There’s no anime franchise quite like Gundam, the iconic king of the giant robot genre. Since debuting in 1979, Gundam has become incredibly prolific with several TV shows, movies, comics, and model kits. The distinct robot design made cameos in Hollywood movies likeReady Player OneandPacific Rim: Uprising.
As with most anime, the problem with Gundam arises when trying to decide where to start with this sprawling giant robot saga. There are not only several Gundam sequels and prequels, but also spiritual spin-offs that take the genre in wild new directions. Fear not, rookie pilots! I’m here to divulge the best Gundam worthy of yourCrunchyrollwatchlist!
1995-1996
1
49
Status
Ended
Pretty boys populate the familiar space dramaGundam Wing. Five teen boys are tasked as unsuspecting pilots to fight for the space colonies with their varied Gundams. But their mission grows complicated when they encounter political corruption and splintering factions, leading to these young pilots getting caught up in a war where they’ll have to choose who to fight for.
Gundam Wingwas the first Gundam anime to debut on American television, gracing Cartoon Network’s afternoons and evenings. While presenting gorgeous guys, the show is deeply political, featuring several monologues on the nature of colonization and drone technology (a topic ahead of its time). Although debuting on a limited budget, the show’s philosophical quandaries and iconic characters were popular enough to warrant the sequel miniseries,Endless Waltz.
2022-2023
24
The Witch from Mercurytakes Gundam’s familiar ingredients and puts them in a school setting. Set in the Ad Stella timeline, the chipper and clumsy Suletta has come to a school that specializes in space technology, including giant robot battles. While making friends and proving herself, Suletta also becomes entangled with an arranged marriage to the stern Miroine, a relationship that starts transactional but might just become romantic.
Although still about war,The Witch from Mercuryexplores capitalism’s darkness while the plot shifts between the insidious nature of weaponizing corporations and the emotional issues of relationships. It’s also historic for being one of the first Gundam shows to feature a young woman protagonist in a lesbian relationship, making it easy to recommend for anime fans who adoreRevolutionary Girl Utena.
2007-2008
2
50
Gundam 00is one of the most reflective of the 2000s political era, focusing on energy. As the only Gundam series in our timeline (AD), the series depicts a future where fossil fuels are gone and solar energy is only available to a select few. The only chance of stopping the constant conflict rests in the power of the Gundams.
Released in a post-9/11 world,Gundam 00doesn’t skimp on politics, packing a philosophical punch as satisfying as the detailed and fluid animation. The show features various Gundam designs and compelling characters of different backgrounds and ambitions. It is very fitting that this Gundam spin-off chose not to have a unique calendar-year title and favors the one we currently use, further reiterating how poignant Gundam can be relatable in the 21st century.
2016
22
Set several years after the originalGundamseries, the new faction of Neo Zeon, called the Sleeves, is seeking a rebirth of the principality, which could launch a new war in space. Banagher Links, a resident of an industrial colony, finds himself thrown into this conflict when helping out the mysterious Audrey Burne. A fight breaks out over the acquisition of Laplace’s Box, where history might be doomed to repeat itself.
Unicorncan more or less be thought of as Gundam: The Next Generation, considering its familiar themes set further in the future. With stunning animation, the familiar archetypes are presented in a fresh tale of mystical mysteries, legacy revenge, and high-stakes giant robot action. The series is remarkable for how, even without the presence of old Zeon or familiar characters, the past can creep back when it festers.
2002-2003
Cloning takes center stage inMobile Suit Gundam SEED. In this cosmic era timeline, war bubbles have occurred between naturally born humans and genetically engineered humans who have sought refuge in space. The young Kira Yamato is one of the genetically enhanced Coordinators, caught in a battle between space colonies and Earth, with Gundams involved.
Exploring the topic of discrimination,Gundam SEEDbecame a popular iteration of the anime franchise for its conflicted characters, stylish digital animation, and vocal anti-war themes. The show did far more than dress up the old Gundam elements for the modern age. The series was so absorbing in its original narrative that it spawned a sequel series,Gundam SEED Destiny, and the recent sequel film,Gundam SEED Freedom.
