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[mid83]

I've watched a few episodes here and there, but otherwise I haven't ever been into anime. Seeing all the excitement of Ghost in the Shell in recent months, along with browsing some interesting looking shows on Netflix/Hulu have made me interested in checking out some anime.

One series I've seen recommended quite often are various Mobile Suit Gundam series. I figured I should start from the beginning so I looked up the original series and realized there was a recommended movie compilation trilogy. Following that I guess the next step would be the Mobile Suit Zeta series and then just taking it chronologically after that.

I didn't realize until a bit ago that most of the later series are a different timeline that doesn't require watching the earlier series. Therefore, I'm curious if as somebody not only new to Gundam but new to anime in general, if there is a better starting point. Based on my research, I've seen the following different recommendations for starting points:

1.) Original 0079 series (or movie trilogy) --> Zeta --> rest of the timeline

2.) Gundam Wing --> sequel

3.) Gundam SEED --> SEED Destiny

4.) Gundam 00

Any specific recommendations on where a complete newbie should start? What makes that a good starting point compared to others in your opinion?

Thanks all!

 

[Neptonic]

Whatever you do stay away from SEED if you ever want to enjoy anime again.

 

[ShadowSwordmaster]

Both the movies and series for MSG has it's ups and downs, but I would go with the movies.
Also, don't watch Seed or Seed Destiny.

 

[mid83]

Whatever you do stay away from SEED if you ever want to enjoy anime again.

Why do you say that? Is it a bad series?

 

[TheGreatDirector]

You could always watch the movie trilogy of the original series followed by the Zeta movies. They're basically shortened versions of the series. I'd still recommend the shows themselves if you have the time though.

Why do you say that? Is it a bad series?

Seed is in many ways like a remake of the original Gundam series with a few changes. It adds more melodrama too which may or may not be to your liking.

 

[vainglorious]

I'm honestly embarrassed by how much I love Gundam Wing.

 

[ShadowSwordmaster]

Why do you say that? Is it a bad series?

It's pretty bad.

 

[Faynwulf]

Whatever you do stay away from SEED DESTINY if you ever want to enjoy anime again.

Here ftfy. ;p

And to OP, it depends entirely if you can stand old anime. I'd say if you don't know yet if Gundam is something for you, then it would be easier to start with a standalone. I think most people enjoy 00 the most of all the Alternate Universe shows.

edit: Some might say that IBO is better than 00. But I find myself skipping through most of the show. At this point I'm only watching for the Mobile Suit action.

Spoiler

And there is barely any.

 

[irfaanator]

Why do you say that? Is it a bad series?

its garbage, but id at least watch it for the sake of completion. At least gundam seed.

Once you watch most of the series, make sure you watch the first season of gundam build fighters. Even though its meant to sell gunpla its pretty good

 

[Neptonic]

Why do you say that? Is it a bad series?

It is TERRIBLE. I heard people say it was bad so I had to see for myself how bad it was. I felt my time was wasted watching 2 episodes of that terrible excuse of a show.
Woolie from the Super Best Friends talks about it the best.

 

[JoeyJungle]

I'd recommend 8th MS Team or War in the Pocket as a starting point for the UC timeline. The original series is a bit dated in some ways (filler episodes here and there, villain of the week-type episodes in the first quarter of the series), I think it's definitely easier to get into if you already have some investment with the universe.

Gundam Wing is another great starting point if you just want to watch cool 90's mecha anime.

Otherwise if you just want to get into Gundam in general, watch Iron Blooded Orphans. It's a real good modern Gundam.

Whatever you do stay away from SEED if you ever want to enjoy anime again.

I watched Seed kinda recently, it was OK. Not as bad as I remembered. I liked it more than 00, but I hated 00.

Never watched Seed Destiny though.

 

[Syrus]

Gundamn wing and movie is a MUST and 00

 

[GoldCrusader]

SEED is a good starting point. Its the series that made me love the franchise.

The recent Gundam Iron blooded Orphans is really good too.

Wing and then Endless Waltz

Gundam X

If you start the original series go with the tv version and not the trilogy. The movies are too long and they get really boring.

 

[Sub_Level]

Original Movie Trilogy
followed by
08th MS Team
followed by 0080 War in the Pocket

The trilogy actually had a good english dub, for what its worth.

 

[JoeyJungle]

If you start the original series go with the tv version and not the trilogy. The movies are too long and they get really boring.

"Watch a 43 episode series in its entirety because the condensed version is too long"

I support watching the series, but I've never seen the movies so I can't really compare.

