The Complete Gundam Watch Order (2026 Guide)
Navigate the vast Gundam multiverse with this definitive watch order guide, covering the Universal Century and all major Alternate Universe timelines.
The Gundam franchise is legendary, but its sprawling network of timelines, sequels, and alternate universes can be daunting for newcomers. This guide aims to demystify the viewing experience, providing a clear path through the Universal Century, its numerous alternate timelines, and even the popular Build series. Following a structured watch order helps in appreciating the nuanced storytelling and evolution of this iconic mecha saga.
Whether you choose to embark on the epic Universal Century saga first or dive into an alternate universe, this guide provides the necessary roadmap. Pick a starting point that excites you, and prepare to witness the enduring legacy of Gundam.
The Complete Watch Order
- 1
Prequel to the original Mobile Suit Gundam, detailing Char and Sayla's past. Can be watched before or after the original series.
- 2Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan's IslandMovie2022
A standalone retelling of a specific episode from the original Mobile Suit Gundam, set during the One Year War.
- 3
The foundational series of the Universal Century (UC) timeline. The first three compilation movies offer a condensed experience if preferred.
- 4Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the PocketOVA1989
A poignant side story set during the One Year War, exploring the conflict from a civilian perspective.
- 5
A grounded side story set during the One Year War, focusing on ground warfare.
- 6Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO: The Hidden One Year WarONA2004
A CGI side story exploring experimental weapons and forgotten battles during the One Year War.
- 7Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO 2: Juuryoku SensenONA2008
Continues the MS IGLOO series with more hidden stories from the One Year War.
- 8Mobile Suit Gundam: Requiem for VengeanceONA2024
An upcoming CGI series set during the One Year War.
- 9Mobile Suit Gundam ThunderboltONA2015
Set during and after the One Year War, featuring intense jazz music and brutal combat. The 'December Sky' movie is a compilation of this season.
- 10Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt 2nd SeasonONA2017
Continues the story of Thunderbolt. The 'Bandit Flower' movie is a compilation of this season.
- 11
A pivotal prequel to Zeta Gundam, bridging the gap between the One Year War and the Gryps Conflict.
- 12Mobile Suit Zeta GundamTV1985
A direct sequel to Mobile Suit Gundam. The 'A New Translation' movie trilogy offers a condensed experience with some changes.
- 13Mobile Suit Gundam ZZTV1986
Directly follows Zeta Gundam, with a lighter tone initially before becoming more serious.
- 14Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's CounterattackMovie1988
The definitive conclusion to the rivalry between Amuro Ray and Char Aznable in the original UC saga.
- 15Mobile Suit Gundam UnicornOVA2010
Set a few years after Char's Counterattack, dealing with the Laplace's Box.
- 16
A sequel to Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn, exploring the aftermath of Laplace's Box.
- 17Mobile Suit Gundam: HathawayMovie2021
Set after Char's Counterattack and Narrative, following Hathaway Noa's struggle against the Earth Federation.
- 18Mobile Suit Gundam F91Movie1991
Set much later in the UC timeline, featuring new characters and a new conflict. Can be watched largely standalone from the earlier UC entries.
- 19Mobile Suit Victory GundamTV1993
The latest major TV series chronologically in the UC timeline, a dark and often brutal story.
- 20Mobile Fighter G GundamTV1994
The first major Alternate Universe (AU) entry, breaking away from the UC timeline with a focus on martial arts and national representation in the 'Gundam Fight'.
- 21Mobile Suit Gundam WingTV1995
A popular AU focusing on political intrigue, rebellion, and five Gundam pilots sent to Earth from space colonies.
- 22Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Endless WaltzOVA1997
A direct sequel to Mobile Suit Gundam Wing, concluding the story of the pilots and the AC timeline. Also available as a movie compilation.
- 23After War Gundam XTV1996
Set in a post-apocalyptic world after a devastating 'Seventh Space War', featuring themes of recovery and hope.
- 24Turn A GundamTV1999
Directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino, this AU is set in the 'Correct Century' and offers a unique aesthetic and philosophy, often considered a culmination of all Gundam timelines.
- 25Mobile Suit Gundam SEEDTV2002
A popular AU set in the 'Cosmic Era', known for its dramatic storytelling and character focus. An HD Remastered version is available.
- 26
A direct sequel to Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, continuing the conflict in the Cosmic Era.
- 27Mobile Suit Gundam SEED C.E.73: StargazerONA2006
A short side story set during the events of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny, focusing on different characters.
- 28Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FreedomMovie2024
A direct cinematic sequel to Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny, continuing the Cosmic Era story.
- 29Mobile Suit Gundam 00TV2007
Set in a more realistic 'Anno Domini' timeline, focusing on a private military organization dedicated to eradicating war.
- 30Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Second SeasonTV2008
Continues the story of Gundam 00 four years after the first season.
- 31Mobile Suit Gundam 00 the Movie: A Wakening of the TrailblazerMovie2010
The cinematic conclusion to the Mobile Suit Gundam 00 story.
- 32
Spanning three generations of protagonists in the 'Advanced Generation' timeline, battling a mysterious alien enemy.
- 33Gundam Reconguista in GTV2014
Directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino, set in the 'Regild Century' which is a distant future of the UC timeline, though often treated as a separate AU due to its unique setting and style.
- 34Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded OrphansTV2015
Set in the 'Post Disaster' timeline, focusing on child soldiers and space mercenaries in a brutal future.
- 35Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans Second SeasonTV2016
Continues the story of Iron-Blooded Orphans.
- 36Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from MercuryTV2022
The first main Gundam TV series with a female protagonist, set in the 'Ad Stella' timeline and exploring corporate rivalry and prejudice.
- 37Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury Season 2TV2023
Continues the story of The Witch from Mercury.
- 38Gundam Build FightersTV2013
A meta-series set in a world where people build and battle plastic Gundam models (Gunpla). These series are separate from the war narratives.
- 39Gundam Build Fighters TryTV2014
Sequel to Gundam Build Fighters, with a new team of Gunpla Battlers.
- 40Gundam Build DiversTV2018
Introduces a new virtual reality Gunpla Battle game, 'Gunpla Battle Nexus Online'.
- 41Gundam Build Divers Re:RISEONA2019
A new story in the Build Divers universe, featuring a different set of protagonists.
- 42
Continues the narrative of Build Divers Re:RISE.
- 43Gundam Build MetaverseONA2023
A special commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Build Fighters series.