Athrun has appeared in manga adaptations from the series, taking the leading role in Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny: The Edge.

Publications from manga, anime and other media have commented on Athrun's character, providing positive response due to his relationships and his role in the series.

[4] His appearance begins at the start of the series Athrun is a member of Rau Le Creuset's team which carries out a ZAFT raid on the neutral colony Heliopolis.

[7] He is found by Cagalli Yula Athha of the neutral country Orb, who despite being angered by Kira's supposed death, allows him to return to ZAFT after both discuss the reasons for killing.

Patrick orders him to track and recapture or destroy the mobile suit ZGMF-X10A Freedom, which was stolen by Athrun's fiancée Lacus Clyne and to eliminate her.

[11] He is later saved by the Clyne faction and joins the newly formed resistance group called the Three Ships Alliance which includes the Archangel.

[17] In the fights against the Earth Alliance, the Archangel interferes to reduce the number of casualties, but Athrun decides not to return with them, stating that they are making the situation worse.

[26] In Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom, one year after the events of Destiny, Athrun is not a member of Compass like the other cast, but works as an agent of Terminal, alongside his former ZAFT colleague Meryin.

He makes a surprise appearance later in the film, assisting Kira and the Compass team after they are ambushed by the Black Knights, piloting a Z'Gok.

In the climax of the film during the final battle, the Z'Gok is revealed to be a shell unit for his true mobile suit, the ZGMF-X191M2 Inifinite Justice Type II.

[53] Athrun, along with five other notable mecha and pilots from the Gundam series, were recognized in the second set of "Anime Heroes and Heroines" stamps, released in Japan in 2005.

[55] Chris Beveridge from Mania Entertainment stated that while Gundam SEED was primarily focused on Kira's growth, Athrun often "stole the show in a lot of ways" citing their rivalry and his angst displayed during its final episodes.

[56] Comments have also been focused on Athrun's and Kira's relationship with IGN's Andy Patrizio disliking the number of times they shouted each other's names.

[58] Moreover, Ross Liversidge from UK Anime Network enjoyed the development from their rivalry as it resulted in well done fight scenes from each of their mobile suits.

[60][61] Reviewing the manga of Gundam SEED Destiny Julie Gray from Comic Book Bin praised his relationship with Cagalli, emphasizing how integral is it to the story.

[62] Don Houston from DVD Talk commented on Athrun's background regarding his actions against his father to stop his plans "in the name of super greater calling".

[64] Samuel Vincent's portrayal as Athrun in Gundam SEED Destiny was pointed by Carl Kimlinger from Anime News Network as one of the strongest ones from the casting.

[65] According to the website Real Sound [ja] the couple Cagalli and Athrun is highly popular and the film Gundam Seed Freedom alongside its novelization cheered up the fans thanks to its focus on them and this can be explored further more as parallel to Kira and Lacus.