From the outside, the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise can seem somewhat intimidating. With over four decades of animated content behind it (to say nothing of manga, light novels, and video games), it can be a little hard for people who aren't able to quote the Zaku II's technical specs by heart to navigate the myriad different timelines and histories that make up the expansive mecha series.

While certain Gundam stories are entirely self-contained (Like Gundam 00, Wing, and Iron Blooded Orphans), the universe that made Gundam famous is the Universal Century timeline, which contains most of Gundam's earlier animated projects. The UC story has a fairly strict chronology, with characters shared between certain anime entries, so for beginners looking to gain a foothold in Gundam; try working through this watch order.

10 Mobile Suit Gundam

Also known as Mobile Suit Gundam 0079, or Kidou Senshi Gundam, this is the 1979 classic that forms the bedrock of Gundam's lore, themes, and characters. While the troubled production and low budget mean that some of the show's animation is less-than-great, the vision of director Yoshiyuki Tomino shines through (assisted by some outstanding character and robot designs) making this show an all-time classic.

When it comes to the original Gundam fans have two viewing options: they can watch the original series in its entirety, or they can opt to watch the slightly abridged film trilogy that compiles the story's events. The film trilogy cuts out some of the jankier animation and some wackier robot designs, but critics argue that it omits important character moments as well.

Must Read

9 Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team

The 08th MS Team is one of several Universal Century side stories that occur during or shortly after the One Year War from the original series. Affectionately dubbed by some as "Gundam in Vietnam," this short OVA series takes a grittier and more grounded approach to mobile suit combat than some other entries in the series.

Featuring some stellar animation and extremely memorable fight scenes, 08th MS Team is great for fans who want to see a more "modern military" approach to the typically space-focused franchise. If watching giant mecha slog through the mud alongside infantry sounds inviting, then give this a watch, but be sure to have some background from the original series first.