The Mobile Suit Gundam series is one of the highest-grossing anime franchises of all time, and among the greatest in the mecha genre. Yoshiyuki Tomino created it in 1979 with the original Mobile Suit Gundam, and since then, there have been several adaptations, from movies to video games.
Gundam has garnered a huge cult following over the years. Anime television adaptations are still going strong, with the latest one being Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX, released in 2025. It will only grow from here onwards.
However, it begs the question, which anime series and movies within the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise are the most rewatchable? Here’s our ranking, from the least to most.
27. Mobile Suit Gundam F91
- IMDb Score: 6.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 90%
- MyAnimeList Rating: 6.59
This isn’t a television series, but a movie within the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise that confuses you more than it immerses. It’s set 30 years after Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack and features new characters. While you don’t hate them, you don’t love them either.
The pacing of Mobile Suit Gundam F91 is all over. Initially, Tomino intended the movie to be a full-fledged series, but Bandai forced him to make a movie instead. It’s moderately entertaining, but nothing special.
26. Gundam AGE: Memory of Eden
- IMDb Score: 5.6
- MyAnimeList Rating: 6.47
While Gundam AGE could’ve been great, the terrible pacing once again proves to be its downfall. The television series is nothing short of wasted potential, as it failed to maintain good consistency between the three time periods.
The saving grace of Gundam AGE has to be Flit Asuno’s development and Asemu’s arc. Watching the protagonist go from an optimistic child to a monster is quite the change. However, due to the complex concept of Gundam AGE, the execution wasn’t satisfying.
25. Mobile Suit Victory Gundam
- IMDb Score: 7
- MyAnimeList Rating: 6.71
It’s known that Tomino did not want to make Mobile Suit Victory Gundam due to his mental health issues. Despite this, it’s a rather entertaining series that features the youngest protagonist. It’s a great coming-of-age story, blended with the mecha and action genres.
What makes it more worth it are the excellent Mobile Suit designs and the well-earned ending. The only issue is that the pacing is, once again, not that great. The villains aren’t interesting and arguably are the worst in the franchise. Thus, it’s not worth watching once more, unless it’s your cup of tea.
24. Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan’s Island
- IMDb Score: 6.7
- Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
- MyAnimeList: 7.35
This 1-hour and 48-minute movie is a great return to form for the original Mobile Suit Gundam, but that’s all it offers. It’s a remake of an infamous episode, but with new and better animation that still emulates the 70s anime style.
Thus, Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan’s Island is a trip down nostalgia lane in movie format and a great movie for those new to the franchise. However, it isn’t the best rewatching experience either, when you could just revisit the original anime.
23. Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX
- IMDb Score: 6.9
- MyAnimeList Rating: 7.03
GQuuuuuuX takes place in an alternative universe where Char Aznable found the Gundam early and controls it instead of Amuro Ray. Thus, the Principality of Zeon has already won the war. However, it’s far from the end as their military continues to abuse its power.
The story follows a young heroine going directly against the corruption, which is the root of the Gundam series. It shows you how easy it could be to flip the script. However, it might not be for everyone, especially for those who love the original.
22. Gundam Build Fighters Try
- IMDb Score: 6.8
- MyAnimeList Rating: 7.21
As a sequel to Gundam Build Fighters, it doesn’t live up to it by a huge margin. Minato Sakai is arguably the worst part of the series, but the other characters don’t present a better case either. While he’s dumb, the other characters are either too smart for their own good or poorly written.
The only salvage of Gundam Build Fighters Try features some good fighting sequences. Other than that, it offers nothing as a standalone sequel and relies too heavily on the original.
21. Gundam Build Divers
- IMDb Score: 6.4
- MyAnimeList Rating: 6.31
Gundam Build Divers breaks the fourth wall with the video game format. It’s set in a world where Gunpla has reached its peak popularity, and there’s a new game, Gunpla Battle Nexus Online, which players worldwide are diving into.
The story follows Riku Mikami, who creates the titular Build Divers. They explore the wonders of GBN Online. However, the writing is inconsistent, and the characters aren’t interesting. Overall, it’s a light-hearted watch that many might find revisiting, but it doesn’t add much to the series.
20. Mobile Suit Gundam SEED
- IMDb Score: 7.7
- MyAnimeList Rating: 7.74
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED was an attempt to emulate the original Mobile Suit Gundam
There are still aspects that make Mobile Suit Gundam SEED stand out. Athrun Zala’s arc was intense and emotional, from learning the corruption within the Zodiac Alliance of Freedom Treaty to his rivalry with Kira Yamato. While some might find it overhyped, it has proved its worth in the franchise.
