《機動戰士鋼彈 劇場版III：宇宙相逢篇》（日語：機動戦士ガンダムⅢ めぐりあい宇宙編，英語：Mobile Suit Gundam III: Encounters in Space）於1982年3月13日在日本上映，由富野由悠季與藤原良二共同執導，是經典動畫《機動戰士鋼彈》三部曲劇場版的最終章。本作片長144分鐘，以電視版第31話「桑吉巴爾，追擊！」後半段至最終話第43話「逃出」為基礎，進行濃縮、刪改與重構，並在部分畫面中進行重新繪製，提升視覺表現力。這種剪輯電影的方式，不僅讓舊有的粉絲能以全新的角度重溫劇情，也讓新觀眾能在更為緊湊與完整的結構中理解鋼彈系列的精神核心。

劇情核心圍繞在聯邦與吉翁之間的最終決戰「阿‧巴瓦‧庫攻防戰」。主角阿姆羅·雷在經歷無數戰鬥後，新人類（Newtype）的潛能終於全面覺醒，使他能夠與宿命中的少女拉拉·遜產生深層次的精神共鳴。然而，這段共鳴卻因戰場的殘酷而釀成悲劇——阿姆羅與夏亞的激戰中，拉拉不幸成為犧牲者，留下無法磨滅的傷痛與矛盾。這場悲劇也成為阿姆羅與夏亞之間關係的轉捩點，他們既是敵人，又因拉拉的死而建立起某種難以言喻的連結。隨著戰鬥推進，白色基地與其成員們背負著人類未來的希望再次飛向宇宙，在阿姆羅的帶領下，聯邦軍最終於宇宙中取得決定性的勝利。但影片同時留下疑問：人類的革新是否真能藉由新人類的出現實現？阿姆羅最終的歸處，又是否代表著一種跨越失落與犧牲後的希望？

市場評價方面，作為初代鋼彈劇場版三部曲的收官之作，被普遍認為是三部曲中最具情感衝擊力與哲學深度的一部。觀眾對於阿姆羅與拉拉的心靈共鳴，以及因戰爭而導致的愛與犧牲的悲劇性描寫，留下極為深刻的印象。同時，阿姆羅與夏亞的宿命對決也被視為整個鋼彈系列中最經典的橋段之一，奠定兩人之間長達數十年（在鋼彈後續作品中延續至《逆襲的夏亞》）的宿命糾葛。

在當時的動畫產業中，不僅展示鋼彈系列在敘事與角色刻畫上的成熟度，也以部分重新繪製的高品質畫面，展現1980年代初期日本動畫在技術上的突破。票房表現上，劇場版三部曲在日本均獲得成功，尤其《宇宙相逢篇》更被認為是鞏固鋼彈作為國民級動畫IP的關鍵之作。評論者普遍讚譽其敘事節奏較電視版更加緊湊，刪去冗長的內容，強化角色的心理層次與戰爭背後的哲思。

整體而言，《機動戰士鋼彈 劇場版III：宇宙相逢篇》不僅是對初代鋼彈故事的收束與昇華，更是整個鋼彈系列精神的濃縮展現。它以戰爭中的人性掙扎、新人類的哲學思考，以及愛與宿命交織的悲劇，奠定鋼彈作為科幻動畫經典的歷史地位。直到今日，這部作品仍是鋼彈粉絲心中不可或缺的經典，被視為理解鋼彈世界觀與精神內涵的必看之作。

Mobile Suit Gundam III: Encounters in Space (Japanese: 機動戦士ガンダムⅢ めぐりあい宇宙編) was released in Japan on March 13, 1982, co-directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino and Ryoji Fujiwara. Serving as the concluding chapter of the classic Mobile Suit Gundam theatrical trilogy, the film runs 144 minutes and condenses, revises, and restructures the television series from the latter half of episode 31 “Breakthrough! Zanzibar” to the final episode 43 “Escape.” Some scenes were newly redrawn to enhance the visual presentation, giving both longtime fans and newcomers a chance to experience the story through a tighter, more polished narrative that distills the thematic essence of the Gundam saga.

The central storyline revolves around the climactic battle of A Baoa Qu between the Earth Federation and the Principality of Zeon. Protagonist Amuro Ray, after countless battles, fully awakens his latent Newtype potential, allowing him to form a profound spiritual resonance with Lalah Sune, the fated young woman piloting the mobile armor Elmeth. Yet, this resonance tragically ends in disaster—during a fierce clash with Char Aznable, Lalah is killed, leaving behind an irreparable scar and a lasting contradiction. Her death becomes the pivotal turning point in the relationship between Amuro and Char, transforming them into eternal rivals bound by loss as much as by animosity.

As the war progresses, the crew of the White Base once again ventures into space, carrying humanity’s hopes for survival and renewal. Under Amuro’s leadership, the Federation ultimately secures a decisive victory. However, the film deliberately leaves lingering questions: Can humanity’s evolution truly be realized through the rise of Newtypes? And does Amuro’s ultimate fate symbolize a reconciliation with loss and sacrifice, or the possibility of hope beyond despair?

In terms of reception, as the finale of the original Gundam film trilogy, Encounters in Space is widely regarded as the most emotionally powerful and philosophically resonant of the three. Viewers were deeply moved by the tragic depiction of Amuro and Lalah’s psychic connection, as well as the exploration of love and sacrifice amidst the chaos of war. The final duel between Amuro and Char was hailed as one of the most iconic moments in the entire Gundam franchise, cementing their rivalry that would echo across decades of sequels and culminate in Char’s Counterattack.

For the anime industry of the early 1980s, the film showcased not only Gundam’s maturity in storytelling and character development but also technical advancements, with redrawn scenes exemplifying the high production values achievable at the time. The trilogy achieved commercial success in Japan, with Encounters in Space in particular being credited for solidifying Gundam’s status as a national cultural phenomenon. Critics praised its faster pacing compared to the TV series, its elimination of narrative redundancies, and its deeper focus on character psychology and the philosophical implications of war.

Overall, Mobile Suit Gundam III: Encounters in Space is more than the conclusion of the original Gundam story—it is a distilled expression of the franchise’s core spirit. Through its portrayal of human struggle in war, the philosophical inquiry into Newtypes, and the intertwining of love, destiny, and tragedy, it secured its place as a cornerstone of science fiction animation history. Even today, it remains indispensable viewing for fans, considered a definitive work for understanding Gundam’s worldview and thematic depth.