- Updated on: July 24, 2022
- by Ernie
When we hear about the word Gundam, we mostly imagine giant robot fights and a huge series that intimidates anyone to even start watching. A behemoth of a show that is only suited for distinct tasted anime watchers only I would assume. But if you are looking to dip your toes into the Gundam franchise and do not know where to start then here is a Gundam watch order only for you.
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The Ultimate Gundam Watch Order Guide
How To Watch Gundam In Order
Gundam Anime Release Order:
1. Mobile Suit Gundam (1979-1980)
- Total Episodes: 43
- Runtime Per Episode: 30 min
Overall considered a must-watch classic with a great story and amazing characters perfect for getting into the franchise but at the cost of older visuals.
Table of Contents
2. Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam (1986-1987)
- Total Episodes: 47
- Runtime Per Episode: 30 min
This is a sequel in the early universal century that features a realistic portrait of people in wartime with a great action scene, cool fight sequence, rich characters although sometimes found annoying.
3. Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ (1986-1987)
- Total Episodes: 47
- Runtime Per Episode: 30 min
This one did not get that much popularity because of the more child-friendly animation. Though it does get serious every now and then, it does not have the same spirit the other two previous series did.
4. Mobile Suit Victory Gundam (1993-1994)
- Total Episodes: 51
- Runtime Per Episode: 30 min
This show is kind of forgettable. People only watched it just to complete the series. It has its good moments but gets overshadowed by better series entries.
5. Mobile Fighter G Gundam (1994-1995)
- Total Episodes: 49
- Runtime: 30 min
This show is kind of forgettable. People only watched it just to complete the series. It has its good moments but gets overshadowed by better series entries.
6. Mobile Suit Gundam Wing (1995-1996)
- Total Episodes: 49
- Runtime Per Episode: 30 min
This one is one of the high PR Gundam series that excels on a lot up front with a good cast and very flashy battles, has a good story, and sets a good quality animation for its time.
7. After War Gundam X (1996)
- Total Episodes: 39
- Runtime Per Episode: 30 min
Did you know that After War got cancelled a little after the halfway point? Despite that, they managed to wrap up the story nicely in the last three episodes. It has a great romantic subplot and usual action sequence quality.
8. Turn A Gundam (1999-2000)
- Total Episodes: 50
- Runtime Per Episode: 24 min
This one is a masterpiece. It is from the correct century which is its own alternate universe timeline. But because of that reason alone, it should be viewed as the absolute last one you are going to pick up. With an amazing soundtrack and cool mecha designs watch one of the best shows out there.
9. Mobile Suit Gundam SEED (2002-2003)
- Total Episodes: 50
- Runtime Per Episode: 50 min
This one is considered the SEED branch which is where most people started watching the Gundam series. It is standalone and very easy for a newcomer to get into the series. It has teen melodrama and is not that politically heavy.
10. Superior Defender Gundam Force (2003-2004)
- Total Episodes: 35
- Runtime Per Episode: 25 min
Superior Defender Gundam Force aired for the 25th anniversary of the Gundam franchise. The show did not do that well and received very low ratings during its two seasons.
11. Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny (2004-2005)
- Total Episodes: 50
- Runtime Per Episode: 25 min
Destiny is a follow-up to SEED with double the intense action and double the drama. An amazing follow-up if I say so.
12. Mobile Suit Gundam 00 (2007-2009)
- Total Episodes: 50
- Runtime Per Episode: 24 min
This entry in the series is one of my favorites. It has a unique plot and while the characters are hard to like at first, they kind of stick to you after a while. There are amazing mech designs and an amazing soundtrack.
13. SD Gundam Sangokuden Brave Battle Warriors (2010)
- Total Episodes: 51
- Runtime Per Episode: 13 min
It features a story based on the classic Chinese novel Romance of the three kingdoms.
