Why the Mobile Suit Gundam 0079 Trilogy & Char’s Counterattack Are Still Must-Watch for Gen Z

If you’re a Gen Z anime fan who’s ever glanced at the Gundam franchise and thought, “Where do I even start?”, let’s cut through the chaos: the Mobile Suit Gundam 0079 Film Trilogy (1981-1982) and Char’s Counterattack (1988) are the two pillars you need to dive into first. These four films aren’t just dusty old classics—they’re the beating heart of what makes Gundam more than robots blowing each other up. They’re stories about growing up, choosing your beliefs, and the messy cost of war that hit as hard today as they did 40 years ago.

Let’s kick off with the 0079 Trilogy. Compiled from the original 1979 TV series, these films condense the One Year War between the Earth Federation and Zeon into a tight, emotional arc. You meet Amuro Ray, a 15-year-old kid who stumbles into piloting the RX-78 Gundam after Zeon attacks his space colony. Then there’s Char Aznable—the “Red Comet”—a charismatic Zeon pilot with a mysterious grudge against Zeon’s ruling Zabi family. What makes these films stand out isn’t just the iconic mecha fights (hello, RX-78 vs. Char’s Zaku II clashes!)—it’s the way they humanize war. Amuro isn’t a perfect hero; he’s scared, he messes up, and he loses people he loves. Char isn’t just a villain—you can see glimmers of his idealism even as he fights for a side that’s committed atrocities.

Fans online scream from the rooftops: don’t skip the trilogy to get to Char’s Counterattack. As one MyAnimeList user put it, “You need the build-up to feel the impact of their final fight.” And they’re right. The trilogy lays every brick of Amuro and Char’s rivalry: their first tense clashes, the secrets Char hides (like his true identity as Casval Rem Deikun), and the way both characters grow (or fracture) over the war. Without watching these films, Char’s Counterattack’s emotional beats would land like a dud—you wouldn’t get why Amuro is so desperate to stop Char, or why Char’s plan to drop the Axis asteroid onto Earth is more than just a villainous power play.

Then comes Char’s Counterattack—the grand finale of Amuro and Char’s decades-long story. Directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino (the “father of Gundam”) and produced by Sunrise, this is the first original full-length theatrical Gundam film (no TV compilation here). Set years after the One Year War, Amuro is now a seasoned Federation pilot, and Char has reemerged as Neo Zeon’s leader with a radical plan: drop Axis onto Earth to force humanity into space, which he believes will free them from the “curse” of Earth’s gravity. Their final battle isn’t just about mechs—it’s about two men who’ve spent their lives fighting for what they think is right, even if their paths have split into irreconcilable directions.

The film hits hard with themes Gen Z cares about: what does it mean to fight for a cause without losing your humanity? Is idealism worth the lives it costs? The IMDb calls it “powerful and emotional,” and that’s an understatement. The final scene between Amuro and Char (no spoilers!) is one of anime’s most iconic moments—tense, sad, and weirdly hopeful, all at once. Fans love it because it doesn’t hand you a cheesy happy ending; it’s a conclusion that feels real, like the characters have finally come to terms with their fates.

For under-20s, these films might seem dated at first glance—their 80s animation style is retro, sure—but good storytelling transcends time. Amuro’s journey from a shy, tech-obsessed kid to a confident (but broken) soldier is relatable to anyone who’s ever had to step up when they didn’t want to. Char’s complex motivations (he’s not just a “bad guy”) teach you to look beyond surface-level villainy—he’s a man who’s lost everything and is trying to fix the world in the only way he knows how. And Tomino’s unflinching look at war’s impact—soldiers crying over dead friends, civilians caught in crossfire—reminds you that conflict isn’t just cool mechs; it’s real people hurting.

Another reason to watch: these films are the foundation of the entire Universal Century timeline. If you ever want to check out later UC entries like Gundam Unicorn or Hathaway’s Flash, you need to know Amuro and Char’s story first. As one fan put it, “The trilogy plus Char’s Counterattack are the main timeline—everything else expands on that.” So even if you’re just curious about Gundam, starting here gives you a solid base to explore more.

In short, the 0079 Trilogy and Char’s Counterattack aren’t just old anime—they’re timeless stories every young fan should experience. They have action, heart, and themes that make you think long after the credits roll. Whether you’re into mecha, character-driven dramas, or stories about finding your place in the world, these films have something for you. Grab some popcorn, sit back, and let Amuro and Char take you on a journey that’s captivated fans for 40 years. Trust me—you won’t regret it.