Complete Gundam Watch Order Guide – Easily Rewatch Gundam Anime

Gundam is so vast with so many alternate timelines tied to it that it will seem messier than your tangled bedhead. Nonetheless, if you’re willing to invest your time in Gundam, you will not be disappointed.

There are several orders in which Mobile Suit Gundam can be watched. You can watch it according to its release order, chronological order, or our recommended one.

In this article, you will find every kind of order that you might need and detailed explanations on the timelines.

1. How to start watching Gundam in order?

Mobile Suit Gundam has received 23 anime seasons and 30+ movies. Of course, there are also many OVAs, ONAs, and specials. But there has to be a starting point, right? Our recommended watch order will help you begin Gundam by lining up the most important anime of the franchise.

  • Mobile Suit Gundam (1979) (43 episodes)
  • Mobile Suit Gundam The Origin (OVA: 2015) (6 episodes)
  • The 08th MS Team (OVA 1996-1999) (12 episodes)
  • MS IGLOO (OVA 2004-2008) (3 episodes)
  • War in the Pocket (OVA: 1989) (6 episodes)
  • Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt (ONA: 2015-2017) (8 episodes)
  • Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory (OVA 1991-1992) (13 episodes)
  • Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam (TV Series 1985-1986) (50 episodes)
  • Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ (TV Series 1986-1987) (47 episodes)
  • Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack (Movie 1988)
  • Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn (OVA 2010) (7 episodes)
  • Mobile Suit Gundam: Twilight Axis (ONA 2017) (6 episodes)
  • Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative (Movie 2018)
  • Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway (Movie 2020)
  • Mobile Suit Gundam F91 (Movie 1991)

2. Chronological Order of Gundam Timelines

Not only is Mobile Suit Gundam vast in its installations, but all the series, movies, and OVAs belong to one timeline or the other. The timelines are not always interconnected. While some anime take place in a linear timeline, others exist in a parallel universe stemming from different outcomes.

The best way to navigate Gundam timelines is to complete watching the anime related to one before moving on to another timeline. Start with Universal Century and then move on to the others.

Note: The following orders only consist of the major TV series or their alternate compilation films. Most extras and OVAs have been eliminated to condense the important plot points.

I. Universal Century/ UC

UC is the original timeline of Gundam. It has the largest number of works so far. This is the most recommended path to start watching Gundam if you want to follow a specific timeline. The following is the chronological order of UC Gundam:

  • UC0068 – UC0079: Mobile Suit Gundam The Origin (OVA) /  Advent of the Red Comet (Compilation TV Series)
  • UC0079: Mobile Suit Gundam (TV Series) /  The Movie, Soldiers of Sorrow, Encounters in Space (3 Compilation Movies)
    • MS IGLOO (OVA)
    • The 08th MS Team (OVA)
    • War in the Pocket (OVA)
    • Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt (ONA)
  • UC0083: Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory (OVA)
  • UC0087: Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam (TV Series)/  Heir to the Stars, Lovers, Love Is the Pulse of the Stars (Compilation Movies)
  • UC0088: Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ (TV Series)
  • UC0093: Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack (Movie)
  • UC 0096:  Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn (OVA) / RE:0096 (Compilation TV Series)
    • UC 0096: Mobile Suit Gundam: Twilight Axis (ONA) / Red Trace (Compilation Movie)
  • UC0097: Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative (Movie)
  • UC0105: Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway (Movie)
  • UC0123: Mobile Suit Gundam F91 (Movie)
  • UC0153: Mobile Suit Victory Gundam (TV Series)
  • [Optional]UC0223: G-Saviour (Live Action Movie)

II. After Colony(AC)/Mars Century (MC)

AC showcases the freedom struggle of space colonies from organizations like the United Earth Sphere Alliance and Organization of the Zodiac. The viewers sympathize with the space colonies which make their own mobile suits for the battles. MC takes place after AC on Mars and has several flashbacks of history from AC.

  • AC 195: New Mobile Report Gundam Wing (TV Series) / Operation Meteor (Compilation OVA)
  • AC 196: New Mobile Report Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz (OVA)/ Special Edition (Compilation Movie);

III. Cosmic Era/CE

Mobile Suit SEED is the only series that comes under the Cosmic Era. However, this particular addition hasn’t received great reviews, so you can skip it if you want.

