Ribbons Almark — Complete Guide | The Innovade Who Sought to Rule Humanity

Introduction — The Beautiful Tyrant Who Called Himself “Creator”

Mobile Suit Gundam 00 tells the story of Celestial Being, an organization dedicated to eradicating war through armed interventions. Yet behind this grand plan, one figure pulled the strings from the shadows, manipulating the narrative all the way to its climax. Ribbons Almark — an Innovade who concealed boundless contempt for humanity and an insatiable desire for world domination beneath a gentle smile and composed demeanor.

In the history of the Gundam franchise, the final antagonist is never merely “the last enemy.” They embody the very themes of the story and represent the ultimate barrier the protagonist must overcome. Ribbons was precisely such a figure. He stood at the opposite pole from Setsuna F. Seiei, who believed in mutual understanding through dialogue, and championed the conviction that “humanity is foolish and must be guided.” This ideology was not simply a villain’s delusion — it was, in fact, one of the legitimate possibilities embedded within Aeolia Schenberg’s plan.

When Ribbons first appeared on screen, he stood quietly at the edge of the frame as the personal secretary of UN Ambassador Alejandro Corner. Few viewers could have predicted that this unassuming figure would turn out to be the story’s ultimate antagonist. As his true nature was gradually revealed, it became clear that every event in the first season had unfolded within the palm of his hand. The selection of Gundam Meisters, the deployment of the Trinity siblings, even the assassination of Aeolia Schenberg — all were part of the script Ribbons had written.

In the second season, he reigned as the true final boss, confronting Setsuna to the very end in a world where even the Earth Sphere Federation had become his puppet. His existence served as the sharpest embodiment of the central question that Gundam 00’s narrative poses: “Can humanity change on its own, or must it be guided by someone else?” The story of Gundam 00 simply cannot be told without Ribbons Almark.

Profile

Ribbons Almark is an artificial being known as an Innovade, created by the quantum supercomputer Veda to carry out Aeolia Schenberg’s plan for humanity. His genetic template was derived from E.A. Ray, a close friend of Aeolia, and he was classified as a “Meister-type” Innovade — designed to serve as a Gundam Meister. Innovades are ageless, possessing lifespans far exceeding those of ordinary humans. This is why Ribbons’ appearance remains unchanged across the eleven-plus years spanning from the Krugis conflict in A.D. 2301 to the final battle in A.D. 2312.

However, Ribbons grew to question his assigned role and eventually plotted to hijack Aeolia’s plan entirely. Possessing access to Veda’s highest security clearance — Level 7 — he wielded overwhelming informational power to manipulate the world from behind the scenes. Level 7 access granted the ability to freely view and manipulate all data accumulated within Veda — military intelligence, technical data, personal information, and even the control codes of other Innovades — and this power formed the very foundation of Ribbons’ dominion.

Personality and Character — The Inner World of an Elegant Tyrant

The first impression Ribbons makes is that of a mild-mannered, intelligent young man. His soft-spoken manner, restrained smile, and refined appearance initially suggest nothing sinister. When he appeared as Alejandro Corner’s secretary, virtually no viewer would have guessed he would become the story’s ultimate villain.

Yet beneath that calm exterior lay an exceptionally cold and calculating mind. Ribbons was fundamentally self-centered from the very beginning, harboring deep-seated doubts about Aeolia’s plan. The idea of “serving foolish humans who are biologically inferior and cannot even stop fighting among themselves” filled him with visceral revulsion.

Three core traits define Ribbons’ character.

First, absolute supremacism. Ribbons viewed humanity as little more than “herd animals” and was convinced that Innovades — and specifically he himself — possessed the sole right to guide mankind. Even other Innovades were merely tools in his eyes.

Second, masterful manipulation. Rather than relying on direct violence, Ribbons excelled at controlling, exploiting, and discarding others. He manipulated Alejandro Corner from behind the scenes, leveraging the Corner family’s wealth and political influence to intervene in Aeolia’s plan. After the unification of the Earth Sphere Federation, he used A-Laws as his instrument of global control. He even exploited Louise Halevy’s GN particle-induced cellular degradation to draw her into his camp.

