Later, due to a shortage of mobile suits on the battlefield, Astonaige desperately tries to stop Chein Agi from forcibly launching in a damaged Re-GZ on the deck. But Chein proceeds to launch, and moments later, Astonaige is caught in an explosion as a stray beam hits nearby, resulting in his death - an untimely end by misfortune.

Astonaige, who supported the series through "Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam" and "Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ," met a surprisingly abrupt end in "Char's Counterattack." So much so, that viewers were uncertain of his death at first, as the depiction was fleeting. This suddenness has etched his death strongly into fans' memories even today.

Incidentally, July 6 is "Salad Memorial Day," making it a fitting occasion to recall Astonaige's "I'll make a salad" comment in a way.

The movie "Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack" was released in March 1988. As the first Gundam film designed as a theatrical original, it's set in UC 0093, 14 years after "Mobile Suit Gundam." The anime "Mobile Suit Gundam," produced by Sunrise and directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino, pioneered the "real robot animation" genre, significantly influencing subsequent robot anime. Although it didn't achieve high ratings during its initial broadcast, reruns and theatrical releases led to a surge in popularity, sparking the "Gunpla" boom. Many subsequent Gundam series and spin-offs have been produced, continuing to enjoy high popularity.

(C)SOTSU·SUNRISE

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