14. Mobile Suit Gundam AGE (2011-2012)
- Total Episodes: 48
- Runtime Per Episode: 24 min
Age is like a big no in my book. I didn’t really like it. It is mostly simplified for the newbies. It feels overly crammed with a bunch of plot holes. The characters aren’t that special but the robots look cool though. You can skip this one if you are not a hardcore Gundam fan.
15. Gundam Build Fighters (2013-2014)
- Total Episodes: 25
- Runtime Per Episode: 25 min
Build fighters is a series where they reimagined the Gundam series and made a world where kids are more interested in building plastic Gundam models, rather than the space war.
16. Mobile Suit Gundam-San (2014)
- Total Episodes: 13
- Runtime Per Episode: 2 min
This one is not relevant to any timeline, rather it is a compilation of comedy and skits.
17. Gundam Build Fighters Try (2014-2015)
- Total Episodes: 4
- Runtime Per Episode: 25 min
Build Fighters try is a sequel to the build series and it just continues the storyline of the build series. Not much action, adventure.
18. Gundam Reconguista in G (2014-2015)
- Total Episodes: 7
- Runtime Per Episode: 24 min
Probably the second worst Gundam anime out there. The story is bad, the soundtrack does not match and the visuals are ok. At least that’s what fans say!
19. Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans (2015-2017)
- Total Episodes: 50
- Runtime Per Episode: 24 min
Probably my number one recommendation when suggesting someone a Gundam show. With a good soundtrack, great action. Overall, a great show to put as an example of what Gundam is.
20. Gundam Build Divers (2018)
- Total Episodes: 1
- Runtime Per Episode: 24 min
Divers is the last season of the Build Fighter series. The show is animated towards kids and is mostly aired to sell cool Gundam.
21. Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin (2019)
- Total Episodes: 13
- Runtime Per Episode: 25 min
The Origin series contains the prequel to what and how the Gundam war came to be. But it would be best if you did not watch it early. Because it has many spoilers for what happens in the series later on.
22. Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury (2022)
- Release: 2021-
Still unknown about the story and yet to be released. We only know it is scheduled for release in 2022.
Gundam Movies Release Order:
1. Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack (1988)
- Runtime: 2h 4min
This was the first fully dedicated movie to the Mobile Suit Gundam Franchise that adds to the lore with heavily character-driven and amazing fight scenes.
2. Mobile Suit SD Gundam (1988, 1989, 1991, 1993) (5 Movies)
- Runtime: Varying
This one is a series of animated shorts that were released in theaters in hopes that people would buy more Gundam and building kits. Big brain move I suppose.
3. Mobile Suit Gundam F91 (1991)
- Runtime: 2h
This one is a hit or miss for everyone. This takes place in the late universal century. Has amazing Gundam designs.
4. Gundam: Mission to The Rise (1996) (Short Film)
- Runtime: 3m
This is another promotional video focused on people building toys. Not much of a movie and mostly received badly.
5. Gundam Neo Experience 0087: Green Diver (2001) (Specialty Format Movie)
- Runtime: 25m
Green Divers incorporates the battle between AUEG and Titans. The main dilemma is that Asagi and Takuya must make their ship go through the atmosphere’s entry.
6. Mobile Suit Gundam 00 the Movie: Awakening of The Trailblazer (2010)
- Runtime: 2h 1m
This one is considered a sequel to Mobile Suit Gundam 00. This show wraps up any plot holes left in the first series. They introduced aliens in this one and the audience had mixed feelings about this.
7. SD Gundam Sangokuden Brave Battle Warriors (2010)
- Runtime: 13m
It is based on the 14th-century Chinese novel, the romance of the three kingdoms. The show is good but it’s still average at some parts.
8. Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative (2018)
- Runtime: 13m
It is inspired from the 11th Gundam Unicorn novel, Phoenix Hunting. With amazing visuals and good fights, this might be worth your time.
9. Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway (2021- TBA) (3 Movies)
- Runtime: 1h 35m
This one is a trilogy of movies that haven’t even been aired yet. The dates of
10. Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan’s Island (2022)
- Release: 2022-
Yet to be released. Also, the timeline of this movie is still unknown.
