Have you ever wondered what Gundam is? What is the correct order to watch the numerous Gundam anime that exist? How did the Gundam franchise come about? How has the popularity of these robots affected the entire world? What is the timeline of the Mobile Suit Gundam universe? In this article, we will see a complete guide to this popular mecha robot franchise in Japan and around the world.
When you were a child, did you ever see those toys that were in the shape of mecha robots? If I left that too vague, I will rephrase the question. In any child’s childhood, they will certainly receive some type of toy, whether cars, puzzles, board games, dolls, etc. So, among these toys, there are those in the shape of robots. Yes, those that most of the time had humanoid shapes full of weapons, details in the armor, well designed, etc. So, have you ever played with or had experiences with these Robots?
I believe most answers will be “yes,” unless you are an older person. In this post, we will talk about these Robots, more specifically what gave rise to the popularity that robots have in Japan today. Just emphasizing that these Robots are of international brand and are successful in Japan and worldwide. At least the ones that are official, that is, manufactured by the Registered brand.
Table of Contents
Origins of Mobile Suit Gundam
Mobile Suit Gundam (MSG), or simply Gundam, is an anime franchise. Being part of the mecha genre, its plot revolves around robots that are used as military weapons. It is clear that in this regard, MSG was the first anime to use giant robots, the main part of the mecha genre, as weapons. Well, the interesting thing would be the type of wars and combats in which they would be put. But with advanced technological robots, would space wars be a surprise?
With a world that is extremely more technologically advanced, this would be possible. And with the robots in this science fiction world, placed in space battles, there was no way it could go wrong, and this is proven by the success it made and continues to make to this day. And of course, the industry would not miss the opportunity to make money.
The name Gundam would be an abbreviation of Gun and Freedom (in Japanese pronunciation, furidamu). In Japanese, Gundam is written as gandamu (ガンダム).
The Mobile Suit Gundam Franchise
Created by Yoshiyuki Tomino and Hajime Yatate at Sunrise studio in 1979. Gundam had a difficult start. But its success began in the 80s and as mentioned before, it endures to this day, and over time it has accumulated everything from anime to video games. Sunrise is known for creating anime franchises with mecha robots like the famous Code Geass.
To be more precise, Gundam is also a franchise. And its brand produces various products on this topic, such as anime, movies, OVAs, manga, novels, video games, and even parodies of the anime. This franchise was so successful that a giant statue was created in the neighborhood of Odaiba Tokyo.
This franchise is under the name of the multinational Bandai Namco, and it is the most profitable for the company. It contains the patent for the products of the entire series. However, while audiovisual products like anime and movies are the main revenue generators, the plastic models of the robots are another major generator, they are called Gunpla (Gundam Plastic models).
History of the Gundam Franchise
Gundam is a highly well-crafted anime, its science fiction genre revolutionized the market with its theme of an advanced universe and its war tactics that included robots and space battles. Its stories were also meticulously crafted to avoid conflicts in the plot, both in the main storyline and in the plots of the anime series that would later diverge from the main story.
In 1994, Sunrise, the original producer, was bought by Bandai. And at that time, Bandai invested in this anime, increasing the presence of Gundam in all types of media. It also hired different creative teams for the series. This is because Gundam had room for more stories due to its alternate universes, that is, different stories but in the same MSG universe (another tactic to expand the franchise used by Bandai).
Bandai’s focus was not on the story; companies prioritize generating revenue instead of a plot. And as Bandai wanted to expand market opportunities through various potential stories, it decided to invest in several stories of alternate universes without caring whether or not to continue the main series. For this reason, the anime series of Gundam seem a bit incomplete, and it is also the reason why there are several different Gundam series.
The Main Gundam Anime
Since there are several Animes in this series, it would be counterproductive to explain, or rather, to try to explain all of them here in this article. I don’t want that, and I’m sure you don’t want that either. For this reason, I will only comment on the main anime, which would be the first to be released and from which the thematic universe was taken as the basis for all other alternate universes.
The name is not new, Mobile Suit Gundam, also known as Gundam 0079, aired in 1979 and was released with 43 episodes. With the mecha genre, it was written and directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino. The series was later re-edited and reduced to be transformed into 3 movies for theaters.
