Kou Uraki

Kou Uraki (コウ・ウラキ) is the first main protagonist within the Gundam series to start his story within the military. During the signed armistice between the Earth Federation and Zeon, Kou enlisted as a test pilot and practiced flying captured Zakus in field tests. Though prohibited from trying the newest technology and flying the advanced Mobile Suits, Kou takes an immediate fascination to the top-secret prototype Gundam Unit 01. Not soon after its arrival, its heavily armed counterpart, the Unit 02, is hijacked by Anavel Gato. The inexperienced Kou hops into Unit 01 in spite of his fear of the veteran Zeon ace and pursues. Since the chief engineer of the Gundam prototypes, Nina Purpleton, trusts him in the MS, Kou is among those who engage in the wild goose-chase for the renegade Unit 02.

The following months has Kou gradually mature his piloting skills, but his wounded pride from Nina's rash outburst lead to an unprepared Unit 01 to be badly wrecked in space combat. Frustrated by his dwarfing skills to the other aces, Kou temporarily parts with his crew to contemplate what he wants from life. After he rejuvenates his love for piloting, however, a rebuilt Gundam GP01 Full Vernian awaits his return to space. With his fine-tuned Mobile Suit, Kou hopes to resume his mission and to settle the score between him and Gato.

Personality
Since Kou enlisted to the military during a time of peace, he is painfully new to real combat and the trials of being a soldier. Eager to prove himself as Gundam's only pilot, however, he is an intransigent diehard when inside a cockpit. His enthusiasm is unmatched, but Kou suffers an inferiority complex when his piloting fails to match up to the expectations set for the Mobile Suit. Gato's jeers during their first encounter particularly stings Kou's pride, though they ironically encourage the youth to try harder. Simultaneously, Kou may liberally take reckless action if he sees those he cares about being taken for granted.

When off duty, Kou is chaste and endlessly curious. His lady-killer friend, Chack Keith, often laments Kou for being "ridiculously innocent" with women and barely better than a sheepish high schooler with romance. He mentions this because Kou gradually forms a mutual attraction with Nina yet is slow to progress into their relationship. As a sort of running gag, he has a huge distaste for carrots and clearly asks for them to be omitted from his dish at the ship's cafeteria. Perhaps as a moment of military humor, Kou's request lands him a mountain of the dreaded vegetable each time. Nina eats his portion for him, even if she teases Kou for it.