15 Best Gundam Anime of All Time

From its premiere in 1979, Gundam has become one of the most iconic titles in anime history, pioneering the mecha genre and gaining respect from audiences worldwide. It’s much more than just giant robots waging battles through space-Gundam delves into deeper themes of war, peace, humanity, and survival, making each series a different exploration of these same universal ideas of its own. From classic series to modern masterpieces, let’s take a look at 15 of the best Gundam anime series to understand why this franchise stood the test of time.

1. Mobile Suit Gundam

Key Themes: The atrocities of war, surviving, and the aftermath of power.

Summary: The original that started it all, Mobile Suit Gundam, introduced viewers to the Universal Century timeline and the ongoing war between the Earth Federation and the Principality of Zeon. It follows Amuro Ray, a teenage pilot who finds himself piloting the experimental RX-78-2 Gundam in an epic battle for survival.

Why It’s Great: This series was the foundation on which everything else was built. By introducing realistic scenes of war and moral ambiguity, it developed the mecha genre from simple robot fights into a stage on which to discuss human nature.

2. Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam (1985)

Key Themes: Therein lies the cost of revenge, corruption, and the blurred lines of morality.

Overview: As a direct sequel to the original, Zeta Gundam takes place eight years after the events of the One Year War. It introduces Kamille Bidan, a young man with an attitude problem who joins the Anti-Earth Union Group, AEUG, combatants against the oppressive Titans.

Why it’s great: Zeta Gundam is a really dark show; the storyline is mature and emotionally charged. The series generally holds a reputation for being one of the best in terms of character depth and battle intensity.

3. Mobile Suit Gundam Wing (1995)

Key Themes: Eludes the struggle for freedom, justice, and identity.

Overview: In an alternate universe, Gundam Wing is a story about five young pilots who are sent from the colonies in space to Earth to battle against the unduly oppressive government on Earth with specially designed Gundam suits in their quest for justice and peace.

Why It’s Great: Above all, the worldwide sensation seemed to set fire in the West alone. With the variety of the cast in the show, different mecha designs, and themes of justice or/and freedom-the show easily stole the attention of audiences and became a household name.

4. Mobile Suit Gundam 00 (2007)

Key Themes: World peace, unity, and morality of intervention.

Summary: Gundam 00 is a mecha anime television series that serves as a sequel to Mobile Suit Gundam SEED. Set in the near future, it follows Celestial Being, an organization of Gundam pilots who aim to eradicate war by intervening forcefully around the world. The series explores important global issues such as energy crises and military conflicts.
Why It’s Great: It is excellent because it has great animation and a new spin on real-world problems. It’s one of the few Gundam series actually set in multiple generations because the action takes place during the 24th century. It gives a sheath of realism to its conflicts.

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5. Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans (2015)

Themes: Family, loyalty, resilience.

Overview: A group of child soldiers hailing from Mars rises against their oppressive rulers to gain freedom and the right to self-determination. Brought under the skills of Mikazuki Augus, the group finds its way into independence with the use of the Gundam Barbatos.

Why It’s Great: Containing raw emotional depth, coupled with a realistic look at child soldiers, Iron-Blooded Orphans is a powerful series highlighting the unappealing truth of war and survival.

6. Turn A Gundam (1999)

Key Themes: Reconciliation, peace, and cultural understanding.

Synopsis: Spanning a very far-reaching future where humanity has lost much of its former technologically advanced past, Turn A Gundam takes the viewer into the life of a young boy from the Moon who was sent to Earth. He’s stuck between two clashing civilizations and he must awkwardly choose where his loyalties lie.

Why it’s great: Known for its roots in its original “mustache” Gundam design and somewhat philosophical tone, this series takes a whole new look at the Gundam series, shuttling in themes such as forgiveness and rebirth.

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7. Mobile Suit Gundam SEED (2002)

Key Themes: Friendship, survival, and prejudice.