 

[ATXAlchemy]

Do you like Gundam? If yes, then you can start in 0079. Otherwise, if you're not sure, watch the more 'standalone' stuff.

Investing in the UC timeline is pretty heavy since it's a long running series, but if you want to watch the following, you should at least watch the main line.

Take for example, the Gundam UC (Unicorn) movies. Especially in the first episode, there's lots of nuances there that audience aren't given much of a visual or audio cue. You'd know and understand if you know what Newtypes are.

Also, UC has several other works that are pretty independent, like War in the Pocket or the 08th MS Team. You can go after them without much worry, but still give you some sense of UC Gundam universe.

tl;dr = look at first line of this post

 

[SaviourMK2]

SEED isnt horrible. But it definitely has it's flaws... especially with the characters.
I strongly reccomend you start with 0079 and work your way up, especially with Twilight Axis starting after Iron-Blood Orphans
Don't start with the films, theres a lot more to enjoy from the full series.
heres the order you should watch it in:

-0079
--- 08th MS Team
--- War in the Pocket
---Thunderbolt
---0083 Stardust Memory
-Zeta
-ZZ
-Char's Counterattack
-Unicorn
-Twilight Axis
-F91
-Victory (Not necessary, but if you're a completionist)
-G-Saviour (If you like shitty movies)

The ones between 0079 and Zeta are not necessary to transition between 0079 and Zeta, but 0083 Stardust Memory explains the events that led up to Zeta.
I can't entirely recommend 00 since I absolutely loathe the 2nd season.

 

[Nairume]

Original Movie Trilogy
followed by
08th MS Team
followed by 0080 War in the Pocket

The trilogy actually had a good english dub, for what its worth.

Also probably 0083 before going into Zeta and ZZ.

 

[GoldCrusader]

"Watch a 43 episode series in its entirety because the condensed version is too long"

Thats not what I meant. Each movies are way too long for their own good(120 minutes to 150 minutes each I think) and because of that they do get boring. The TV series has 24 minutes episode, much easier to watch.

 

[JoeyJungle]

All ya'lls lists are wrong and mine is right.

UC timeline starting point?
-08th MS Team or War in the Pocket

These two are basically short stories set in the Gundam universe, and both are really effective at showing different aspects that sets the UC timeline apart from other mecha anime. 8th MS Team is probably the most realistic series in terms of actual tactical use of gigantic robots in a battlefield. Its story is focused around the drama of a small group of soldiers stationed in a combat zone, but away from the front lines or any of the more massive battles.

War in the Pocket is a much smaller series, that focuses mostly on a pilot developing a few close relationships while his duty to serve and the danger that entails looms over him.

Both are great series in their own right, are short to get through (I think War in the Pocket is 8 episodes and 8th MS Team is 12?), and you'll basically know if you dig the UC setting based on how much you like those two. If you like the universe, watch the main UC shows (MSG, Zeta, etc.)

90's anime fan?
-Gundam Wing

Much more action focused than the UC universe, with great 90's hand drawn art style and 90's Anime Melodrama.

Modern anime fan curious about Gundam?
-Iron Blooded Orphans

Just a really good mecha action series. Focuses on the struggle of a group of child soldiers.

Thats not what I meant. Each movies are way too long for their own good(120 minutes to 150 minutes each I think) and because of that they do get boring. The TV series has 24 minutes episode, much easier to watch.

Haha yeah I understood what you meant, but it made me laugh

 

[Apharmd]

OP, if you can handle bad animation then watch 0079 TV series then watch Zeta TV series. ZZ then CCA.

If not, then I really like someone's idea on GAF that you start out with Mobile Suit Victory Gundam. It's 70 years after the events of the original Gundam in the same universe, but it's so far removed, it effectively is its own self-contained story.

Go production order if you can.

 

[snake fish]

SEED isnt horrible. But it definitely has it's flaws... especially with the characters.

-0079
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013TOVA98/?tag=neogaf0e-20
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015X2QN0K/?tag=neogaf0e-20
Movie trilogy
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XTH7571/?tag=neogaf0e-20
--- 08th MS Team https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B06XDRSH35/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1490674377&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=mobile+suit+gundam+ms+08th+team&dpPl=1&dpID=61oul5PhnLL&ref=plSrch

--- War in the Pocket
---Thunderbolt
---0083 Stardust Memory
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MYFLZR7/?tag=neogaf0e-20
-Zeta
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01A1T3RAY/?tag=neogaf0e-20
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01B401PO4/?tag=neogaf0e-20
-ZZ (you can skip this)
-Char's Counterattack
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HC8ZLV0/?tag=neogaf0e-20
-Unicorn
-Twilight Axis
-F91
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MQNHCZC/?tag=neogaf0e-20
-Victory (A must watch)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IW8ML7Q/?tag=neogaf0e-20
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KN6XDPO/?tag=neogaf0e-20
-G Gundam

Fixed

 

[Giolon]

SEED is quite good, and was my 2nd full Gundam series. I hooked so many people, especially girls, onto anime with SEED as the gateway in college (with support from either Kare Kano, Cowboy Bebop, or Lain depending on their tastes).

