15 Best Gundam Anime Of All Time, Ranked

THE Gundam The franchise encompasses several subseries and spin-offs, some of which are often considered the best of the best. They have stood the test of time better and are often referenced and cited by fans as examples. Even if personal opinion varies, it cannot be disputed the influence and quality these shows added to the franchise’s reputation.

The various anime range from the dramatic, the blatantly playful, and the dark. The most popular, however, tend to put a twist on the themes defined by the original series: the cruelty of war, the conflict between social classes and the question of how humanity will adapt to outer space. These shows continued the legacy of Tomino’s classic throughout their respective decades, showing just how timeless Gundam is.

15

Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans

Dirty aesthetics take “War is Hell” to the limit

One of the franchise’s most recent entries pulls no punches with its dark setting. With mobile suits that changed hands or were regularly rescued, a group of protagonists who were child soldiers and mercenaries, a ruthlessly pragmatic pilot character, and a detailed setting that included things like pirates and organized crime, Orphans provided a “serious” scenario that international fans had been clamoring for for years.

The story’s unique perspective of a PMC seeking fortune amid political turmoil is also deliciously complex, delivering action and intrigue. The only point of contention is the tragic ending the anime set for its second season, which left fans divided on how to receive it. Some consider it a fitting and bold conclusion that adheres to the theme of the futility of war, while others consider it petty and resort to character assassination to achieve the staff’s desired end.

14

Gundam SEED

Early 2000s classic still loved for its drama

If Orphans is loved internationally for its severity, SEED is a Japanese favorite for its drama. This series can be considered a take on the original 1979 anime, updated for 2000s sensibilities. Combat is amped up and exaggerated, with mobile suits spewing lasers and explosions in all directions, while the warring sides get a twist when their Central characters, Kira and Athrun, are forced to fight despite being former friends.

Despite certain inherent nonsense SEED, it also takes a very critical look at the nature of prejudice and hatred. The strong cast is also memorable enough to be some of the most popular characters in the franchise, even years later. The success of his last film, Gundam SEED Freedom, despite languishing in development hell, along with a plethora of other spin-offs, it shows just how influential and beloved SEED it’s lonely, even with its cheesy moments that only add to its charm.

13

Gundam 00

Ambitious series still respected despite setbacks

While not the strangest iteration, 00 (“Double O”) went against the trends of the time. The machinery on the set was very far from Gundam standards, especially when SEED was caught directly paying homage to classic mobile suits. The plot also addresses unusual themes, such as the validity of “peace through superior firepower”, transforming the typically heroic Gundam pilots into true terrorists, albeit well-intentioned, who will become the only armed power in the world.

Unfortunately, the second season backtracked on the story, recontextualizing the situation into a more standard “resistance against the evil lord” plot. This also led to some characters and plotlines being awkwardly abandoned during the adaptation. Despite that, the machines and characters of 00 have gained their own fans in the years sinceproving that although history could not sustain his aspirations, it still left an indelible mark on Gundam fans.

12

G Gundam Mobile Fighter

It ran from 1994-1995

Set outside the Universal Century timeline, G Gundam Mobile Fighter takes more of a tournament arc approach to this standalone series as part of a larger franchise. Instead, the Future Century timeline of the series sees the dominant population and society’s elites retreat from Earth to their colonies, only to return and form the Federation of United Colonies and prevent war from engulfing Earth’s population. Instead, they decided to establish a quadrennial “Gundam Fight” where each colony chooses a representative, and the winner of the tournament makes their nation rule all others for four years.

G Gundam Mobile Fighter was not an instant huge hit on Japanese airwaves. Its enduring popularity in fandom exemplifies the Gundam the flexible potential of anime for its narratives. The series is now considered a gem that, while still insignificant compared to the definitive classics, deserves a respected place in franchise history for breaking the mold.

11

Gundam Wing

The initial success also serves as a model for the future Gundam series

While Gundam may be Sunrise’s first alternate timeline, Gundam Wing they have them perfect the formula and understand how to write Gundam for a new generation. While the Universal Century trademarks are still seen, as a Char Aznable analogue with similar sibling drama, the shift in focus from the broad war to a team of photogenic teen heartthrobs bent on overthrowing an authoritarian government has revitalized the franchise.