19. Turn A Gundam
- IMDb Score: 7.4
- MyAnimeList Rating: 7.79
This series marked the return of Yoshiyuki Tomino to the Gundam franchise. Due to the significant break he took, he brought back a fresh perspective that changed the formula of Gundam.
Turn A Gundam follows Loran Cehack, a member of the Moonrace, who comes to Earth as a spy, but eventually learns to enjoy the company of humans. The characters are incredibly likable, and feature some great world-building. We can see why Turn A Gundam is a gem you can’t ignore.
18. Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ
- IMDb Score: 6.7
- MyAnimeList Rating: 6.67
Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ has a much more comedic tone than the other series in the franchise, which might not be for everyone, especially fans of the Universal Century. However, the tonal shift isn’t totally unwelcome after Zeta’s depressing ending.
Moreover, Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ does know when to get serious. Judau is forced to mature to protect his friends from the dangers of the world. Seeing his development makes the series worth it, even if the animation makes you yearn for more.
17. Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War In The Pocket
- IMDb Score: 8
- MyAnimeList Rating: 8
This series might be one of the best anti-war anime stories of all time. While the Gundam series as a whole is vehemently anti-war, Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War In The Pocket takes it to a whole new and horrifying level. We don’t see any side as good or bad; we get to see how war affects everyone involved.
We don’t follow the viewpoint of a pilot, but rather the friendship between Bernie, a Zeon pilot, and a ten-year-old Alfred Izuhara, who admires warfare. However, as the story goes on, his rose-tinted glasses come off. It’s a heavy reminder of what the Gundam series has been telling you.
16. Gundam Wing
- IMDb Score: 8
- MyAnimeList Rating: 7.66
Mobile Suit Gundam Wing is a series that has impacted the franchise and anime as a whole. It became incredibly popular in the US, while it didn’t find much success in Japan.
The strong points of Mobile Suit Gundam Wing are the likeable characters, the entertaining villains, and the fights. It does have some flaws, as the writing and pacing leave much to be desired, but it’s a beloved series nonetheless.
15. Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack
- IMDb Score: 7.2
- Rotten Tomatoes: 86%
- MyAnimeList Rating: 7.68
Char’s Counterattack is a classic movie that we simply cannot forget. It ends the iconic rivalry between Zeon’s Char Aznable and Earth’s Amuro Ray, and it’s not an exaggeration when we say it pulls out all the stops, with the voice actors’ performance, action, and designs.
Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack isn’t devoid of flaws. For example, the side characters don’t get much time to shine. It’s focused entirely on the two rivals. Still, it’s akin to an epic in the Gundam series.
14. Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway
- IMDb Score: 6.6
- Rotten Tomatoes: 86%
- MyAnimeList Rating: 7.81
Also known as Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway’s Flash, the movie takes place around a decade after Char’s Counterattack. We follow Hathway Noa, the leader of Mafty, who uses his connections to secure the RX-105 Xi Gundam. He fights against the corrupt forces of the Earth Federation in secret.
Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway is a masterpiece in animation and features deep dialogue. The music elevates the brilliance to another level with Hiroyuki Sawano’s soundtrack. The only drawback is that you have to be a rather hardcore fan of the franchise beforehand.
13. After War Gundam X
- IMDb Score: 7.2
- MyAnimeList Rating: 7.34
As the title suggests, the television series details the “After War” timeline, set in a post-apocalyptic Earth. It’s an underrated show that shows the horrifying reality of how devastating war can be. It brings a lot of fresh ideas to the Gundam franchise, but it is criminally underrated.
After War Gundam X features one of the best protagonists in the overall franchise, Garrod Ran, whose development and story are brilliantly written. Now that civilians also have their hands on mobile suits, the fate of Earth is up to some unlikely heroes. It takes the classic Mobile Suit Gundam formula and redefines it.
12. Gundam: The Witch From Mercury
- IMDb Score: 7.4
- Rotten Tomatoes: 47%
- MyAnimeList Rating: 7.84
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury brought many new things to the franchise. It features the first female and LGBTQ protagonist, Suletta Mercury. It also blends romance with the science fiction and mecha genres, so the tonal shift might not be suited to every fan’s taste.
Despite the shift, Gundam: The Witch from Mercury is a fan favorite as it has one of the best opening episodes in its history. The prologue did an excellent job of setting up the world and letting it speak for itself. The villain, Shaddiq, is also one of the best. If you want some romance, this is the Gundam series to watch.
11. Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt
- IMDb Score: 7.4
- MyAnimeList Rating: 7.94
Gundam Thunderbolt is the series to draw you back into the franchise. The television anime is set at the end of the One Year War, which some fans might get tired of seeing different perspectives of. However, Sunrise brought their all with the animation, music, and themes.