SEED Destiny starts out ok (as long as you can handle edgelords), but turned into a train wreck half way through when they decided the characters from the original series should be the main characters again.

Sub_Level's recommendation is pretty good.

 

[deim0s]

Try to looking up Gundam Thunderbolt. Has 4 episodes (or the movie version "December Sky) and I think it's still up via GundamInfo at Youtube, plus the second season is showing now too.

edit: Oh yeah, IBO is good too.

Skip ZZ.

wtf with the Victory recommendation. :/

 

[vainglorious]

Seriously tho just watch Wing.

So good.

 

[Apharmd]

OP, avoid SEED/IBO recommendations. Those two series are pretty bad at introducing people to Gundam, either by being asinine as heck or in SEED's case, being plain bad.

 

[Sub_Level]

Also probably 0083 before going into Zeta and ZZ.

But he could just watch Top Gun

 

[JoeyJungle]

OP, avoid SEED/IBO recommendations. Those two series are pretty bad at introducing people to Gundam, either by being asinine as heck or in SEED's case, being plain bad.

IBO?

 

[Apharmd]

IBO?

Iron Blooded Orphans / G-Tekketsu

 

[mid83]

Soon it looks like most recommendations are either something in the main timeline or Wing. Oh and avoid SEED.

Any thoughts on 00? I saw that recommended on a thread I read the other day on another site (can't remember which).

 

[Crimsonlink]

Just watch them all and drop them as they become boring to you imo. I'll always recommend 00 Gundam. Modernized Gundam and heavy bromance with lots of great action.

Crunchyroll has both seasons up if you have a sub with them.

 

[TheTylerRob]

Watch G Gundam, it's Gundam Street Fighter

 

[JoeyJungle]

Iron Blooded Orphans / G-Tekketsu

Oh, why would you not recommend that as a good starter? I think it's the perfect introduction if you're coming fresh to Gundam and prefer watching more recent shows over 90's anime. I haven't seen the ~8 most recent episodes yet, so maybe it goes off the rails and I'm just not there yet, but what I've watched up to now has been real good.

Soon it looks like most recommendations are either something in the main timeline or Wing. Oh and avoid SEED.

Any thoughts on 00? I saw that recommended on a thread I read the other day on another site (can't remember which).

Some people really like 00, but I didn't really enjoy it. You'll be fine watching the first few episodes to see if you're interested. It's as good a starting spot as any of the non-UC series, but I'd recommend Iron Blooded Orphans over 00.

 

[Buntabox]

I started with Wing back in the Toonami days and it led to my obsession with the UC universe. I think it's probably the easiest place to start. Has a clear stopping point for the universe and from there you can decide if you want to continue on into the UC universe.

Favorites:
08th MS Team
Wing
0083
0080

Zeta is pretty good too. There is a weird remaster that mixes new footage and condenses into movies. I can't remember if I liked it. So look out for that I guess. Just know what you are watching before you go in.

I've not been back to Gundam since Seed Destiny really wore me out. Friend of mine really recommends 00 and Iron Blood seems to be getting some phrase.

Side note: how can you not get pumped for these old Trailers? I remember them anytime I think of these series.

Wing Toonami promo

0079 Toonami Promo

 

[Neptonic]

Oh, why would you not recommend that as a good starter? I think it's the perfect introduction if you're coming fresh to Gundam and prefer watching more recent shows over 90's anime. I haven't seen the ~8 most recent episodes yet, so maybe it goes off the rails and I'm just not there yet, but what I've watched up to now has been real good.

It's just so different compared to the old stuff. It's really f'n good tho.

 

[Llyranor]

I started with the original MS Gundam trilogy movies, but I found the pacing a bit off (it was too obvious stuff was cut from character development, because some sections just felt rushed), and the dated animation (while serviceable) did hamper my enjoyment somewhat.

