02. Duo Maxwell
Statistics (facts):
Age: 15
Birthday: Unstated
First appearence: Episode 1
Seiyuu: Toshihiko Seki
Gundam: Deathscythe (Hell)
Role: One of the five Gundam pilots
Statistics (interpretation):
Hobbies: Talking to Deathscythe, bugging Heero, basking in attention
Vain areas: Hair, eyes, form
Good points: His hair, his personality, his seiyuu! *swoons*
Bad points: I think he has a rather flirty nature, plus he's quite full of himself. "I'm a better pilot than HIM!"
Personality:
The violet-eyed angel-devil known as Duo Maxwell is hands-down the most beloved of the Gundam characters. With his impish smile, daring attitude, and open personality, he seems to have won the hearts of many and owns many more. He really does seem rather perfect.
He is pretty much the only comic relief in the entire 49 episodes of Gundam Wing, never failing to bring a smile from even the most stoic of individuals. *whistles innocently and eyes one PARTICULAR blue-eyed pilot* Duo has charm matched by only a selected few, and a way of thinking no one has yet fully deciphered.
His title 'The God of Death' comes from his shift in personality when in battle. He becomes not the cheery, fun-loving joker we know him as, but the calculating killer he is known FOR. When threatened, he truly is the one and only Shinigami.
Duo reminds me of a black panther, beautiful but deadly when needed to be. He hides behind a joyful mask while suffering inside. There's something about how terrified he was when Heero was about to kill him that just wouldn't allow me to pass him off as a happy person.
Love Affairs:
Duo strikes me as being best suited with someone who's entirely the opposite of him. I mean, can you see him with someone like Nuriko? Or Botan? They'd drive each other nuts with the cheerfulness before the honeymoon's over. So, let's take a look at some GW possibilities.
Yeah, I know Trowa's more popular with Duo than Relena is, but I just wanted to include her... I have no idea where it came from. I mean, they both seem closer to Heero than each other. And, well, when a guy calls to a girl and she ignores him, then on their next meeting he calls her weird while she continues to ignore him, it's not usually a sign of love. Plus the way he was quite politely telling her to 'get out of here' at that school more than told me that he didn't have that great of sentiments for her. However, when you're looking at personality, hey, why not? But I still don't see Relena in a love relationship until (unless) she retires from pacifism-guarding. Again, if you're looking at personality only, I think they'd do OK.
Next is Wufei. This pairing was initially sparked off by Kuwabara no Miko's fic "Time", one I've never read but heard it's good. You know, sometimes I'm almost convinced that people just put numbers together to make a GW couple. Where did it come from? It may be just me, but I simply can't see Wufei in a guy/guy (or guy/guy/guy) relationship. He's just too...too...Wufei-y somehow. No, I'm not saying I HATE it, since there's no point in that, I just, well...have a really REALLY hard time seeing it though I definately think Duo brings out the better side of him.
Of course, Hilde, who makes it obvious she admires Duo like nothing else. I think part of the reason I support this pairing is because she can actually HELP Duo and DO something useful for him, like retrieve that disc even if it meant risking her own life. Another part is the way they act around each other. I know some think it's 'proper' to be nervous and awkward around those you love, but I find that down-right STUPID. How can a couple make it if they're jumping at the slightest sound the other makes or forces smiles each time they meet? Notice that you don't see any of that between Duo and Hilde. They obviously enjoy each other's company, something no word or description could match the importance of.
Last there's Heero. Um, why'd you click here? Shouldn't you be heading over to Aishiteru?