Kara Dennison
April 22, 2025 
For long-time Gundam fans, Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX presents an intriguing “what if.” Technically it takes place during the Universal Century timeline… or, at least, it starts there. One major difference changes everything, from the outcome of the One Year War to the entire shape of society. For fans new to Gundam, the beginning of this show is probably a lot to digest. Allow us to help.
If you saw the second episode of this new series and want to know more, we have all you need to get started. Get to know Char Aznable, his eternal rival Amuro Ray, and what happened on the timeline we’ve (for now) left behind.
Mobile Suit Gundam
The best way to get on board (if you have the time) is to go all the way back to the beginning. Mobile Suit Gundam is where everything began. Clocking in at 42 episodes, this classic series tells the story of the battle between the Earth Federation and the Principality of Zeon. It also introduces the biggest difference between the original timeline and GQuuuuuuX: Amuro Ray.
This young tinkerer found himself at the controls of the RX-78-02 (the “Red Gundam” in the new series) whether he liked it or not. And, famously, he did not. But despite his initial protestations, he became a legendary hero of the One Year War. He also became the rival of the tactical genius Char Aznable. And if Char was this much of a threat in his Zaku, it makes sense he could turn the tides in Amuro’s Gundam.
Mobile Suit Gundam is available to watch on Crunchyroll.
MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM THE ORIGIN
While the MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM THE ORIGIN manga is a full retelling of the original series, the anime focuses on the flashback chapters. This six-episode miniseries offers even more insight into Char Aznable—long before the original series and long before GQuuuuuuX.
If you’re looking for the quickest, most standalone way to get to know the Red Comet, this is your best bet. And if you find yourself wanting more, the original series awaits!
MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM THE ORIGIN is available to watch on Crunchyroll.
Char’s Counterattack
While Char’s Counterattack takes place 13 years down a timeline GQuuuuuuX has left behind, this 1988 film is still a classic of the Gundam franchise. It also gives more insight into Char’s mindset, as he mobilizes Neo Zeon for yet another strike.
New viewers get very little time to get to know Char in GQuuuuuuX, but the second episode establishes his combat prowess and intelligence. Char’s Counterattack places Char and Amuro at odds once again, investigating their personal motivations and morals even further. Well… that’s a nice way of putting it. The short, blunt version is that Char tries to commit genocide. Something to bear in mind as the officers of Zeon lament their lost officer.
Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack is available to watch on Netflix.
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