Lacus Clyne - Reception

Reception

Lacus Clyne consistently ranked highly in the most popular female category in the Animage Anime Grand Prix poll in the 25th to 30th editions of the poll. In the 27th to 29th versions of the poll, Lacus Clyne placed first in this category. In another poll, she was voted as the second most popular female anime character from the 2000s. In a poll organized by Sunrise regarding which was the best couple in the Gundam franchise, Lacus and Kira were second. In another poll from the same site, Lacus was voted as the most popular princess from the entire franchise. She was also second in a poll which asked fans what female characters from Gundam SEED and Gundam SEED Destiny would they want to see in swimming suit, as well as another one in wedding dress from the Gundam franchise. Two other polls asked fans what was the most memorable characters from Gundam SEED and from Gundam SEED Destiny; Lacus was sixth in the former and fifth in the latter. In the 2007 Seiyu Awards, Rie Tanaka was a nominee in the category "Best Actresses in supporting roles" for her portrayal as Lacus in the Gundam SEED Destiny OVA, but lost to Ami Koshimizu and Yuko Goto.

The character has also received comments by publications for manga, anime and other media. When Gundam SEED was during its first episodes in Japan, Ever Cheung from Animefringe wondered about the future regarding Lacus and Kira as he noticed the two about to embrace in the anime's opening theme. He commented if his doubts may be right, he would find the story more interesting that he thought. Kim Wolstenholme from Mania Entertainment liked Lacus's introduction to the series as it added tension to it the friendship between Kira and Athrun. Kim noted that while Lacus and Athrun were engaged, he wondered how Lacus and Kira started relating in the series. Ross Liversidge from UK Anime Network stated he did not expect Lacus's faction entrance to the war in the last episodes from Gundam SEED as it emphasized the disasters happening within the series. Wolstenholme liked how Lacus started to take place in the war as it contrasted her actions in the series' first episodes, while also delivering surprising revelations. Moreover, Chris Beverdige, also writing for Mania, found Lacus' development throughout these episodes interesting and at the same time comical due to the design of her ship and how it is decorated by the Haros she possesses. While reviewing Gundam SEED Destiny, Liversidge stated that Lacus had become "a cult" within the series' setting due to how besides being pop-idol, she is backed up by a large number of soldiers. Lacus' public appearance in the series to reveal that Meer Campbell was impersonating her and state her true intentions was also called "totally mesmerising" by Liversidge. Chantal Strand was praised for her performance as both Lacus's and Meer's English voice actress by Anime News Network writer Theron Martin for giving them quality distinct from the original Japanese version despite finding it varying at some points.