Gundam Specials Release Order:
1. Mobile Suit Gundam Wing (1996)
- Total Episodes: 49
- Runtime Per Episode: 30 min
This is a compilation of the Wing series and it has some new scenes that patch up the plot holes.
2. Mobile Suit Gundam SEED (2004)
- Total Episodes: 50
- Runtime Per Episode: 25 min
The SEED special is a three-episode show with the anime loosely tying up any loose ends that were left behind.
3. Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny (2006)
- Total Episodes: 50
- Runtime Per Episode: 1h 30 min
A sequel to the destiny franchise, SEED Destiny is used to fill the unanswered questions in the show.
4. Model Suit Gunpla Builders Beginning G (2010)
- Total Episodes: 3
- Runtime Per Episode: 15 min
This one is a Canon; the show is made for people who are interested in building Gundam with model kits. Lots of design and some action for a special, I guess. But I am just not like the other shows.
5. Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team (2013)
- Total Episodes: 12
- Runtime Per Episode: 25 min
Not much to say about this, It’s not considered as the best works from GUNDAM staff, I guess. It has all the cliches.
6. Gundam Build Fighters (2014)
- Total Episodes: 25
- Runtime Per Episode: 25 min
Just like Gunpla, Build Fighters, focuses on building your own model kit instead. It is cool to have something a bit more light-hearted here. Very high quality and very nostalgic to watch.
Gundam OVA Release Order:
1. Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in The Pocket (1989)
- Total Episodes: 6
- Runtime Per Episode: 27 min
This one is a sort of child-friendly entry but it still shows the atrocity of war. With mediocre action sequences but very powerful and very solid storytelling.
2. Mobile Suit SD Gundam (1989-1991)
3. Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory (1991-1992)
- Total Episodes: 13
- Runtime Per Episode: 30 min
This one is a sort of child-friendly entry but it still shows the atrocity of war. With mediocre action sequences but very powerful and very solid storytelling.
4. Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team (1996-1999)
- Total Episodes: 13
- Runtime Per Episode: 25 min
This one is a sort of child-friendly entry but it still shows the atrocity of war. With mediocre action sequences but very powerful and very solid storytelling.
5. Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz (1997)
- Total Episodes: 3
- Runtime Per Episode: 1h 30m
This is somewhat of a sequel to the series. This one wraps up the after colony alternate universe.
6. Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny (2004)
- Total Episodes: 50
- Runtime Per Episode: 25m
7. Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO: The Hidden One Year War (2004)
- Total Episodes: 3
- Runtime Per Episode: 30m
8. Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO: Apocalypse 0079 (2006)
- Total Episodes: 3
- Runtime Per Episode: 27m
9. Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO 2: Gravity Front (2009)
- Total Episodes: 3
- Runtime Per Episode: 30m
10. Mobile Suit Gundam 00 (2009)
- Total Episodes: 50
- Runtime Per Episode: 24m
11. Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ (2009)
- Total Episodes: 2
- Runtime Per Episode: 4 min
Gundam ZZ is the third installment in Sunrise’s long Gundam franchise and this OVA was used as a follow-up to what happened after the show.
12. Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn (2010-2014)
- Total Episodes: 7
- Runtime Per Episode: 1h 2 min
Unicorn goes back to the early universal century. It came after 00. It has amazing quality and plays a big part in this universe’s storyline. You have to watch this one if you don’t want to get mixed up in the story later on.
13. Mobile Suit Gundam AGE (2013)
- Total Episodes: 2
- Runtime: 1h 15 min
AGE has made a bad name for itself. It has become the worst Gundam show ever with bad animation and story. It has done everything badly and is the black sheep in the Gundam Franchise.
14. Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin (2015-2018)
- Total Episodes: 6
- Runtime Per Episode: 1h 11 min
Despite being called origin, it should be watched at the very end of the series because this one contains major spoilers on the Gundam series.