Third, fatal arrogance. Ribbons’ greatest weakness was his unshakable belief in his own superiority. This hubris could occasionally appear almost comical, but it ultimately proved his undoing. When Setsuna awakened as a true Innovator, Ribbons saw his very reason for existing called into question — and lost his composure.

At the deepest level, Ribbons was driven by a desperate need to “prove the value of an existence that was originally meant to be disposable.” Innovades were created as tools for the plan, destined to become obsolete once the plan was complete. Ribbons rejected that fate and sought to prove his worth by completing the plan through his own power alone. In this regard, he was not simply a villain but a tragic character who ceaselessly grappled with the question of what gives existence meaning.

Iconic Quotes

Ribbons Almark’s dialogue distills his intelligence, arrogance, and bottomless ambition into memorable lines. Noboru Sogetsu’s (Toru Furuya’s) performance — soft yet chilling — imbues each of these lines with a singular gravitas. Below are some of the most pivotal quotes from the series.

“It’s beginning, Innovator. The future of humanity.”

Spoken near the end of the first season, this line marked the moment Ribbons fully revealed his true nature. It made clear that the seemingly inconsequential secretary had been the story’s true mastermind all along. By adopting the title “Innovator” for himself, Ribbons declared his intent to personally lead humanity’s evolution — a bold statement of purpose that redefined the entire narrative.

“Humanity will not be guided by Innovators — but by me… Ribbons Almark.”

This line from the second season most succinctly captures Ribbons’ ideology. It goes beyond the mission of Innovades as a species, asserting that “I” — a single individual — will control everything. His supremacism and extreme individualism are concentrated in this single statement. What makes it truly chilling is how he elevates the collective mission of the Innovades into a personal ambition.

“That kind of talk is exactly why you’re so small-minded.”

A devastating barb directed at Alejandro Corner. After spending the entire first season playing the role of a loyal secretary, Ribbons used this single line to make it clear that the power dynamic had always been reversed. The cold-blooded efficiency with which he discards someone he has thoroughly used speaks volumes about his true nature.

“You seem to have forgotten that I created you. In a manner of speaking, I am your creator.”

Spoken to Setsuna. This line reveals that young Soran Ibrahim’s fateful encounter with the 0 Gundam — the event that set him on the path to becoming a Gundam Meister — was no accident, but something Ribbons had deliberately orchestrated. His claim that Setsuna’s entire life is merely one component of his master plan represents the apex of Ribbons’ desire for control.

“The future of the unified world — I’ll take charge of that.”

Spoken after the unification of the Earth Sphere Federation, this declaration lays bare Ribbons’ ambition to rule the world itself. Having already secured military power through A-Laws and information supremacy through Veda, Ribbons was finally stepping onto the public stage to claim dominion over the entire world.

“That’s right. Otherwise, there would be no meaning to my creation. No meaning to my existence!”

Spoken during the final battle, this is the line that most nakedly exposes Ribbons’ inner turmoil. The once cool and composed Ribbons, cornered by Setsuna’s awakening, is finally forced to confront the fundamental question: “Why was I born?” This line reveals that Ribbons was not merely a vessel of ambition, but also a being who suffered in his search for the meaning of existence. Moments of such raw vulnerability from an antagonist are rare even across the entire Gundam franchise.

Appearances and Timeline

Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Season 1 (A.D. 2307–2308)

In the first season, Ribbons appears as the personal secretary to UN Ambassador Alejandro Corner. His true identity remains hidden for most of the story, and viewers know him only as a “vaguely unsettling presence.” At first glance, he seems merely a soft-spoken, attractive young man — whether friend or foe is entirely unclear. Yet behind the scenes, Ribbons was involved in the selection of Celestial Being’s Gundam Meisters, and had even factored the timing of the Trinity siblings’ deployment into his calculations to manipulate global affairs.

