Duke Fleed/TV

Duke Fleed (デューク・フリード Dyūku Furīdo) is the main protagonist of UFO Robot Grendizer and pilot of the titular robot. He is the crown prince of Planet Fleed, the older brother of Maria Fleed, the adopted son of Genzo Umon under the name Daisuke Umon (宇門 大介, Umon Daisuke) and the fiance of Rubina until their separation.
==Background==
Duke was once betrothed to Princess Rubina of Planet Vega, but their relationship was cut short when King Vega attacked Planet Fleed, reducing it to a toxic wasteland, and stole Grendizer. Duke managed to steal the robot back using a Spazer and escaped, but not before being hit by a Vegatron attack that made him suffer from radiation poisoning. Eventually, the robot's navigational computer led him to Earth, where he crash-landed and was found by Dr. Umon, who renamed him Daisuke Umon. In his new life, Daisuke worked as a ranch worker for the Makiba family and became friends with their children, Hikaru and Goro Makiba.
==Appearance==
Duke is an athletic young man with a well-built physique. He has shoulder length brown hair, thick eyebrows and dark blue eyes that blend with his irises.
Daisuke's outfit consists of a brown tasseled vest, a yellow long-sleeve shirt, brown pants, and black boots, reflecting a classic American western style. When he becomes Duke Fleed, he dons a red and black pilot suit, inspired by the regal attire of Planet Fleed. The suit is adorned with red spiked decorations, and features a grey knight-like helmet with a yellow mask and a green visor that conceals his face.
==Personality==
Duke is level-headed and composed, able to deal with most situations he finds himself in with a sense of perspective and clarity. His thoughtful nature sometimes puts him at odds with the more impulsive Koji, who often dives headfirst into danger.
As an alien prince, Daisuke possesses knowledge on matters concerning Fleed as well as other alien planets. He is usually the one responsible for informing the rest of the group on the intricacies and culture of their enemies.
Despite his calm demeanor, Daisuke carries a great burden on his shoulders as the only survivor of Planet Fleed and the pilot of its guardian robot, Grendizer. He feels a deep sense of guilt about fleeing his home world and the deaths of his family and fellow Fleedians.
==Relationships==
====Genzo Umon====
After crash-landing on Earth, Duke was found by Dr. Umon, who took him under his wing and offered cover by presenting themselves as father and son to others. Over time, Duke grew to see Dr. Umon as not just a mentor, but also a true father figure, and he deeply respects him.
====Hikaru Makiba====
After Duke assumed the identity of Daisuke, he found employment on the Makiba family's ranch. Despite Hikaru's occasionally bossy demeanor, she and Daisuke quickly became close friends and eventually developed romantic feelings for each other. However, Duke's unwillingness to reveal his true identity and the frequent disappearances that came with fighting the Vegans put a strain on their friendship. After Daisuke finally revealed his true identity as Duke Fleed and began fighting the Vegans, Hikaru offered to join him as the pilot of the Marine Spazer. Throughout their battles together, Hikaru remained a close confidant to Duke, and they found comfort in each other's company.
====Koji Kabuto====
At first, Duke regarded Koji as nothing more than a naive annoyance, as Koji was initially unwilling to consider that extraterrestrial lifeforms could pose a threat to Earth instead of exclusively an opportunity for cooperation.UFO Robot Grendizer Episode 1, Koji Kabuto and Duke Fleed However, as Koji demonstrated his impressive piloting skills and strong desire to fight, Duke acknowledged him as a valuable ally and friend. Despite their initial rivalry, Duke and Koji quickly became the most effective duo among their allies.
====Maria Fleed====
Maria is Duke's long lost younger sister. 
Maria's uncle, actually a servant of the royal family of Planet Fleed who raised her on Earth, believed that Maria and himself were the only survivors after the destruction of the planet. Before passing away from injuries sustained during a Saucer Beast attack, he begged Maria to recover Grendizer in the name of Fleed, as he believed only a Vegan could possibly by piloting Grendizer by that point. In accordance with her uncle's wishes, Maria attempted to kill Daisuke, the actual pilot of Grendizer, but was ultimately restrained. It wasn't until they noticed their identical necklaces that they remembered each other and their true relationship as long-lost siblings.
