Gundam: Best Anime Series To Start With

Anyone who’s a fan of mecha anime would have heard of Gundam, and anyone who’s never watched a Gundam series could certainly feel overwhelmed with the number of series they could watch and especially when they realize some of them take place in various timelines - including the upcoming Gundam: The Witch From Mercury. To those looking for the “definitive” Gundam experience, choosing the best Gundam series to start with can be quite difficult.

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Thankfully, fans new to Gundam can actually look at a few landmark series that can become their perfect gateway to the show and its many tropes. Not only that, but certain entries in the franchise can introduce them to various activities within the franchise, such as collecting Gunpla toys or even exploring its more popular sub-franchises.

Updated on November 26, 2024 by Rhenn Taguiam: With a new global Gundam Card Game TCG set for a December 2024 “Edition Beta” ahead of its 2025 release, fans of the hit mecha franchise might be wondering how the vast expanse of Gundam series can fit in the context of gameplay involving Unit Cards, Pilot Cards, Base Cards, and even Command Cards. And with mechanics such as Linked Units, standard 1v1 play, and even innovative 2v2 Team Battle and 3+ Battle Royale setups, it seems Gundam Card Game is out to give players a wild ride. However, for fans who want to get to know more about Gundam before purchasing their decks upon the game’s release, they might want to watch some Gundam titles first - some of which include the precursor to the Build sub-series and a short series with dream match-ups.

29 Gundam Breaker: Battlogue

Perfect For Action Fans

While the original Build Fighters series had in itself its own version of a Battlogue that comprised of dream matchups, viewers would only appreciate this iteration of the Battlogue concept to the fullest if they view its main series. This isn’t necessarily the case with Gundam Breaker: Battlogue, as it’s advertised as more of a teaser to the now-cancelled Gundam Breaker Mobile game as well as the console Gundam Breaker 3.

As more of a low-stakes series, Gundam Breaker: Battlogue has a straightforward premise, where a mysterious force has begun hijacking Gundams of Gundam Battlers so close to the festivities of the Gunpla Battle Fest. Hijinks ensue, eventually culminating in various action-packed Gunpla fights that would likely take viewers back (or take viewers for the first time) to the good ol’ days of Gundam Build Fighters focusing on the spectacle and not trying to be so deep in its plot.

Why Watch This First?

While technically tie-ins to the Gundam Breaker Mobile game and Gundam Breaker 3, there’s no need to necessarily play the games to get into Gundam Breaker: Battlogue. The series is a short-enough ride for newcomers interested in high-octane mecha action to enjoy, especially as a starting point before watching the more nuanced stories common in Gundam titles. There’s always a chance of viewers loving a particular Gundam introduced in Gundam Breaker: Battlogue, and the idea that they can purchase a recent Gundam Breaker title (in this case, Gundam Breaker 4) to create them can be quite the exciting notion for newcomers.

28 Model Suit Gunpla Builders Beginning G

A More Grounded Prototype For Build Fighters

Fans who want to approach Gundam from the perspective of Gunpla will likely have already heard of the Gundam Build series. However, fans who want to take a deep dive into a more grounded version of the series might want to check out Model Suit Gunpla Builders Beginning G, a three-episode OVA series depicting the adventures of Gunpla newcomer Haru Irei and his first foray into Gunpla Building and Gunpla Battling.

If the premise of Beginning G sounds surprisingly similar to that of Build Fighters, it’s because the former is actually the latter’s spiritual predecessor. Haru, who manages to secure the unique GPB-X80 Beginning Gundam, is thrust into the world of Gunpla Battle as he tries to pursue the title of Gunpla Master. He meets various allies and rivals along the way, all of which serving as both an introduction and reminder to the exciting elements that made Gundam such a hit franchise to fans.

Why Watch This First?

It’s very likely that newcomers to Gundam would have already seen Gunpla models, and may even have their favorite mecha from the franchise despite not being able to watch the series where they have come from. It’s this level of knowledge of the franchise that Beginning G wants to latch on, as it wants to introduce newcomers to Gundam from the perspective of the thrills of making one’s own Gunpla and even the prospect of customizing it to become a personal creation. The idea of hardcore Gunpla customization is not as popular at the time of Beginning G’s release, and an anime that is tackling the popularity of the franchise’s toys hasn ever been created - making Beginning G an interesting experiment into the notion.

