The Universal Century timeline is Mobile Suit Gundam to its core. It is the main timeline, having started off as the only timeline from its 1979 inception all the way until 1994’s Mobile Fighter G Gundam. While several other universes have been introduced – Gundam SEED’s, Gundam 00’s, and The Witch from Mercury’s, to name a few – the franchise keeps returning to this one.
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Understandably, most Gundam diehards strongly recommend giving Universal Century a shake. You’re in for a complex sociopolitical extravaganza with iconic characters and mecha designs worth building Gunpla over. We’ve compiled the chronological UC Gundam order for your viewing pleasure.
The Universal Century Timeline: Complete Chronological Order
This will be a daunting prospect, and you may have difficulty locating every single thing. But if you truly wish to experience every part of the canon Universal Century timeline, this is what you’re in for.
We should add here that several entries in this list jump around in the timeline at least a bit. For these, we’re listing them at the earliest point in their stories. It’s a complete mess otherwise.
Given the sheer volume of content set in 0079, we’ve had to play a bit loose as to their exact order. If you feel like there ought to be any modifications therein, don’t hesitate to let us know.
|
Title |
In-Universe Year |
Release Year(s) |
Category |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin |
0068 |
2015-2018 (OVAs); 2019 (anime series) |
OVA series, followed by 13-episode adaptation |
It also includes portions set closer to, and even during, the One Year War (0079). |
|
Mobile Suit Gundam: MS IGLOO |
0079 |
2004-2008 |
OVA series |
– |
|
Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team |
0079 |
1996-1999 |
OVA series |
– |
|
Mobile Suit Gundam: Thunderbolt |
0079 |
2015-2017 |
OVA series; also compiled into two feature films |
– |
|
Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance |
0079 |
2024 |
Six-episode series |
– |
|
Mobile Suit Gundam |
0079 |
1979-1980 (anime series); 1981-1982 (films) |
43-episode series, followed by feature film trilogy |
This is the one that started it all. |
|
Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan’s Island |
0079 |
2022 |
Feature film |
A film adaptation of the infamous 15th episode of the original show, fully realizing it several decades after its clearly half-finished release. |
|
Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket |
0080 |
1989 |
OVA series |
– |
|
Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory |
0083 |
1991 |
OVA series |
– |
|
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam |
0087 |
1985-1986 |
50-episode series, also compiled into three feature films |
– |
|
Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ |
0088 |
1986-1987 |
47-episode series |
Sadly, this one remains undubbed to this day. |
|
Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack |
0093 |
1993 |
Feature film |
– |
|
Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn |
0096 |
2007-2009 (core manga); 2016 (extra volume); 2010-2014 (OVA series); 2016 (anime series) |
Manga, adapted into an OVA series, which has also been reconfigured into a 22-episode anime series |
We feel like the seven-episode OVA series works better overall, but you’ll not miss anything regardless of whether you choose the OVAs or the anime. |
|
Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative |
0097 |
2018 |
Feature film |
It’s based on 2016’s extra volume in Unicorn’s manga series, Phoenix Hunting. |
|
Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway’s Flash |
0105 |
1989-1990 (light novels); 2020-present (manga); 2021-present (film trilogy) |
Originally a trilogy of light novels; in recent years, they’ve received both an ongoing manga and an ongoing feature film trilogy |
The first movie’s great, but we’ve been warned of very long lead times for the other two, so if you’re interested in the story, it might be best to check the novels. |
|
Mobile Suit Gundam F91 |
0123 |
1991 |
Feature film |
This was initially envisioned as a full-length anime series. Unfortunately, that was scrapped in favor of this story-condensed theatrical film. |
|
Mobile Suit Crossbone Gundam |
0123-0169 |
1994-present |
Several manga sub-series |
The continuation of F91, which has seen a veritable smorgasbord of its own continuations, up through as recently as 2023. Two of the sub-series, Dust and X-11, are actually set a full 16 years after Victory Gundam. |
|
Mobile Suit Victory Gundam |
0153 |
1993-1994 |
51-episode anime series |
It’s the last full-fledged anime series that is indisputably set in the Universal Century timeline. |
|
G-Saviour |
0223 |
2000 |
Feature film |
Not exactly good, and largely “disinherited” from the timeline. We’d suggest skipping it. |
|
Gundam Reconguista in G |
1,014 (RC) |
2014-2015 (anime series); 2019-2022 (film series); 2014-2019 and on hiatus (manga) |
26-episode anime series, with a manga adaptation and a five-film adaptation |
It’s canonically set over a millennium past the (undetermined) end point of the Universal Century time denomination. Connections are quite tenuous, but they’re there. |
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The Universal Century Timeline: Minus Most “Filler”
Well. As you can see, that’s a lot. There is, mercifully, a faster way to experience the “important” parts of the Universal Century timeline.
Mind you, we don’t mean to disparage the content which we’re leaving off of this second list. Some of it is quite good. (We’re big Crossbone Gundam fans.) But if you want to watch the UC stories that are considered “vital”, read on.
|
Title |
Our Rationale |
|---|---|
|
Mobile Suit Gundam |
Mainline series, but consider watching the films instead |
|
Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket |
Excellent short spinoff |
|
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam |
Mainline series |
|
Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ |
Mainline series |
|
Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack |
The film wraps up much of MSG, Zeta, and ZZ |
|
Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn |
Mainline series (arguably, but we’d argue it for sure) |
|
Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway |
Key followup to Char’s Counterattack and Unicorn |
If you don’t take to Mobile Suit Gundam, the first show, it might be worth trying with the feature film trilogy before giving up entirely. The original show, and this is no slight against it, but it’s clearly quite dated.
The movies have held up well by comparison, and they actually provide a more fleshed-out final mission, besides. That said, you’ll get more characterization out of the show by far, so it’s not even a bad idea to do both.
As for 0080, we admittedly snuck this one on there at any cost out of personal admiration for it, but it’s by no means “mandatory” viewing. You can skip it and not miss any major context for what follows.
What’s The Deal With Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX?
First of all, what’s that name, right? We don’t know, either. The film compilation of the first three episodes, which has been given a theatrical release, includes a line about how it’s more of a placeholder name than anything. So, there’s that.
In any case, Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX does have direct ties to the Universal Century timeline. This is a surprising twist, given just how separate it otherwise seems.
The show, which premieres April 8th, 2025, tells the story of an alternate universe in which something very different occurs during the One Year War. Thus, it’s not part of the timeline as we’ve written it, but it is Universal Century, so it warrants its own split section.
GQuuuuuuX is set five years after the alternate conclusion to the One Year War, which places it in 0085.
It’s safe to assume that none of the other material set after the first moments of Mobile Suit Gundam’s first episode occurs in this universe. The first blatant deviation occurs just a handful of scenes into GQuuuuuuX’s depiction of that episode’s inciting events.
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