military asset whom Durandal trusts with a FAITH appointment and encourages to act according to his convictions. 621 625
• Lacus Clyne — Political and ideological rival. Durandal views her as a persistent threat and anticipates an eventual confrontation over the Destiny Plan. 663 714
• Irene Canaver — Political rival whose short-term approach to PLANT’s problems Durandal seeks to undermine and supersede. 420 423
• Hills Sati — Cooperative but opaque associate. Durandal works alongside her while remaining uncertain of her independent ambitions. 663 711

Notable Quotes

“Everyone has the right to choose, but unfortunately, most people only have the right to choose.” 399

“Coordinators should have appeared for the happiness of humanity.” 557

“For a better future, for our descendants, to prevent the emergence of such a crisis, the Destiny Plan must exist!” 783

“Goodbye, Noel Cassia, my close friend. Thank you for seeing me off on my final journey.” 789