I think what the author and most people miss is that rebuild is a sequel to Neon Genesis. There are a few hints throughout the movie that we're going through it all again. But the biggest comes in End of Eva - as they constantly ask Shinji what he wishes for. He wants to do things over again, fix his mistakes. Plus - in NGE the water is blue - that turns red when Shinji refuses insturmentality and slays Lillith/Rei. NGEs 3rd impact becomes Rebuilds 1st impact.

This explains a lot of the changes - especially the ending. Shinji gets a 2nd chance.

The person writing this article has watched G Fighter, Wing, and Witch from Mercury... maybe the build series.

5 Anime to watch if you like Gundam:

5: Space Runaway Ideon - similar feel to Zeta/2nd half ZZ - but grander in scale

4: Escaflowne - sure, it's an isekai, but it hammers in that horrors of war bit nice and hard. Similar in animation style to Wing and X

3: Cowboy Bebop - harsh reality, fun and humor, amazing animation, and great fight scenes.

2: Neon Genesis Evangelion - credit where credit is due, you got this one right!

1: Macross Frontier - honestly the crossover for any macross for gundam fans is huge... but Frontier is the easiest entry. Plus it's on Disney +

While these are older anime, newer stuff (even newer gundam) is moving away from the real robot, gritty war stuff. I could have put 86 in here or Neir: Automata as well.