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 have been more than 60 (!) different series, movies and 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 impacts 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 piloted by humans. The cockpit is in the torso of the robot while the head serves as a 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 the OG mecha real robot anime, and it inspired countless other anime in the genre, notably Voltron: Defender of the Universe. The series is globally popular and more than 700 million Gundam models have been sold by Bandai since the 1980s.
The UC timeline covered in these properties starts in UC 0001 (the beginning of human space exploration) to UC 0153. Let’s get to the watching order!
Mobile Suit Gundam – TV series (1979-1980)
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 (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 (2019)
Thirteen episodes chronicling 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 (1996-1999)
This 14-episode series zooms in on one battle 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 (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 (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 (2015)
Eight episodes from the period of the One-Year War. This one is non-canonical but it focuses on some of the smaller, forgotten aspects of warfare like securing supply routes and attacking colonies.
0083: Stardust Memory – OVA (1991)
Another 13-episode romp, this early ’90s gem tells the story of a stolen Earth Federation prototype Gundam with nuclear capabilities. It stars Kou Uraki, a young test pilot who finds out that Operation Stardust isn’t what was advertised.
Zeta Gundam – Anime (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 (1986)
Another thick one with 47 episodes. It follows a group of junk collectors tasked with stopping a 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 (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 (2010)
Seven episodes based on the book that shares its name. Banagher Links brings Audrey Burne and together they try to unravel a centuries-old conspiracy with the aptly named Gundam Unicorn.
Gundam Twilight Axis – ONA (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 (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 (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 (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 (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.