If you're unsure, I'd just suggest going through the early OVAs. They are related to the events of the rest of the UC, but they can be watched and enjoyed standalone.
- 0080 War in the Pocket for a short look at the tragic impact of war on civilians
- 08th MS Team for a more grounded military show
- 0083 Stardust Memory for a space epic with gorgeous mecha design and animations

Then if you like those, look into exploring the rest of the UC. I find it hard to recommend the TV series if you're not sold yet, and the pace of the original trilogy feeling kind of off makes it hard for me to outright recommend blindly

 

[snake fish]

Watch G Gundam, it's Gundam Street Fighter

I started with Wing back in the Toonami days and it led to my obsession with the UC universe. I think it's probably the easiest place to start. Has a clear stopping point for the universe and from there you can decide if you want to continue on into the UC universe.

Favorites:
08th MS Team
Wing
0083
0080

Zeta is pretty good too. There is a weird remaster that mixes new footage and condenses into movies. I can't remember if I liked it. So look out for that I guess. Just know what you are watching before you go in.

I've not been back to Gundam since Seed Destiny really wore me out. Friend of mine really recommends 00 and Iron Blood seems to be getting some phrase.

Side note: how can you not get pumped for these old Trailers? I remember them anytime I think of these series.

Wing Toonami promo

0079 Toonami Promo

 

[vainglorious]

I started with Wing back in the Toonami days and it led to my obsession with the UC universe. I think it's probably the easiest place to start. Has a clear stopping point for the universe and from there you can decide if you want to continue on into the UC universe.

Favorites:
08th MS Team
Wing
0083
0080

Zeta is pretty good too. There is a weird remaster that mixes new footage and condenses into movies. I can't remember if I liked it. So look out for that I guess. Just know what you are watching before you go in.

I've not been back to Gundam since Seed Destiny really wore me out. Friend of mine really recommends 00 and Iron Blood seems to be getting some phrase.

Side note: how can you not get pumped for these old Trailers? I remember them anytime I think of these series.

Wing Toonami promo

0079 Toonami Promo

The toonami promos were amazing.

The Endless Waltz promo was great too.

https://youtu.be/HSAe5MMJZ2w

 

[SoundPulse]

If you're in it for the main UC timeline (a list can be found here), you'll need to basically go in production order. The movie trilogy is perfectly adequate as a replacement for 0079, but it does cut some neat stuff from the series. If you want to deviate from production order for a bit, you can watch 0080 (the actual best Gundam series), 08th MS Team, and 0083 between 0079 and Zeta.

The real gatekeeper is Zeta. You have to just bite the bullet and watch the series itself; the compilation films are really uneven (animation and pacing-wise) and don't replace the TV series. ZZ you can skip, but I would only recommend doing that if you're going to stop with Char's Counter Attack.

The other timelines are fairly self-contained, so watch them at your own discretion. I'd recommend 00 or IBO. G Gundam's popularity is due to memes and Wing's is nostalgia. AGE is complete garbage. SEED itself isn't all that bad, but Destiny kills it. X is alright. Reconguista in G is pretty, but that's about it.

 

[Megalosaro]

Any Gundam series watch through needs to begin with First Gundam and Zeta Gundam. Every other show riffs off of one or the other or both. Those two shows defined the franchise.

If you have the time, I strongly recomend watching in production order. Sure it will be UC top heavy, but that's not a bad thing because UC is awesome.

 

[Apharmd]

Oh, why would you not recommend that as a good starter? I think it's the perfect introduction if you're coming fresh to Gundam and prefer watching more recent shows over 90's anime. I haven't seen the ~8 most recent episodes yet, so maybe it goes off the rails and I'm just not there yet, but what I've watched up to now has been real good.

It spends so much time doing nothing that it's boring and irritating. I love character development or page-turning plot, but IBO S1 had neither. What I got was Akihiro's missing brother being mentioned and then showing up the next episode. The mechanical designs look fantastic, but they're wasted on terrible choreography/animation/directing. Okada was severely absent from Season 1 and it showed. She returned for S2, but the overall quality of the show is still quite poor compared to 00, GBF or the average UC Gundam.

I'd recommend 00 myself, but it's very unconventional compared to normal Gundam.

 

[JoeyJungle]

I started with the original MS Gundam trilogy movies, but I found the pacing a bit off (it was too obvious stuff was cut from character development, because some sections just felt rushed), and the dated animation (while serviceable) did hamper my enjoyment somewhat.