27 SD Gundam World Heroes

It's Gundam Meets Mythological Figures

While Neo World has heroes to protect its citizens, a sudden meteor strike and the emergence of an amnesiac traveler named Wukong Impulse Gundam sends the world of SD Gundam World Heroes into peril. When the heroic Zhuge Liang Freedom Gundam and Liu Bei Unicorn Gundam learn of disasters about to plague various worlds, they begin to wonder how Wukong Impulse Gundam will begin to affect the destinies of the surrounding realms. Due to the nature of SD Gundam World Heroes as an anime revolving around the SD (Super Deformed) line, it's easy to assume the anime is made for kids.

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And while the latter is mostly true, it's interesting to see a take on the Gundam concept that is less about being "lighthearted" and more about dwelling on the fantastical. The Chinese mythology inspiration of the lead characters denote inspiration from Journey to the West, but exploring the other worlds will also see SD Gundam World Heroes adapt works such as Romance of the Three Kingdoms, historical periods like the Warring States of Japan, and even modern films such as RoboCop.

Why Watch This First?

The premise of the show where a group of heroes travels to other worlds to meet other heroes based on mythological figures is reminiscent of the Fate franchise, and the familiarity of these legendary characters from both fiction and history can make SD Gundam World Heroes a decent Gundam anime for newcomers. Its lighthearted story and heroic premise can become a jumping-off point to the more serious stories of the OG series, giving new Gundam viewers the opportunity to get immediate familiarty on the franchise's flexibility before diving deep into its hard-hitting narratives.

26 Superior Defender Gundam Force

A Divisive Gundam Series Worth Watching At Least Once

Set in the city of Neotopia, Superior Defender Gundam Force depicts how the peaceful coexistence between humans and robots is suddenly threatened by the presence of the Dark Axis. After the creation of the Super Dimensional Guard, youngster Shute accidentally becomes involved in the conflict when he makes contact with the SDG's Gundam Force leader, Captain Gundam. It's discovered that Captain Gundam's Soul Drive can defeat Dark Axis's powers - but only when he's on good terms with Shute. Hijinks ensue, as friendship quite literally saves the day in every episode.

Soon, Captain Gundam is joined by other heroes such as Zero and Bakunetsumaru from other dimensions. As the Gundam Force continues to defeat the Dark Axis presence in Neotopia, their sights go towards saving other realms as Dark Axis begins conquering them as well. The child-oriented and straightforward nature of Superior Defender Gundam Force doesn't make it as "deep" as other traditional Gundam shows, leaving expectant viewers of an intense story with mixed feelings.

Why Watch This First?

It's precisely due to the divisive reception towards Superior Defender Gundam Force that makes it worth the watch at least once, especially from the perspective of a Gundam newcomer. The basic premise of "good guys versus bad guys" is a far-cry from traditional Gundam series, making it a fair point of criticism from franchise fans. However, it's perhaps precisely due to positive reviews from the perspective of nostalgia and childlike humor and negativity from the POV of Gundam aficionados that make it an interesting entry to watch. To say the least, fans who want a more lighthearted first series to check out in the Gundam franchise wouldn't necessarily go wrong with Superior Defender Gundam Force, especially if this would help them appreciate the depth of more critically-acclaimed series afterwards.

25 SD Gundam Sangokuden Brave Battle Warriors

A Surprisingly Decent Adaptation Of Romance Of The Three Kingdoms

When the traditional image of a Gundam is that of the futuristic RX-78, SD Gundam Sangokuden Brave Battle Warriors surprises fans with a regal aesthetic that fits its mythological setting. Unlike other Gundam series, Brave Battle Warriors adapts the Romance of the Three Kingdoms with a mecha perspective - quite an unprecedented take for both Gundam and the SD line at large. Set at a time when the land of Mirisha is thrust into chaos, the souls of three gods or Sovereigns are transported into heroic Gundams.

