There is arguably no better time to get into the Gundam franchise than right now. Bandai Namco Filmworks has clearly hit its stride with Gundam’s media rollout, marketing, and overall accessibility, supported by executive producer Naohiro Ogata’s strong oversight of Gundam’s anime and film productions, and even a live-action film with Legendary Entertainment in development.
Many viewers are drawn in by a striking Gundam clip and feel the excitement to dive in, only to be met with a daunting franchise that is nearly 50 years old and has maintained a constant media presence, with over 40 entries across multiple timelines, including bridging works and debated canon.
There are already hundreds of videos and articles explaining how to get into Gundam, but this guide approaches the topic from the perspective of a lifelong fan.
For the sake of simplicity, this guide focuses only on the anime installments and not the vast array of manga, games, and novels, as Gundam is primarily an anime-driven franchise. It also omits shorts, anthologies, most compilation films, and experimental projects, focusing on what are generally considered the major productions.
What is Gundam?
To keep it simple, Mobile Suit Gundam is a metaseries that began in 1979, created by Sunrise and directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino.
The original series follows 15-year-old Amuro Ray as he becomes caught up in the One Year War, a conflict between the Earth Federation and the Principality of Zeon. After his home colony is attacked, he stumbles upon the Federation’s secret weapon, the RX-78-2 Gundam. Most Gundam series follow a similar structure: a war or major conflict breaks out, the main character is pulled into it, and they end up piloting a Gundam. The specifics vary from series to series, but at its core, Gundam is about character drama and the political complexities that unfold around war.
Under Sunrise, now part of Bandai Namco Filmworks, the series has taken many forms and evolutions. The franchise is officially divided into four main sections: Universal Century, Alternative Series, Gundam Build Series, and SD Gundam.
Where to Start?
Depending on which “massive fan” you talk to, you’ll probably be told to start at the very beginning with the original 1979 Mobile Suit Gundam, watch its compilation film trilogy, or jump in with one of the Alternative Series.
All of these approaches have their merits. It ultimately comes down to the kind of viewer you are. If you enjoy vintage anime and want the original experience, starting with Mobile Suit Gundam is the way to go, and you can continue through the Universal Century.
That said, many people get into Gundam through a series that requires no prior knowledge. That is the entire appeal of the Alternative Series.
Alternatively, if you’re more interested in Gunpla and less in politics or war-driven narratives, the Build Series offers a lighter, more fun entry point
Universal Century
This is Gundam’s original and most expansive timeline, shepherded by Yoshiyuki Tomino, with multiple anime installments, films, novels, and manga. Due to its popularity, the Universal Century has expanded beyond Tomino, with other creators building on and adding to the timeline.
Yoshiyuki Tomino Arc
These are the core Universal Century works created by Yoshiyuki Tomino, forming a largely interconnected narrative:
- Mobile Suit Gundam(1979), TV series
- Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam(1985), TV series
- Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ(1986), TV series
- Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack(1988), theatrical film
- Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway’s Flash (2021–present), anime film trilogy directed by Shukou Murase
Late Universal Century entries, which have little direct connection to the earlier storyline:
- Mobile Suit Gundam F91(1991), theatrical film
- Mobile Suit Victory Gundam(1993), TV series
Unicorn
Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn is an interesting standout in the series. Adapted from a novel series by Harutoshi Fukui, it takes place in UC 0096, following the events of Char’s Counterattack. It features and references many characters and events from earlier Universal Century entries, but does not have direct narrative ties to Hathaway’s Flash and largely stands on its own within the timeline.
- Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn(2010-2014), OVA series
- Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative(2018), theatrical film
- Mobile Suit Gundam UC2(Tentative)
Universal Century Spin-Offs
These are Gundam titles set within the Universal Century by new creators, following new characters with loose ties to the main Universal Century storyline:
- Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket(1989), OVA series
- Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory(1991), OVA series
- Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team(1996), OVA series
- Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO(2006), OVA series
- Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt(2015), ONA series
- Mobile Suit Gundam: Twilight AXIS(2017), ONA series,
- Mobile Suit Gundam: Silver Phantom(2024), VR film
- Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance(2024), ONA series
Yoshikazu Yasuhiko Arc
These are Universal Century works by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko, the original character designer and chief animation director of Mobile Suit Gundam. Driven by his passion for the series, he created his own retelling of its events, expanding on certain elements through his manga Mobile Suit Gundam: THE ORIGIN:
- Mobile Suit Gundam THE ORIGIN (2015–2018), OVA series
- Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan’s Island (2022), theatrical film
GQuuuuuuX
As of this writing, this is the latest Gundam TV series, a co-production between Sunrise and Studio khara, directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki. Similar to Mobile Suit Gundam: THE ORIGIN, GQuuuuuuX is an original retelling of Mobile Suit Gundam, depicting an alternate history in which the Principality of Zeon wins the One Year War. The series features both returning and new characters, along with bold new designs.
- Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuuX -Beginning-(2025), theatrical film compilation
- Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuuX(2025), TV series
Alternate Universes
The Alternate Universes, officially known as the Alternative Series, began in 1994 to attract a newer, younger audience, with stories separate from the Universal Century timeline. As the name suggests, each is set in its own timeline.
- Mobile Fighter G Gundam(1994), TV series – Future Century
- New Mobile Report Gundam Wing(1995), TV series – After Colony
- New Mobile Report Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz(1997), OVA series
- After War Gundam X(1996), TV series – After War
- Mobile Suit Gundam SEED(2002), TV series – Cosmic Era
- Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny(2004), TV series
- Mobile Suit Gundam SEED C.E. 73: Stargazer(2006), ONA series
- Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom(2024), theatrical film
- Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom Zero(TBA)
- Mobile Suit Gundam 00(2007), TV series – Anno Domini
- Mobile Suit Gundam 00 the Movie: A Wakening of the Trailblazer(2010), theatrical film
- Mobile Suit Gundam AGE(2011), TV series – Advanced Generation
- Mobile Suit Gundam AGE: Memory of Eden(2013), OVA
- Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans(2015), TV series – Post Disaster
- Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans Urdr-Hunt – Path of the Little Challenger(2025), compilation film
- Mobile Suit Gundam the Witch from Mercury(2022), TV series – Ad Stella
- Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury – Prologue(2022), ONA
Yoshiyuki Tomino Alternative Series
These are Alternate Universe series created by Yoshiyuki Tomino. They are distinct from most Alternative Series entries in that they maintain direct ties and references to the Universal Century and other Gundam timelines.
- Turn A Gundam (1999), TV series – Correct Century
- Gundam Reconguista in G (2014), TV series – Regild Century
- Reconguista in G the Movie (2019–2022), compilation film series
Build Series
These are series largely divorced from Gundam’s traditional war and political themes, instead focusing on Gunpla battles, hobby culture, and community.
- Model Suit Gunpla Builders Beginning G(2010)
- Gundam Build Fighters(2013), TV series
- Gundam Build Fighters Try(2014), TV series
- Gundam Build Fighters Battlogue(2017), ONA series
- Gundam Build Fighters: GM’s Counterattack(2017), ONA
- Gundam Build Divers(2018), TV series
- Gundam Build Divers Re:Rise(2019), TV series
- Gundam Build Divers: Battlogue(2020), ONA
- Gundam Build Real(2021), Live-action net series
- Gundam Breaker Battlogue(2021), ONA series
- Gundam Build Metaverse(2023), ONA series
SD Gundam
These are Gundam works based on the SD (Super Deformed) Gundam toyline, much like the Gundam Build Series.
- Mobile Suit SD Gundam(1988-1993)
- SD Gundam Force(2004), TV series
- SD Gundam Sangokuden Brave Battle Warriors(2010), TV series
- SD Gundam World Sangoku Soketsuden(2019), ONA series
- SD Gundam World Heroes(2021), ONA series
Where to Watch?
If readers are still following along, Gundam can feel expansive and difficult to navigate as a newcomer, but it ultimately comes down to finding a series that hooks them and going from there.
Where can Gundam actually be watched legally? The official Gundam YouTube channel, aptly titled Gundam Channel, rotates different Gundam anime every month or so, so viewers might get lucky and find something they’re interested in.
Beyond that, Crunchyroll has a sizable library of Gundam titles, as does Netflix.
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