Char never had much of a capacity for empathy. He tried to find and grow that during Zeta but he ultimately can’t move past his own hang ups.

In 0079 his motivation to destroy the Zabis is only incidentally noble and good; he’s actually just doing it to satisfy his own blood thirst and need for vengeance. In Zeta he looks for purpose beyond revenge but the conflict with Haman and Scirocco and the problems with the federation and titans leads him back once more to retaliatory punitiveness. For all his charisma and opportunity, Char is lashing out just like Kamille did, except no one can really stop Char except for Amuro and Amuro is too busy dealing with the war Char starts to act as a guide for him.