Overview: Gundam SEED is set in a world divided between genetically enhanced human beings, known as Coordinators, and natural-born human beings, referred to as Naturals. The series follows the story of Kira Yamato, a young Coordinator who is caught up in the war and often finds himself required to use the mobile suit known as the Gundam Strike for the protection of his friends.

Why It’s Great: Blending modern animation with a darker storyline, SEED brought Gundam well into the new generation and to this date is still considered a popular entry.

8. Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team (1996)

Key Themes: Sacrifice, wartime love, and the cost of victory.

Overview: This series, set during the One Year War, focuses on the small Earth Federation team fighting guerrilla battles in the jungles of Southeast Asia. It features more realistic portrayals of warfare and focuses on teamplay and individual soldiers.

Why It’s Great: From realism to romance, 08th MS Team has a character-driven story, with gritty battle sequences.

9. Gundam Build Fighters (2013)

Key Themes: Amical, passion, and creativity.

Overview: Gundam Build Fighters basically deals with Gunpla and tournament competitiveness with Gunpla, especially Gundam models. It is a rather light-hearted series where young gunfighters are competing in tournaments.

Why It’s Great: The series is a blast of pure celebration of Gundam fandom in and of itself, making it perfect for new viewers and long-time fans alike.

10. Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn 2010

Key Themes: Legacy, self-discovery, and fate.

Overview: This series, set in the Universal Century timeline, follows the story of a young man named Banagher Links and his encounter with the powerful Unicorn Gundam-a mobile suit connected to a mysterious secret known as the “Laplace’s Box.”

Why it’s great: For Unicorn, which has great visuals and a very complex storyline, manages to link with the original Gundam series quite well while offering a really modern take on the classic storyline.

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11. Mobile Fighter G Gundam (1994)

Key Themes: Revenge, honour, and development.

Overview: This series is an alternate universe series focusing on a global martial arts tournament fought by Gundam pilots representing different countries. The main character, Domon Kasshu, participates in finding the truth behind his family’s tragedy.

Why It’s Great: G Gundam Anime conveys a whole new excitement in the tournament-style presentation of this already well-received franchise, with imaginative designs and spectacular battle scenes.

12. Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack (1988)

Key Themes: Competition, legacy, and sacrifice.

Overview: This movie brought an epic end to the rivalry of Amuro Ray and Char Aznable, as their battle may bring about a conclusion to the future of the entire human race.

Why It’s Great: As classic as a showdown gets, this is nothing short of a must-see from the series for longtime fans of the series, culminating in a truly thrilling decision found at the end of a very long fork in the road.

13. After War Gundam X (1996)

Key Themes: Resilience, redemption, rebuilding.

Overview: Humanity rebuilds piecemeal after the war that gave mankind a severe beating. Garrod Ran, a salvager, accidentally happens upon a powerful Gundam-a mobile suit that changes everything as he tries his best to make ends meet in a post-war world.

Why It’s Great: Gundam X has the distinction of having a rather different, post-apocalyptic setting where human beings are barely surviving, finding their last hope.

14. Mobile Suit Victory Gundam – 1993

Key Themes: Loss of innocence, trauma, and resilience.

Overview: The series is set in the Universal Century and relates the story of a young boy named Uso Ewin, who joins as a pilot in a war that is to be particularly fierce. VICTORY GUNDAM has become famous for its tragic tone that highlights the trauma that war inflicts on young soldiers.

Why It’s Great: Victory Gundam is one of the darker entries from the franchise, really showcasing how war can affect the young.

15. Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt – 2015

Key Themes: Tragedy, competition, and resilience.

Summary: Occurring during the One Year War, Thunderbolt follows two soldiers from opposing sides who fought in some of the most intense combat in the Thunderbolt Sector. A story of survival and rivalry.

Why It’s Great: This series has an extremely mature tone-a show of brutal reality in war.

Final Thoughts on Gundam Anime

From classic stories to fresh takes, Gundam has captured imaginations for years with active storytelling and compelling characters. Each series is a different journey that blends adventure and deep themes. For both those who are new to the series and long-timers, these 15 titles are essential to why Gundam remains a towering presence in anime history.