#The Greatest Possible Conclusion to the Universal Century

Char's Counterattack's 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 Hathaway's 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 don't intend this to be a "classic" in-depth review of the Hathaway's 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 it's 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: Earth's 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, Char's 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 one's 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.

It's very clear by the end of the novel how central this theme is in Hathaway's Flash as well, and it's 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 Hathaway's last hours in the hospital are truly heart-wrenching, 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. It's something so deeply human, something that will never cease to exists as long as there's 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