Mobile Suit Gundam 0079 Trilogy and Char’s Counterattack [0079 Trilogy (Parts I-III) and Char’s Counterattack (Part IV)]

If you’ve ever binged a mecha anime—think Pacific Rim but with more teen angst and space battles—you owe it to yourself to check out the Mobile Suit Gundam 0079 Trilogy and Char’s Counterattack. Let’s get one thing straight: these aren’t just old cartoons from the 70s and 80s. They’re the reason your favorite robot shows exist. Produced by Sunrise and directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino, this collection is the blueprint for every story about big robots and bigger emotions. And lucky for you, it’s all on Netflix now—so no excuses to skip it.

First up: the 0079 Trilogy. It retells the original 1979 series in three movies, and let’s just say it’s way more than robots blowing each other up. The story starts with Amuro Ray, a regular teen stuck in a space colony when Zeon forces attack. He stumbles into the Gundam, a prototype robot, and suddenly finds himself fighting in the One Year War between Earth Federation and Zeon. But here’s the twist: the show doesn’t paint either side as purely good or evil. You’ll see soldiers on both sides struggling with fear, loyalty, and the cost of war. Amuro isn’t a perfect hero—he’s scared, he makes mistakes, and he grows up fast. Fans on NeoGAF call this trilogy the “perfect entry point” into Gundam because it balances action with real human drama. One fan wrote, “I thought it’d be all action, but I ended up crying when Amuro lost his friend.” Yeah, it’s that kind of show.

Then there’s Char’s Counterattack (1988), the epic conclusion to Amuro and Char’s rivalry. Thirteen years have passed since the One Year War. Amuro is a seasoned Federation pilot, and Char—once a Zeon ace—is now leading Neo Zeon, a group that wants to drop an asteroid on Earth to “reset” humanity. Their final battle isn’t just about robots—it’s about two men who’ve spent their lives chasing each other, each believing their way is the right path to peace. Char thinks humanity needs to be forced to evolve by leaving Earth; Amuro thinks peace can be found by working together. The animation here is stunning (especially for the 80s), and the fight scenes are intense. But what really hits is the emotional weight. MyAnimeList users can’t stop talking about the ending—no spoilers, but it’s a moment that’ll stay with you long after the credits roll. One fan said, “The final scene between Amuro and Char is so raw, I still think about it months later.”

So why should you, a 20-year-old or younger, care about these old shows? Because the themes are still relevant. The 0079 Trilogy asks: what does it mean to grow up in a world at war? Char’s Counterattack asks: is extremism ever the answer to peace? These aren’t just questions for anime characters—they’re questions we face today. Plus, the action is still top-tier. The Gundam fights are choreographed with purpose; every punch and laser blast feels like it matters.

Let’s wrap it up: if you want to understand why Gundam is a cultural phenomenon, this collection is a must-watch. It’s not just about robots—it’s about people. It’s about growing up, fighting for what you believe in, and the cost of war. And hey, it’s all on Netflix—so grab some snacks, sit back, and get ready to be hooked. Trust the fans: this is Gundam at its best, and it’s still as awesome as ever. Whether you’re a mecha fan or just looking for a story with heart, you won’t regret it. Go watch it—your inner robot lover will thank you.