Gundamstands as one of anime’s most influential and expansive franchises. With decades of history and multiple distinct timelines, it won’t be wrong to say that the Gundam universe has set the cornerstone of the mecha genre! And what’s the best “order” to watch the core Gundam storylines?
Well, from the original Mobile Suit Gundam series to the countless spin-offs and alternate timelines, numerous entry points and viewing orders exist to consider. Here, we'll outline a few of the best to ensure you experience the full breadth and depth of this beloved mecha saga.
What Are The Different Gundam Timelines?
Before deciding how to watch Gundam, it’s important to understand that the franchise is divided into different timelines, and each offers unique worlds and characters. Some are connected, while others are standalone series with no relation to the core timeline.
Among them, theUniversal Century (UC)timeline is the core of the franchise, focusing on the conflict between Earth and space colonies. It includes iconic series like Mobile Suit Gundam, Zeta Gundam, and Char’s Counterattack.
Alternate timelines includeFuture Century (G Gundam),After Colony (Gundam Wing),Cosmic Era (Gundam SEED), andAnno Domini (Gundam 00). Besides, other standalone timelines, such as After War, Correct Century, and Post Disaster, offer additionalGundam serieswith distinct flavors.
How to Watch Gundam?
When it comes to watching Gundam, there are two main approaches: release order and chronological order.
Watching by Release Order
If you want to experience Gundam the way fans did as it aired, watching by release order is a great approach. This gives you insight into how the franchise evolved over time, from its storytelling to its animation style. Plus, it allows you to experience major plot twists and character developments as they were originally presented.
Watching by release order allows you to experience the shifts in animation, music, and narrative style that have made Gundam a constantly evolving franchise.
Watching by Chronological Order
If you prefer to follow a single, cohesive narrative, watching the UC series in chronological order is ideal. This method keeps you focused on one timeline, making it easier to track the evolution of characters and events. Here is the recommendedUniversal Century chronological order:
Watching in UC chronological order keeps the narrative streamlined and avoids jumping between different universes, making it easier to follow character development and political events.
How To Watch Gundam In Alternate Timeline
As mentioned earlier, there are more Gundam timelines apart from the main Universal Century timeline. And it goes without saying that they hold a significant importance in this anime. If you wanna add them to your watchlist, then do so in the following order:
Advanced Generation
Where To Watch Gundam
With the core Gundam storylines and supplementary entries now mapped out, the final step is actually tracking down where to watch them. Fortunately, the franchise has seen a major resurgence in availability in recent years.
Many of the classic Gundam series can now be streamed on platforms likeCrunchyroll,Hulu, andNetflix. For the ultimate Gundam viewing experience, physical media box sets are also available that compile multiple series together. They provide the best video and audio quality, along with bonus features.