Fans both aware and unaware of the source material can watch Brave Battle Warriors and get a decent story. As a retelling, Brave Battle Warriors modified many aspects of the core Romance tale, but the core trio of Liu Bei as well as Guan Yu and Zhang Fei serve as decent Gundam-ized adaptations of their story counterparts.

Why Watch This First?

Despite the anime not containing the same complexities as a traditional Gundam series, its attempt at depth manages to maximize its short episode run with intense action scenes or enough moments to develop the plot. Runtimes of around 10 episodes hurt the series' pacing, making both story and character development seem lacking from a bigger-picture perspective. However, among the SD Gundam stories, Brave Battle Warriors has perhaps the most decent approach in terms of providing a cohesive viewable material for newcomers.

24 Gundam Reconguista in G

An Introduction To The Gundam Creator’s Style

Set in the Regild Century, Gundam Reconguista in G follows the story of trainee pilot Bellri Zenam in the Capital Guard as he and his team are tasked to protect the orbital elevator named the Capital Tower. When Bellri captures and manages to operate the G-Self Gundam, he’s thrust into a war that can very well determine the fate of the world.

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As such, this seemingly-standalone premise surprises fans with the reveal that the Regild Century actually takes place in the far future of the Universal Century of the original Gundam series. Not only that, but it’s the most recent work of Yoshiyuki Tomino, the creator of the entire franchise. While Reconguista in G is often criticized for its rather inconsistent storytelling and overall faster-paced plot, fans do praise the series for its vibrant visuals and likable cast. It’s far from the very first series a new viewer should start watching, but among the safest to check out if they want to immerse in Gundam’s spectacle before the much heavier plots of other series.

Why Watch This First?

Some would suggest watching the entirety of the Universal Century timeline before watching Gundam Reconguista in G as it takes place further down the line, but there’s not much in the latter that references the former that new viewers should take note of. Fans would say the vagueness in concepts, character motives, and overall story is characteristic of the slow burn approach of Tomino in his works - things that aren’t present in other Gundam shows and precisely the elements that might turn off fans from Reconguista in G to begin with. However, skipping Reconguista in G or coming to it with the bias from other series even in later Gundam marathons may have viewers lose out on the doe-like innocence of what might be some of the best visuals to ever grace a Gundam series.

23 Gundam Build Divers

Gundam Follows The VR Trend

Building upon the popularity of Gunpla-focused shows such as Gundam Build Fighters is Gundam Build Divers, an anime taking place in a world where a game called Gunpla Battle Nexus Online (GBN) lets users engage in virtual reality missions through their Gundam figures. While protagonists Riku Mikami and Yukio Hidaka drag their friend Momoka Yashiro into playing the game with them, their meeting with a mysterious girl named Sarah will change their lives forever.

Although criticized for its rather so-so storytelling, Build Divers just does enough to become a serviceable Gundam series that meets a fine line between providing fanservice to fans and offering a more light-hearted take to the series for newcomers. Riku and his friends can be compared to traditional anime protagonists, which in itself is a breath of fresh air compared to the heavier and more complex casting of other Gundam series.

Why Watch This First?

Being a standalone series, newcomers to Gundam don’t necessarily need to be familiar with the terminology, the basis of the Gunpla the characters use, and even the series tropes in order to appreciate Build Divers. Its separation from the Build Fighters saga makes it an even more worthwhile watch for first-timers, as there’s no need to get invested anywhere else in order to get started with this series. Seeing Gundam take a more “traditional” shonen route in Build Divers can make it a decent entryway into the core franchise, especially when there are very few other Gundam series that are able to have a lighter tone.

22 Mobile Suit Gundam F91

A Semi-Standalone Story After The Universal Century

Set in Year 123 of the Universal Century, Mobile Suit Gundam F91 takes place in an era where the Earth Federation has once again tried expanding its reach across the Solar System with its new space colonies. Unfortunately for them, attacks of the rebel group Crossbone Vanguard have begun threatening this new era of peace. When the conflict reaches the Earth Federation-allied home colony of Seabook Arno, his attempts to escape lead him to cross paths with a dormant Gundam F91 - a Gundam he discovers that his mother, whom he resented for leaving her family to pursue research, helped create.

