A Grudgingly Comprehensive Gundam Watch Order
Fine, you want to dive into the never-ending parade of giant robots and teen angst? Here’s a 'guide' for the utterly bewildered. Don't expect me to hold your hand through this mess.
So, you've decided to tackle 'Gundam,' have you? Congratulations, you've chosen one of the most convoluted, sprawling, and frankly, redundant franchises out there. People will tell you it's 'deep' or 'a commentary on war,' but let's be real, most of it is just glorified toy commercials with increasingly ridiculous mobile suit designs. Still, I suppose there are *some* highlights, if you're willing to wade through mountains of filler and repetitive tropes. Don't come crying to me when you realize every 'new' Gundam series just rehashes the same tired themes with a different coat of paint. But since you asked, here's a pathway through the labyrinth. Try not to embarrass yourself.
There. Happy now? I've laid out a path through this chaotic franchise, and if you still can't figure it out, that's entirely on you. Don't expect any grand revelations or profound wisdom; it's just giant robots fighting, most of the time. Now go watch it, or don't. See if I care. Just don't come back asking me if 'your favorite' is actually 'good.' They're all equally flawed, just in different ways. Hmph.
The Complete Watch Order
- 1
The 'original' or whatever. Expect dated animation and a whiny protagonist who somehow ends up piloting the most important machine in history. It's clunky, it's slow, but I guess you *have* to start here if you want to understand anything in the main timeline. Or you could just watch the movie trilogy compilation, it cuts out some of the more egregious filler.
- 2Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS TeamOVA1996
A 'grittier,' more 'realistic' take on the war, set concurrently with the original series. It's fine, I guess. Less space opera, more jungle warfare. The characters are slightly less annoying than Amuro, which is a low bar. It's a nice palette cleanser if you're tired of space battles.
- 3Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the PocketOVA1989
Another sidestory set during the original series, but from the perspective of a civilian boy. It's short, surprisingly somber, and doesn't rely on the usual Newtype mumbo-jumbo. If you want a story with actual emotional impact instead of just robot punching, this is probably your best bet. Don't expect a happy ending, you naive fool.
- 4Mobile Suit Gundam ThunderboltONA/OVA2015
More concurrent '0079' nonsense, but with a much jazzier soundtrack and graphic violence. If you like your Gundam with a side of over-the-top prosthetics and even more morally ambiguous characters, this is for you. Don't pretend it's 'deep,' it's just flashy.
- 5
This one bridges the gap between the original and Zeta. Expect pretty animation for its time and a plot that exists mostly to set up future conflicts. The protagonist is an idiot, of course, but at least the mobile suits look cool. And yes, it basically ruins the ending of the original series for no good reason.
- 6Mobile Suit Zeta GundamTV Series1985
Oh, joy, more angst. This is where the Universal Century gets *really* dark and depressing. Everyone dies, betrayal is rampant, and the main character, Kamille, is arguably more insufferable than Amuro was. But hey, transforming Gundams! And Char returns, because of course he does. It's considered a classic, but prepare for an emotional beating.
- 7
After the unrelenting misery of Zeta, someone apparently thought, 'Let's make it goofy for a bit!' The first half is a tonal mess, shifting between comedy and serious war drama. It eventually finds its footing, but good luck getting through the initial cringe. It continues the story, so you're stuck with it.
- 8Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's CounterattackMovie1988
The 'grand finale' of the Amuro vs. Char rivalry, or so they said at the time. It's got impressive animation for a movie of its era and some genuinely iconic moments. The plot is... well, it's Char being Char, and Amuro trying to stop him. It's visually stunning, if not always logically sound. And then they immediately started making more stuff after it.
- 9Mobile Suit Gundam UnicornOVA2010
Finally, some decent animation! Set a few years after Char's Counterattack, this series is basically fan service for UC purists, wrapped in a beautiful, high-budget package. Expect more Newtype mysticism, powerful mobile suits, and characters shouting about the 'Laplace's Box.' It looks expensive, at least.
- 10Mobile Suit Gundam NarrativeMovie2018
A direct sequel to Unicorn. Honestly, it feels like they just wanted to make another movie with fancy mobile suits and then retroactively decided it should connect to the 'Universal Century' lore. It's... alright, if you really need more Unicorn-era visuals. Don't expect anything groundbreaking.
- 11Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway's FlashMovie2021
A much darker, more mature continuation, set after Unicorn. The animation is top-tier, and it grapples with the consequences of the long-standing conflicts in the UC timeline. Hathaway is a complex protagonist, which is a refreshing change. It's a promising start to a planned trilogy, if they ever bother to finish it.
