Get Ready for Liftoff: The Ultimate Gundam Watch Order Revealed!

The Gundam franchise, established by Hajime Yatate and Yoshiyuki Tomino, is widely recognized across the globe. With roots reaching back to the late 1970s, it boasts a timeless and undeniably retro charm that resonates with any anime enthusiast. When considering the pioneers of anime, Gundam is undoubtedly one of the first names that come to mind.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but marvel at the vastness of the Gundam universe that has spanned over decades. The sheer number of spin-offs, sequels, prequels, and everything in between can be overwhelming! It’s completely understandable if you find yourself wondering where to dive in first amidst this multitude of storylines.

Apart from being showcased in films and television series, Gundam has also been published as comics, books, and collectible action figures. The most recent buzz about Gundam involves its live-action version, as Bandai Namco has ended its collaboration with Netflix and instead chosen to work with Legendary Pictures. This change indicates that a Gundam movie will have a theatrical release.

If you’re looking forward to a thrilling new movie, it might be wise to delve into the series first to get the full experience. However, the Gundam franchise can sometimes appear complex due to various adaptations that introduce distinct titles and characters. Deciding where to start isn’t always straightforward.

We’ve got a simple guide for sorting out your Gundam viewing order! There are loads of animated series to choose from, but we’ve put them all in one place and organized them neatly in a timeline. Enjoy the journey through this expansive universe!

Here’s how to watch the complete Gundam franchise in order, from release to chronological.

How to watch Gundam in release order

Viewers may find it easiest to follow Gundam chronologically, as there’s a lot happening and numerous aspects to take into account.

The order for watching the Gundam franchise by release date looks something like this:

Mobile Suit Gundam (1979 – 1980)
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam (1985 – 1986)
Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ (1986 – 1987)
Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack (1988)
Mobile Suit Gundam F91 (1991)
Victory Gundam (1993)
Mobile Suit V Gundam (1993 – 1994)
Mobile Fighter G Gundam (1994 – 1995)
Mobile Suit Gundam Wing (1995 – 1996)
After War Gundam X (1996)
Turn A Gundam (1999)
Gundam SEED (2002 – 2003)
Gundam SEED Destiny (2004 – 2005)
Mobile Suit Gundam 00 (2007 – 2009)
Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn (2010)
Gundam Reconguista in G (2014 – 2015)
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin (2015 – 2018)
Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans (2015 – 2017)
Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt (2015 – 2017)
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury (2022)

How to watch Gundam in chronological order

As a die-hard fan, I’m diving deep into the captivating world of the Gundam universe, following its chronology across the Universal Century timeline – home to the original series that sparked my passion. This sprawling narrative expands even further with the enthralling spin-offs and OVAs that enrich our list, making every moment a thrilling exploration!

The central storyline of the Gundam series revolves around the conflicts between Amuro Ray, representing the Earth Federation, and Char Aznable. These clashes eventually escalate into a full-blown war, serving as the main narrative thread throughout the franchise.

Watching Gundam according to the chronology of the Universal Century timeline follows this order:

Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin (2015-2018)
Mobile Suit Gundam (1979)
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Movie Trilogy (1981-1982)
Advent Of The Red Comet (2019)
The 08th MS Team (1996 – 1999)
MS IGLOO (2004 – 2008)
0080: War In The Pocket (1989)
Thunderbolt (2016)
0083: Stardust Memory (1991)
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam (1985)
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam: A New Translation (2005-2006)
Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ (1986)
Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack (1988)
Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn (2010)
Mobile Suit Gundam Twilight Axis (2017)
Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative (2018)
Gundam Hathaway (2021)
Mobile Suit Gundam: F91 (1991)
Victory Gundam (1993)

It appears that Gundam: The Witch from Mercury (2022) has been left out. This is because the anime doesn’t align with any current Gundam continuity, meaning you could potentially overlook it if you wish.

How to watch non-Universal Century timeline Gundam

It’s not surprising to find that beyond the Universal Century timeline, there are numerous Gundam anime series. These stories diverge into different chronologies such as the After Colony/Mars Century timeline, Cosmic Era, Anno Domini, and the Advanced Generation.

If you were to add these to your watchlist, the order of how to watch them would look like this:

After Colony/Mars:

New Mobile Report Gundam Wing (1995 – 1996)
Operation Meteor (1996) [Compilation OVA]
New Mobile Report Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz (1997)

Cosmic Era

Mobile Suit Gundam SEED (2002 – 2003)
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Astray (2003)
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny (2004 – 2005)
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED C.E. 73: STARGAZER (2006)

Anno Domini

Mobile Suit Gundam 00 (2007 – 2009)
Mobile Suit Gundam 00 The Movie – Awakening of the Trailblazer (2010)

Advanced Generation

Mobile Suit Gundam AGE (2012)
Mobile Suit Gundam AGE: Memory of Eden (2013)

What is a Gundam?

Essentially, a Gundam refers to a sophisticated, top-tier mecha that features in all variations of the series.

Gundam mechs are generally considered stronger than ordinary mobile suits due to their advanced technology and state-of-the-art equipment. Imagine something akin to the Jaegers from Pacific Rim or the Transformers in terms of power and technological sophistication.

Across different storylines, the interpretation of ‘Gundam’ may change due to the timeline. Initially, it was an acronym, however, in contemporary anime productions, they’ve opted to exclude this.

How to watch Gundam in the UK

You can find the chronology of the Universal Century Gundam timeline streaming on platforms like Netflix, Crunchyroll, Funimation, and Disney Plus. Alternatively, you can purchase the Gundam anime series from Amazon.

You’re able to stream Gundam on Crunchyroll. Consider subscribing to Crunchyroll at just $7.99 a month, with a two-week free trial available.

2025-02-12 20:41