Many shows were influenced by Gundam Wingis a notable success, with archetypes like the brooding pilot and the powerless but defiant princess starting with Heero Yuy and Relena Peacecraft. Still, that doesn’t mean Wing it has no value beyond being a historical document: the premise of the five pilots working undercover and unaware of even the others provides several intertwined narratives that keep the audience attentive to how the plot will progress.

10

Gundam builds fighters

It operated from 2013-2014

As an example of Mobile Suit Gundam self-aware metafictional franchise, Gundam builds fighters creates a fictional world based on the explosive popularity of Gunpla, or plastic Gundam models. The series has a slightly sillier feel compared to the more serious mecha/military sci-fi experiences of others Gundam anime. However, their battles are highly memorable and help solidify Build fighters unusual place in fans’ hearts. Thanks to “Plavsky Particles”, protagonist Sei Iori brings his customized GAT-X105B Build Strike Gundam to the Gunpla Battle tournament so he can live up to his father’s legacy.

For any Gundam amateur, this series is a fun fantasy. Thanks to Plavsky particles, Gunpla models come to life to create a small-scale simulation of fighter jet battles. Gundam builds fighters as such, it appeals to a potential pool of curious casual newcomers and die-hard fans looking for a more bombastic and absurd premise, creating an especially interesting anime in the process.

9

Mobile Suit Gundam: The Mercury Witch

It ran from 2022 to 2023

Coming off one of the longest Gundam hiatuses since its beginning as a brand, Mobile Suit Gundam: The Mercury Witch stands out despite more studios growing to match the quality of Sunrise’s work. The series mixes Mobile Suits, here known as GUND-ARMS, presenting a relatively light tone that quickly becomes ominously dark with its implications at the end of its first season. The series presents accessible scenarios of school life, a dramatic plot where political subterfuge gradually unfolds behind the scenes, creating a memorable and somewhat slow experience to Gundam fans.

In addition to being well produced and featuring excellent Mobile Suit action, The Witch of Mercury also combines a surprising yuri plot with its female protagonist, Suletta Mercury, marking some interesting news for the series. Mobile Suit Gundam: The Mercury Witch is a strange beast, combining light-hearted moments with just the right shock factor to keep viewers on their toes before they get too comfortable.

8

Gundam Unicorn

UC’s late history is among the most richly animated

Unicorn is an attempt to tie the Universal Century after the film Char’s counterattack. Although the plot may be hit or miss, What’s not in question is how beautifully rendered the machinery ismaking it one of the best series just to watch the fantastic battle sequences if nothing else. All Universal Century mobile suits get a big-budget coat of paint, allowing advanced machines and toy vehicles, previously concept art, to come to life.

The plot, while well-crafted, is the most likely point of conflict that could turn viewers off. While dwelling Gundam Wartorn setting, the story structure best resembles an adventure story, with a brave young hero who guards and is guarded by a powerful (robotic) ally as he embarks on a mission that takes him around Earth and Space. Even this, however, cannot hide Unicorn Force, which showcases some of the franchise’s most recognizable mecha designs on screen.

7

Become a Gundam

Eccentric entrance continues to be loved by fans

Yoshiyuki Tomino’s production of the franchise later led to some of the strangest iterations, including the aforementioned Turn A, apparently set in the future so distant that humanity has regressed to a pseudo-aesthetic of the early 19th centurybut suddenly finds himself at war between the people of Earth and the Moonrace invaders. The sight of picturesque farmlands presided over by mobile suits is matched only by the strangeness of Turn A itself, whose features look like a particularly bad memory of a Gundam.

Despite that, Turn A today it is fondly regarded precisely for the way it shook up the formula. Which was also created by Tomino, Gundam creator, is nothing less than a seal of approval for what can be considered “Gundam”even if the hero’s mount opts to have a sprawling mustache instead of the iconic V-shaped fin. Likewise, the upbeat tone the show chose to end on was a change of pace during a period fans welcomed as the franchise took dark stories beyond the point of incredulity.

6

Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in Your Pocket

It ran from March 1989 to August 1989

Although a shorter OVA series overall Gundam metaseries, Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in Your Pocket is especially highly regarded not only in the franchise but also among the biggest anime shows. The franchise has frequently showcased its social commentary throughout its iterations and over the decades, with its pacifist commentary on the dangers of idealizing or glamorizing war. Its protagonist, Bernard “Bernie” Wiseman, learns this lesson in a painful and visceral way, serving as an example of the fodder harvested after these enormous conflicts in the series.