- Mobile Suit Gundam I: released on March 14, 1981;
- Mobile Suit Gundam II: Soldiers of Sorrow: released on July 11, 1981;
- Mobile Suit Gundam III: Encounters in Space: released on March 13, 1982;
Synopsis of Mobile Suit Gundam
In the anime, Earth is suffering from overpopulation and pollution. In this situation, the solution was to colonize space. For this, countless space colonies were created around Earth, these colonies were called Sides. This resulted in the beginning of a new era, the space era, and was named UC 0001 (Universal Century).
After 58 years of peace, humanity grew to a population of 11 billion inhabitants. In UC 0058, the colony named Side 3, the farthest from Earth, declared its independence from Earth. Don’t ask me what the logic behind that is. But under the command of a certain Zeon Zum Daikum, the Republic of Zeon was created, also called Zion. However, despite the independence, the two sides still maintained good relations, but in UC 0068, Zion was killed, and the Republic fell under the control of a family of tyrants, known as Zabi. And with that, the Republic of Zeon declared war against Earth in UC 0079. This war became known as the One Year War.
About 3 billion people died due to the destructive power of the nuclear and biological weapons used in the war. An agreement made between the sides definitively prohibited the use of these armaments. After that, 8 months of peace passed.
During this time, Zion built war robots, which were named Zaku. With a height of 18 meters and piloted by a human. In contrast, Earth created the Gundam RX-78-2 (they could have given it an easier name).
Earth began mass production of the Gundam after its success. And with this, a final attack was launched against Zion and its commander, the antagonist of the series, Char Aznable.
Gundam Timeline
Although it seems like a simple story, Gundam has a “complicated” timeline and is frequently modified at the creators’ whim, who are responsible for the existence of so many alternate universes. These may or may not modify the main timeline.
But in any case, what I will present next is just the timeline of the main story. And based on it, the other stories will develop. Therefore, I advise those who wish to start watching or even those who already watch and want to understand the anime better to pay close attention to this chronological line.
Sometimes we will write GUN-DAM or abbreviate it as GM or MSG for aesthetic mobile reasons and to not negatively affect the SEO of the article. I hope you don’t mind!
Universal Century
The Universal Century (UC) is the English name for the original timeline of MSG. In Japanese, it is called “Uchuu Seiki,” which means “The Era of Space.” The Universal Century is the most developed timeline in this franchise, with a significant advantage over the others. It includes four TV series, four OVA series, fifteen theatrical releases, and several specials.
- UC 0068: MOBILE SUIT GUN-DAM I Blue-Eyed Casval (2015);
- UC 0071: MOBILE SUIT GUN-DAM A ORIGEM II Artesia’s Sorrow (2015);
- UC 0078: MOBILE SUIT GUN-DAM A ORIGEM III Dawn of the Rebellion (2016);
- MOBILE SUIT GUN-DAM A ORIGEM IV Eve of Destiny (2016);
- UC 0079-0080: MOBILE SUIT GUN-DAM (1979-1980);
- MOBILE SUIT GM: Team 08 MS (1996 – 1999);
- MOBILE SUIT GM MS IGLOO (2004 – 2009);
- MOBILE SUIT GM 0080: War in the Pocket (1989);
- MOBILE SUIT GM Thunderbolt (2015-2017);
- UC 0083: MSG 0083: Stardust Memory (1991 – 1992);
- UC 0087-0088: MOBILE SUIT ZETA GM (1985 – 1986);
- ZETA GUNDAM: A New Translation (2005 – 2006);
- UC 0088-0089: MOBILE SUIT GM ZZ (1986 – 1987);
- UC 0093: MOBILE SUIT GM: Char’s Counterattack (1988);
- UC 0096: MOBILE SUIT GM UNICORN (2010 – 2014);
- UC 0123: MOBILE SUIT GM F91 (1991);
- UC 0133: MOBILE SUIT GM (1994 – 1997);
- UC 0153: MOBILE SUIT VICTORY GM (1993 – 1994);
- UC 0203: GAIA GEAR (1987);
- UC 0223: G-salvador (2001);
Future Century
Future Century is the timeline of another anime television series, based on the MSG universe, which was named Mobile Fighter G Gundam, and also includes its related projects. I will abbreviate it as FC, to avoid repetition.
- FC 60: MOBILE FIGHTER G GUNDAM (1994 – 1995)
After Colony / Mars Century
After Colony is the timeline of the MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM WING series, another series of the franchise, and is often abbreviated as “AC.” The AC timeline develops the struggle of the space colonies for freedom from the Earth-based organization (such as the United Earth Sphere Alliance and Zodiac Organization), in these struggles, the Gundams were built as a way to defend the suffering of the colonies to escape this oppression.
