Gundam Anime Timeline
Mobile Suit Gundam is an anime legend. Running since 1979 in Japan, the original series quickly took on a life of its own, spawning spinoffs, films, manga, and much more. Fans in America mostly got their first look at the franchise with Gundam Wing when it aired on Cartoon Network’s Toonami in 2000. Since then the franchise has only grown bigger and bigger, to the point it’s difficult for newcomers to even figure out where to begin with Gundam.
Mobile Suit Gundam (1979-1980)
Also known as Gundam 0079 in some circles, just to distinguish it from later series, the original Gundam series rarely shows its age. In fact, we argue it’s one of the strongest classic anime offerings you’ll find. The story is centered on the young Amuro being swept up in the war between Earth and the seemingly evil Zeon. The mecha action doesn’t disappoint but it’s Amuro’s journey as character that will draw anyone in. From working on robots as an escape from his absent father, to that coping mechanism being warped into a tool for killing, Amuro rarely has an easy time. Even with all the darkness however, the relationships that form between Amuro and his fellow crew mates keep the proceedings from being too bleak. Add in the mysterious yet intriguing Char Aznable and this is a classic that won’t fail to disappoint.
Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team (1996-1999)
Taking place during the war in the original Gundam series, The 08th MS Team focuses less on the spectacular space battles and super powered troops and more on the ground forces of Earth. With a rough and dirty look, the series is reminiscent of a ‘80s war film and the action is truly something to behold featuring some stunning animation.
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam (1985-1986)
A direct sequel to the original series, Zeta Gundam wisely keeps a few of the classic characters around while building up its own cast. Still, as the show goes on you learn the fates of nearly all the original cast and that’s where the primary draw of the show comes from. Set nearly 10 years after, the way the universe has changed thanks to Amuro’s actions sets the stage for the Gundam story to become something even bigger.
Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counter Attack (1988)
An explosive film that, while making some leaps in logic when it comes to Char’s motivation, still holds together as a triumphant culmination of this era of the Universal Century. The long brewing tension between Amuro and Char comes to a boiling point and the two square off in a battle unlike any other.
Note: Between Zeta and this film there was another series, Gundam ZZ, that followed directly up on Zeta’s story. While not critical to enjoying this film it is well worth a watch if you want to track it down on Blu-ray or DVD.
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin (2015-2018)
While taking place before the original series, The Origin assumes your familiarity with many of its characters and thus works best at this point in your watch. The origin of Char and several others were hinted at in previous shows but this one finally takes all those clues and tells a compelling story that neatly flows into where 0079 began. Of particular enjoyment is the story between Zeon officers Ramba Ral and Hamon. The two’s chemistry was off the charts in the original series and The Origin deepens it significantly.
Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn (2010-2014)
Taking place after the events of Char’s Counter Attack, the series of OVA’s pushes the Gundam universe forward while still including many nods to the past. No matter what anyone tries, the dying embers of Zeon refuse to be quelled and new lead character Banagher Links pilots the powerful Unicorn Gundam, one of the most striking designs in the whole franchise, and is faced with classic Gundam conflicts. Even though it was made long after other UC set series, Unicorn functions extraordinarily well as both a love letter and a fresh start.
Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative (2018)
A film that never slows down, this sequel to Unicorn sets up another cast of characters all racing to get control of a powerful mobile suit. Anchoring this story is the tale of several friends and we get insights into how their lives were tied into the previous conflicts in the Gundam universe.
Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway (2021) – Netflix
A good chunk of Char’s Counter Attack was devoted to Hathaway, son of one of the main characters from the original series. This film picks up Hathaway’s story and starts off with a powerful sequence that feels right of out an action thriller. Hathaway battles against the corrupt Earth Federation, demonstrating Gundam’s tendency to never make one side of a war all good or all bad.
Mobile Suit Gundam 00 (2007-2009)
Think of it was Gundam Wing for a new generation. A boy band-esque cast of characters but with a richer story, deeper motivations, and more than its share of political intrigue. If you’re looking for a more recent series to get into you can’t go wrong with Gundam 00.
Mobile Fighter G Gundam (1994-1995)
What if Gundam got rid of all its attempts to be a realistic war drama and instead just went full Saturday morning cartoon? G Gundam is a colorful injection of fun into the Gundam franchise that feels more at home next to Dragon Ball Z. That doesn’t distract from its fun, which centers on a tournament amongst all countries of the world where “the Earth is the ring!”
Mobile Suit Gundam Wing (1995-1996)
On this list for the heavy nostalgia factor alone, as mentioned above this series was a gateway into the franchise for many viewers. While its political story can be sluggish at times, the boy band-esque group of lead characters never fail to entertain and there’s more than enough melodrama to keep you watching. That and all that beautiful gay subtext.