In that regard, Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in Your Pocket encapsulates the best of Gundam themes while remaining reasonably concise. The series sometimes hits viewers in the gut, even as its characters fail to learn the anti-war message that permeated much of the show. Gundam franchise before and since.

5

Gundam Ray

Short, dark war story masterfully combines violence, art and music

This short series also offers a spectacular artistic display, especially in how he chooses to set his key scenes to jazz tunes or melancholy pop tunes. Ray the first season tackles the horrors of war with some exceptionally visceral combat sequences. The story also cleverly plays with moral ambiguity, placing the oppressed on Zeon’s typically villainous side, while the Gundam pilot serves as a sadistic counterpart.

The first season is an excellent standalone storyalthough fans are eager for more music-inclined songs Gundam You can also watch the second season, even if it ends on a cliffhanger that Bandai-Namco has so far shown no interest in following up on. Despite that, Ray, As the name suggests, it packs a lot into a few episodes, with fantastic art, combat scenes and cruel twists of fate.

4

Gundam: The 08th MS Team

Popular OVA series reimagines franchise with Vietnam War aesthetic

Some purist fans want Gundam focused on nothing but hyper-realistic armored warfare, and even they are met by 08which follows a team of soldiers fighting on the surface of the Earth – no space fights take place here. Instead, a trio of mechas made from spare parts lead the fight through the jungle. Combined with a Cheese and guavaA style subplot of the two protagonists falling in love on opposite sides, the OVA has all the material for one of the most popular parallel stories in the scene.

The series is often considered the ideal for the Universal Century discarding all metaphysics and fantasy space combat to focus on ground warfare. Whether you agree with it or not, 08 helps add nuance and scope to the One Year War, focusing on the boring, overwhelming conflict that fans have been waiting to see.

3

Mobile SuitGundam

Original TV series and trilogies are still an innovative concept

Regardless of how receptive one is to the art style and color palette of the late 1970s, Tomino’s original Gundam The war tale remains one of the most memorable in the medium. It’s worth watching on that merit alone, with the One Year War providing the basis for a multi-series storyline that follows the rivalry between Amuro Ray and Char Aznable. Of course, the first entry is filled with the little oddities that mark Strange First Days, including a plot prone to being as meandering as White Base did to overtake Zeon, which isn’t helped by an episode count that nervous executives shortened back in the day. . .

Today, most fans point to the film trilogy as a definitive visionwhich cuts the fat and adds improved animation, allowing the story’s strengths to better stand out without getting lost in one episodic adventure or another. Even now, the One Year War remains isolated, as Gundam follows a planet-wide invasion when most sequels are afraid to move away from small-scale conflicts.

2

Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin

It operated from 2015 to 2018

For those who want the quality of the seminal series but revised for modern expectations Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin is the strongest, most contemporary version of the 1979 anime classic. Gundam anime director and designer Yoshikazu Yasuhiko co-directed the series, adapting his 2001-2011 manga of the same name. The show also has a powerful 8.33 rating on My anime listwith fans supporting the modernized retelling of the original series.

Although the series is a retelling, the best way to enjoy it is to watch the original Mobile SuitGundam to appreciate the overall changes to the series. Gundam Fans may debate its placement in the franchise’s running order, but it’s an especially well-regarded series that has attracted new viewers to the franchise. Although the series has the OVA format and the television compilation it’s best to enjoy the OVAs as they are the original intended experience.

1

Mobile Suit ZetaGundam

The immediate sequel gave the anime room to grow in various environments

While it might be strange to place the sequel ahead of the original, Zeta is extremely important in how it allowed a simple TV show to expand its scope. While the first Gundam conveyed his war story succinctly, Zeta it provided a stronger political element that allowed the setting to thrive and gain depth. Now, it was no longer a matter of a single ship fighting an empire; it was a complex society where viewers could see various factions from Earth and Space vying for power, exemplified by the three-way conflict that had everyone trying to charm or fight each other.

While not an alternate timeline – Amuro and Char quickly reappear to join the fight – Zetaof the active refusal to repeat the formula, instead providing all sorts of new mobile suits and organizations could easily be seen as the start of Gundam true identity as a variety of scenarios, all linked to an examination of war. While Mobile SuitGundam by itself is effective, it took time Zeta to fully realize your potential.