The Universal Century timeline popularly depicts the rivalry between Earth Federation’s Amuro Ray and the mysterious masked Char Aznable, and how their separate ideals create an indelible impact to the future of the war. However, the Universal Century timeline also spawned multiple series, movies, and miniseries to accompany its setting. It also doesn’t help that the upcomingGundam: The Witch From Mercurystill doesn’t have an established premise, meaning it may also occur within the same timeline. For newcomers to the franchise, what is the best viewing order for the Universal Century?
17 Mobile Suit Gundam (TV Series, 1979)
Timeframe: UC0079, Compiled In: The Movie, Soldiers Of Sorrow, Encounters In Space
While there are arguably other media that occurred prior to the events of the original Gundam series, the best way to start the Universal Century timeline is with the anime that started it all. Events of the anime take place during the historic One-Year War between the Earth Federation and the Principality of Zeon.
While the space colonies are gaining the upper hand, the Earth Federation unveils its experimental RX-78 Gundam mobile suit that ends up in the hands of a civilian pilot. This young pilot, Amuro Ray, would become instrumental in the Earth Federation’s war efforts, and would pique the interest of Char Aznable, ace pilot of the Principality.
16 The Origin (OVA, 2015)
Timeframe: UC0068 - UC0079
With the backdrop of the original Gundam series serving as important contextual material, fans could begin understanding the inner workings of the Principality of Zeon through its origins. Viewers can deep dive into these developments primarily through Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin, which adapts Volumes 9 to 12 of the manga of the same name.
Its story gives a visual take on the transformation of the Autonomous Republic of Munzo into the Principality of Zeon after the deaths of influential historical figures. The OVA also highlights the development of the first mobile suits and the initial battles of the One Year War.
15 Advent Of The Red Comet (Anime, 2019)
Timeframe: UC0068 - UC0079
It’s thanks to Char Aznable that the Gundam franchise developed one of its most iconic tropes: the masked antagonist. However, his transformation into a trope isn’t just because of his iconic look but also because of his tragic story.
This is something highlighted by Mobile Suit Gundam: Advent Of The Red Comet, which narrates not just Char’s transformation into the Red Comet, but also his perspective on the formation of the Principality of Zeon and his exposure to other famous aces.
14 The 08th MS Team (OVA, 1996-1999)
Timeframe: UC0079, Compiled In: Miller’s Report
While the original Gundam series largely narrated the events of the One-Year War, some of its “smaller” skirmishes were the “biggest” battles in the lives of some people. Such was the case of Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team.
Set in Southeast Asia during the One-Year War, two star-crossed lovers end up in the middle of the crossfire, as Zeon banks on Aina Sahalin and the Apsaras Project to secure victory for the region while the Earth Federation relies on Ensign Shiro Amada to succeed in the area’s capture. The two must choose between themselves and their respective sides.
13 MS IGLOO (OVA Series, 2004-2008)
Timeframe: UC0079
It’s perhaps wartime that could force various parties to start developing weapons and become desperate to gain the upper hand, and exactly the same thing happened during Gundam’s One-Year War. As narrated in the MS IGLOO OVA series, both the Principality of Zeon and Earth Federation approached the War from differing points of view. In the first two films (The Hidden One Year War, Apocalypse 0079), the former civilian cargo ship Jotunheim was commissioned by the Principality to test new weapons.
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Meanwhile, the third film (IGLOO 2: The Gravity Front) shows the Earth Federation’s attempt in forcing Zeon soldiers back to their territory. All three films showcased numerous smaller battles as depicted in the original anime, this time from the perspective of other soldiers.
12 0080: War In The Pocket (OVA, 1989)
Timeframe: UC0079 - UC0080
While OVAs are not new to the Gundam series, it’s Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War In The Pocket that is a first for the franchise. In the context of the story, War In The Pocket takes place in December UC0079, where an experimental Earth Federation Gundam has escaped the clutches of the elite Zeon MS Cyclops Team and Zeon Intelligence.
And when the Gundam appears and seems to have “converted” neutral space colony Side 6 to Federation side, Zeon threatens a nuclear strike unless their commando destroys the Gundam. What’s perhaps harsh about this series is that the OVA happens from the perspective of a 10-year-old boy.
11 Thunderbolt (Anime, 2016)
Timeframe: UC0079 - UC0080, Compiled In: December Sky, Bandit Flower
Set once more in the One-Year War, Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt depicts the effects of the War at the “Thunderbolt Sector” in the former Side 4 Colony. It stars Io Fleming, ace Federation pilot and jazz enthusiast, as he becomes the face behind Gundam prototypes that the Earth Federation hopes could change the tides of battle.
Its second season occurs just eight months after the One-Year War, where post-war turmoil and Zeon remnants begin shattering the peace.
10 0083: Stardust Memory (OVA, 1991)
Timeframe: UC0083, Compiled In: The Afterglow of Zeon
Set as both a sequel to Gundam and prequel to Zeta Gundam, Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory takes place in UC0083 when Zeon intelligence discovers a prototype Gundam capable of nuclear attack being developed in Anaheim Electronics. After Zeon captures the unit as a part of Operation Stardust, the Earth Federation deploys the MS carrier Albion to pursue the said Gundam.
Starring young test pilot Kou Uraki, he gets embroiled in the events of Operation Stardust, and it’s through his involvement that its true objective is revealed. The OVA ends in the creation of the Titans, the Federation-sanctioned anti-Zeon forces, who will also become the main antagonists of Zeta Gundam.