As the narrative progresses, it becomes increasingly clear that Ribbons has been accessing Veda to manipulate information, covertly directing Celestial Being’s actions, and using Alejandro himself as nothing more than a pawn. Ribbons was aware of the system trap that Aeolia Schenberg had left behind — the full-power release of the GN Drives triggered upon Aeolia’s death — and deliberately had Alejandro carry out Aeolia’s assassination to activate it. In other words, even Aeolia’s death was part of Ribbons’ plan.

In the season’s climax, Alejandro deploys in the Alvatore to challenge Celestial Being but is defeated. Ribbons coldly watches the outcome, dismissing Alejandro as “small-minded.”

A critical revelation in the first season is Ribbons’ past as the pilot of the 0 Gundam. In A.D. 2301, amid the civil war wracking the Republic of Krugis under KPSA, the 0 Gundam suddenly descended onto the battlefield. The young boy Soran Ibrahim — the future Setsuna F. Seiei — witnessed the Gundam and had his life irrevocably changed. The expression of awe on young Soran’s face as he looked up at the 0 Gundam led Ribbons to conclude: “This boy can be useful.” Ribbons deliberately selected Setsuna as the Meister for Gundam Exia, effectively designing the trajectory of Setsuna’s entire life.

Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Season 2 (A.D. 2312)

Four years later in the second season, Ribbons steps fully into the open. In a world now unified under the Earth Sphere Federation, he uses Veda to control A-Laws, an independent peacekeeping force, and has effectively become the world’s shadow ruler.

In this season, Ribbons leads his fellow Innovades under the self-proclaimed title of “Innovators” and accelerates his program of human management and control. However, the emergence of Setsuna as a true Innovator — a genuinely evolved human — poses a fundamental threat to Ribbons’ reason for existing.

In the climactic “Battle of Lagrange 2,” Ribbons pilots the Reborns Gundam against Setsuna’s 00 Raiser in a fierce duel. He manages to critically damage the 00 Raiser and seize one of its original GN Drives, demonstrating overwhelming combat prowess. However, the Reborns Gundam itself sustains heavy damage, and Ribbons installs the captured GN Drive into a 0 Gundam that had been abandoned by Lasse. Meanwhile, Setsuna switches to the Gundam Exia Repair II, and the two rivals settle their feud in a final duel between the very machines that started it all.

In the end, Ribbons charges with dual GN Beam Sabers but is struck through the cockpit by Setsuna’s GN Sword Kai. With his link to Veda already severed, consciousness transfer to a new body was impossible, and Ribbons Almark was permanently destroyed.

The fact that this final battle took the form of 0 Gundam versus Exia was a narrative inevitability. The confrontation between the machine that first showed Setsuna a Gundam (the 0 Gundam) and the machine that Setsuna first piloted as a Gundam Meister (Exia) served to close the circle on the “creator and creation” dynamic, bringing the story’s beginning and end together. This aesthetic of symmetry was deliberately crafted by screenwriter Yosuke Kuroda and director Seiji Mizushima, and has been widely praised as the most symbolic expression of Gundam 00’s core theme: “forging the future through one’s own will.”

Mobile Suit Roster

0 Gundam (GN-000) — The Machine Where It All Began

The 0 Gundam was the very first unit of Celestial Being’s first-generation Gundams, and can literally be called “the origin of all Gundams.” It was the first combat mobile suit to carry a solar reactor (an original GN Drive) and stands at the starting point of the lineage that would lead to Gundam Exia, Dynames, Kyrios, and Virtue.

In A.D. 2301, Ribbons piloted the 0 Gundam during an armed intervention in the Republic of Krugis. On that battlefield, a young boy named Soran Ibrahim witnessed the 0 Gundam and was filled with awe at its overwhelming presence. This moment became the catalyst for his future as Setsuna F. Seiei, Gundam Meister. In other words, the 0 Gundam is the point of origin for Setsuna, for Ribbons, and for the entire narrative of Gundam 00.

