Ribbons Almark is one of the most memorable antagonists in the Mobile Suit Gundam 00 franchise. As the leader of the Innovators and the main orchestrator of events in the series' second season, his ambition and perspective on human evolution make him a fascinating character. Throughout the story, Ribbons represents a distorted vision of supremacy and control, seeing himself as the only one capable of guiding humanity toward a better future.
From Servant to Master: The Rise of a Dictator
Ribbons Almark is an Innovade, an artificially created being designed by Celestial Being to facilitate Aeolia Schenberg’s plan. However, as he gains awareness of his own abilities and knowledge, he develops a sense of superiority over humans. In his mind, he was not made to serve, but to rule.
From his first appearances, Ribbons is portrayed as a calculating and manipulative figure. His ability to influence other Innovades and manipulate the course of history makes him extremely dangerous. With a cold charisma and absolute confidence in his vision of the future, he positions himself as the main antagonist to Setsuna F. Seiei and the other members of Celestial Being.
The Messiah No One Asked For
Ribbons does not seek humanity’s destruction but rather its evolution under his rule. His ideology is based on the belief that the Innovators, an evolved form of humans with advanced communication capabilities, are the key to progress. However, unlike Aeolia Schenberg, who wanted Innovators to coexist with humans to foster peace, Ribbons seeks to subjugate humanity under his absolute control.
His perspective is almost divine: he sees himself as the rightful successor to Aeolia’s plan and believes his existence justifies any means necessary to achieve his goals. This mentality leads him to employ elaborate strategies, such as manipulating the Earth Federation and creating the A-LAWS organization to maintain his control over the world.
Intelligence and Power: His Greatest Weapons
Ribbons is not only a brilliant strategist but also possesses a unique connection to Celestial Being’s technology. Through his link with the Veda system, he has access to an unimaginable amount of information and can control other Innovades as mere extensions of his will. Additionally, he is an exceptional pilot, capable of facing some of the best Mobile Suit Gundam units in the series.
His most notable unit is the 0 Gundam, which plays a crucial role both in his past and in his final confrontation with Setsuna. Although he relies more on manipulation than brute force, when forced to fight, he proves to be a formidable opponent.
The Final Battle: Free Will vs. Absolute Control
One of the most interesting aspects of Ribbons is his relationship with Setsuna. They represent two opposing visions of the future: while Setsuna fights for freedom and mutual understanding, Ribbons seeks to impose his own idea of order. Their final showdown is one of the most memorable battles in Gundam 00, not only because of the spectacular action but also because of what it symbolizes—the struggle between self-determination and absolute control.
During their duel, Ribbons demonstrates his great combat abilities, but he is ultimately defeated by Setsuna, who has become the true Innovator, reaching an evolutionary state that does not require domination to thrive.
A Legacy of Arrogance and Defeat
Ribbons Almark embodies the arrogance of those who believe they know what is best for others. His downfall represents the victory of free will over oppression disguised as guidance. Despite his intentions, his vision of the future is rejected because it eliminates the very essence of what it means to be human: the ability to choose one’s own destiny.
In the context of the Gundam franchise, Ribbons reflects fears about technological advancement without ethical restrictions. His existence raises questions about the role of artificial intelligence and human evolution, making him a character whose relevance transcends his own story.
Ribbons Almark is not a traditional villain; he is an antagonist with a cause that, though flawed in execution, has an intriguing philosophical basis. His struggle against Celestial Being and, in particular, against Setsuna F. Seiei encapsulates one of science fiction’s most fundamental debates: should humanity evolve on its own, or does it need a superior entity to guide it? With his downfall, the series makes it clear that true evolution cannot be forced—it must be chosen.