Bibs Guide to Gundam
Anime
This is my guide to the Gundam mega-franchise, including all major entries in release order, not including some spinoff series like the build and SD Gundam series.
TV, 1979,
43 eps
Me:-
Author:8
The original series, and it's super ahead of its time. While MSG was pretty late to the big toy tie-in boom, it was still an incredibly unique series that brought a lot of realism to the genre in a space where it wasn't really tested before, quickly making a niche that would evolve into the accepted subgenre of "Real Robots"
MSG wasn't an instant hit, but come the advent of Gunpla, many people began to appreciate the series' maturity, avant-garde themes and iconic artstyle.
MSG wasn't an instant hit, but come the advent of Gunpla, many people began to appreciate the series' maturity, avant-garde themes and iconic artstyle.
Movie, 1981,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:6
A compilation movie of the original series, with some redone animation, a cut-down plot, and a revised script.
Following the flop of the original series, and the massive success of Gunpla, a series of films were produced, to fill in fans of the toys who were unable to catch the series during its first run. The script changes and cuts have been controversial, but I'd still consider either the films or the original series to be equally decent start points for the main (Universal Century) timeline.
Following the flop of the original series, and the massive success of Gunpla, a series of films were produced, to fill in fans of the toys who were unable to catch the series during its first run. The script changes and cuts have been controversial, but I'd still consider either the films or the original series to be equally decent start points for the main (Universal Century) timeline.
TV, 1985,
50 eps
Me:-
Author:8
The direct sequel to MSG, with a new conflict, new pilots, and some returning characters. The tone of this series is often considered to be darker, and director Yoshiyuki Tomino shows how he gained the affectionate nickname "Kill 'em all Tomino"
Zeta expands on the newtype thread present in the back half of MSG, but also introduces new concepts like cyber newtypes and transforming mecha, and aims to shake up your perceptions of the earth federation.
Zeta expands on the newtype thread present in the back half of MSG, but also introduces new concepts like cyber newtypes and transforming mecha, and aims to shake up your perceptions of the earth federation.
TV, 1986,
47 eps
Me:-
Author:7
An even more direct sequel to Zeta than Zeta was for MSG, taking place very shortly after the final episode of the previous series. ZZ is widely regarded as having a much lighter tone than both of the previous series, but doesn't compromise the ongoing themes of conflict and its effect on the youth.
ZZ remains one of the only major Gundam series with no official english dub, and is generally not so popular in the english-speaking fandom, but ZZ is still a very great series, taking more inspiration from super robot series, while still delivering great drama and comedy in the same, amazing UC universe.
ZZ remains one of the only major Gundam series with no official english dub, and is generally not so popular in the english-speaking fandom, but ZZ is still a very great series, taking more inspiration from super robot series, while still delivering great drama and comedy in the same, amazing UC universe.
Movie, 1988,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:9
The climactic film that tells the end of the characters of Amuro and Char, longtime rivals since MSG. As the first fully original theatrical work in the series, the production value is much higher, and the pace is very brisk. Animation, soundtrack and script across the board are great.
Movie, 1991,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:6
A film showing the far future of the UC, where the disconnect between space and earth is greater than ever. Known as a rushed failure, but still well animated and visually interesting.
Characters from F91 return, and the story is partly continued in the Crossbone Gundam manga series, which is yet to be animated.
Characters from F91 return, and the story is partly continued in the Crossbone Gundam manga series, which is yet to be animated.
OVA, 1989,
6 eps
Me:-
Author:10
The first Gundam OVA series (not counting SD Gundam) and a return to the One Year War first explored in MSG. A much shorter and smaller stakes story on a neutral colony, with a big focus on the effect of conflict on children and civilians, with the main character being a very young boy. Again, lighter overall tone does not come at the compromise of Gundam's core themes, and being an OVA, the production value is very consistent and pretty.
OVA, 1991,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:7
The second OVA, and another side story, this time set inbetween MSG and Zeta Gundam. Many consider 0083 to be an homage of sorts to Top Gun, with its strong focus on the interpersonal relationships of pilots.
0083 is the first animated gundam series that features mechanical designs from Hajime Katoki, a now prestigious name in mecha design (ever heard of Ver. Ka?)
Maintains the amazing OVA quality seen in 0080, with far more action overall.
0083 is the first animated gundam series that features mechanical designs from Hajime Katoki, a now prestigious name in mecha design (ever heard of Ver. Ka?)
Maintains the amazing OVA quality seen in 0080, with far more action overall.
