I remember the first post for the Seven6398 was using NG 1/100 Akatsuki, I can't believe the first post about model kit in this Seven6398 ver.2 will be NG 1/100 Akatsuki.
Although it's not pilot by main character or being the main character mobile suit but this still caught many attention from the audience i guess. It's the only gold plated kit in the Gundam Seed Destiny series even in gunpla. At the end of the day, the unit was pilot a man who also wear his mask during the combat really reminding Mr. Quattro as believe to be Char in its Hyaku shiki which also a gold plated mobile suit in Gundam Zeta series. The first appearance of this mobile suit was quite "deep", as it is the sword for the savior to protect Orb from burning again. Even a song that have the similar name with this mobile suit was played. The role created for this mobile suit and its pilot was quite great in my opinion.
Back to the mobile suit itself, maybe i should let the information collected in Mahq explain it all:
Before his death in C.E. 71, Orb Union leader Uzumi Nara Athha
commissions the construction of the ORB-01 Akatsuki to serve as the
final defense of Orb, should the need arise. Developed in secret, the
Akatsuki is hidden underneath the Orb mainland until C.E. 74. The
Akatsuki's design is similar to the GAT-X105 Strike Gundam
that Orb assisted the Earth Alliance in developing. Aside from visual
similarities, the Akatsuki is capable of using several packs similar to
the Strike Gundam's
Striker packs. Perhaps the most unique feature of the Akatsuki is its
"Yata-no-Kagami" anti-beam defensive reflection system, which is coated
on the armor. Comprised of many tiny mirrors, the armor coating the
Akatsuki allows it to reflect any beam energy fired at it. The armaments
of the Akatsuki's main body include a pair of vulcan guns, a twin beam
saber, a beam rifle and shield. When equipped with the "Owashi" sky
pack, the Akatsuki can also use a pair of high-energy beam cannons. In
addition, the "Owashi" pack can separate and function as a separate
fighter. In space, the Akatsuki can equip the "Shiranui" pack, which is
armed with a guided mobile beam turret system similar to ZAFT's DRAGOON
(Disconnected Rapid Armament Group Overlook Operation Network) system.
In addition to functioning as beam cannons, the units can be used to
create a defensive shield. The Akatsuki is first used in by Cagalli Yula
Athha to defend Orb from a ZAFT attack during Operation Fury. During
the battle, the Akatsuki engages Shinn Asuka's ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam and receives minor damage. Soon after, the battleship Archangel
heads to space, and Cagalli gives the Akatsuki to ace pilot Neo Roanoke
(aka Mu La Flaga). In a battle between ZAFT and the Orb space fleet,
Neo and Athrun Zala destroy the Requiem cannon that ZAFT captures from
the Alliance. Soon after, the death of PLANT Supreme Council Chairman
Gilbert Durandal and the destruction of the mobile space fortress Messiah mark the end of the war.
Boxart, runners and manual
I think that explanation should be sufficient for this mobile suit. Personally, with its weapon system it can said that it might unbeatable or even as strong as Strike Freedom (which is my favorite mobile suit in Gundam Seed Destiny). A unit that have beam reflector to protect it from any beam attack and even a guided mobile beam turret system which can use to create a large "prism" as a energy shield, it can be said one of the safest mobile suit in the war if the pilot worry about getting shot by others.
