Best Gundam Series :
A lot like the Star Trek franchise, Mobile Suit Gundam was not instantly a hit, but still managed to capture a strong cult following. Thanks to more exposure through reruns and the success of merchandising sales, Gundam began to gain more popularity. In the early 1980s, the TV series was retold through a new movie trilogy (which became the official canon) which then further expanded its domestic success.
Then between 1985 and 1993, Tomino finally provided further continuations to the Universal Century. In 1994, the first alternative universe Gundam series was made with G Gundam, and its success paved the way for other series set in alternate universes. So in this list, let’s explore what are the top Gundam installments since its debut.
6. Mobile Fighter G Gundam
- Episodes: 49
- Aired: April 1994 – March 1995
This was the series that commemorated the fifteenth anniversary of the franchise. The series is a tribute/parody to not just Gundam, but old school mechs such as Mazinger Z, and is also influenced from Shounen Jump titles such as Ring ni Kakero (the series that put Shounen Jump on the map in Japan) and of course, Dragon Ball Z.
Like in Ring ni Kakero, nations under the gimmicks of ethnic stereotypes (Tequila Gundam representing Mexico, a prisoner representing post-Soviet Russia, a loud mouth American representing America, a lumberjack for Canada and so on) fight each other in one-on-one battles in a tournament. Like in DBZ, the characters have crazy power up power attacks and Domon’s shining mode is of course a nod to Super Saiya-jins.
5. Turn A Gundam
- Episodes: 50
- Aired: April 1999 – May 2000
After three AU installments, Tomino creates his first Gundam series since Victory and makes his own AU series. Plus, this series was the beginning of what Gundam fans called the post-depression Tomino after years of being infamously (and actually rather unfairly) known as Minna Goroshi no Tomino, or Kill Em All Tomino.
If Jules Verne or HG Wells made a mech anime, this would be it. Tomino’s ultimate purpose of the series revealed in the ending was rather unique and is one of the greatest plot twists in all of anime. The ending was foreshadowed throughout the series (and in the title itself) but it still caught me off guard.
The action is not as explosive as other Gundam installments but it works in its own appropriate ways. The cylinder/circular designs of the mobile suits and their heavier movements perfectly reflect the steampunk-like nature of this series. But what personally appealed to me to was the character designs of Akiman, Yasuda Akira, the character designer for the Street Fighter Alpha, Darkstalkers, and Breath of Fire gaming series.
4. Char’s Counterattack
- Episodes: 1(Movie)
- Aired: March 1988
I recommend exposure to the first Gundam (you can just watch the trilogy, this movie proves that the trilogy as canon through a flashback that is only in the movie, specifically the third one) and Zeta Gundam in order to follow this movie. Their rivalry is still revolved around Lalah, a woman that both Amuro and Char cared about.
The fighting is brutal and it continues to show why conflict is not only cruel, but lives are pointlessly taken away. The animation is superb and despite being 10 years passed the original Gundam, a tremendous evolution is demonstrated with the beginning of 3D animation through the colonies. The designs of the mechs are sleek and the character designs are updated to modern technological standards, but still stays true to its base.
The music is dramatic and depressing, and the performances of Ikeda Shuuichi, Furuya Tooru, and the late great Suzuoki Hirotaka still shines after many years of playing their respective roles as Char, Amuro, and Bright.
3. After War Gundam X
- Episodes: 39
- Aired: April 1996 – December 1996
Not just an underrated Gundam series, but an underrated anime altogether which was pointed out in our top underrated anime list. Due to being in competition against Evangelion and having its broadcast time changed, it did not achieve any popularity as its predecessors and was cut short. Thankfully, DVD sales in Japan have revived interest in this amazing installment.
Aired after Gundam Wing, some of the designs of the Gundams in this series will take from it but still provides a unique and excellent Post-Apocalyptic story. The story is dark but Garoad, the hero, is a very upbeat kind of guy despite making a mere living as a junker and something of a thief, but still has a sense of ethics. The concept of newtypes is reintroduced and redefined in this series, too.
The characters are all useful and the development is very wonderful. The Frost Brothers as villains are pretty cruel, but their motivations are clear and understandable. The action is intense, the music is awesome, and the performance of Takagi Wataru (voice of GTO himself) as Garoad is brilliant and probably his best. So this is a must see for people who want to see more Gundam.
2. Zeta Gundam :
- Episodes: 50
- Aired: March 1985 – February 1986
One of the most acclaimed series within the fan base that is claimed to not be only just the best Gundam series, but probably the best anime ever. Although it is a sequel to the original series, Tomino transitions to this series off the heels of Space Runaway Ideon and Aura Battler Dunbine, two animes that are also notorious for being dark. The qualities in those series he brings to Zeta Gundam.
It is more intense than its predecessor and it was making instant random deaths cool before Game of Thrones. And it made attacking on titans cool long before Attack on Titan if you get the joke. However, the fact it was a dark series actually did turn off viewers during its initial broadcast that Tomino’s own family complained about it. But the series does age like fine wine (in context to the Japanese fan base) and fans began to understand the point that it's a war story and that it can't be all sunshine and rainbows.
The mech designs are sharp and sleek and allows for fast paced and exciting battles. I feel they are a very excellent reflection of new type abilities. In addition, it is the series that also introduces the full 360 cockpit which allows for full visibility. Beyond the countless deaths, the characters are all memorable in their own distinct way and offer their own contribution to the story.
1. Gundam 08th MS Team
- Episodes: 12
- Aired: January 1996 – July 1999
Not just a great Gundam series, but a great anime. It tells the story of a bunch of rag tag down on their luck soldiers. The selling appeal of this series is that it is told from the point of view of your average soldier but with a mini-Romeo and Juliet side story. Unlike Amuro who was forced by circumstances and unlike Heero who was raised to be a pilot, the members of the team are pretty much fighting by their own choice. Despite that, the series does portrays the members as human each with their own dreams after the war.
As an extension to being about regular soldiers as opposed to newtypes, the fights also masterfully represent this quality. Rather than just firing missiles, bullets, and lasers with the occasional beam saber duel, this series is more about guerrilla tactics (with the occasional balls of steel from Shiro) where the slightest mistake can make the difference between life and death.
The soundtrack is superb and excellently fits in tone with the series of overcoming the odds and about friendship and unity. Both the original Japanese and the English dub are equal in terms of performing qualities and I feel I could switch between them and still feel a consistent sense of rhythm.
This is awesome, comment your thought’s and opinions in the comment section below, have a nice day.
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