So You Wanna Watch Gundam? Try the Alternate Universes

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Maybe you’ve heard of Gundam, but words like “Universal Century” or “Newtype” make your eyes glaze over. Or maybe you just want to dive into the mecha action without needing to study a timeline longer than your average college syllabus. Good news: Gundam’s got you covered.

Not every Gundam anime takes place in the same universe. In fact, a lot of them exist in their own self-contained timelines—these are the Alternate Universes. They’re standalone stories, meaning you can usually jump into them with zero prior knowledge and still have a good time. Some are grounded and political, some are wild and over-the-top, and a few don’t even take themselves that seriously.

Here’s a breakdown of the major Alternate Universe series, what they’re about, and what kind of ride you’re in for.

1. Mobile Fighter G Gundam (1994)

49 episodes

Let’s start with the wildest one.

G Gundam is basically Gundam meets Street Fighter. It ditches the usual military drama and goes all-in on martial arts. Every country in the world sends a representative in a giant Gundam to participate in a tournament called the Gundam Fight. The winning nation gets to rule the world for the next four years. Subtle? Absolutely not. Fun? Oh, definitely.

You’ve got domed space colonies, national stereotype Gundams (hello, Tequila Gundam), and a protagonist who literally yells “SHINING FINGEEEER!” while attacking. It’s loud, cheesy, emotional, and full of heart. And under all that camp is a solid story about redemption and brotherhood.

Start here if you’re not afraid of a little anime madness.

A new visual of Gundam Wing for its 30th anniversary.

2. Mobile Suit Gundam Wing (1995)

49 episodes + Endless Waltz (Movie/OVA)

This was a lot of people’s first Gundam thanks to Toonami in the early 2000s. It’s also one of the most iconic.

Gundam Wing is set in the After Colony timeline and revolves around five teenage pilots sent from space colonies to Earth in highly advanced mobile suits. Their mission? To fight against an oppressive Earth government and spark rebellion. Things get messy (and melodramatic) fast.

Expect secret identities, philosophical speeches, complex betrayals, and more explosions than you can count. The characters are stylish and broody, especially the protagonist Heero Yuy, who once told a girl he’d “kill her” with the straightest face imaginable.

The follow-up OVA/movie, Endless Waltz (1997), acts as a sequel and gives the main characters sleek new Gundam designs while adding emotional closure to their story arcs.

3. After War Gundam X (1996)

39 episodes

This one’s often forgotten, but it deserves more love.

Set in a post-apocalyptic future where a massive war between Earth and the colonies has already wiped out most of civilization, Gundam X follows scavengers, survivors, and war orphans trying to make sense of what’s left. It’s darker and more reflective than many other AUs, with characters that feel grounded and weary.

The show had its episode count slashed due to low ratings, so it ends faster than planned—but despite the rushed finale, Gundam X tells a surprisingly emotional story about healing and rebuilding.

It’s a bit of a hidden gem. If you like quieter moments mixed with solid mecha action, this might be for you.

4. Turn A Gundam (1999)

50 episodes

This one is weird. And wonderful.

Directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino himself (the creator of Gundam), Turn A Gundam is set in the far future of the Correct Century—a sort of unifying point for all timelines. It blends steampunk, early 20th-century aesthetics, and sci-fi mecha in a way no other Gundam series does.

The main character, Loran, is a soft-spoken boy caught between two cultures—one peaceful and Earth-bound, the other militaristic and Moon-based. The Turn A Gundam itself looks like no other Gundam before or since (thanks to Syd Mead, the designer behind Blade Runner).

It’s slow, thoughtful, sometimes surreal, and arguably the most “literary” Gundam has ever been. If you’re patient and like philosophical worldbuilding, this one’s worth the dive.

5. Mobile Suit Gundam SEED (2002) and SEED Destiny (2004)

SEED (50 episodes), Destiny (50 episodes), Stargazer (3 episodes), Freedom (Movie)

Gundam SEED is the reboot of the original 1979 Gundam for a new generation. It updates the classic Earth vs. Space war dynamic with sharper animation, angsty teens, and some seriously catchy music. It takes place in the Cosmic Era and focuses on the conflict between genetically enhanced humans called Coordinators and regular humans called Naturals.

The main character, Kira Yamato, is dragged into war and ends up piloting the Strike Gundam. His best friend Athrun? On the other side. The emotional stakes are high, and there’s plenty of betrayal, loss, and personal growth along the way.