15. Gundam Build Fighters Try (2016)
- Total Episodes: 1
- Runtime Per Episode: 36 min
Try is the sequel with a better cast. But it felt like it became worse in storytelling than the first one. So, you might not enjoy it that much as the first one.
Gundam Spinoff Release Order
1. Gundam Evolve (2001-2007)
- Total Episodes: 15
- Runtime Per Episode: 7 min
Evolve is not that special in my opinion. You can watch it if you are a completionist. It is a filler and does not connect any storyline. You should probably skip this one.
2. Mobile Suit Gundam SEED C.E 73: Stargazer (2006)
- Total Episodes: 3
- Runtime Per Episode: 15 min
This one is considered a sequel to SEED Destiny. Not much to say about this one, it’s very average.
3. Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt (2015-2017)
- Total Episodes: 4
- Runtime Per Episode: 18 min
It is considered a spinoff from the seventy-nine era. It has one of the most stunning visuals paired up with a morally great compass that showed both sides of the war along with the tragedy and horror.
4. Gundam Build Fighters: GM’s Counterattack (2017)
- Total Episodes: 1
- Runtime Per Episode: 18 min
This is a one-episode sequel to the build fighter series. It just continues where it left off and just a little casual Gundam building show without the war.
5. Gundam Build Fighters: Battlogue (2017)
- Total Episodes: 5
- Runtime Per Episode: 11 min
Battlogue is a continuation of the present-day timeline with additional content for the bill fighter which might be hit or miss for some audience.
6. Mobile Suit Gundam: Twilight AXIS (2017)
- Total Episodes: 6
- Runtime Per Episode: 3 min
Twilight Axis was supposed to be a good show but turned out to be a crazy show where everything was done wrong.
7. Gundam Build Divers (2018)
- Total Episodes: 25
- Runtime Per Episode:24 min
Build Divers is a show that focuses on building Gundam instead of some space war. The show is light-headed and perfect for kids.
8. Gundam Build Divers Re: Rise (2019-2020)
- Total Episodes: 25
- Runtime Per Episode: 24 min
A sequel to the previous series, this one just dives even deeper in Gundam builds and focuses on the story more.
9. SD Gundam World Sangoku Soketsuden (2019-2021)
- Total Episodes: 10
- Runtime Per Episode:15 min
This one is an advertisement for the franchise’s 40th anniversary.
10. Gundam Build Divers: Battlogue (2020)
- Total Episodes: 1
- Runtime Per Episode: 11 min
Sequel to the Build series, Gundam Build Divers is a child-friendly show about building Gundam.
11. Gundam Breaker Battlogue (2021)
- Total Episodes: 6
- Runtime Per Episode: 10 min
This is a ten-minute ONA that was released in conjunction with Gundam Build Divers: Re: Rise.
12. SD Gundam World Heroes (2021)
- Total Episodes: 24
- Runtime Per Episode: 24 min
I feel like Gundam is slowly becoming child-friendly. This one is a new series with a lot in common with the Superior Defender Gundam Force. The show is not that good and story-driven.
13. Gundam Build Real (2021)
- Total Episodes: 25
- Runtime Per Episode: 25 min
This is a live-action series that started airing in March. The series follows Gundam building and merging the Gunpla model with virtual reality.