====Rubina====
Princess Rubina was betrothed to Duke, as their marriage was intended to create an alliance between Vega and Fleed. However, Rubina's father, King Vega, betrayed the agreement and invaded Planet Fleed. When Rubina came to Earth to find Duke, he was cautious due to her father's actions but agreed to listen to her nonetheless. However, when Zuril appeared and attacked Duke during their conversation, he began to doubt Rubina's intentions. It was only after Rubina sacrificed herself to save him that Duke realized his mistake. Her death became a turning point for Duke, as he became even more determined to defeat the Vegan Empire.
==Abilities and Skills==
Duke is able to generate a pilot suit from his own body in order to pilot Grendizer. The suit also provides protection from different types of hazards, such as lasers. His Fleedian physique also gives him greater agility and a faster healing rate.
=== Robots and Vehicles===
Duke is an accomplished pilot, able to control the Grendizer with relative ease and has been shown to pilot vehicles like a motorcycle and ride a horse after some lessons from Hikaru.
*Grendizer: The secret weapon of Planet Fleed modeled after a Fleedian God of War.
*Spazer: A UFO-esque vehicle that allows flight through the atmosphere and outer space, it can also connect to the Grendizer to allow it to fly.
*Dizer trike: A red motor trike with passenger seats that Daisuke/Duke used for personal transport at times. It is equipped with projectile fan-like blade to launch at enemies.
== History==
Daisuke and the Makiba family ranch receive a visit from Koji Kabuto in the TFO. Duke gets an uneasy feeling from the conversation about UFOs appearing throughout Japan and tells Koji that it is a bad idea to try to communicate with them. Koji shrugs off Daisuke's warnings and goes to a swarm of UFOs to negotiate. Daisuke's feeling turns out to be true as the UFOs are from the Vegan Empire. Duke's memories fully resurface and goes to the Grendizer to fight the Vegans and save Koji. Telling Koji what really happened, Koji offers his service to Duke. This service proves to be invaluable from the swarms of Saucer Beasts that would come.
Hikaru Makiba became curious about what Daisuke was doing and Duke revealed who he really is to her. Understanding, Hikaru decided to help out as well, piloting the Marine Spazer. Duke also encounters a mysterious girl also from Planet Fleed who wanted revenge on Duke for the death of her butler, who lost his life in an accident caused by the battle between Grendizer and a Saucer Beast. Duke then finds out that the girl is his sister Maria Grace Fleed from when their necklaces are revealed. Duke embraces his long lost sister and the siblings reconcile, with Maria becoming pilot for the Drill Spazer.
After many battles, Duke encounters another girl. This one being the Vegan princess Rubina, Duke's fiance. Duke is wary of her due to what her father did to his home planet. When Rubina notices a Vegan assassin pointing a blast at Duke, Rubina saves him by taking the hit. Realizing that Rubina was nothing like her father, Duke embraces her determined to defeat King Vega.
When King Vega issues the order to attack, Duke and his allies move out to space for an epic battle. Duke deals the final blow by having the Grendizer destroy the Vegan Empire mothership. With the empire's defeat, Duke leaves with Maria to restore Planet Fleed.
==Etymology==
===Adoptive Name===
*The name Daisuke means "big, great" (大) (dai) and "help, assist" (介) (suke).
*Daisuke's surname Umon means "eaves, roof, house, heaven" (宇) (u) and "gate" (門) (mon).
==Gallery==
DukeFleed.png
DukeF.png
Kggk.jpg
Duke without mask on.jpeg|Duke with his mask lifted.
Power suit.jpeg|Duke generating his pilot suit
Naida and Duke on a horse.png|Duke and Naida riding a horse
You may kiss the bride.png
Duke Fleed.png
Duke playing guitar.png|Duke playing a guitar
Undeniable.png|Which girl would say no to this?
Thanks.png
Duke on horse.png
File:Duke Fleed Super Robot Wars Z.png|Duke Fleed in Super Robot Wars Z.
File:Duke Fleed Helmet Super Robot Wars Z.png|Duke Fleed (Helmet) in Super Robot Wars Z.
===Video Gallery===
File:Super_Robot_Wars_MX_-_Grendizer
File:SRW_A_Portable_-_Attacks_Grendizer_All_Attacks
File:Super_Robot_Taisen_Z_-_Grendizer_All_Attacks
==References==
Category:Manga Characters
Category:Anime Characters
Category:Space Science Laboratory
Category:Grendizer Characters
Category:Protagonists
Category:Fleed Planet
Category:Male characters
Category:Pilots