The Best Gundam Anime

When we talk about mecha anime, the first thing that comes to mind is the Gundam franchise. After all, this legendary franchise has been around since 1979 and is still going strong now in 2025. Sure, there have been quite a few equally impressive mecha series throughout the years, but none have stood the test of time and still remain as relevant to pop culture as the Gundam franchise.

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The Gundam franchise has dozens of TV series, feature films, and Original Video Animation (OVA) that span across the Universal Century (UC) Timeline, the stand-alone timelines, and the Build Timeline. But just like every other massive franchise, some titles stand above the rest. So with that in mind, here are the best Gundam anime, ranked based on their MyAnimeList score.

7

Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam

A Sequel That is More Exciting Than the Original

• Japanese Title: Kidou Senshi Zeta Gundam
• Type: TV Series
• MyAnimeList Score: 7.89
• First Released: Mar 2, 1985

Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam takes place eight years after the end of the original Mobile Suit Gundam. The Principality of Zeon has been defeated, and the Earth Federation came out as the winner. However, the dawn of a new era also brings about a new threat to the newly achieved peace of the universe. This time around, the conflict happens between a corrupt Earth Federation’s task force called the Titans and a rebel group called the Anti-Earth Union Group (AEUG) that seeks to destroy the Titans.

Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam is seen as a much more mature version of the original Gundam series. This sentiment comes from the fact that this series featured some of the major characters from the original series, such as Amuro Ray and Char Aznable, as the older versions of themselves. The much smaller conflict between the two organizations also allows for much more complex military operations and more engaging mobile suit battles.

6

Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt

An Intense and Groovy Story at the Edge of the One-Year War

• Japanese Title: Kidou Senshi Gundam Thunderbolt: December Sky
• Type: Movie(s)
• MyAnimeList Score: 7.94
• First Released: Jun 25, 2016

Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt portrays the clash between elite, small-scale units from the Earth Federation and the Principality of Zeon. It does take place during the One-Year War, but unlike Amuro and Char, who duke it out at the busy frontline, these two opposing forces hold their battle at the outskirts of the universe.

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Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt has two things going for it. The first one is a story that depicts the horror of the war from both sides of the conflict equally. It successfully makes the viewers root for and empathize with both of the main characters, even though they are enemies who are ready to kill each other. The second thing is the glorious jazz soundtrack. The upbeat rhythm will increase your heartbeat during the intense mobile suit battles, while the heartbreaking melody will wrench your heart out during the dramatic moments.

5

Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team

The Most Realistic Guerrilla Warfare in the Gundam Franchise

• Japanese Title: Kidou Senshi Gundam: Dai 08 MS Shoutai
• Type: OVA
• MyAnimeList Score: 8.00
• First Released: Jan 25, 1996

Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team is a hidden gem that manages to bring something that is often missing in a Gundam story: realism. As the name suggests, this story is about the eponymous 08th MS Team, which is a specialized guerrilla unit that is stationed in the jungles of Southeast Asia.

In the real world, Military operations rarely go 100% according to plan. There are always setbacks and obstacles along the way. A vehicle may break down, the weather may be unsuitable for the operation, there may be some issue with the locals, the parts needed for repairs may not arrive on time, and so many other seemingly small yet crucial things that the soldiers on the field have to tackle in order to complete their missions. That is practically what you’ll find in Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team. When it comes to guerrilla warfare with giant Mobile Suits, this is as real as it can get.

4

Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans

The Grittiest and Most Brutal Gundam Series

• Japanese Title: Kidou Senshi Gundam: Tekketsu no Orphans
• Type: TV Series
• MyAnimeList Score: 8.06
• First Released: Oct 4, 2015

Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans is known as the grittiest and most brutal Gundam series in the franchise. And it’s not hard to see why this series deserves such attributes. After all, the story begins with corrupt military officials who abuse their powers for their personal gains and child laborers who are forced to work in horrid and dangerous conditions with little to no incentives, followed by a mean-looking Gundam that destroys its opponents by beating them with a giant mace. As you can see, that is pretty gritty and brutal indeed.

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Most series and movies within the Gundam franchise are no strangers to brutality. After all, most of these titles explore the theme of military and war, both of which often lead to violence and death. Iron-Blooded Orphans, however, took everything to the next level. From the theme to the story to the battles to the design of the mobile suits, everything feels raw and gritty. That’s what makes this series unique and also why the fans love it so much.

3

Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn

Taking Transformation to the Next Level

• Japanese Title: Kidou Senshi Gundam Unicorn
• Type: OVA
• MyAnimeList Score: 8.09
• First Released: Mar 12, 2010

Transforming mobile suits have been around since the dawn of the Gundam franchise. After all, the original Gundam RX-78-2 started its life as blocks of limbs that transform into the iconic mobile suit with the Core Fighter and its pilot at the center. Another memorable transformation is Gundam Wing and its glorious flight transformation, something that will be repeated in other Gundam series.

However, if we are forced to pick the one transformation that is not only iconic but also the first one that comes to mind when we hear the word “transforming Gundam,” then the answer has to be Gundam Unicorn. To be more specific, it’s the RX-0 Unicorn Gundam. Make no mistake, the story of this OVA is intense and engaging, but it is the dynamic and mind-blowing battle featuring the transforming Gundams that truly stole the show and make this series so memorable.

2

Mobile Suit Gundam 00

When the Gundam Turned Vigilante

• Japanese Title: Kidou Senshi Gundam 00
• Type: TV Series
• MyAnimeList Score: 8.10
• First Released: Oct 6, 2007

In most Gundam series, conflict occurs between two opposing sides: two warring countries, two rival organizations, the government vs the rebels, and the disruptor vs the established government, just to name a few. Mobile Suit Gundam 00, however, has a different approach. It is not one side vs the other. In this series, the Gundams are operated by Celestial Being, an independent paramilitary group dedicated to intervening in major global conflicts. So in a sense, it’s the Celestial Being and their gundams vs everybody.

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No matter which countries or organizations are at war, the Celestial Beings and their powerful Gundams will arrive to bring the conflict to a standstill. They essentially forced the warring sides to call a ceasefire. Those who comply will be left alone. Those who are adamant about continuing the fight will be obliterated. This concept, along with great battles and charismatic characters, is the reason why Gundam 00 is held in such high regard.

1

Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin

The Best Gundam Series in the History of the Franchise

• Japanese Title: Kidou Senshi Gundam: The Origin
• Type: OVA
• MyAnimeList Score: 8.32
• First Released: Feb 28, 2015

Due to the nature of its story that often revolves around military, politics, and war, almost every title in the Gundam franchise tells a plot-driven story. They focus on the events, rather than the characters. It is more important to showcase the complexity of the Battle of Loum and how it affects the story as a whole rather than diving into the growth and the mental state of the teenage protagonist, Amuro Ray.

It’s important to understand that there’s no right or wrong way to tell a story. Plot-driven and character-driven narratives represent different storytelling approaches an author may choose, depending on what best serves the story. A plot-driven approach is just happens to well-suited to space operas like Star Wars and Gundam, as it effectively captures the vast scale and political weight of interstellar conflict. But wouldn’t it be interesting to see a space opera told through a character-driven approach?

As it turns out, there is already a character-driven story within the Gundam franchise. It’s called Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin. This OVA focuses on the rise of one of the greatest characters in this franchise, Char “Red Comet” Aznable. From his tragic childhood to his meteoric rise through Zeon’s military ranks, this series depicts every important moment in Char’s life in such a compelling manner. It’s not an exaggeration to say that Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin is a masterclass in character-driven storytelling while still capturing the intensity and complexity of political and military affairs.

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