  • CE 71: Mobile Suit Gundam SEED (TV Series)
    • Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Astray
  • CE 73: Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny (TV Series)
    • Mobile Suit Gundam SEED C.E. 73: STARGAZER

IV. Our Century

This is the only group where the events are said to occur in the real world and time since the characters are often Gundam fans.

  • Gundam Build Fighters (TV Series)
  • Gundam Build Fighters Try (TV Series)

V. Other Timelines

Some Gundam series or movies follow a separate timeline and have no relation to the other anime. You can watch them in any order you like.

  • After War: It consists of the Gundam X series, which is set after an apocalyptic world war.
  • Future Century (FC): Consists of the Mobile Fighter G-Gundam TV Series
  • Anno Domini: It consists of two Gundam 00 seasons and one movie that takes place in the timeline.
  • Advanced Generation (AG): It is set centuries after mankind’s migration into space and the formation of space colonies. Gundam AGE is set in this era.
  • Correct Century (CC): It is the timeline used in ∀ Gundam, and consists of one anime series and two compilation movies.
  • Regild Century: Used for the setting of Reconguista in G, it is set 1000 years after UC and around 500 years after CC.
  • Post Disaster: It is a timeline set 300 years after the Calamity War. Two seasons of Mobile Suit Gundam IRON-BLOODED ORPHANS are set in it.
  • Ad Stella: In this timeline, various mega-corporations dominate the Earth and space. The Mobile Suit Gundam the Witch from Mercury series belongs to this era.

3. Gundam Release Order

As you must already know by now, Gundam is a huge franchise, and it has received uncountable specials, OVAs, and movies. The below order has been divided into anime series, movies, OVAs, and more to make your watching experience much less confusing.