If you're unsure, I'd just suggest going through the early OVAs. They are related to the events of the rest of the UC, but they can br watched and enjoyed standalone.
- 0080 War in the Pocket for a short look at the tragic impact of war on civilians
- 08th MS Team for a more grounded military show
- 0083 Stardust Memory for a space epic with gorgeous mecha design and animations

Then if you like those, look into exploring the rest of the UC. I find it hard to recommend the TV series if you're not sold yet, and the pace of the orohinL trilogy feeling kind of off makes it hard for me to outright recommend blindly

A++++ Recommendation, totally agree about getting into the OVA's before the main series. I love the original MSG, but a lot of the art, and the slower-paced arcs (particularly the journey to Jaburo near the beginning) could definitely be turn-offs for someone who's just curious about the series and unsure whether to invest the time in exploring it. I think having seen the depth in the OVA's before watching the longer series lets you give the less entertaining parts of the original MSG a lot more leeway.

And yeah, a whole bunch of the MSG series' impact kind of hinges on the struggle of these characters over such a long period of time. I wasn't sure how that would translate to a movie, thanks for giving him that feedback.

It spends so much time doing nothing that it's boring and irritating. I love character development or page-turning plot, but IBO S1 had neither. What I got was Akihiro's missing brother being mentioned and then showing up the next episode. The mechanical designs look fantastic, but they're wasted on terrible choreography/animation/directing. Okada was severely absent from Season 1 and it showed. She returned for S2, but the overall quality of the show is still quite poor compared to 00, GBF or the average UC Gundam.

I'd recommend 00 myself, but it's very unconventional compared to normal Gundam.

I dunno, I found the slower paced episodes to be necessary to set the stage for the big actions sequences. Season 1 is all about a journey against all the odds, I thought it accomplished the tension and stakes pretty well.

I'm totally flipped with you, I hated 00. A few plot hooks that were never expanded on (end of season 1 shows some secret cabal that's never touched on in season 2), a bunch of "Oh, come on!" bullshit

Spoiler

Identical twin brother

, and DBZ-style jumps in power. I really did not care for it.

 

[Apharmd]

Any Gundam series watch through needs to begin with First Gundam and Zeta Gundam. Every other show riffs off of one or the other or both. Those two shows defined the franchise.

If you have the time, I strongly recomend watching in production order. Sure it will be UC top heavy, but that's not a bad thing because UC is awesome.

If I had my way, I would force every Gundam newbie ever to go through this route. I will go full dictator to enforce this.

 

[n0razi]

Watch Gundam Wing and nothing else... its entertaining and the others are either terrible or a gateway drug to over fandom regret

 

[Killthee]

Soon it looks like most recommendations are either something in the main timeline or Wing. Oh and avoid SEED.

Any thoughts on 00? I saw that recommended on a thread I read the other day on another site (can't remember which).

Season 1 is good, in HD, and it's a standalone story so you can just jump right into it without watching anything else. But while season 1 ends on a high note, it all goes to waste in season 2. So just lower your expectations for the ending once you finish season 1.

 

[Buntabox]

There is definitely some nostalgia with Wing for me, but 0079 and Zeta are tough watches compared to modern anime. Not that they aren't quality. Just made in a different era. And the side stories are really my favorite UC stuff. But you need the context of 0079. At least a passing knowledge.

I always felt Wing was a good intro series due to not having any pre-established baggage, but 00 and IBO probably fill that quota too.

The toonami promos were amazing.

The Endless Waltz promo was great too.

https://youtu.be/HSAe5MMJZ2w

Damn yeah. Wu Fei's suit redesign is top too. Always forget till I see it. Way better than the series proper.

 

[titiklabingapat]

I'm honestly embarrassed by how much I love Gundam Wing.

Me too. It hasnt the aged that well but the Gundam designs are iconic. I'm such a sucker for country specific designs, it's why I like G Gundam too (which has aged better).

 

[SkyOdin]

My recommendation is to start with Wing and then watch the movie trilogy version of the original series. Then watch Gunpla Build Fighters.

Remember though: just because you don't like one series, it doesn't mean that you will hate the rest. The various Gundam series are all very different from each other. If you find that you hate Gundam Wing ten episodes into it, just stop and try a different series. You might eventually stumble onto a show you enjoy.

 

[vainglorious]

Damn yeah. Wu Fei's suit redesign is top too. Always forget till I see it. Way better than the series proper.

YES. The Endless Waltz model kits are so good.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006N147Y/?tag=neogaf0e-20

Nataku's kit looks so good. Amazing redesigns.

I love Gundam models so much.

 

[mid83]

Thanks for all the advice. Looking at the chronological list someone linked, I noticed there is something called MS IGLOO. It looks like 3 OVA's that are 3 episodes long that take place between 08th MS Team and 0080 War in the Pocket. I haven't seen them mentioned. Is MS IGLOO recommended to watch along with the other stuff that takes place between the original series and Zeta?