Setsuna is a member of Celestial Being, an organization that aims to end all wars through the deployment of the revolutionary Gundam units in aggressive armed interventions.

Setsuna was created as a Kurd and Muslim because director Seiji Mizushima wanted to explore the situation people in the Middle East go through which forces them to participate in wars.

Setsuna has been a popular character in Japan, where voice actor Mamoru Miyano received an award for the role, and within the Gundam fanbase, ranking highly in various polls.

Director Seiji Mizushima wanted to give viewers a close approach to the wars in the Middle East, believing the problem would not be solved in a long time.

Late in the series, Setsuna's Qan[T] (Quantum) system was introduced in order to convey his message that he wants war to end through communication rather than violence.

During this time, he murdered his own parents under Ali Al-Saachez's influence in order to prove his devotion to God, and hence bears a deep hatred towards Saachez.

[12] In the film sequel, Mobile Suit Gundam 00 the Movie: A Wakening of the Trailblazer, Setsuna and Celestial Being fight the ELS, an alien lifeform that has been attacking mankind.

Setsuna falls into catatonia after attempting to share his consciousness which, by the burst of information he took, damaged his braincells but manages to recover upon seeing his lost allies in a dream.

The manga adaptation of the film gives a different author's interpretation of the ending in which Setsuna marries Marina though it is not canon considered symbolic and representative of their understanding of ideals.

[32] The role from the English voice actor, Brad Swaile, was met with criticism in the series' beginning by Ramsey Isler from IGN.

[34][35] This bothered Chris Beveridge from Mania Entertainment as the series appeared to be borrowing elements from previous shows despite finding Setsuna interesting.

[35] Carl Kimlinger from Anime News Network agreed with Liversidge stating it was difficult to enjoy the character as he is "remarkable in his frosty unlikeability.

[40] Although Michael Toole from the same site noted that the audience liked the subplot involving his interactions with Feldt, it ended being "ooey-gooey romantic crap.