TitleTypeAir Date
Mobile Suit GundamAnimeApril 7, 1979 – Jan 26, 1980
Mobile Suit Gundam IMovieMarch 14, 1981
Mobile Suit Gundam: Soldiers of SorrowMovieJuly 11, 1981
Mobile Suit Gundam: Encounters in SpaceMovieMarch 13, 1982
Mobile Suit Zeta GundamAnimeMarch 2, 1985 – Feb 22, 1986
Mobile Suit Gundam ZZAnimeMarch 1, 1986 – Jan 31, 1987
Mobile Suit SD Gundam Mk-ISpecialMarch 12 – May 25, 1988
Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s CounterattackMovieMar 12, 1988
Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the PocketOVAMarch 25- Aug 25, 1989
Mobile Suit SD Gundam Mk-IIOVAJun 25, 1989
Mobile Suit SD Gundam’s CounterattackOVAJuly 15, 1989
Mobile Suit SD Gundam Mk-IIIOVAMar 23, 1990
SD Gundam GaidenOVAApr 25, 1990- Apr 21, 1991
Mobile Suit SD Gundam Mk-IVOVASep 24, 1990
Mobile Suit SD Gundam Mk-VOVAOct 25, 1990
Musha, Knight, Commando: SD Gundam Emergency SortieMovieMar 16 – Aug 22, 1991
Mobile Suit Gundam F91MovieMar 16, 1991
Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust MemoryOVAMay 23, 1991 – Sep 24, 1992
Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: The Afterglow of ZeonMovieAug 29, 1992
Mobile Suit SD Gundam FestivalMovieMar 13, 1993
Mobile Suit Victory GundamAnimeApr 2, 1993 – Mar 25, 1994
Mobile Fighter G GundamAnimeApr 1, 1994 – Mar 31, 1995
Mobile Suit Gundam WingAnimeApr 7, 1995, Mar 29, 1996
Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS TeamOVAJan 25, 1996 – Jul 25, 1999
After War Gundam XAnimeApr 5 – Dec 28, 1996
Mobile Suit Gundam: Operation MeteorOVAApr 25 – Oct 25, 1996
Kidou Senshi Gundam: Uchuu Seiki YowaSpecialOct 25, 1996 – Jul 25, 1999
Gundam Wing: Endless WaltzOVAJan 25 – Jul 25, 1997
The Impression of First GundamSpecialAug 1, 1998
Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team compilation movieMovieAug 1, 1998
Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz compilation movieMovieAug 1, 1998
Turn A GundamAnimeApr 9, 1999 – Apr 14, 2000
Gundam EvolveOVAJan 17, 2001 – Jan 26, 2007
Gundam Neo Experience 0087: Green DiversMovieAug 10, 2001
Mobile Suit Gundam: Zeonic Front – Indignation of ZeonSpecialSep 6, 2001
Turn A Gundam I Movie: Earth LightMovieFeb 9, 2002
Turn A Gundam II Movie: Moonlight ButterflyMovieFeb 10, 2002
Mobile Suit Gundam SEEDAnimeOct 5, 2002 – Sep 27, 2003
SD Gundam ForceAnimeJan 7 – Dec 29, 2003
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED MSV AstrayOVAMar 1 – Jul 1, 2004
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED: After-Phase Between the StarsSpecialMar 26, 2004
Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO: The Hidden One Year WarOVAJul 19 – Nov 3, 2004
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Special EditionSpecialAug 27 – Oct 22, 2004
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED DestinyAnimeOct 9, 2004 – Oct 1, 2005
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam: A New Translation – Heir to the StarsMovieMay 28, 2005
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam: A New Translation II – LoversMovieOct 29, 2005
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny Final Plus: The Chosen FutureOVADec 25, 2005
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam: A New Translation III – Love Is the Pulse of the StarsMovieMar 4, 2006
Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO: Apocalypse 0079OVAApr 26 – Aug 25, 2006
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny Special EditionSpecialMay 2, 2006
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED C.E.73: StargazerONAJul 14 – Sep 29, 2006
Kidou Senshi Gundam SEED: SEED Supernova – Tanekyara GekijouSpecialJun 22, 2007
Mobile Suit Gundam 00AnimeOct 6, 2007 – Mar 29, 2008
Kidou Senshi Gundam 00: Tenshi-tachi no KisekiSpecialSep 25, 2008
Mobile Suit Gundam 00: Second SeasonAnimeOct 5, 2008 – Mar 29,2009
Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO 2: Gravity of the BattlefrontOVAOct 24, 2008 – Apr 24, 2009
Mobile Suit Gundam Battlefield Record: Avant-TitleONASep 3, 2009
Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ: Gundam FragOVASep 25 – Nov 25, 2009
Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Special EditionOVAOct 27, 2009 – Feb 23, 2010
Chou Deneiban SD Gundam Sangokuden Brave Battle WarriorsMovieFeb 27, 2010
Mobile Suit Gundam UnicornOVAMar 12, 2010 – Jun 6, 2014
SD Gundam Sangokuden Brave Battle WarriorsAnimeApr 3, 2010 – Mar 19, 2011
Portrait of the RedSpecialAug 13, 2010
Mokei Senshi Gunpla Builders Beginning GSpecialAug 15 – Dec 19, 2010
Mobile Suit Gundam 00 The Movie: A Wakening of the TrailblazerMovieSep 18, 2010
Mobile Suit Gundam AGEAnimeOct 9, 2010 – Sep 23, 2012
Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team – A Battle with the Third DimensionSpecialFeb 22, 2013
Mobile Suit Gundam AGE: Memory of EdenOVA Jul 26, 2013
Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn: One of Seventy-TwoSpecialAug 3, 2013
Gundam Build FightersAnimeOct 7, 2013 – Mar 31, 2014
Shin Kidou Senki Gundam Wing: Frozen Teardrop Picture Drama – Aratanaru TatakaiSpecialJan 29, 2014
Gundam Build Fighters SpecialsSpecialMar 26 – Jun 20, 2014
Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn: Episode EX – 100 Years of SolitudeSpecialMay 17, 2014
Mobile Suit Gundam-sanAnimeJul 16 – Sep 28, 2014,
Mobile Suit Gundam-sanONASep 17 – Dec 24, 2014
Gundam Reconguista in GAnimeOct 3, 2014 – Mar 27, 2015
Gundam Build Fighters TryAnimeOct 8, 2014 – Apr 1, 2015
Mobile Suit Gundam-san: Manner Movies CMMovieFeb 7 – Oct 10, 2015
Mobile Suit Gundam: The OriginOVAFeb 28 – May 5, 2018
Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded OrphansAnimeOct 4, 2015 – Mar 27, 2016
Mobile Suit Gundam ThunderboltONADec 25, 2015 – Apr 22, 2016
Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn RE:0096AnimeApr 3 – Sep 11, 2016
Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt: December SkyMovieJun 25, 2016
Gundam Build Fighters Try: Island WarsSpecialAug 21, 2016
Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans 2nd SeasonAnimeOct 2, 2016 – Apr 2, 2017
Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt 2nd SeasonONAMar 24 – Jul 14, 2017
Mobile Suit Gundam: Twilight AxisONAJun 23 – Sep 1, 2017
Gundam Build Fighters: BattlogueONAAug 4 – Dec 8, 2017
Gundam Build Fighters: GM no GyakushuuONAAug 25, 2017
Mobile Suit Gundam: Twilight Axis – Red BlurMovieNov 18, 2017
Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt: Bandit FlowerMovieNov 18, 2017
Gundam Build Divers PrologueONAFeb 2, 2018
Gundam Build DiversAnimeApr 3 – Sep 25, 2018
Mobile Suit Gundam NarrativeMovieNov 30, 2018
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin – Advent of the Red CometAnimeApr 29 – Aug 12, 2019
SD Gundam World: Sangoku SoketsudenONAJul 26, 2019 – Mar 25, 2021
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Light of Life Chronicle U.C.SpecialSep 26, 2019
GUNDAM BUILD DIVERS Re: RISE  ONAOct 10 – Dec 26, 2019  
Gundam Reconguista in G I: Go! Core Fighter  MovieNov 29, 2019
Mobile Suit Academy: The Return of ‘G-Reco Koushien’SpecialJan 17, 2020 – Mar 24, 2023
Gundam Reconguista in G II: Bellri’s Fierce ChargeMovie  Feb 21, 2020
GUNDAM BUILD DIVERS Re: RISEONAApr 9 – Aug 27, 2020
Gundam Build Divers: Battlogue Gundam Build Divers BattlogueONA  Nov 13, 2020
SD GUNDAM WORLD HEROESONAApr 8 – Sep 16, 2021
Mobile Suit Gundam: HathawayMovieJun 11, 2021
Gundam Reconguista in G III: Legacy from Space  MovieJul 22, 2021
Gundam Breaker: BattlogueONAOct 19 – Nov 23, 2021
Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Revealed Chronicle    ONAApr 4, 2022 – contd.
Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans Special EditionTVApr 5 – May 31, 2022
Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan’s Island  Movie  Jun 3, 2022
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury – Prologue   SpecialJul 14, 2022
Gundam Reconguista in G IV: Love That Cries Out in Battle  MovieJul 22, 2022
Gundam Reconguista in G V: Beyond the Peril of Death  MovieAug 5, 2022
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury  TVOct 2, 2022 – Jan 8, 2023
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury Season 2  TVApr 9 – Jul 2, 2023
Gundam Build Metaverse  ONAOct 6–20, 2023
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FreedomMovieJanuary 26, 2024