10. Mobile Suit Gundam
One of the best reasons Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt is the perfect rewatching material is that it’s only 8 episodes long. It also makes you root more for Zeon’s Living Dead division over the Federation for once. Some might find the tone too edgy, but it’s a brilliant and short series nonetheless.
- IMDb Score: 7.9
- MyAnimeList Rating: 7.77
This one refers to the original Mobile Suit Gundam, released all the way back in 1979. We can’t forget the series that started it all, which is why it’s in the top ten. Although the animation is outdated and the voice acting leaves much to be desired, it’s the most vital series to watch.
Without Mobile Suit Gundam, the future of anime wouldn’t be the same. It reshaped the mecha genre and established all the future Gundam to come. If you aren’t up to watching 43 episodes, there’s also a trilogy with updated graphics.
9. Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory
- IMDb Score: 7.7
- MyAnimeList Rating: 7.21
Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory is a controversial choice to put in the top ten, but it’s a series that gets better the more you rewatch it. Despite the rampant Top Gun comparisons, the anime does a great job of establishing plot points for future instalments.
If the protagonists were different, perhaps Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory would be higher on the list, but it’s dragged down by the poorly written Kou Uraki and Nina Purpleton. However, it’s an important series to watch and understand the rest.
8. Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin: Advent of the Red Comet
- IMDb Score: 7.9
- MyAnimeList Rating: 8.13
The original series doesn’t detail how the war began, and only shows the period during and after the conflict. Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin: Advent of the Red Comet fixes that, adapting the manga series that gave us the necessary details.
The Origin tells us how the Principality of Zeon rose, the death of Zeon Zun Daikun, and how his children came to Earth. The 13 episodes eventually lead up to how the war began. It’s safe to say this is one of the vital series to watch.
7. Gundam Build Fighters
- IMDb Score: 7.1
- MyAnimeList Rating: 7.74
Build Fighters is the most realistic in the franchise as it takes place in a world similar to ours. It’s a controversial one to put so close to the top of our ranking, but the reason is that it’s so light-hearted and fun. It’s a simple series that’s one of the easiest to rewatch.
6. Gundam: The 08th MS Team
- IMDb Score: 7.9
- MyAnimeList Rating: 7.99
Gundam: The 08th MS Team is one of the best as it takes place a month after the original, and offers a gritty and grounded experience. It has the perfect mix of tactical themes and science fiction. It’s nothing short of a masterpiece, as it also features a beautiful romance and personal story.
5. Gundam Build Divers Re:Rise
- IMDb Score: 7.4
- MyAnimeList Rating: 7.06
Now we’re in the top five territories that we believe most fans will agree with. Gundam Build Divers Re:Rise is among the best in the franchise as it isn’t afraid to add real stakes and tension, with a bold narrative that actually works.
Hiroto Kuga, the protagonist of Gundam Build Divers Re:Rise, is one of the best protagonists in the franchise, too. He isn’t just a stagnant character, and for once, the side characters also contribute to the plot. This series captures the appeal of Gundam into one.
4. Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam
- IMDb Score: 8
- MyAnimeList Rating: 7.89
Zeta is one of the best sequels to come out in history, as it perfectly expands the events of the original Gundam. It even surpasses the original, which is quite the feat. Although there’s a new protagonist, many characters also return, and you get to know them far better.
While the pacing isn’t the best, Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam explores many difficult subjects around morality. It’s the perfect pair to the original.
3. Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn
- IMDb Score: 7.7
- MyAnimeList Rating: 8.09
Unicorn is a vital part of understanding the Universal Century. It wraps up the timeline perfectly, accompanied by stunning animation and designs. It doesn’t feel out of place with the franchise one bit, despite the significant time jump. It’s a 7-episode series, so it’s incredibly easy to watch.
2. Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans
- IMDb Score: 7.9
- MyAnimeList Rating: 8.06
As one of the darkest instalments in the Gundam franchise, Iron-Blooded Orphans will hook you in. It has 50 episodes and deals with themes of slavery, child soldiers, and neocolonialism.
What makes Iron-Blooded Orphans a masterpiece is also the natural pacing and how easy it is to root for the characters. It’s hard not to when you pit orphans against a cruel regime. It’s easily the second-best Gundam.
1. Mobile Suit Gundam 00
- IMDb Score: 8
- MyAnimeList Rating: 8.10
There is no competition when it comes to Mobile Suit Gundam 00. It’s the winner, without a doubt. Although the plot seems simple, the complex narrative is built up naturally, and the ending is satisfying.
Gundam 00 has almost no flaws. The characters are great and get incredible development, which includes the villains. Season 2 doesn’t drop in quality either. It’s also a great entry point for new fans.
Do you agree with our ranking of each Gundam series? Let us know in the comments below!