Chronological Watch Order
| No. | Gundam Chronological Watch Order |
|---|---|
|
1 |
Mobile Suit Gundam (1979-1980) |
|
2 |
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam (1985-1986) |
|
3 |
Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ (1986-1987) |
|
4 |
Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack (1988) |
|
5 |
Mobile Suit SD Gundam (1988-1993) |
|
6 |
Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in The Pocket (1989) |
|
7 |
Mobile Suit Gundam F91(1991) |
|
8 |
Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory (1991-1992) |
|
9 |
Mobile Suit Victory Gundam (1993-1994) |
|
10 |
Mobile Fighter G Gundam (1994-1995) |
|
11 |
Mobile Suit Gundam Wing (1995-1996) |
|
12 |
Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team (1996-1999) |
|
13 |
After War Gundam X (1996) |
|
14 |
Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz (1997) |
|
15 |
Turn A Gundam (1999-2000) |
|
16 |
Gundam Neo Experience 0087: Green Divers (2001) |
|
17 |
Gundam Evolve (2001-2007) |
|
18 |
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED (2002-2003) |
|
19 |
Superlor Defender Gundam Force (2003-2004) |
|
20 |
Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO: The Hidden One Year War (2004) |
|
21 |
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny (2004-2005) |
|
22 |
Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO: Apocalypse 0079 (2006) |
|
23 |
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED C.E 73: Stargazer (2006) |
|
24 |
Mobile Suit Gundam 00 (2007-2009) |
|
25 |
Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO 2: Gravity Front (2009) |
|
26 |
Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn (2010-2014) |
|
27 |
SD Gundam Sangokuden Brave Battle Warriors (2010) |
|
28 |
Mobile Suit Gundam 00 The Movie: Awakening of The Trailblazer (2010) |
|
29 |
Model Suit Gunpa Builders Beginning G (2010) |
|
30 |
Mobile Suit Gundam AGE (2011-2012) |
|
31 |
Gundam Build Fighters (2013-2014)
|
|
32 |
Mobile Suit Gundam-San (2014) |
|
33 |
Gundam Reconguista in G (2014-2015) |
|
34 |
Gundam Build Fighters Try (2014-2015) |
|
35 |
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin (2015-2018) |
|
36 |
Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron- Blooded Orphans (2015-2017) |
|
37 |
Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt (2015-2017) |
|
38 |
Mobile Suit Gundam: Twilight AXIS (2017) |
|
39 |
Gundam Build Fighters: Battlogue (2017) |
|
40 |
Gundam Build Fighters: GM’s Counterattack (2017) |
|
41 |
Gundam Build Divers (2018) |
|
42 |
Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative (2018) |
|
43 |
SD Gundam World Sangoku Soketsuden (2019-2020) |
|
44 |
Gundam Build Divers: Re: Rise (2019) |
|
45 |
Gundam Build Divers: Battalogue (2020) |
|
46 |
SD Gundam World Heroes (2021) |
|
47 |
Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway (2021-TBA) |
|
48 |
Gundam Build Real (2021) |
Which Gundam Order Are You Going To Watch?
Even though the Gundam series is somewhat scattered everywhere and is just a hassle to watch all the episodes, it is still a part of our anime culture.
It represents a huge audience who love robots and love to build robots. So, I think our eager viewers who don’t know about this genre should at least try the series. You never know you might like it.
Hello! Last autumn I decided to have a look at Gundam series. It was impossible for me to watch every single part of it, so I used your comments and picked up a few series you recommended. Being in the middle of my sixth series (00), I must say that Gundam probably isn’t for me, and none of the series made me get into the plot and characters’ stories on the emotional level. However, it was nice to get known this cult franchise. I enjoyed the first season and was overwhelmed how well it was made, how the creators really did their best to make the story probable. Having said that, the consecutive parts were a very big letdown, and Zeta was one of the worst anime I’ve seen in my over 40 years of life and a nightmare I can’t unseen. The only good thing that came from Zeta was that I watched its sequel, ZZ, that was at least very funny and without that terrible and pathetic drama and did me good. Wing was almost as much unlogical as Zeta, but it at least had well made and likeable main characters. I enjoyed Turn A pretty much and appreciated it logical plot as well as nice characters. I planned watching Seed, but after reading people’s comment about unlogical plot and the characters being clones of Zeta characters, I immediately removed it from my list. Now I’m at 00 and like it quite a lot; there’s no wonder you admire the first intro, since it’s made by L’Arc~en~ciel 😉 My last one is going to be Iron-Blood Orphans. All in all, thanks for creating this watching order, as it was a big help to a Gundam-naive person. I also appreciate your comments on the series (although I still can’t quite “forgive” for having me watch Zeta, but I would watch it anyway as the direct sequel of the first Gundam). Regards!