Its sequel, SEED Destiny, picks up two years later with a new protagonist, Shinn Asuka, and dives even deeper into war politics. Destiny’s a bit messier and more divisive, but if you’re in for the long haul, it’s worth watching through.

There’s also SEED C.E. 73: Stargazer, a short ONA series that explores a more grounded, tragic side of the war through the eyes of civilian researchers and test pilots.

And don’t forget SEED Freedom (2024), the recent movie that acts as a long-awaited continuation of the saga.

6. Mobile Suit Gundam 00 (2007)

50 episodes + Movie

If you ever wondered what a more modern, real-world-inspired Gundam would look like, Gundam 00 is your answer.

Set in the Anno Domini timeline—our actual calendar—it takes place in a world where fossil fuels are gone, space elevators power the planet, and war is constant. A mysterious private organization called Celestial Being shows up with four powerful Gundams and says, “We’re going to end all war by force.”

Yep. It’s as intense as it sounds.

This series leans hard into political intrigue, global conflict, and morally gray decisions. The characters all have baggage, and the show isn’t afraid to ask big questions about interventionism and peace through violence. The sequel movie, A Wakening of the Trailblazer (2010), takes a left turn into full-blown sci-fi territory with aliens and transcendence.

7. Mobile Suit Gundam AGE (2011)

49 episodes

Gundam AGE is unique in that it spans three generations of pilots in the same family. You start with Flit, a young genius who develops the AGE system and becomes a pilot during a long war. Then you jump to his son Asemu, and finally to his grandson Kio.

Each arc shows how the war changes people across decades—how grudges form, how trauma gets passed down, and how peace can feel more distant with every new battle. It’s kind of like watching Gundam meets Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War.

The art style leans a bit more toward a younger audience, but don’t let that fool you. This series gets heavy, especially in the final arc.

8. Gundam Build Series (2013–present)

Okay, these aren’t traditional war stories. Instead, they’re love letters to the Gundam fandom.

The Build shows take place in a world where people build and battle custom Gunpla (Gundam plastic models) in virtual arenas. Think Yu-Gi-Oh, but with model kits. It’s fun, colorful, self-aware, and packed with fanservice for longtime fans—expect cameos from old suits, wild mashups, and over-the-top fight choreography.

You’ve got:

• Gundam Build Fighters (2013)
• Gundam Build Fighters Try (2014)
• Gundam Build Divers (2018)
• Gundam Build Divers Re:Rise (2019)
• Gundam Build Metaverse (2023)

If you like customization, high-speed battles, and a more lighthearted take on Gundam, this series is for you.

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

50 episodes

Possibly the most grounded Gundam series in years.

Set in the Post Disaster timeline, IBO follows a group of child soldiers who break free from their abusive adult handlers and form a mercenary company called Tekkadan. Their goal is simple: survive, find purpose, and make a name for themselves in a brutal world.

This show doesn’t pull punches. Characters die. Betrayals happen. Ideals get tested. The mech designs—especially the Barbatos—are raw and visceral, and the tone is closer to Game of Thrones than your average mecha anime.

It’s emotional, devastating, and unforgettable. One of the strongest AU entries by far.

10. Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury (2022)

24 episodes

The most recent AU entry (as of now), Witch from Mercury flips the usual Gundam formula.

It stars Suletta Mercury, a shy girl entering a corporate-run mobile suit academy, where companies fight for dominance using student-piloted Gundams. Oh, and the first episode ends with a marriage proposal—kind of.

It’s part Utena, part Iron-Blooded Orphans, and part something totally new. Beneath the school setting lies a twisted web of corruption, ambition, and revenge. The mech designs are sleek, the animation top-tier, and the emotional stakes surprisingly intense.

And it’s the first Gundam TV series with a female protagonist. Long overdue.

Alternate Universe: A Gundam Show For Everyone

Alternate Universe Gundam shows are perfect for newcomers. You don’t need to study up or know who Char Aznable is (yet). You can just pick a series that sounds like your vibe—whether that’s political intrigue, martial arts madness, or emotional generational drama—and go.

And once you’ve dipped your toe in, who knows? You might just find yourself curious enough to check out the Universal Century next.

Either way, there’s no wrong place to start. It’s Gundam. It’s all part of the ride.

What do you think?

Which AU Gundam series is your favorite?

Which AU Gundam character is your favorite and why?

Why did it take decades before Gundam had a female pilot as its protagonist?

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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