Huge change from the anime. It is shown how Athrun and Kira survive their battle. Also it is shown that Kira is motivated to return to Flay even at this point. I think this is a big improvement as it shows he is still influenced by her after their fight. In the anime, he could be interpreted as bitter about the breakup leading to his more violent behavior in the battle where Nicol and Tolle die. Here he is more motivated by protecting Flay and still has someone to motivate him to survive and come home to. It is also shown how Malchio found Kira and why he took him to Lacus, another improvement over the anime where he is suddenly at Lacus’ place.