4. Where to watch Gundam with eng sub and dubs?

Not all Gundam installments can be found on streaming websites. However, Netflix, Chrunchyroll, and Funimation host some of the most popular Gundam anime, OVA, and movies.

TitleWhere to watch?
Mobile Suit Gundam (1979)Funimation, VRV, Crunchyroll
Mobile Suit Gundam The Origin (OVA: 2015)Hulu
The 08th MS Team (OVA 1996-1999)Hulu
MS IGLOO (OVA 2004-2008)
War in the Pocket (OVA: 1989)
Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt (ONA: 2015-2017)
Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory (OVA 1991-1992)
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam (TV Series 1985-1986)Funimation
Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ (TV Series 1986-1987)Crunchyroll
Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack (Movie 1988)Netflix
Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn (OVA 2010)Funimation, Hulu
Mobile Suit Gundam: Twilight Axis (ONA 2017)
Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative (Movie 2018)Funimation
Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway (Movie 2020)
Mobile Suit Gundam F91 (Movie 1991)  

4.1. Where to watch Gundam in your country?

ListCanadaUKJapanAustralia
Mobile Suit GundamCrunchyrollFunimation, CrunchyrollNetflix, Hulu, Prime VideoFunimation, Crunchyroll
Mobile Suit Gundam: The OriginCrunchyrollCrunchyrollU-StopCrunchyroll
The 08th MS Team
MS IGLOO
War in the Pocket
Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt
Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory
Mobile Suit Zeta GundamCrunchyrollCrunchyroll, FunimationPrime VideoCrunchyroll
Mobile Suit Gundam ZZCrunchyrollCrunchyrollCrunchyroll
Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s CounterattackNetflixNetflixU-Stop, Prime VideoNetflix
Mobile Suit Gundam UnicornFunimationFunimation
Mobile Suit Gundam Twilight Axis
Mobile Suit Gundam NarrativeNetflix, U-Stop-–
Mobile Suit Gundam HathawayNetflixNetflixNetflix, Prime VideoNetflix
Mobile Suit Gundam F91

5. Can you download and watch Mobile Suit Gundam offline?

Several websites like Crunchyroll, Funimation, Netflix, and Hulu offer download options with their different packages, so yes, you can download and watch Gundam offline.