TV, 1993,
51 eps
Me:-
Author:6
Gundam's return to TV schedules, set yet further into the future than F91. Features the youngest main pilot in the series to date, and is regarded as one of the bleakest Gundam series, with heaps of death and despair. While that's generally nothing new for Gundam, it's taken to its limits with a cast of almost entirely women, children and the elderly, all forced into battle.
TV, 1994,
49 eps
Me:-
Author:8
The first alternate universe gundam series, and the only animated entry in the Future Century timeline. A dramatic change in theming, now a globetrotting martial arts tournament. A far more lighthearted adventure, but still with plenty of drama, although expressed through larger than life martial artists instead of reserved mecha pilots.
TV, 1995,
49 eps
Me:-
Author:5
The next alternate universe, and the beginning of the After Colony timeline. Set in a different universe with a similar structure to the UC, but toned down, and a bit more fantastical, with a mishmash of different eurocentric aesthetics. Unique for its multiple Gundam pilots, who are all a different brand of antihero, and explores the struggles of ideological warfare, and pacifism.
Likely the most popular series in most of the western world, as it was one of the first to be broadcasted in Toonami during the early 2000s.
Likely the most popular series in most of the western world, as it was one of the first to be broadcasted in Toonami during the early 2000s.
OVA, 1996,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:8
Another side story OVA, set during the One Year War and follows a company of mobile suit pilots on the east asian front. Naturally, this means it evokes a lot of the common imagery of the Vietnam war and similar conflicts of that era, and greatly benefits from the setting.
Past the super detailed and dynamic animation, incredible battles and general war drama, there is a sweet romance that evolves as the series progresses.
Past the super detailed and dynamic animation, incredible battles and general war drama, there is a sweet romance that evolves as the series progresses.
TV, 1996,
39 eps
Me:-
Author:6
The first and only animated entry in the After War alternate timeline, set in a future where war has left the earth barely habitable, resulting in a series in a semi Mad Max post apocalypse setting.
As the strange episode count might spoil, this series was cancelled partway through, and an ending was rushed out. The finished product is still worth a watch for its decent animation, and is rewarding for longtime Gundam fans due to the amount of allusions and parallels to MSG. More than other AU series, AWGX feels most like a branching timeline to the UC instead of a full on reimagining.
As the strange episode count might spoil, this series was cancelled partway through, and an ending was rushed out. The finished product is still worth a watch for its decent animation, and is rewarding for longtime Gundam fans due to the amount of allusions and parallels to MSG. More than other AU series, AWGX feels most like a branching timeline to the UC instead of a full on reimagining.
Movie, 1998,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:6
Compilation of the 3 Endless Waltz OVA episodes, which were a continuation of the After War alternate timeline story started in Gundam Wing. Functions as a sequel to Gundam Wing, and mainly deals with the contining lives of the cast of Wing, and the question of the necessity of a Gundam in a world that is making strides to move past military might.
TV, 1999,
50 eps
Me:-
Author:9
The final cel-animated Gundam series and the one and only entry in the Correct Century timeline, which is more of a Terminal for the other AUs up to this point instead of a normal timeline.
Beautiful animation and soundtrack, set in a mysterious and culture-rich turn of the century themed earth, who faces colonisation from the technologically superior moon dwellers.
Beautiful animation and soundtrack, set in a mysterious and culture-rich turn of the century themed earth, who faces colonisation from the technologically superior moon dwellers.
TV, 2002,
50 eps
Me:-
Author:8
The first entry in the Cosmic Era timeline, and the first fully computer animated Gundam series made for television. Directed and written by the husband and wife duo Mitsuo Fukuda and Chiaki Morosawa (Rest in peace,) SEED is often referred to as a soft reboot or remaking of MSG for modern audiences, and while it shares a few plot points with MSG, it stands on its own with a focus on interpersonal drama and the kind-of racial divide between humans and co-ordinators.
TV, 2004,
50 eps
Me:-
Author:7
The direct sequel to Gundam SEED, and continues its themes with a new main cast and many returning faces. Has generally been love/hate in the west for its reuse of mobile suit designs and protagonist, but for the most part carries on with the overall quality of SEED. Definitely worth watching if SEED was enjoyable to you.
OVA, 2004,
3 eps
Me:-
Author:8
A set of shorts in full CG following a Zeon crew tasked with testing experimental weapons during the Universal Century's One Year War. CG can be polarising, but where mobile suits are concerned it isn't super distracting. Your mileage may vary, but story and action wise the shorts are entertaining.
OVA, 2006,
3 eps
Me:-
Author:7
The second set of shorts, showing more weapons testing during the OYW.
ONA, 2006,
3 eps
Me:-
Author:6
A short ONA (Original Net Video) series set in the Cosmic Era during the events of SEED Destiny. Follows the Phantom Pain special forces as they crush rebellion and investigate reports of a Gundam built to explore deep space.