In the final battle, after the Reborns Gundam was critically damaged, Ribbons installed a GN Drive seized from the 00 Raiser into the 0 Gundam that Lasse had abandoned, reactivating it. He chose to settle his fate with Setsuna — the person he claimed to have “created” — aboard this deeply symbolic machine. This narrative device, bringing the story full circle to the machines where it all began, has been widely praised as one of the series’ most powerful moments of storytelling.

Reborns Gundam (CB-0000G/C) — The Ultimate Machine That Inherits Everything

The Reborns Gundam was developed by Ribbons Almark himself, drawing upon the complete repository of mobile suit data stored within Veda. The name “Reborns” carries the meaning of “rebirth” and “renewal,” echoing Ribbons’ own name.

Its most distinctive feature is the transformation mechanism that allows it to switch between two configurations: a Gundam Mode optimized for close combat and mobility, and a Cannon Mode (Reborns Cannon) specialized for heavy bombardment with a large-scale GN Buster Rifle. This ability to instantly switch between forms based on tactical requirements made it a supremely versatile machine.

Its armament was equally comprehensive, consolidating technologies from all previous Celestial Being Gundams: GN Beam Sabers, a GN Buster Rifle, GN Shield, large GN Fin Fangs, and even the Trans-Am System. A single unit was said to possess firepower equivalent to an entire fleet.

During the Battle of Lagrange 2 in the second season’s climax, the Reborns Gundam engaged Setsuna’s 00 Raiser in a grueling duel, inflicting devastating damage. However, when Setsuna fully awakened as a true Innovator, the tide of battle turned, and the Reborns Gundam sustained catastrophic damage before being abandoned.

What this machine symbolizes is Ribbons’ philosophy incarnate: “absorb everything from the past and be self-sufficient as a single entity.” Integrating the technologies of every Gundam while monopolizing them for a single pilot — this design philosophy is the physical embodiment of Ribbons’ desire for domination and self-completeness.

It is worth noting that the one-letter difference between the machine’s name “Reborns” and its pilot’s name “Ribbons” is no coincidence. The fact that Ribbons created a machine bearing a variation of his own name demonstrates that this unit was not merely a weapon, but a form of self-expression. In the history of the Gundam franchise, it is exceedingly rare for a final antagonist to inscribe their own name upon their machine — a telling anecdote that speaks to the extraordinary strength of Ribbons’ self-regard.

Relationships — Manipulate, Discard, Dominate

Setsuna F. Seiei (Soran Ibrahim)

The relationship between Ribbons and Setsuna is the central thread that runs through the entire narrative of Gundam 00.

In A.D. 2301, Ribbons piloted the 0 Gundam during an armed intervention in the Republic of Krugis, revealing the Gundam’s form to a young boy named Soran on the battlefield. Seeing the awe in the child’s eyes, Ribbons decided the boy could be useful, and later selected him as the Meister for Gundam Exia. To Ribbons, Setsuna was “a being I created” — nothing more than a piece on his game board.

But Setsuna refused to remain a pawn. He grew as a Gundam Meister through his own will and determination. When Setsuna awakened as a true Innovator (a genuine evolved human) in the second season, Ribbons felt his very existence threatened. Ribbons had been trying to prove his worth by completing Aeolia’s plan with his own hands, but if humanity could evolve into Innovators on its own, then Ribbons — an Innovade — would become unnecessary.

The final duel between the 0 Gundam and Exia served as a ritual that overturned the “creator and creation” dynamic, proving that Setsuna was a being who could forge his own future through his own strength.

Alejandro Corner

Ribbons’ ostensible master during the first season. Alejandro, head of the Corner family and a UN ambassador, plotted to seize Aeolia’s plan and use it to dominate the world. Ribbons exploited this ambition, posing as a faithful secretary while covertly directing Alejandro’s every action from behind the scenes.