The Mars Century, abbreviated as “MC,” continues the AC timeline and takes place on Mars. The story occurs within the Mars Sphere and is interrupted by flashbacks from the post-colony era. AC has the third most developed timeline, with a TV series, an OVA series, and a compilation film. The MC consists of a novel.
- AC 195: NEW MOBILE REPORT GM (1995 – 1996)
- AC196: NEW MOBILE REPORT: GM WING: Endless Waltz (1997)
- MC 0022: NEW MOBILE REPORT GM WING: Frozen Teardrop (2010-2015)
After War
After War is the timeline set after a post-apocalyptic war world and has many similarities with the UC. After War is the only timeline, besides UC, to feature Newtypes as an important element. We will abbreviate it as AW.
- AW 15: AFTER WAR GUNDAM X (1996)
Correct Century
The Correct Century is the timeline used in ∀ GUNDAM. Its Japanese name, ‘Seireki,’ is a play on words about the Japanese term for the Common Era (CE) calendar system (暦 暦; also pronounced Seireki). Its kanji literally means “Correct Calendar.” And we will abbreviate it as CC.
- CC 2343-2345: ∀ GUNDAM (1999 – 2000)
Cosmic Era
Cosmic Era (abbreviated as “CE”) is the timeline of the SEED Gundam series. It is the second timeline developed by several TV series. It is also the second most developed, with two TV series, one ONA, and two compilation films.
- CE 71: MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM SEED (2003) – MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM SEED Astray (2003)
- CE 73: MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM SEED Destiny (2005) – MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM CE SEED 73: STARGAZER (2006)
Anno Domini
Anno Domini is a timeline where the events of Gundam 00 occur (which uses the Gregorian calendar, the calendar used in the West). So we will use AD as an abbreviation for Anno Domini.
- 2307-2308 AD: MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM 00 (Season 1) (2008)
- 2312 AD: MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM 00 (Season 2) (2009)
- 2314 AD: MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM 00 The Movie – A wakening of the Trailblazer – (2010)
Advanced Generation
The Advanced Generation (abbreviated as “AG” or “A.G.”) is the timeline of the Gundam Era. The age is set several hundred years after humanity migrated to space and lived within space colonies. The wars on Earth ended a long time ago, and the world seems to be in a peaceful era.
- AG 115 – 164: MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM AGE (2012)
- AG 141 – 164: MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM AGE: Memory of Eden (2013)
Regild Century
The Regild Century is the setting of Gundam Reconguista in G. It is chronologically defined about a thousand years after the end of UC and about 500 years after CC.
Regild Century 1014: GUNDAM RECONGUISTA in G (2015)
Post Disaster
The Post Disaster era is a timeline set 300 years after a devastating war known as the “Calamity War.” We will have PD as an abbreviation.
- PD 323: MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM Iron-Blooded Orphans (Season 1) (2015)
- PD 325: MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM Iron-Blooded Orphans (Season 2) (2016)
For more information about the MSG timeline or how the mangas and other MSG works fit into this timeline, we recommend visiting the Gundam Wiki.
Gundam as a Hobby
Well, for those who don’t know, collecting MSG figures has become a very popular hobby, especially in Japan. Companies profit greatly from sales. This hobby is also aimed at real robots inspired by the series. Companies invest heavily in these products because the market is favorable.
I researched and saw people of various ages, Gundam fans, with their giant collections of plastic robots. To give you a sense of the price of one of these figures, I will provide the address of a website that sells this type of product.
Unfortunately, I don’t have a basis for comparison just with numbers, but I will try to give a value, clarifying that the economies of the two countries are completely different, so market values and things like cost of living and taxes are also different. So I don’t know if they can be considered expensive or cheap.
Conclusion of the Article
Well, I personally really like this genre, after all, it is very successful and has many fans around the world. There is even a term for those who are addicted to Mecha. But the important thing is that with this article you became more informed and perhaps even cleared up some doubts you had. In my opinion, robots are interesting, and I like it when it involves fantasy. A good example is the anime Knight’s and Magic.
I hope this article has helped satisfy your curiosity. Other than that, I can only ask that for any doubts, suggestions, criticisms, or other similar things, you can share by commenting below. This article ends here, and thank you, dear reader, for reading this article up to here. Until the next article.
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