The Complete Gundam Watch Order (2026 Guide)
Navigate the vast universe of Gundam with this comprehensive watch order guide, covering all canonical Universal Century and Alternate Universe timelines.
Diving into the iconic Gundam franchise can feel like piloting a mobile suit for the first time—daunting but exhilarating. With decades of interconnected narratives across multiple timelines, a clear watch order is essential to fully appreciate the complex political dramas, compelling character arcs, and revolutionary mecha battles that define this legendary series.
Whether you choose to follow the Universal Century's intricate history or jump into an exciting Alternate Universe, this guide provides a clear path. For most, starting with the original Mobile Suit Gundam (1979) or its movie compilation remains the recommended entry point to truly understand the franchise's roots.
The Complete Watch Order
- 1
A detailed prequel focusing on Char Aznable's past. While chronologically first, many recommend watching the original Mobile Suit Gundam (1979) first and returning to The Origin for deeper context.
- 2
The groundbreaking original series. Alternatively, watch the Mobile Suit Gundam Movie Trilogy (I, II, III) for a condensed experience.
- 3Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO: The Hidden One Year WarONA2004
A CGI side story exploring Zeon's experimental weapons during the One Year War.
- 4
- 5Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO 2: Jyuuryoku SensenONA2008
Another CGI side story, this time from the Earth Federation's perspective during the One Year War.
- 6
A grounded side story set during the One Year War.
- 7Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the PocketOVA1989
A poignant side story during the One Year War, focusing on civilian perspectives.
- 8Mobile Suit Gundam ThunderboltONA2015
A grittier side story set during the One Year War. The ONA series has compilation movies: December Sky and Bandit Flower.
- 9Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt 2nd SeasonONA2017
- 10Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust MemoryOVA1991
A crucial prequel leading directly into Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam.
- 11
A direct sequel to the original series. The Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam: A New Translation movie trilogy offers an alternative, but has a different ending.
- 12Mobile Suit Gundam ZZTV1986
Continues the story directly after Zeta Gundam.
- 13Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's CounterattackMovie1988
The grand finale for many original UC characters.
- 14Mobile Suit Gundam UnicornOVA2010
Set after Char's Counterattack. Also available as the TV series Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn RE:0096, which is a re-edit of the OVA.
- 15Mobile Suit Gundam NarrativeMovie2018
A direct sequel to Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn.
- 16
Part 1 of a planned movie trilogy, set after Char's Counterattack.
- 17Mobile Suit Gundam F91Movie1991
A standalone story set in a later, distinct era (F.C. 0133) of the Universal Century timeline.
- 18Mobile Suit Victory GundamTV1993
Set in U.C. 0153, this is the furthest point chronologically in the main Universal Century timeline to date.
- 19Mobile Suit Gundam WingTV1995
Beginner-friendly Alternate Universe (After Colony timeline).
- 20Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Endless WaltzOVA1997
Direct sequel to Mobile Suit Gundam Wing.
- 21
Standalone Alternate Universe (After War timeline).
- 22Mobile Fighter G GundamTV1994
A unique, fighting-tournament focused Alternate Universe (Future Century timeline).
- 23Mobile Suit Gundam SEEDTV2002
Beginner-friendly Alternate Universe (Cosmic Era timeline).
- 24Mobile Suit Gundam SEED DestinyTV2004
Direct sequel to Mobile Suit Gundam SEED.
- 25Mobile Suit Gundam SEED C.E. 73: StargazerONA2006
A side story concurrent with Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny.
- 26
A direct sequel to Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny.
- 27Mobile Suit Gundam 00 First SeasonTV2007
Beginner-friendly Alternate Universe (Anno Domini timeline).
- 28Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Second SeasonTV2008
Direct sequel to Mobile Suit Gundam 00 First Season.
- 29Mobile Suit Gundam 00 The Movie: A Wakening of the TrailblazerMovie2010
Direct sequel to Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Second Season.
- 30Mobile Suit Gundam AGETV2011
Standalone Alternate Universe (AG timeline) spanning multiple generations.
- 31
Standalone Alternate Universe (Regild Century timeline). Also available as a series of compilation movies with new scenes.
- 32
Beginner-friendly Alternate Universe (Post Disaster timeline).
- 33Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans 2nd SeasonTV2016
Direct sequel to Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans.
- 34Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury - PrologueONA2022
Prequel to The Witch from Mercury TV series.
- 35
The first season of the latest standalone Alternate Universe (Ad Stella timeline).
- 36
The second season of Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury.
- 37Gundam Build FightersTV2013
A fun, standalone series focused on Gunpla battles. Not part of the main Gundam war timelines, often recommended as an entry point for its accessible nature.
- 38Gundam Build Fighters TryTV2014
- 39Gundam Build Fighters Try: Island WarsSpecial2016
- 40Gundam Build Fighters: GM's CounterattackONA2017
- 41Gundam Build DiversTV2018
- 42Gundam Build Divers Re:RISEONA2019
- 43Gundam Build Divers Re:RISE 2nd SeasonONA2020
- 44Gundam Build MetaverseONA2023