If you've ever heard someone say "Gundam is too big," they're not wrong. It's a massive franchise with decades of anime, a mountain of model kits, and so many different timelines it could make your head spin. But here’s the trick: you don’t need to watch everything to get into Gundam. You just need to know where to begin.
And that starting point? The Universal Century, or UC for short. This is the original Gundam timeline—the one where it all began. It’s home to the franchise’s most iconic characters, most emotional stories, and the themes that shaped the series from the start. Whether you’re in it for the giant robots, the tragic rivalries, or the political messes, UC has all of it.
What Is the Universal Century?
Side 7, one of the space colonies that got attacked by the Zeon forces during the One Year War.
The Universal Century is Gundam’s original timeline—a future where Earth gets way too crowded, so humanity builds giant space colonies called “Sides.” But even after moving off the planet, people can’t leave their problems behind. The Earth Federation still calls the shots, and life in the colonies isn’t great. Spacenoids—people born in space—are treated unfairly, and eventually, they’ve had enough.
One colony, Side 3, breaks away and forms the Principality of Zeon. And they don’t just leave quietly—they start a war by literally dropping a space colony onto Earth, wiping out millions. That horrifying moment kicks off the One Year War and sets the tone for the rest of the Universal Century. It’s all about the tension between Earthnoids and Spacenoids, with teenagers thrown into the chaos and forced to pilot Mobile Suits—huge, weaponized robots made for war.
As people spend more time in space, some of them start changing. They become Newtypes—humans with crazy-fast reflexes, heightened awareness, and sometimes even low-key psychic abilities. Some think they’re the next step in evolution, meant to help humanity understand each other better. Others just want to use them as tools for war. Either way, Newtypes add a whole new layer to the story, turning Gundam into something more than just big robot fights—it’s about where humanity’s headed next.
Why Start with UC?
You should start with UC so that you can meet Char Aznable–arguably the most iconic Gundam character ever—and his nemesis, Amuro Ray.
Because this is where Gundam becomes Gundam. UC is all about the cost of war—not in a flashy, "hero saves the day" way, but in a grounded, emotional, and often depressing way. Gundam isn’t about good vs evil. It’s about how everyone thinks they’re right. It's about grief, trauma, and what happens when you're forced to grow up in a war you didn’t start.
And the Mobile Suits? They’re cool, sure—but they’re not toys. They’re weapons. The series makes that painfully clear, over and over again.
The Core Universal Century Timeline (a.k.a. The Main Story)
These are the backbone of the UC timeline. They follow a mostly continuous storyline, with each entry building on the previous one. If you want to understand the heart of Gundam—the themes, the characters, and the evolution of its world—this is where it all unfolds. Most of it revolves around the Earth Federation, Zeon, and the legendary rivalry between Amuro Ray and Char Aznable. But it also grows past them, showing what happens when generations inherit the scars of war.
1. Mobile Suit Gundam (1979)
43 episodes or 3 compilation movies
Set in UC 0079
The one that started it all. Humanity has moved into space colonies, but Earth still holds all the power. When one of the colonies—Side 3—declares independence and becomes the Principality of Zeon, it kicks off a war that changes everything.
This first series introduces Amuro Ray, an ordinary teenager who stumbles into the cockpit of a prototype mobile suit, the RX-78-2 Gundam, during a Zeon attack. With no formal training, he becomes the Federation’s ace pilot almost overnight. He’s forced to join the crew of White Base, a Federation ship filled mostly with young civilians, and travel across space and Earth while constantly being pursued.
Meanwhile, we meet Char Aznable, a masked Zeon pilot with a vendetta and a serious grudge. He’s charismatic, cunning, and has his own reasons for dragging this war out. Their rivalry is tense, philosophical, and drives much of the story.
The original series is very ‘70s in style and animation, but it lays the groundwork for everything Gundam would become. If you don’t want to commit to 43 episodes, the movie trilogy is a tighter and more polished way to experience the same story.
2. Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam (1985)
50 episodes
Set in UC 0087
Fast forward eight years. The war may be over, but peace didn’t last long. The Earth Federation has gotten worse—they’ve created a ruthless task force called the Titans, who are basically space fascists stomping out any Spacenoid resistance.
Enter Kamille Bidan, a teenager with a bad attitude and a knack for mobile suits. After a run-in with the Titans, he joins the resistance group AEUG and becomes the pilot of the Zeta Gundam. Kamille’s journey is rough. He’s not a hero by choice—he gets dragged into a war filled with betrayal, death, and trauma. It’s a darker, more complex series that digs into what it means to grow up in a world where war never ends.
Char returns too—now under the name Quattro Bajeena (yes, really). He’s fighting against the system he once served, and his presence adds layers of depth to the story. Zeta is considered one of the best Gundam series ever, especially if you want a show that doesn’t sugarcoat its themes.
3. Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ (1986)
47 episodes
Set in UC 0088
ZZ (Double Zeta) picks up immediately after Zeta’s heavy ending, but it takes a strange turn—it starts off as a comedy. The new lead, Judau Ashta, is a loud, scrappy kid from a junkyard who gets involved with the crew of the Nahel Argama, the AEUG’s ship. He eventually pilots the powerful ZZ Gundam.
The first half of the show is goofy, which can be jarring if you’re coming straight from Zeta’s grim tone. But stick with it—it slowly gets serious again, especially as the plot connects to the rise of Neo Zeon and its new leader, Haman Karn.
Judau’s story is about growth and responsibility, much like Amuro’s. And even though ZZ is often considered the "odd one out," it ties up loose ends from Zeta and sets the stage for the dramatic finale to come.
4. Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack (1988)
Movie
Set in UC 0093
This is it—the grand finale of the Amuro vs Char saga. Ten years after the original Gundam, Char returns, now leading Neo Zeon. He wants to force humanity to move into space by dropping an asteroid onto Earth. Amuro, still with the Federation, is the only one who can stop him.
This movie is where everything comes to a head—the rivalry, the ideals, the consequences of a decade of war. The animation is movie-level beautiful, with dramatic space battles and emotional weight. It’s also where both characters make their final stand.
If you’ve followed their journey from the start, this film hits hard. It’s an iconic piece of anime history that still holds up today.
5. Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn (2010)
7 OVA episodes / or 22-episode TV version (RE:0096)
Set in UC 0096
Set just three years after Char’s Counterattack, Unicorn follows Banagher Links, a student living on a peaceful colony who ends up piloting the Unicorn Gundam. He gets caught in a political battle over Laplace’s Box—a mysterious object that holds a secret that could topple the Earth Federation.
Unicorn is a love letter to old-school UC fans. It features returning characters, deep dives into Federation corruption, and big questions about Newtypes and humanity’s future. It’s also absolutely gorgeous, with modern animation and music that slaps.
Banagher starts out soft-spoken but grows into a surprisingly strong protagonist, especially as he clashes with Full Frontal, a man who looks—and acts—an awful lot like Char. Watching it after the earlier entries gives it much more weight.
6. Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway (2021)
Movie series (Part 1 released)
Set in UC 0105
Set years after Unicorn, Hathaway focuses on a new kind of war. The Earth Federation is even more corrupt, and Hathaway Noa—son of Bright Noa from the original series—has become a terrorist leader, secretly fighting against the system he once served.
The first film is sleek, political, and emotionally heavy. Hathaway is a more mature take on the UC timeline, aimed at an older audience. There’s romance, espionage, and moral dilemmas packed into every scene.
Only Part 1 is out as of now, but it sets the stage for a trilogy that could redefine what Gundam can be in the modern era.
7. Gundam F91 (1991)
Movie
Set in UC 0123
F91 was meant to be the start of a new saga, but it got crammed into a single movie after production troubles. Despite that, it’s still an interesting glimpse into the UC future.
Set decades after Char’s Counterattack, it introduces a new conflict between the Federation and a group called the Crossbone Vanguard. The movie centers on Seabook Arno, a student who becomes the reluctant pilot of the Gundam F91 when his colony is attacked.
