Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny: The Edge is a manga series by Chimaki Kuori, depicting the events of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny through the POV of Athrun Zala.
A sequel of sorts, Desire, was later released. It consists of various events in the series as seen from the perspectives of other characters. Some chapters also look at the backstories of various characters.
Besides many tropes found in Gundam SEED Destiny, the series also has examples of:
- Adaptational Attractiveness: Due to the difference in art style.
- Adaptational Badass: Both of Shinn’s Destiny VS Infinite Justice battles against Athrun has him put up a much better fight compared to the anime.
- The battle in Orb during Operation Fury had Shinn ‘’win’’ against the recovering Athrun. He still destroys the Destiny Gundam’s Arondight but succumbs to his injuries and passes out from Shinn’s assault rather than defeating Shinn and passing out later.
- Athrun still defeats Shinn as per canon but Shinn manages to slice off the Infinite Justice’s arm which is much better than the canon battle where the Infinite Justice practically takes no damage. Prior to their battle, Shinn manages to destroy the METEOR unit the Infinite Justice was equipped with.
- Adaptational Jerkass: Durandal is a lot more Obviously Evil compared to the anime. When he orders ZAFT to detain Athrun, the soldiers are given orders to shoot him on sight with no regards to Meer being at risk of being shot. When Durandal reveals the Legend and Destiny to Athrun and Shinn, he had Rey hidden away with a rifle ahead of time.
- Adaptational Nice Guy: Athrun is a lot more understanding to Shinn, even apologizing for hitting him after shooting down the Freedom.
- All There in the Manual: The series implicitly assumes that the reader has watched the anime.
- The series also serves as the manual for the anime.
- The Cameo: Shiho appears in chapter 7 of Desire in the background of some shots.
- Cut and Paste Environments: If the event involves many characters who received their own POV chapters, you can expect some scenes to look VERY familiar.
- A Father to His Men: Yzak. He's a little young, but definitely shows signs of the trope.
- The Faceless: The two times the reader gets to see Meer's original looks, her eyes are not drawn in.
- Hidden Depths: Almost everyone who gets a POV chapter for himself/herself. Even Meer.
- Inner Monologue: A given, as the series focuses heavily on the thoughts and intentions of the POV characters.
- Perspective Flip: As the reader goes through POV chapters. The POV of The Edge is mainly focused on Athrun.