1994-1995
G Gundamis easily one of the more uproarious Gundam anime series for taking the franchise in a wild new direction. Set in the Future Century timeline, the countries of Earth battle for rule over the planet with a Gundam tournament. Representing Japan is Domon Kasshu piloting the Shining Gundam, but his real mission is to track down his missing brother piloting the Devil Gundam.
The very premise of switching gears from a gritty space war to an exuberant martial arts tournament madeG Gundamsuch a fun divergence. But the show is so engrossing in its tongue-in-cheek approach to comedy, featuring some of the most absurd Gundam designs to represent different countries (America’s Gundam looks like a sports closet exploded). If you’re more into anime likeDragon Ball Z, this is the Gundam show for you, with its campy approach to dueling Gundams.
2019
13
If you can’t get enough of the originalGundamseries,The Originexpands on the backstory behind the One Year War. Specifically, the series follows Char Aznable, the top Zeon pilot called the Red Comet. The question of how such a mysterious figure as Char ended up in Zeon is answered here, as the principality rises to power in the chaotic landscape of outer space colonies and shifting politics with Earth.
With lush animation,The Originbeautifully fills in the background blanks on Zeon’s rise, featuring many familiar villains from the original series. Prequels are often a gamble, but it’s so thrilling watching the series vividly portray familiar series events like the colony drop on Australia and the drama between Char and his estranged sister. It’s a great addition to get your fix on Char, a character so good that he even became the focus of the recent Gundam series,GQuuuuuX.
2015-2017
Iron Blooded Orphansis one of the scrappiest Gundam anime with an underdog ensemble. Set in the Post-Disaster timeline, a collective of juveniles working on Mars rises against oppressive forces to establish their independence. The young group’s security company becomes a force that can shake up the interplanetary conflict, especially with the Gundam Barbatos, wielding a massive blunt weapon.
The aspect of how young people experience war has always been a big part of Gundam, butIron Blooded Orphansexplores that theme with greater depth. Child slavery is thrown into the mix, and how easy it is for adults to take advantage of youth for greed and power. It’s also just cool to watch a Gundam battle with a big mace instead of a lightsaber or laser rifle.
1979-1980
42
If you want to start from the beginning, the originalMobile Suit Gundamis the best choice. The 1979-to-1980 series set the stage for the Universal Century timeline, with the Earth-defending Federation waging war against the space-born Principality of Zeon. The teenager Amuro pilots the powerful Gundam robot for the Federation, coming into the crosshairs of Zeon’s top pilot, Char “The Red Comet” Aznable. But the two of them grow increasingly weary of their alliances as death haunts them on the battlefield, whether on Earth or in space.
Even though the show has received a glossy remaster, the classicGundamseries holds up incredibly well. There are some unforgettable moments of tragedy, with Amuro’s mother being horrified by her son becoming a soldier and Char enduring the most tearful loss. The ground was broken with this anime that changed mecha anime forever and became a staple ofCartoon Network’s Toonami block, which I’ve previously written about.
1985-1986
The first sequel series toMobile Suit Gundamis easily one of the best. The show features the return of familiar characters like Amuro and Char, but also presents the emotionally driven teen pilot Kamille. Eager to fight back, Kamille joins up with a resistance group fighting the Federation’s fascist Titans group and the rebirth of the space-supremacist Zeon.
Zeta Gundambrings out the best aspects of Gundam with a heavy focus on war, legacy, fascism, and even gender dynamics. It’s also one of the more technically impressive Gundam shows, boasting crisper animation than its predecessor and a musical score that is not afraid to go into moody jazz territory. I don’t want to spoil the ending, but I will say it is one of the darkest resolutions to any Gundam show and hits the nail on the head about mental erosion amid war.
Gundam is more than just a mecha anime saga of Earth versus space colonies. It changed the format of giant robots to be more than superheroes, and it kept changing its colors to tackle everything from child slavery to capitalism to martial arts fighting tournaments. There’s plenty more Gundam I didn’t cover here, including the more kid-friendlyGundam Build Fighters.
With so many Gundam shows of various tones and themes, there’s sure to be one that will appeal to you, no matter your favorite flavor of anime. Additionally, I’ve coveredmore anime to watch on Crunchyroll,if you’re looking for more of my retro favorites.