9 Zeta Gundam (Anime, 1985)
Timeframe: UC0087, Compiled In: Heir To The Stars, Lovers, Love Is The Pulse Of The Stars
When the Earth Federation’s Titans become overzealous in their hunt of Zeon remnants, Kamille Bidan becomes orphaned after his parents are killed in a Titan attack. He’s taken in and trained by Quattro Bajeena to become a pilot for the Anti-Earth Union Group (AEUG), a resistance movement specifically against the Titans.
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam begins as Quattro and the AEUG infiltrate a Titans base and procure the RX-178 Gundam Mk-II, which becomes Kamille’s primary machine. Thanks to his intelligence and engineering expertise, he designs the Mk-II’s successor, the MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam.
8 Gundam ZZ (Anime, 1986)
Timeframe: UC0088
By the end of Zeta Gundam, the AEUG and the battleship Argama’s work isn’t done yet as they have to stop the forces of Neo Zeon from starting another war all over again. To make this happen, Captain Bright Noa recruits a group of teenage junk collectors to pilot the Argama’s mobile suits.
Led by the arrogant Newtype Judau Ashta, this “Gundam Team” is comprised of iconic mobile suits such as the MSZ-010 Double Zeta Gundam, and returning suits such as the MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam, the RX-178 Gundam Mk-II, and the MSN-00100 Hyaku Shiki.
7 Char’s Counterattack (OVA, 1988)
Timeframe: UC0093
Serving as the culmination of the original Gundam storyline, Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack finally settles the rivalry between Amuro Ray and Char Aznable and also marks the formal end of the conflict between the Earth Federation and the Principality of Zeon.
All of these events happen as the backdrop of a central conflict, where Char, now the head of Neo Zeon, has arranged to drop an asteroid on the planet while a special task force composed of ace pilots like Amuro Ray and Bright Noa attempt to stop this from happening.
6 Gundam Unicorn (OVA, 2010)
Timeframe: UC0096, Compiled In: RE:0096
Based on the novel of the same name, Mobile Suit: Gundam Unicorn officially chronicles events three years after Char’s Counterattack, where civilian Banagher Links becomes embroiled in an ages-old conspiracy after an unexpected meeting with the young Audrey Burne.
Through the eponymous mobile suit Gundam Unicorn, Banagher and his friends soon unravel the true nature of the events of the Laplace terror incident, a terrorist attack that took place in UC 0001 at the start of human space colonization.
5 Gundam Twilight Axis (ONA, 2017)
Timeframe: UC0096, Compiled In: Red Blur
Serving more of a side story, Mobile Suit Gundam: Twilight Axis takes place in the late UC0096, where the Earth Federation has organized the Mastema spec-ops team to further study the nature of the “psycho-frame” as a threat. Under the leadership of Lieutenant JG Mehmet Merca, Mastema is to enter the shattered asteroid Axis and investigate its remains.
However, the Mastema soon comes under attack by a new Gundam model, all the while Mastema member and former Zeon engineer Arlette Almage seems to have an agenda of her own.
4 Gundam Narrative (OVA, 2018)
Timeframe: UC0097
Taking place a year after the events of Unicorn, Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative takes place just after the historic “Laplace’s Box” has been finally opened. As revealed in Unicorn, this should finally reveal the previously-discarded part of the Universal Century Charter that acknowledges both the existence and rights of Newtypes, who were discriminated against in the original series.
However, while psycho-frame mobile suits RX-0 Unicorn Gundam and RX-0 Unicorn Gundam 2 Banshee have been hidden away, the relative peace on Earth will be disrupted by the appearance of a third model, the RX-0 Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex.
3 Gundam Hathaway (OVA, 2021)
Timeframe: UC0105
Set more than a decade after the second Neon Zeon War in Char’s Rebellion and the Axis Shock in Twilight Axis, Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway shows a status quo of chaos that the Earth Federation military, despite growing corruption, is desperately trying to maintain. Due to this, an anti-Federation organization simply called “Mafty” gained prominence.
Led by Mafty Navue Erin, the organization took a stand against the Federation’s corruption, resorting to means such as assassinations and terrorism. It’s led by Hathaway Noa, the son of famous Earth Federation officer Bright Noa.
2 Gundam F91 (OVA, 1991)
Timeframe: UC0123
Taking place three decades after Char’s Counterattack, the Earth Federation has begun creating new space colonies to accommodate the growing human population. Unfortunately, the corrupt Crossbone Vanguard seized this population as an opportunity to seize various colonies to create an extraterrestrial empire.
Similar to other series, Mobile Suit Gundam F91 begins as pilot Seabook Arno gets involved in the crossfire as he’s tasked to pilot the Gundam F91 to ensure that the colonies are saved from the wrath of the Crossbone Vanguard militia.
1 Victory Gundam (Anime, 1993)
Timeframe: UC0153
Serving as the final anime of the Universal Century timeline, Mobile Suit Victory Gundam takes place just years after the events of Gundam F91. Due to the conflict against the Crossbone Vanguard weakening the Earth Federation, the spaceborne Zanscare Empire’s BESPA Forces has begun its offensive in the hopes of taking the Earth Sphere for themselves.
The only team that stands in their way is the League Militaire, and they have the Victory Gundam as their ace in the hole in their efforts to defeat the BESPA Forces.
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury will air in October 2022.
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