After Alejandro sortied in the Alvatore and was defeated, Ribbons dismissed him as “small-minded” and severed their relationship. This ruthless disposal symbolizes just how insignificant human beings were in Ribbons’ worldview. That said, it has been suggested that Ribbons did not truly despise Alejandro — he simply found it necessary to discard him for the sake of his ambitions, and felt a measure of regret in doing so.

Regene Regetta

Regene was a fellow Innovade and one of the most independently minded members of Ribbons’ group. While outwardly obedient, Regene secretly plotted to outmaneuver Ribbons and achieve reform on his own terms.

Ribbons detected Regene’s treacherous intentions early on but chose to let him operate freely. He reportedly valued Regene’s independence and initiative to some degree. Ultimately, however, Regene took direct action and shot Ribbons. But Ribbons had anticipated even this — he had prepared a spare body in advance and transferred his consciousness into it, effectively resurrecting himself. He then had another Innovade eliminate Regene.

This sequence of events demonstrates just how far ahead Ribbons planned and how meticulously he arranged his contingencies. The act of transferring consciousness to a spare body exploited the Innovade characteristic that “the body is merely a vessel,” simultaneously revealing both Ribbons’ extreme caution and his obsession with immortality.

At the same time, it reveals the coldness of Ribbons’ worldview — one in which even trust between fellow Innovades is impossible. Regene and Ribbons were akin to “siblings,” both born from the genetic template of E.A. Ray, yet they exploited each other and ultimately tried to kill one another. This relationship eloquently speaks to the profound depth of Ribbons’ isolation.

Other Innovades (Hiling Care, Revive Revival, Anew Returner, etc.)

The Innovades who served under Ribbons were, without exception, nothing more than pawns in his plan. Ribbons had secretly embedded backdoors in their genetic makeup, allowing him to access their vision and thoughts at will. This made betrayal by his subordinate Innovades effectively impossible (Regene being a special case).

The case of Anew Returner is particularly tragic. Anew had infiltrated Celestial Being and fell in love with Lockon Stratos (Lyle Dylandy). In the end, Ribbons hijacked her consciousness and forced her into combat, resulting in her being shot down by Lyle. Anew’s death starkly illustrates Ribbons’ complete disregard for the will and emotions of others.

Wang Liu Mei

Wang Liu Mei was the heiress of a powerful financial conglomerate who publicly acted as a supporter of Celestial Being while secretly maintaining ties with Ribbons — functioning as something of a double agent. Ribbons used her to exercise influence over the Earth Sphere Federation and A-Laws, and to gather intelligence from behind the scenes of the world.

Wang Liu Mei’s motivation for approaching Ribbons stemmed from her resonance with the ideal of “changing the world.” Despairing of the existing world order, she wagered on Ribbons as an entity with the power to fundamentally transform it. However, to Ribbons, Wang Liu Mei was simply another disposable pawn — destined to be discarded once her usefulness was exhausted. In the end, Wang Liu Mei lost her life in a confrontation with Nena Trinity, but her death did not disturb Ribbons in the slightest. This emotional indifference speaks succinctly to the true nature of all of Ribbons’ relationships.

Voice Actor — The “Other Name” Known as Noboru Sogetsu

The voice actor credited for Ribbons Almark is “Noboru Sogetsu.” In reality, however, this is none other than Toru Furuya — the legendary voice of Amuro Ray, the protagonist of the original Mobile Suit Gundam.

The decision to use a pseudonym was made at the direction of Gundam 00’s director, Seiji Mizushima. Mizushima believed that “if the name Toru Furuya appeared in the credits, even for a single line, viewers would read special significance into it.” Using a different name was both a narrative device to protect the story’s secrets and a shrewd maneuver that leveraged the overwhelming “brand power” of the name Toru Furuya.

During the broadcast period, Noboru Sogetsu appeared in magazine interviews in disguise, and the secrecy around his identity was rigorously maintained. Furuya himself reportedly expressed a desire not to use his real name when portraying Gundam characters other than Amuro, and was enthusiastic about playing Ribbons as an entirely separate persona.