TV, 2007,
25 eps
Me:-
Author:8
The first entry in the Anno Domni timeline, directly placing it in our real world timeline. You might think "hey, aren't most Gundam series just alternate histories of our real world earth?" which is true, but unlike the likes of the UC, which is set in the far future, 00 is set in a far more imminent future.
00 features heavy allusion to real world terrorism and modern warfare, a main cast of Gundam pilots with diverse real world nationalities and cultural backgrounds, with the backdrop of a resource-strained world full of war and inequality.
00 features heavy allusion to real world terrorism and modern warfare, a main cast of Gundam pilots with diverse real world nationalities and cultural backgrounds, with the backdrop of a resource-strained world full of war and inequality.
TV, 2008,
25 eps
Me:-
Author:7
The second season of Gundam 00 and the continuation of the Anno Domni timeline, set after a timeskip. The second season is a far more standard Gundam story, and inherits a lot of the ideas of spirituality from the latter half of MSG.
OVA, 2008,
3 eps
Me:-
Author:5
The final set of CG shorts set during the OYW, with a perspective shift to the federation side.
Shorts are standalone with no connecting plot or characters this time, and feature war stories of some soldiers on earth in the early (pre GM) months of the war.
Shorts are standalone with no connecting plot or characters this time, and feature war stories of some soldiers on earth in the early (pre GM) months of the war.
OVA, 2010,
7 eps
Me:-
Author:7
An OVA adaptation of the novel series by Harutoshi Fukui, set after the events of Char's Counterattack. Each OVA episode is double-length, and is incredibly well animated. I would recommend watching all of the UC series up to CCA before considering watching this, you will be VERY lost jumping straight into this, and there's lots of fanservice for UC lovers.
Unicorn concerns the creation of the UC and the possibility of earth and space ever getting along, as a young man bounces between factions who are seeking use him to get to the contents of the mysterious "Laplace's Box" first.
Unicorn concerns the creation of the UC and the possibility of earth and space ever getting along, as a young man bounces between factions who are seeking use him to get to the contents of the mysterious "Laplace's Box" first.
Movie, 2010,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:7
A sequel film for Gundam 00, and the end of the Anno Domni timeline. Takes the philosophy mainly seen in the second season of 00 to its logical limit, as the earth is invaded by a mysterious alien race, who seem at first to be beyond reason.
TV, 2011,
49 eps
Me:-
Author:4
The first and only entry in the Advanced Generation timeline, and a collaboration with the game studio Level-5, known for series like Yo-Kai Watch and Professor Layton.
The story is split across 4 arcs, spanning 3 generations of the same family through time, as a war against a mysterious space colony continues. Mostly well animated, and quite fast paced for better or worse.
The story is split across 4 arcs, spanning 3 generations of the same family through time, as a war against a mysterious space colony continues. Mostly well animated, and quite fast paced for better or worse.
TV, 2014,
26 eps
Me:-
Author:5
The first and only entry in the Reglid Century timeline, and marks longtime director Tomino's return to the series after being mostly being hands-off since Turn A.
Set in a far future with ambiguous connections to the UC, a world mostly dictated by religious dogma for the sake of preserving resources and preventing conflict. G-Reco requires you to pay a lot of attention to its plot, characters don't often state their goals, intentions, allegiances, or what they're about to do much.
Set in a far future with ambiguous connections to the UC, a world mostly dictated by religious dogma for the sake of preserving resources and preventing conflict. G-Reco requires you to pay a lot of attention to its plot, characters don't often state their goals, intentions, allegiances, or what they're about to do much.
TV, 2015,
25 eps
Me:-
Author:9
The first entry in the Post Disaster timeline, and follows the formation and beginnings of a PMC made entirely of orphaned and previously enslaved children.
In contrast to previous series, IBO is notable for focusing on close quarters combat and ballistic weapons, as beam weapons have been rendered mostly useless for relevant lore reasons...
In contrast to previous series, IBO is notable for focusing on close quarters combat and ballistic weapons, as beam weapons have been rendered mostly useless for relevant lore reasons...
TV, 2016,
25 eps
Me:-
Author:9
The second season of IBO, and follows the continued struggles of Tekkadan as they try to gain clout and get paid. The scale is dramatically increased, as Tekkadan are caught in up in the politics of the wider world.
The entire series has stellar animation and production value, and its soundtrack is brilliant, definitely one of the better examples of modern Gundam.
The entire series has stellar animation and production value, and its soundtrack is brilliant, definitely one of the better examples of modern Gundam.
