The latest film in the animated film series "Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway's Flash" (directed by Murase Shukou), "Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway's Flash 's Hathaway's Flash of Circe," will be released in 365 theaters nationwide on January 30, 2026. Hathaway Noah, the protagonist of "Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway's Flash," is influenced by Amuro Ray and Char Aznable and leads a rebellion against the Earth Federation government. The Gundam series, which began with the original "Mobile Suit Gundam," has depicted conflict between people and the clash between ideals and reality. Amuro and Char are also iconic figures of the series. What about Amuro and Char influenced Hathaway? In this second installment of our series explaining "Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway's Flash," we delve into Amuro, Char, and Hathaway.
◇Fated Rival
In "Mobile Suit Gundam," set in Universal Century 0079, Amuro Ray pilots the Gundam and engages in numerous deadly battles with Principality of Zeon ace Char Aznable. Amuro awakens as a Newtype, embodying the potential for human evolution. Meanwhile, Char is torn between his desire for revenge and his ambition.
The year is UC0087, seven years after the One Year War. In "Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam," Char calls himself Quattro Bajeena and joins AEUG, a group fighting against the corruption of the Earth Federation Forces. While fighting as a mobile suit pilot, he also shows his side as a thinker who worries about the future of humanity in his Dakar speech. Meanwhile, Amuro is crushed by the reality of the post-war period and is imprisoned. As Amuro, who has lost sight of the meaning of fighting, rises to his feet again, we see both the image of the boy he once was and the anguish of a war-weary adult.
Bright Noah's son, Hathaway, meets Amuro in the midst of war. At the time, Amuro was not just a hero; he was also struggling and trying to move forward. How did Amuro appear to Hathaway as a child?
◇The clash between ideals and reality
In "Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack," Amuro and Char clash once again in UC0093. Char tries to purge the Earth Federation government in order to uphold his ideals, while Amuro, believing in the potential of humanity, tries to stop him. The battle is not simply a clash between good and evil, but a clash between ideals and reality.
Amuro believes in the human heart to the very end and entrusts the future to the potential of Newtypes. Meanwhile, Char resorts to extreme measures. Quess Paraya, the woman Hathaway adores, is sacrificed in the battle. Hathaway will keep in mind the "destination" of Amuro and Char.
Hathaway witnessed Amuro and Char's "final destination"
"Hathaway's Flash" is set in UC0105, 12 years after "Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack." In response to the corrupt Earth Federation government, Hathaway takes on the name Mufti Navue Erin and attempts to reform it through military force as the leader of the anti-Earth Federation government movement, Mufti. Believing in Amuro's ideals, he chooses Char's methods.
Humanity continues to wage war and pollute the Earth. Even if a revolution were to occur, its essence may not change. Yet, like Amuro, some believe in the potential of humanity, while others, like Char, try to bring about a revolution. Hathaway finds himself torn between these two extremes. Hathaway's story carries the will of the Universal Century into the future. (Anima Mitsuru/MANTANWEB)