While Seabook unwittingly fights for the survival of the crew who helped him, his friend Cecily Fairchild is abducted by the Crossbone Vanguard. Events reveal Cecily’s true identity as Berah Ronah, a part of the Ronah family whose leadership of the Cosmo Babylonia family aim to reestablish a new aristocratic regime across the star system. Cecily is also drafted among the ranks of Crossbone Vanguard, albeit against her will. Both friends will cross paths in combat throughout the film, with Seabook and Gundam F91 eventually dictating the tide of battle.

Why Watch This First?

Despite its connection with some of the last conflicts of the Universal Century - namely, Char’s Counterattack - the 30-year gap between the two events leave Gundam F91 in a position to be a unique-enough film for newcomers to the franchise. While the letdown of this film was the fact that it was what remained of a scrapped full-length Gundam series, the movie works as a decent standalone tale that also teases a story that unfortunately never materializes.

21 Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket

An Outsider’s Look Into The Series’ Most Iconic War

Unlike other Gundam stories telling the tale of an unknowing hero’s journey to save the world, Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket explores the perspective of outsiders uninvolved in the tumultuous One-Year War. Told from the perspective of 10-year-old Alfred Izuruha, War in the Pocket is a short tale of Alfred’s fascination about action-packed stories of Mobile Armors in the conflict between the Earth Federation and the Principality of Zeon.

Being raised in the neutral colony of Side 6, Alfred is fortunate enough to only hear of the war from stories spread by his classmates and peers. Unbeknownst to Alfred, his neighbor Christina is actually a test pilot of a prototype Gundam being developed by the Earth Federation. When a Zeon Special Forces Team attempts to capture the prototype Gundam, a Zeon rookie named Bernard Wiseman accidentally befriends Alfred after the crossfire. While Alfred is interested in the war stories Bernard is there to tell, the pilot needs to befriend the little boy for his team’s mission.

Why Watch This First?

First-time Gundam viewers will likely have heard of the One-Year War in Mobile Suit Gundam during their research about the series, and the OG anime might be too much of a first rodeo due to its focus on realism. This is what makes War in the Pocket the perfect first watch, as Alfred is the perfect analog for any viewer who hasn’t had the full picture of the One-Year War’s events. Alfred’s naivete makes him the perfect shoes to fill for audiences to slowly understand the horrors of war grasped in the series. And by the time viewers start noticing the tiny changes in their background, they are likely already invested in the lives of Alfred and his friends to know what a tragedy the One-Year War must have been for those in the frontlines.

20 Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory

A Spinoff Pre-Sequel That Shows How Gundam Stories Work Around Canon

Taking place just years after the historic One Year War between the Earth Federation and the Principality of Zeon, Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory is both a spinoff and a sequel-esque take on the original Mobile Suit Gundam. Its main plot revolves around the theft of a prototype Gundam by Anavel Gato under the orders of Zeon Remnants, and the efforts of Earth Federation rookie Kou Uraki and the crew of the new Albion carrier to stop the "rise" of a new Zeon.

The events of the OVA set up the official Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam sequel series within its self-contained storyline, interspersed with high-stakes mecha fights that are just a delight to watch. Its nostalgic animation and soundtrack can become a treat to newer viewers who want to watch more "classic" anime, while tropes used in the story are quite the standard in terms of overall Gundam stories. While not groundbreaking from the perspective of older fans, Stardust Memory does its job for introducing a Gundam story within a built canon while having its own story.

Why Watch This First?

Stardust Memory is a standard Gundam anime without all the moral complexities and philosophical depth that can make other entries a heavy watch for some viewers. Mecha action remains on point with every encounter, and subplots between characters can be entertaining enough as breaks across fights. Granted, character development and overall narrative can be lacking when compared to other recent Gundam series due to exaggerated tropes, but they may serve as effective anchors to surprise newcomers to the eventual narrative depth of other series.