The visuals are solid, the mobile suit designs are great, and the movie hints at a larger world we never fully got to see. It’s not essential, but it’s still a fascinating side note in the UC timeline.
8. Victory Gundam (1993)
51 episodes
Set in UC 0153
Now we’re in the far future. Earth is barely populated, and power has shifted to the Zanscare Empire, a ruthless regime that executes people with guillotines and flying bicycles (yes, seriously).
Victory follows Uso Ewin, a 13-year-old boy who joins the League Militaire resistance and pilots the Victory Gundam. It’s a rough ride—children are dying, entire villages are wiped out, and war has completely lost any sense of glory.
This series is notorious for how dark it is. Creator Yoshiyuki Tomino was reportedly in a grim mindset while making it, and it shows. Victory Gundam is bleak, violent, and emotionally draining—but also strangely compelling. It’s often recommended for seasoned fans rather than newcomers.
Universal Century Spinoffs and Side Stories
One of the best things about the UC timeline is how much it explores perspectives beyond the mainline characters. These side stories dive into what’s happening elsewhere during the same wars—often focusing on ground troops, civilians, or experimental missions. You don’t always need to know everything from the main story to enjoy these. Some are even great starting points.
1. Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket (1989)
6 episodes
Set in UC 0079
This short but powerful OVA is one of Gundam’s most emotionally devastating stories. Unlike other entries that focus on ace pilots and major battles, War in the Pocket is told from the perspective of a 10-year-old boy named Al, who lives in a neutral colony and idolizes mobile suits. When a Zeon unit sneaks into his colony to destroy a prototype Gundam, Al befriends a young Zeon pilot named Bernie.
What follows is a quiet, tragic story that shows how war affects civilians—especially children. There are only a few mecha battles, but the emotional impact is massive. If you want a compact, deeply human story that doesn’t require much prior knowledge, this is a perfect watch.
2. Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory (1991)
13 episodes
Set in UC 0083
This OVA acts as a bridge between the original series and Zeta Gundam. It tells the story of a rogue Zeon faction stealing a nuclear-equipped Gundam and launching a new operation to strike back at the Federation. Enter Kou Uraki, a test pilot suddenly thrust into a high-stakes chase to retrieve the stolen Gundam and stop another catastrophe.
Stardust Memory is a love letter to ‘80s and ‘90s military anime aesthetics—sharp suits, booming orchestras, and highly detailed mechanical designs. It also sets up the justification for the Federation’s future military overreach, namely the creation of the Titans. While it has some plot stumbles and a divisive romance subplot, the action is fantastic and the tone is refreshingly serious.
3. Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team (1996–1999)
12 episodes + 1 compilation special
Set in UC 0079
If you’ve ever wondered what the Gundam war looks like from the perspective of regular soldiers on the ground, this is the series for you. 08th MS Team follows Shiro Amada, the rookie commander of a small squad deployed in Southeast Asia during the One Year War.
Instead of space battles and political drama, you get guerrilla warfare in the jungle, team dynamics, and dirty, down-to-earth fights between mass-production suits. There’s even a Romeo-and-Juliet-style romance between Shiro and Aina Sahalin, a Zeon pilot. It’s one of the more grounded, intimate takes on Gundam’s central conflict—and an easy favorite among fans.
4. Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO (2004–2009)
9 episodes
Set in UC 0079
MS IGLOO is a series of CGI OVAs that offer a fascinating peek behind the curtain—focusing on Zeon engineers and test pilots during the One Year War. The first part follows the Zeon 603rd Technical Evaluation Unit as they test out dangerous prototype weapons that are usually failures. The latter parts shift to the Federation side.
IGLOO’s unique angle lies in its perspective: it shows war from the viewpoint of logistics, experimentation, and desperation. The CGI hasn’t aged well, but the stories are compelling if you’re into military drama and moral gray areas. Plus, it's nice to see how ordinary soldiers deal with war outside the mainline conflicts.
5. Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt (2015–2017)
8 OVA episodes or 2 movies
Set in UC 0079
Thunderbolt takes place during the same timeframe as the original series but in a very different battlefield—the Thunderbolt Sector, a debris-filled graveyard of destroyed colonies and shattered dreams. It’s a brutal, music-filled story about two soldiers from opposite sides: Io Fleming, a Federation sniper with a sadistic edge, and Daryl Lorenz, a calm Zeon pilot with prosthetic limbs.
The animation is stylish and fluid, and the soundtrack (mostly jazz) gives it a wild, modern energy. But make no mistake—this is one of the most violent and bleak Gundam entries. It explores trauma, addiction, and the cycles of vengeance, all while delivering some of the best-looking fights in the franchise. It's still ongoing in manga form, but what’s here is excellent.
6. Gundam Twilight Axis (2017)
6 mini-episodes or 1 short compilation
Set in UC 0096
Twilight Axis is a quick, experimental series that takes place shortly after Gundam Unicorn. It follows Arlette, a former Zeon engineer, and Danton, an ex-Federation pilot, as they investigate a derelict research base. What they find ties into the secrets left behind after the Laplace incident.
It’s more of a visual mood piece than a full narrative. Due to its short runtime (each episode is about 3 minutes), it’s very abstract and doesn’t offer much context unless you’re already familiar with UC lore. Watch it more for the atmosphere than the plot.
7. Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative (2018)
1 movie
Set in UC 0097
Narrative is a direct follow-up to Unicorn, focusing on a group of characters affected by the events of the Laplace Box. The main character, Jona Basta, is a Federation pilot hunting down the Unicorn Gundam Phenex, a mysterious, nearly-invincible mobile suit.
While it’s technically a standalone film, Narrative is best appreciated if you’ve already seen Unicorn. It deals with complex themes like trauma, identity, and Newtype evolution—and tries to bridge the narrative gap before Hathaway. It’s a bit polarizing, but worth watching for fans invested in late UC.
8. Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan’s Island (2022)
1 movie
Set in UC 0079 (during the original series)
This movie retells and expands on a “lost episode” from the original 0079 anime—one that was so infamously bad in animation quality it was removed from reruns in Japan. The movie version is a major upgrade.
Amuro Ray, early in his time with the White Base crew, is sent to eliminate a Zeon holdout on an island—but discovers that the target, Cucuruz Doan, is protecting war orphans and wants nothing to do with the war. What follows is a reflective story about guilt, humanity, and the cost of following orders.
It’s beautifully animated and makes a great companion piece for fans of the original series, adding more dimension to Amuro's growth and the messy human side of war.
9. Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX (2024)
12 episodes
Set in an alternate UC timeline
GQuuuuuuX reimagines the original One Year War with a critical change: Char Aznable steals the Gundam early in the conflict, which leads to Zeon winning the war. This alternate history shakes the entire foundation of the UC timeline, exploring what a Zeon-dominated future would look like.
Years after the war, mobile suit clan battles have become the norm, and the story follows Amate Yuzuriha, a young girl who ends up piloting the titular Gundam GQuuuuuuX. This show blends traditional UC storytelling with a more modern approach and serves as both a love letter and a subversion of the original. It also stands out as one of the rare Gundam series with a female protagonist.
Where Should You Start?
If you want the full UC experience:
- Mobile Suit Gundam (1979) – or the movie trilogy
- Zeta Gundam (1985)
- ZZ Gundam (1986)
- Char’s Counterattack (1988)
- Then continue to Unicorn, Hathaway, and beyond
Why Universal Century Still Matters
The various protagonists of Universal Century Gundam series.
The Universal Century isn’t just where Gundam began—it’s where the franchise found its voice. Every mecha anime that came after owes something to this timeline. From Amuro’s awkward first steps as a pilot to Char’s last gamble for humanity, the UC saga offers a rich, evolving story that’s as relevant now as it was in 1979.
So grab your snacks, your favorite gunpla, and dive in. The Universal Century awaits—and it’s worth every second.
What do you think?
What is your first Gundam?
Who is your favorite Gundam pilot?
How did One Year War end?
Let us know in the comments or drop us a line on social media: X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook! We’d love to hear from you!
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