Marina Ismail
Marina Ismail is one of the main heroines of the Mobile Suit Gundam 00 series. As the First Princess of the Kingdom of Azadistan, a small Middle Eastern nation, she works tirelessly to secure foreign economic aid and solar-energy technology assistance to rescue her country from an economic crisis caused by depleted oil reserves. Originally a commoner aspiring to pursue music, she was appointed princess due to her royal lineage when parliament revived the monarchy. Standing as an ideological contrast to the protagonist Setsuna F. Seiei, who relies on military force, she staunchly advocates for peaceful resolution and mutual understanding without resorting to violence.
Overview
Marina Ismail is one of the main heroines of the Mobile Suit Gundam 00 series. As the First Princess of the Kingdom of Azadistan, a small Middle Eastern nation, she works tirelessly to secure foreign economic aid and solar-energy technology assistance to rescue her country from an economic crisis caused by depleted oil reserves. Originally a commoner aspiring to pursue music, she was appointed princess due to her royal lineage when parliament revived the monarchy. Standing as an ideological contrast to the protagonist Setsuna F. Seiei, who relies on military force, she staunchly advocates for peaceful resolution and mutual understanding without resorting to violence.
Appearance
She is described as a beauty with long black hair and deep green eyes, also characterized in visual features as having blue or brown eyes.
Personality
Marina is a deeply compassionate and resilient individual driven by a profound love for her people regardless of factional or religious disputes. She holds an unyielding commitment to peace, firmly believing that force cannot solve underlying conflicts. Her aversion to violence is so absolute that she rejects even a small firearm for self-defense, calling it barbaric. Although she lacks political acumen and sometimes suffers from a sense of helplessness regarding her country's fate, her gentle nature and steady determination never break. She shows deep maternal care for children and civilians, earning the affection of those around her through her serene and caring demeanor.
Abilities
She possesses no combat or military skills. Having originally studied music, her primary ability lies in her singing and artistic expression; the songs she composes and sings alongside children serve as an inspirational force for peace. In tactical gaming titles, she is typically assigned to non-combat support roles, such as a guest member aboard naval ships.
Background
Raised as an ordinary citizen before being named royalty, Marina traveled the globe seeking international aid for Azadistan's energy crisis. While in Scotland, she crossed paths with Setsuna F. Seiei, learning of his past in Kazagstan's neighboring region and his identity as a Gundam Meister. Amid internal conflicts and pressure from the Earth Sphere Federation, her nation was eventually dissolved, and she was detained before being rescued and taken in by the resistance group Katharon. During her stay with orphaned children, she composed the song TOMORROW. Following the final battles, she dedicated herself to rebuilding her homeland. Decades later in the year 2364, an elderly, sightless Marina spent her quiet retirement until reuniting with Setsuna.
Relationships
She shares a profound, mutual bond with Setsuna F. Seiei, who sees traces of his late mother in her gentle presence. Shirin Bakhtiar serves as her close advisor and later aids her within Katharon. Through her interactions with Katharon leaders like Klaus Grad, her peaceful mindset brings a softening influence to their anti-Federation stance. She also maintained political relations with Masood Rachmadi, the prominent conservative leader within her home country.
Trivia
Due to her constant diplomatic struggles to fund her impoverished nation, fans frequently refer to her by the affectionate nickname Poverty Princess. The peace song TOMORROW, which she sings within the narrative, serves as an official insert song for the series. Additionally, her Japanese voice actress also performs the role of Setsuna F. Seiei's mother.
