Gundam 0080 War In The Pocket

Okay, let's talk Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket. We all love it, right? It’s supposed to be this super tragic, anti-war masterpiece.

Well, I'm here to say... maybe it's a *little* overrated. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy it. Just hear me out!

So, What's the Fuss?

Everyone praises it for being "realistic." But is it really? A ten-year-old kid somehow manages to pilot a mobile suit?

I know, I know. It's anime. Suspension of disbelief and all that. But still!

Al is, let's be honest, kind of annoying. Sorry, not sorry. He's constantly getting into trouble.

He's like that kid who always asks "why?" every five seconds. My patience wears thin.

The *Real* Tragedy: Missed Opportunities

The Cybernetic War Criminal Bernhard “Bernie” Wiseman. He's supposed to be the heart of the show. Right?

I think Bernie is cool, but he is not very smart. Running headfirst into a battle against a Gundam? Really, dude?

The pacing feels off. We get all this build-up, and then BAM! It's over.

I think the ending felt rushed. Did we have enough time to feel Bernie's demise?

Unpopular Opinion Time!

The Alex Gundam design is, dare I say it... boring? It's just a slightly shinier Gundam.

I preferred the Zaku II Kai! A grunt suit with some character.

And Christina “Chris” Mackenzie is... well, she exists. I never really connected with her.

Her relationship with Al feels forced. Maybe that's the point, but still...

The Good Stuff (Because It's Not *All* Bad)

The animation is gorgeous. Seriously, it still holds up today.

The battle scenes, when they happen, are really well done. But where are the more battle scenes?

The idea of showing the war from a child's perspective is interesting. It's definitely a unique angle.

The impact of war on ordinary people is highlighted well.

My Final Verdict

War in the Pocket is good. Great even. It is not the perfect, flawless masterpiece that everyone seems to think it is.

It has flaws! We need to acknowledge them.

Maybe my expectations were too high. The constant praise inflated it a bit.

Maybe I’m just a contrarian. Who knows?

I still recommend watching it. Just go in knowing it's not the Second Coming of Gundam.

But seriously, Al is a little annoying, right?