The Greatest Possible Conclusion to the Universal Century Chars Counterattacks final moments are and forever will be stuck in my mind the very testament of how immeasurably powerful human will is a light to look up to. The premise of putting an end to the UC once again is perhaps what made me feel so drawn towards Hathaways Flash since the first movie was announced ultimately bringing me to read the original novels. Now I can confidently say that indeed this is the ultimate conclusion to that story and perhaps my favorite instalment in the franchise. I dont intend this to be a classic indepth review of the Hathaways Flash novels but rather a collection of my feelings about it and what it ultimately means to me. Starting from the setting especially on a sociopolitical standpoint one could argue its the most compelling entry in the whole UC Zeon has been disbanded and now the only party in opposition to the Earth Federation Government is a terrorist group carrying on the very ideals that led to the space immigration program at the beginning of the Universal Century in the first place: Earths nature restoration from all the pollution humanity had caused. And having a character like Hathaway to be the protagonist here sets a direct correlation to the last major conflict Chars Rebellion. The idea of an ideology being carried on through time is very dear to me and the contrast between ideals and reality has always been a major theme in Gundam from the Newtype ideology itself to showing the whole world what it means to use ones own potential to guide humanity towards a better future. The existence of even the smallest hope is what prevents humanity to be led to ruin and maintains the balance between reality and the ideal. Its very clear by the end of the novel how central this theme is in Hathaways Flash as well and its precisely in the third volume in the final chapters that this core message shines the most. Spoilers ahead The feeling of a somewhat foreseen disappointment after the outcome of the last clash between Mafty and the Circe Unit leaves space for an unbelievable mix of emotions thanks to the brilliant character writing up to this point the last few chapters focusing solely on the aftermath of the conflict with Kenneth Gigi and Hathaway himself dealing the looming consequences of their actions are capable of fully delivering the hopelessness that permeates reality. The pain and sorrow you feel as you go through Hathaways last hours in the hospital are truly heartwrenching but even so somehow even in those moments and perhaps especially in those moments you can feel how resilient the hope for a better future is. Its something so deeply human something that will never cease to exists as long as theres someone willing to take on that legacy to live by the ideal and fulfil their purpose of leading others towards that goal. Once ignited the flame of hope will always raise from within and a new Mafty Navue Erin the Just King of Prophets will always emerge and carry on that ideal no matter how harsh a direct confrontation with reality will be he will be showing the world the light of the human heart. That is the true timeless strength of a Newtype. Hathaway becoming a martyr and leaving his own legacy behind to the world is ultimately the embodiment of hope itself a testament of how ideals are essential for change and will always be carried on through time no matter how hopeless and corrupted reality is. Hathaway was one of the steps of this chain of hope solely moved by human will itself the greatest strength humanity posses capable of overcoming even time