Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack (機動戦士ガンダム：逆襲のシャア, Kidō Senshi Gundam: Gyakushū no Char) is a 1988 original theatrical anime film directed & written by Yoshiyuki Tomino and produced by studio Sunrise. Staff credits also include character designer Hiroyuki Kitazume and music composer Shigeaki Saegusa. The film was first theatrically released in Japan in first aired in Japan in March 1988.
Brief Unboxing Note:
This unboxing has been updated on December 2023 to amend its page design but also add additional context to some parts of the write-up. Everything else has been left unchanged from the original post.
Background:
“U.C. 0093. 13 years have passed since the events of the original Mobile Suit Gundam.
But the foundations of peace are once again threatened by a new Neo Zeon army, led by the infamous Char Aznable! Their ultimate goal is to plunge Earth into a nuclear winter, forcing humanity to emigrate completely into space.
Armed with the state-of-the-art Nu Gundam, Amuro Ray and his Federation comrades are all that stand against Neo Zeon. Torn between vengeance, duty, and love – the final battle between Char Aznable and Amuro Ray is at hand.”
Plot Synopsis via Anime Limited, July 2019.
Mobile Suit Gundam is a very popular franchise, spanning decades of anime shows, video games and inspiring others to produce similar mecha shows over the years. Amongst the numerous Gundam shows was the Universal Century storyline which spanned multiple shows, from 1979 with the original Mobile Suit Gundam series which was then rebooted with the three-part theatrical trilogy in 1981, the 1985 series Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, the 1986 Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ, and then the 1988 theatrical film Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack.
Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack takes place in the Universal Century era 0093; five years after the events of Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ, seven years after the events of Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam and 13 years after the events of the original Mobile Suit Gundam 0079 theatrical trilogy version of the timeline. While the film is in the same timeline as Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ, many have managed to understand the story and contexts without having seen that series, given both Amuro Ray and Char did not appear in that series (their last appearance was in Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam).
What makes Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack stand out is how it concludes the storyline between Amuro Ray and Char that began from the very first Mobile Suit Gundam series. Since then the franchise branched into two directions, either with original standalone stories or continuing where the film left off focusing on different cast of characters whilst referencing these events. Examples of the latter had been Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn, its sequel Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative, and also Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway’s Flash.
UK distributor Anime Limited once again continues their distribution of Mobile Suit Gundam on behalf of Sunrise for home video. The release of Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack is part of their Summer of Gundam 40th Anniversary plan, which includes Mobile Suit Gundam Wing, Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz, Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt Bandit Flower, Mobile Suit Gundam 00, and standard edition versions for a number of their previous releases.
Collector’s Edition Contents:
The collector’s edition release for Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack follows the same style as the other Anime Limited Gundam Collection sets, but as a thinner size like Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt: December Sky.
The package is presented as a rigid box with an Amaray case to house the Blu-ray disc. In addition it also comes included with 5 Art Cards, a fold-out poster and by ordering through AllTheAnime store I also received a key chain.
The artwork is free of any information or BBFC content and the info sheet covers the information and specification like previous Anime Limited releases. The collector’s edition Blu-ray has 1000 units printed for an SRP of £34.99. A standard edition Blu-ray will follow suit.
Once again to the surprise of many, the collector’s edition Blu-ray set has sold out already and will be out of print very soon. Given the price-point and how well-known it is in the fanbase, it’s somewhat expected.
Physical Contents:
- Rigid Box with amaray case packaging and clean artwork
- Info sheet for specs and sticker on wrapping for BBFC logo
- 5 Art Cards
- Poster
- AllTheAnime Store Exclusive Key Chain
On-Disc Contents:
Distributor: Anime Limited
Released: 29th July 2019
The collector’s edition release for Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack from Anime Limited contains the film on a single Blu-ray disc, with the authoring & encoding produced by Nozomi & Rightstuf.
The audio options available include Japanese with English subtitles and the Ocean Group English dub commissioned by Bandai Entertainment. The yellow subtitles (with white for secondary dialogue/on-screen text) are also unlockable during playback and the disc is region locked to B for Blu-ray players.
Much like the US release, there is a black border around the main film which may bother viewers. Zooming in using the TV settings may help but it’s not recommended as you may lose some parts of the footage.
Blu-ray Specs:
| Languages | English, Japanese |
| Audio | English Linear PCM 5.1 English Linear PCM 2.0 Japanese Linear PCM 5.1 Japanese Linear PCM 2.0 |
| Video | 1080p High Definition Native format 1.85:1 aspect ratio |
| Region | B |
| Subtitles | English |
| Locked Subtitles | No |
| Discs | 1 BD-50 |
Blu-ray On-Disc Extra Features:
- Promotional Videos
- Japanese Trailers
Unboxing Photos:
Final Notes:
Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack is available to purchase on Blu-ray by Anime Limited in the UK & Ireland territories. The collector’s edition Blu-ray has sold out, but a standard edition Blu-ray is available to order through retailer Amazon UK, Anime Limited’s store and MVM’s Anime-on-Line store.
(Disclaimer: Amazon links are also included when available. They are affiliated so if you decide to order them, I’ll earn a small percentage if they ship which will help me with any hauls or small bills.)
The Normanic Vault 
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