WebsiteSubscription PackagesOffline Viewing
CrunchyrollFan – $7.99/monthNo
Mega Fan – $9.99/monthYes
Ultimate Fan – $14.99/monthYes
FunimationPremium: $5.99 a month / $59.99 per yearNo
Premium Plus: $7.99 a month / $79.99 per yearYes
Premium Plus Ultra: $99.99 per yearYes
NetflixBasic with ads: $6.99/monthNo
Basic: $9.99/monthYes
Standard: $15.49/monthYes
Premium: $19.99/monthYes
HuluAd-Supported: $7.99/month (or $79.99/year)Yes
No Ads: $14.99/monthYes

6. What to do if Mobile Suit Gundam is unavailable in your region?

If the Gundam anime, movies, or specials aren’t available on any streaming website in your area, then you can use a VPN to bypass the geo-block. Some of the top VPN service providers in the game are ExpressVPN, Nord VPN, Proton VPN, Cyberghost, and Private Internet Access, to name a few.

All you have to do is connect to a country where your preferred anime is streaming, and voila, you can now watch Gundam even if it is unavailable in your region.

Express VPN | Source: Google Store

There are many unpaid VPN services at hand or free browser extensions. However, using low-tier VPN providers might decrease your speed and get you blocked by streaming services. Connection drops and unsecured encryption are also other disadvantages.

The important thing is that Gundam is present on Crunchyroll, Hulu, and Funimation’s catalogs, so set your VPN to a suitable location to access the anime from anywhere.

7. How much time will it take to complete the recommended Gundam watch order?

If you want to complete our recommended watch order of Gundam in one uninterrupted sitting, you will need 96 hours and 23 minutes or around 4 days. If you want to watch the anime in a more healthy manner, then it will take you more than a week. The list does not include any installment that isn’t recommended for beginners.

TitleDuration
Mobile Suit Gundam (1979)1,075 mins
Mobile Suit Gundam The Origin (OVA: 2015)426 mins
The 08th MS Team (OVA 1996-1999)300 mins
MS IGLOO (OVA 2004-2008)81 mins
War in the Pocket (OVA: 1989)162 mins
Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt (ONA: 2015-2017)144 mins
Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory (OVA 1991-1992)390 mins
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam (TV Series 1985-1986)1,200 mins
Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ (TV Series 1986-1987)1,128 mins
Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack (Movie 1988)1 hr 59 mins
Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn (OVA 2010)434 mins
Mobile Suit Gundam: Twilight Axis (ONA 2017)18 mins
Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative (Movie 2018)1 hr 30 mins
Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway (Movie 2020)1 hr 35 mins
Mobile Suit Gundam F91 (Movie 1991)  2 hrs

8. FAQ

1. Are all Gundam series connected?

No, you will be glad to know that very few Gundam series are actually connected to each other. Most series and movies have independent stories in different timelines, so you can pick and choose based on your preference.

2. Which is the best timeline in Gundam?

The Universal Century, or UC, is the most important timeline of Gundam as it is where the original anime starts. It also has the largest amount of series and movies associated with it. In fact, a lot of people like to start watching Gundam by following the UC timeline.

9. Conclusion

The Gundam franchise is a chaotic collection of monumentally influential tales that shaped modern anime. The series is set in what is known as the Universal Century calendar era and expands over decades in real-time.

Despite this huge number of installations, Gundam isn’t even nearly done. Its ever-expansive library will always keep you entertained no matter which year it is.

10. About Gundam

The Gundam series is a science fiction anime created by Yoshiyuki Tomino and Sunrise, featuring huge robots, known as “Gundam.”

The series changes its setting in each part, ranging from Earth to far-off planets. All the shows have their own story, and some of them take place in an alternative universe.

In every story, Gundam has unique purposes. Sometimes it’s a deadly war weapon, sometimes a beautiful art or sometimes even an outdated technology.

Aaheli Pradhan

A grandma by heart who loves to knit, sketch, and swing in parks. Binge-reads a massive amount of manga from psychological to shounen-ai. Either awkward or salty, there's no in-between.

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