At an event following the series’ conclusion, the identity of Noboru Sogetsu as Toru Furuya was officially revealed. Nevertheless, subsequent game appearances featuring Ribbons have continued to use the “Noboru Sogetsu” credit.

The impact of this casting decision was immense. Amuro Ray is “the symbol of Newtypes” — the character who, for decades, has represented “humanity’s potential” within the Gundam franchise. Having the voice actor who brought Amuro to life portray Ribbons — a character who insists that “humanity is foolish and must be ruled” — created a meta-level challenge to the history of the Gundam franchise itself. The same voice simultaneously embodying hope for humanity and despair toward humanity — this layered approach to casting added profound depth to the narrative of Gundam 00.

Cultural Impact — A “Beautiful Enemy” Etched into Gundam History

Ribbons Almark occupies a distinctive position among the final antagonists in Gundam history.

Previous Gundam series featured final antagonists who were complex human characters with rich backstories and emotional depth: Char Aznable (Char’s Counterattack), Haman Karn (ZZ), and Rau Le Creuset (SEED), among others. As an Innovade — an artificial being — Ribbons introduced a unique dynamic to the franchise: “a non-human entity attempting to dominate humanity.”

At the same time, Ribbons harbored an intensely human desire: to prove the meaning of his own existence. This contradiction — despising humans while being driven by a profoundly human need for validation — lies at the very heart of what makes Ribbons such a compelling character.

Among fans, the “contrast between his serene appearance and his ruthless inner nature” has been highly praised, and his popularity as a Gundam antagonist remains strong. The final duel between the 0 Gundam and Exia in particular is remembered as one of the greatest moments in the entire franchise.

The themes Ribbons embodies — evolution and domination, humanity’s potential and its limitations, the relationship between AI and humans — touch on universal concerns that resonate powerfully with contemporary society. Ribbons’ seizure of Veda, a supremely powerful computer, and his attempt to rule the world through information dominance carry a new kind of realism in an age where AI is actively transforming society.

In the Gunpla (Gundam plastic model) market, the Reborns Gundam has also proven popular thanks to its distinctive design and transformation mechanism. It has been released in multiple grades, including HG (1/144 scale), and Ribbons’ presence extends well beyond the anime into the world of three-dimensional modeling.

Furthermore, Ribbons has made numerous appearances in video game franchises such as the Super Robot Wars series and the G Generation series, with voice lines consistently recorded under the “Noboru Sogetsu” credit. Even in games, his arrogant demeanor is faithfully reproduced, earning him a reputation among players as “a final boss who is deeply satisfying to defeat.”

Looking across the Gundam franchise as a whole, Ribbons Almark stands as a new type of antagonist — distinct from Char Aznable or Full Frontal — who was indispensable in establishing the unique identity of the Anno Domini timeline. Without him, the story of Gundam 00 could not have fully articulated its theme of “dialogue and understanding.” It is only by depicting the fate of someone who rejected dialogue and believed solely in domination that the meaning of “reaching mutual understanding” is truly brought into relief.

Related Articles

For a deeper understanding of Ribbons Almark, we recommend the following related articles.

• Reborns Gundam Complete Guide — Ribbons’ Ultimate Gundam
• Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Complete Guide — The Anno Domini Timeline Explained
• 0 Gundam Complete Guide — The Original Gundam Where It All Began
• Setsuna F. Seiei Character Guide — “I Am Gundam”

Sources

• Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Season 1 (October 2007 – March 2008, 25 episodes)
• Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Season 2 (October 2008 – March 2009, 25 episodes)
• Mobile Suit Gundam 00: A Wakening of the Trailblazer (2010 theatrical film)
• Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Official Website (https://www.gundam00.net/)
• Gundam Channel Character Profiles (https://www.gundam-c.com/)
• Monthly Gundam Ace (Kadokawa Shoten) — various interview articles
• Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Mechanical Complete (Futabasha)
• Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Official File (Kodansha)
• Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Second Season Complete Best (Soundtrack)