- 12Mobile Suit Gundam F91Movie1991
Originally intended to kick off a new UC saga, but it ended up being just a single movie. It's visually distinct and tries to be a fresh start, but it's crammed with too much plot for its runtime. If you like your Gundam with a dose of body horror and a very, very fast protagonist, I guess it's worth a watch.
- 13Mobile Suit Victory GundamTV Series1993
The final major UC TV series for a long time. It's incredibly dark, arguably the darkest, with a child protagonist who suffers endlessly. Don't come here expecting a fun time. It's brutally bleak and highlights the endless cycle of war with disturbing effectiveness. Not for the faint of heart, or anyone who enjoys happiness.
- 14Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin (OVA)OVA2015
A prequel to the original Mobile Suit Gundam, focusing on Char and Sayla's past and the lead-up to the One Year War. While it takes liberties with the source material, it's beautifully animated and provides some much-needed context for the motivations of the main characters. Watch it after the original '79 series for maximum impact, or if you just want to see Char being cool before he was 'cool'.
- 15Mobile Fighter G GundamTV Series1994
Congratulations, you've survived the Universal Century. Now for something completely different, and utterly ridiculous. This is Gundam as a fighting tournament anime, complete with national stereotypes and insane martial arts. If you enjoy shouting 'SHINING FINGER!' and 'THIS HAND OF MINE GLOWS WITH AN AWESOME POWER!', you're beyond help. It's stupid, but it's *fun* stupid.
- 16Mobile Suit Gundam WingTV Series1995
Ah, the one everyone saw first because of Toonami. Blame the cringe-worthy 'cool' boys and their overly dramatic internal monologues for shaping a generation. It's got style, iconic suits, and a decent plot, but it's also packed with angsty brooding and a questionable understanding of geopolitics. Don't forget 'Endless Waltz' (OVA, 1997) for the 'true' ending.
- 17After War Gundam XTV Series1996
An underrated gem that got shafted by poor ratings. It's set in a post-apocalyptic world and tries to recapture some of the original Gundam's themes, but with more focus on scavenger hunts and rebuilding. The protagonists are actually likable, which is rare for this franchise. Give it a shot, it's better than you'd expect.
- 18Turn A GundamTV Series1999
Directed by the original creator, Yoshiyuki Tomino, this is a truly unique entry. It's slow, philosophical, and features a Gundam with a mustache. It's supposed to unify *all* Gundam timelines into a single overarching history, which is an absurd concept but makes for interesting lore. You'll either love its quiet contemplation or fall asleep. No in-between.
- 19Mobile Suit Gundam SEEDTV Series2002
The 'modern' classic that ripped off the original series and made it shinier. Expect pretty boys, drama, and some seriously questionable character decisions, especially from Kira and Lacus. It's a popularity contest wrapped in a war drama. If you like your melodrama with super-powered 'Coordinators' and recycled animation sequences, this is for you. Followed by the equally divisive 'SEED Destiny' (2004).
- 20Mobile Suit Gundam 00TV Series2007
This one tries to be 'realistic' and 'politically relevant' with its focus on perpetual war and international intervention. It's got some cool designs and a surprisingly solid plot, at least for the first season. The second season gets a bit more... traditional Gundam. The movie, 'A Wakening of the Trailblazer,' is an obligatory follow-up.
- 21Mobile Suit Gundam AGETV Series2011
Don't bother with this one unless you're a completist or enjoy watching a series fail spectacularly. It tries to span multiple generations, but the writing is painfully simplistic and the characters are forgettable. There's a reason nobody talks about it.
- 22Gundam Build FightersTV Series2013
Finally, a series that acknowledges it's all about playing with plastic models! This is a lighthearted, tournament-style anime where people battle Gunpla. It's pure fan service for model builders and surprisingly fun, if you can tolerate the lack of real war or consequence. Just switch your brain off and enjoy the cool custom kits. Avoid 'Build Divers' if you value your sanity.
- 23Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded OrphansTV Series2015
This one is dark. Like, 'children as child soldiers getting dismembered and suffering awful fates' dark. It tries to be a gritty, grounded take on space gangs and corporate warfare. The mobile suit combat is visceral, but don't go in expecting many happy moments. It's a harsh reminder that not all Gundam protagonists get to save the world.
- 24Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from MercuryTV Series2022
The 'new hotness.' They tried to be progressive, whatever that means for giant robots, and introduced a female protagonist and yuri undertones. It's... fine, I guess. At least the characters aren't complete imbeciles all the time, and the school setting is a fresh (if somewhat jarring) change of pace. It gets darker, obviously, it's still Gundam. Don't pretend you weren't drawn in by the 'Miorine x Suletta' shipping.