Kidô senshi Gandamu: Gyakushû no Shâ

If you have been following the Gundam saga (tv series), this is one animated feature you could not miss. Even if you are not a Gundam fan, you will still enjoy the art works.

The movie adaptation of "Char's Counterattack: Beltorchika's Children", follows the novel almost to the letter. There are only a few minor differences in both versions created by Yoshiyuki Tomino. 1-Amuro Ray is engaged to Beltorchika Irma (Chien Agi in the movie) who also appears in Z Gundam. 2-Some names differ from the movie: Gyunei Guss (Glab Gas in novel), Nanai Miguel (Mesuta Mesua in novel). 3-The origin of the psycoframe is different in the novel as from the movie. The rest of the movie is pretty much exactly like the novel. In the novel Amuro's girlfriend Beltorchika is expecting a baby and the baby plays an important part in the story. In the movie it's the psycoframe Chien Agi uses that is an important part of the story. There are more things explained clearly in the book and are missed in the movie.

The Amuro-Char rivalry could not have ended better. I'm not going to say how, but the ending was totally satisfying. I also liked Bright Noa's predicament here. He's always been the flawless starship captain, and now he has to deal with his son Hathaway being underfoot. I'll leave the telling of the plot to somebody else. The ending theme, "Beyond the Time" was what got my attention the most. Wow.

The thing with this movie is that it suffers from Red Shirt Syndrome (RSS). Red Shirt Syndrome is when lots of extra characters are brought into a story and then killed off for no apparent reason other than adding to the tragedy/seriousness of the story. Red Shirt Syndrome is so named because on the original 'Star Trek', a crewmember would accompany Captain Kirk and crew down to the planet...and the red shirt wearing crewmember would be killed for no apparent reason.

Char seems to have gone through quite a bit of change in this movie. Compare this Char to the Char in the original series, and you'll see a difference. In this movie, Char begins to become like his father, Zeon Zum Deikun. He gives speeches and becomes a political figure...a change that started when he was going under the name Quattro Bagina in Zeta Gundam. On the other side, Amuro hasn't changed much. He's lost a bit of his idealism, but he's still the same Amuro. Basically.

I think that Quess and Hathaway would've made a charming couple. That's all I have to say about that.

Very good Mecha Anime film that puts a good closing story on the original MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM tv series.Very good quality drawing animation.The story however is not friendly to viewers who did not follow the mentioned tv series.Despite this flaw,the film holds up as a classic anime for all fans of the genre.Very good last 20 minutes too......

Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack (1988) is a powerful and emotional conclusion to the epic rivalry between Amuro Ray and Char Aznable. Directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino, the film masterfully combines high-stakes action with deeper themes of war, idealism, and the complexities of human nature. Set in the Universal Century timeline, Char leads the Neo Zeon movement, while Amuro represents the Federation's final defense, setting the stage for a monumental showdown.

The film excels in its portrayal of the two protagonists' contrasting ideals, making their final confrontation deeply personal and impactful. The animation, especially during the intense mecha battles, is top-tier for its time, with beautifully designed mobile suits like the Nu Gundam and Sazabi. The action is complemented by an unforgettable soundtrack, heightening both the emotional and battle sequences.

While Char's Counterattack is a visual and thematic triumph, its pacing can feel uneven at times, and the film's serious, somber tone may not appeal to everyone. However, these minor flaws don't diminish its significance in the Gundam saga. It's a perfect culmination for long-time fans and an essential watch for those seeking a deeper, more mature take on the mecha genre.

With its thrilling combat, memorable characters, and thought-provoking narrative, Char's Counterattack earns a solid 9/10.