The Gundam anime series is a Japanese military science fiction and mecha anime. Created by Yoshiyuki Tomino at Bandai Namco Filmworks, this series has revolutionized the mecha anime genre with 50 TV series and many movies, OVAs, manga, and novels. Additionally, it boasts video games and legendary Gunpla plastic model kits, making the Gundam industry one that will be written throughout history! Here are five of the best Gundam anime series that one could look forward to while starting the series.
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam (1985)
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam aired 50 episodes in total, set in the aftermath of the One Year War. The post-war scene was inevitably devastating. Hence, the Earth Federation sets up the Titans to reinstate order. But, things take a turn when Titans become corrupt and start to subjugate the underprivileged. A resistance group called the Anti-Earth Union Group emerges to counter them.
Kamille Bidan steals a Gundam Mk-II mobile suit to fight the Titans, thereby getting intertwined in the matter. He joins the AEUG and peers through the brutal existence of war and politics.
Mobile Suit Gundam 00 (2007)
This franchise of the Gundam anime series features three major power groups. These include the Union, the HRL, and the AEU. However, these different groups share the collective motive of exploiting fossil fuels on Earth. Hence, the matter naturally becomes a geopolitical issue.
Amidst the tensions, a paramilitary force called Celestial Being, led by Setsuna F. Seiei, shows up to eliminate war. Armed with Gundam mobile suits, they strategize to interfere in conflicts worldwide, forcing the armed groups to surrender. Within 25 episodes, this anime TV series explores complex political intrigue, betrayals, and humanity themes.
Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team – OVA (1996)
A 12-episode-long OVA, The 08th MS Team is one of the most loved series in the fandom. Within the series, Shiro Amada plays the central role of an Earth Federation Ensign. During the One Year War against the Principality of Zeon, the protagonist is assigned to the Kojima Battalion, where he comes face-to-face with Aina Sahalin.
Aina Sahalin is a Zeon pilot stranded in the wild after the war. But he’s not alone! Shiro, from the opposite side of the war, is there to accompany him. This intriguing story explores the complex aspects of war and questions themes such as loyalty and humanity during the war.
Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron Blooded Orphans (2015)
Set after the Calamity War, this franchise with 25 episodes unfolds on Mars. This new era in the Gundam universe witnesses the CGS, a group of child soldiers. They survive the harsh conditions as orphans and soldiers while piloting Gundams for a powerful organization.
Mikazuki Augus leads the CGS and finds his team intertwined in an unprecedented conflict. Through the CGS, viewers witness the profound and complex themes of identity, governance, and justice.
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED (2002)
Spread over 50 episodes, SEED features a neutral space colony called Heliopolis, set in Cosmic Era 0071. This colony observes an intergalactic war between Coordinators and Naturals. Colony dwellers use these terms for genetically upgraded and unmodified humans, respectively. The rising tension between the two groups compels the Coordinators to take refuge in space colonies.
However, a group of rebellious Coordinators, ZAFT, emerges to attack the colony. They aim to seize advanced military mobile suits, known as Gundams. They take four Gundams, but Kira Yamato ventures to commandeer the rest of the Gundam strike. This story of war and loss is depicted beautifully through the anime.
