When you think about groundbreaking influential throwback anime, what comes to mind? Is it Akira? Ghost in the Shell? Vampire Hunter D? Ninja Scroll? These are all excellent but one particular anime has stood the test of time and continues to surge in popularity even today. That particular anime is Gundam. Since the first Gundam show aired in 1979, there are more than 60 (!) different series, movies or OVAs to watch. The most common timeline in the series is the Universal Century (UC) timeline. Here’s how to watch them all in order.
In the UC timeline, the Earth Federation and protagonist Amuro Ray are locked in a heated conflict with the masked Char Aznable. The timeline circles around these two and highlights their different motivations and how that affects the narrative of the series. This was far from the only storyline, though, and there are quite a few offshoots that also exist within this particular timeline.
What exactly is Gundam?
Gundam is a robotic science fiction franchise that features huge humanoid-like robots that are controlled by humans inside a cockpit. The cockpit is in the torso of the robot while the head serves as a sort of camera so the pilot can see what’s going on around him.
The most popular Gundam are the RX-78 Gundam, the Red Zaku and the Zeta Gundam, which can transform. The series is kind of the OG mecha real robot anime, and it inspired countless other anime in the genre, notably Voltron: Defender of the Universe.
There are two types of robots in the mecha anime genre: super robot and real robot. Super robots don’t need to be based in any type of reality and are implausible in all realistic scenarios. Gundam pioneered the real robot genre with robots that have a more realistic design, run out of ammo and energy and even malfunction from time to time.
Some of the technology is pulled from actual science, like having helium-3 as an energy source and using an O’Neill cylinder and Lagrange points (bonus points for those who know Lagrange points from the 3 Body Problem). Most Gundam pilots in the series are Newtypes, or genetically modified futuristic humans adapted for space travel and with psychic abilities. The word Gundam itself is a portmanteau of “gun” and the last syllable of “freedom.”
The series is incredibly popular worldwide, with little models of the Gundam making up a significant portion of total revenue. More than 700 million plastic model units have been sold by Bandai since the 1980s. Let’s get to the watching order!
For those who are curious, the UC timeline covered in these properties are from UC 0001 (the beginning of human space exploration) to UC 0153.
Mobile Suit Gundam – TV series from 1979-1980
Ah the one that started it all. This series featured 43 episodes taking place during the pivotal One-Year War with the Principality of Zeon.
The Origin – OVA from 2015
This seven-episode series builds on the lore of the original anime and dives deeper into the “origin” of the Principality of Zeon.
Advent Of The Red Comet – Anime from 2019
Thirteen episodes that chronicle Char’s transformation from the mysterious masked bad guy into the Red Comet. It also sheds more light on how the Principality of Zeon came to be, from his perspective.
The 08th MS Team – OVA from 1996-1999
This 14-episode series zooms in on one battle in particular during the One-Year War. It’s also a love story between Ensign Shiro Amada and Aina Sahalin, who fight for the Earth Federation and Zeon, respectively.
MS IGLOO – OVA Series from 2004-2009
A nine-episode series with an interesting choice of animation, this tells the story of war preparation on both sides as each tries to outdo the other.
0080: War In The Pocket – OVA from 1989
This six-episode series is interestingly told from the perspective of a 10-year-old child. It tells the story of an Earth Federation Gundam that escapes from Zeon clutches, a move that threatens to widen the conflict.
Thunderbolt – Anime from 2015
Eight episodes from the period of the One-Year War. This one is actually non-canonical but it does zoom in on some of the smaller, forgotten aspects of warfare like securing supply routes and attacking colonies.
0083: Stardust Memory – OVA from 1991
Another 13-episode romp, this early ’90s gem tells the story of a stolen Earth Federation prototype Gundam that has nuclear capabilities. It stars Kou Uraki, a young test pilot who finds out that Operation Stardust isn’t at all what was advertised.
Zeta Gundam – Anime from 1985
Zeta Gundam is one of the meatier properties with 50 episodes to peruse. It’s about the Earth Federation’s new Titans and how they rebel and become dangerous to their creators.
Gundam ZZ – Anime from 1986
Another thick one with 47 episodes. It follows a group of junk collectors tasked with stopping a follow up war from happening using Argama’s mobile suits. Features some all-time classic Gundam like the RX-178 Gundam Mk-II.
Char’s Counterattack – OVA from 1988
The wrath of Char! This finishes up the original Amuro versus Char storyline and marks the official end of the war between the Earth Federation and Zeon.
Gundam Unicorn – OVA from 2010
Seven episodes based on the book that shares its name. Banagher Links meets Audrey Burne and together they try to unravel a centuries old conspiracy with the aptly named Gundam Unicorn.
Gundam Twilight Axis – ONA from 2017
Another six-episode banger that’s more of a convoluted side story than a mainline Gundam property. It introduces a brand new Gundam model and an ex-Zeon engineer named Arlette Almage.
Gundam Narrative – OVA from 2018
No episodes just one drawn-out movie that features the RX-0 Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex and centers around the psychic powers of Newtypes.
Gundam Hathaway – OVA from 2021
A single OVA that’s set about ten years after the Neon Zeon War from Char’s Rebellion and chronicles the rise of rebel organization Mafty.
Gundam F91 – OVA from 1991
A movie that shows the Earth Federation colonizing space due to a growing human population. It moves away from the Principality of Zeon storyline and focuses more on the Crossbone Vanguard militia.
Victory Gundam – Anime from 1993
We made it! This 51-episode series is the final anime in the UC timeline, and it’s set in UC0153. After the Earth Federation’s battle with the Crossbone Vanguard, BESPA forces move in to finish the job.