Top 10 Gundam Series

The latest series in the Gundam franchise takes a very different approach to the rest, with the key factor being that it has the very first female protagonist in the franchise. After entering the Asticassia School of Technology, Suletta Mercury soon finds herself in the position of having to take on many Gundam duels against her fellow students. Behind all of this is a deep political drama between opposing companies, vying for her defeat. As this is the newest Gundam entry, expect to see some of the most beautifully animated mecha battles ever seen in anime!

In the Future Century, Gundam are sent from every nation to a tournament to determine who gets to control Earth for four years. Neo Japan’s champion, Domon Kasshu must not only win but also track down his brother, who is looking to destroy life as we know it with his Devil Gundam. The first Gundam series set outside of the Universal Century, G Gundam is basically what you get when you switch Gundam’s genre into Super-Robot. Each world nation has a representative Gundam with its own unique design and fighting style. It’s wacky, it’s over the top, it’s Gundams fighting Gundams.

For the 20th Anniversary of the Gundam franchise, series Godfather Yoshiyuki Tomino pulled out all the stops. In the year 2345 of the Correct Century, the long lost Moonrace returns to Earth for its resources and it’s up to a spy, Loran Cehack, to defend the planet with an ancient mobile suit. Turn A Gundam is a landmark title in the Gundam mythos for its gorgeous artwork, nods to other entries of the franchise (hinting that they all may be connected) and its highly controversial Gundam design, from American visual artist Syd Mead. It all adds up to a unique watching experience and one of the most ambitious Gundam tales to date.

The first Gundam of the new millennia, Gundam Seed centers on two childhood friends, Kira and Athrun, forced to fight on opposite sides of a war between humans and genetically enhanced Coordinators. Seed bears many references to the One Year War from the original Mobile Suit Gundam. However, it never goes beat for beat and focuses heavily on Kira and Athrun’s conflict, along with themes of racism and commentary on genetic manipulation. Seed was incredibly successful, becoming the first alternate history Gundam to spawn a direct TV sequel, Gundam Seed Destiny….which was uh…different.

After twenty years of oppression, space colonies orbiting the Earth send five deadly Gundam pilots to wage war against the OZ organization. While a modest hit in Japan, Gundam Wing is one of the main reasons the franchise is so recognized overseas. The series was a powerhouse title on Cartoon Network’s Toonami block, giving viewers something far different from DBZ or Sailor Moon. Without the sleek mecha designs, politically charged story, or loveable cast, the Gundam franchise may not be the huge name it is today.

300 years after a devastating war, two orphans, Mikazuki and Orga, and their fellow child soldiers must protect a beautiful Mars diplomat, who is determined to win independence for the planet. The most recent entry on this list, Iron Blooded Orphans focuses heavily on the harsh lives of people who have been child soldiers. The gritty storytelling matches the action and the mecha designs compliment the pilots behind them. Though fighting often takes a back seat in this series, it’s the underlying sentimentality that gives this series its edge.

Three years after Char’s Counterattack, two star-crossed youths, Banagher Links and Audrey Byrne, find themselves in the middle of a power struggle between the Earth Federation and Neo Zeon. Gundam Unicorn returns to the original Universal Century timeline and man it has never looked better. With a huge budget behind it, this is one of the most visually amazing entries to date. There’s also a great cast of heroes and villains and a story that could have huge effects on other Universal Century stories.

Universal Century 0079. During the One Year War between the Earth Federation and the Principality of Zeon, one young man and one Mobile Suit emerge to turn the tide of the war, and history itself. This is it, where it all began. The One Year War. Amuro Ray and the original RX-78. The undeniably awesome Char Aznable. This is a vintage, old school anime featuring a story that still holds up today, with excellent characters and motivations. Nearly forty years after its debut, Mobile Suit Gundam has become more than an Anime - it is a legend.

In the year 2307 AD, a terrorist organization, known as Celestial Being, sends four Gundams to Earth with one mission: the elimination of war itself. If you loved Gundam Wing, this is definitely one you should check out. You’ve got some of the sleekest Gundams to date along with four attractive pilots to root for. You’ve got a twist and turns story filled with political intrigue and war commentary. And of course, who doesn’t love seeing a nigh-invincible Gundam cutting through Mobile Suits like butter?

Before we reveal our Top Pick, here are a few Honorable Mentions:

“Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin” (2015-2018)

“Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team” (1996-99)

“Gundam Build Fighters” (2013-14)

“Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt” (2015-17)

“Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket” (1989)

Seven years after the One Year War, the game has changed. The Federation is now the enemy and heroes must become rebels to stop them. Our number one pick goes to the show that catapulted Gundam back into relevance in the 80’s. This epic space opera is dark, edgy and so intense it’s impossible to look away. Kamille Bidan and his AEUG allies are fantastic successors to the original Gundam story and are supported by familiar faces like Amuro and Char. Though it may seem dark beyond compare, Gundams staying power in the present can be heavily credited to the brightest gem that is Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam.