Is This Also the Sadness of War? In "Mobile Suit Gundam," Amuro Can't Help But Speak Up When He Sees an Old Man Stealing Bread from Children

The anime "Mobile Suit Gundam" moves viewers even nearly 50 years after its first broadcast, perhaps because of its relentless and vivid depiction of wartime. In particular, episode 9 features a deeply poignant scene in which an old man steals food from a child.

In the currently airing latest series, "Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX," episode 6, a scene where Nyann (CV: Yui Ishikawa), a refugee girl, is eating has become a topic of conversation. Of course, her charming way of slurping noodles stands out, but the nuanced interactions between Nyann, who makes her living as an illegal courier, and her boss, Marco Nagawara (CV: Tetsu Inada), who keeps a certain distance while still caring about her, are also impressive. The rundown atmosphere inside the shop conveys the grounded, everyday lives of the characters.

In this way, it is no exaggeration to say that the appeal of the "Mobile Suit Gundam" series lies in its depiction of "the reality of humanity" under the extreme circumstances of war. And this reality is, at times, ugly and heartbreaking. The scene that most symbolizes this is in episode 9 of "Mobile Suit Gundam."