Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack

Name(s): Gundam CCA / Kidou Senshi Gundam: Gyakushuu no Char / Kidou Senshi Gundam: Gyakushuu no Char / 機動戦士ガンダム 逆襲のシャア
Format: Movie (119 minutes)
Studio(s): Sunrise
Related: Mobile Suit Gundam Movie Trilogy (various) / Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam (1985) / Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ (1986)

Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack Review

I gotta say, after how hyped-up Char’s Counterattack (CCA) is, I found it disappointing. It billed itself as the finale of the Universal Century (UC) and the ultimate showdown between Amuro and Char. Sadly, it made the huge mistake of focusing brand-new characters nobody’s attached to. Making matters worse, said new characters follow the same character arcs as previous UC characters.

Where are the rest of the veterans? Where is Sayla (I don’t buy any excuses)? Wouldn’t it have been cool if the White Base staff came back for the battle with Char, just like old times?

With little new character development, it’s clear that this is a focus on the action side of Gundam rather than the drama. It’s a big-budget stage set for Amuro and Char’s explosive final battle. That’s almost all there is to it. The animation is great. Combat takes up the vast majority of the movie, and it’s fun to watch in all its fluidity.

But, even the main match is tragically short and lacking in some passion between the two rivals. Char’s Counterattack ends up burning out rather than exploding. I’m not going to complain about Char’s character transition like many people do, but I will complain about how unlikable he is compared to his charismatic MSG and Zeta renditions, and I don’t mean in regards to him being the villain. He’s such a dull character this time around, and it’s difficult to view him as the Char I had liked so much before. I love both Amuro and Char, and seeing them in this state was a little heartbreaking.

Gundam CCA Verdict

Still, there’s enough cool stuff in Gundam CCA to be worth watching. I never regret getting some new Gundam lore. But, this could’ve been so much more, if not dragged down by a focus on cold characterization, and far less-interesting plot points than those the movie should’ve prioritized.