The Most Popular Gundam Series, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the series you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 24, 2024 07:14
In the world of anime, the excitement surrounding mech battles and interstellar warfare has captivated audiences for decades. Fans often debate which Gundam series stands out the most, not just for its pioneering animation techniques, but also for its intricate storytelling and character development.
By participating in this ongoing ranked list, fans have a unique opportunity to voice their preferences and see how their favorite series stack up against the rest. Each vote helps to shape the list, ensuring it accurately reflects the opinions and passions of the true Gundam aficionados.
What Is the Most Popular Gundam Series?
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160votes
Mobile Suit Gundam (1979)
Yoshiyuki TominoThis is the original series that started the entire Gundam franchise, and it remains one of the most popular and influential anime of all time. It introduced many of the key concepts and themes that have become staples of the series, such as the struggle between Earth and space colonies, the use of giant robots (mobile suits), and the exploration of war and its effects on society.Mobile Suit Gundam (1979) is a mecha anime series set in a futuristic era where humanity has colonized space. It follows the war between the Earth Federation and the Principality of Zeon, where giant humanoid robots called Gundams are used as weapons. The series explores themes of war, politics, and the human condition through its complex characters and intense battles.- Original Run: April 7, 1979 – January 26, 1980
- Episodes: 43
- Licensed by: Sunrise
- Genre: Mecha, Science Fiction, Drama, Military
- Main Character: Amuro Ray
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217votesThis series was a huge hit in the 90s, especially in North America, where it introduced many fans to the Gundam franchise for the first time. It featured a different setting and cast of characters than the original series, with a focus on political intrigue, complex relationships between the protagonist pilots, and epic battles between towering mobile suits.
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345votes
Mobile Suit Gundam Seed (2002)
Yoshiyuki TominoThis series was a major reboot of the Gundam franchise for the 21st century, updating the animation and storytelling for a new generation of fans. It was set in a new universe with new characters, but still explored many of the same themes as the original series, such as the struggle between Earth and space colonies, genetic engineering, and the ethics of war.Mobile Suit Gundam Seed (2002) is a Japanese mecha anime series set in the cosmic era, in which humanity is locked in a war between genetically enhanced humans known as Coordinators and unmodified humans called Naturals. The story follows Kira Yamato, a civilian who becomes a pilot of a powerful mobile suit called the Strike Gundam and finds himself caught up in the conflict.- Year: 2002
- Genre: Mecha, Science Fiction, Military
- Episodes: 50
- Directed by: Mitsuo Fukuda
- Studio: Sunrise
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419votesThis series was notable for its sleek, futuristic designs of the mobile suits, as well as its focus on the idea of "Celestial Being," a group of idealistic pilots who seek to end all wars on Earth by force. It also tackled issues such as terrorism, political corruption, and the nature of heroism.Mobile Suit Gundam 00 (2007) is a Japanese mecha anime series set in the year 2307 AD, where fossil fuels have depleted, leading to conflicts over solar energy. The story revolves around a paramilitary organization called Celestial Being, which aims to eliminate war and conflict through the deployment of advanced humanoid mecha known as Gundam. The series explores various themes such as war, terrorism, and the intervention of superpowers. It follows the adventures of Setsuna F. Seiei, one of the Gundam Meisters, as he fights against opposing factions.
- Original run: October 6, 2007 – March 29, 2008
- Genre: Mecha, Science Fiction
- Episodes: 50
- Directed by: Seiji Mizushima
- Studio: Sunrise
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510votesThis series was praised for its gritty, realistic portrayal of war and its impact on child soldiers. Set in a universe where Earth has lost its dominance to space colonies, it followed a group of orphans who form their own mercenary group to survive and fight for their rights. It was also notable for its diverse cast of characters and exploration of social inequality.Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans (2015) is a Japanese mecha anime series set in the Calamity War timeline. It follows the story of a group of child soldiers known as Tekkadan, who become involved in a revolution on Mars. The series explores themes of war, child exploitation, and the search for identity. As the conflict escalates, the characters must navigate through political intrigue and personal challenges while piloting powerful Gundam mobile suits.
- Genre: Mecha, Action, Drama
- Original run: October 4, 2015 – March 27, 2016
- Episodes: 25
- Animation studio: Sunrise
- Director: Tatsuyuki Nagai
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611votes
Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt (2015)
Yasuo OhtagakiThis series was praised for its stunning animation and intense, jazz-infused soundtrack. It was set in an alternate universe where the One Year War between Earth and space colonies is still raging, and focused on a small-scale conflict between two ace pilots who are trying to outdo each other. It was also notable for its exploration of the psychological toll of war on the pilots.Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yasuo Ohtagaki. It is set in the Universal Century timeline of the Gundam franchise and was first serialized in 2012. The story revolves around the war between the Earth Federation and the Principality of Zeon, focusing on the pilots of the heavily-armed mobile suits called Gundam Thunderbolt.- Original run: 2012 - present
- Genre: Mecha, Action, Drama, Science Fiction
- Published by: Shogakukan
- Serialized in: Big Comic Superior
- Volumes: 16 (ongoing)
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79votes
Fumihiko Takayama / Studio Sunrise · Public domainMobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket (1989)
Fumihiko TakayamaThis series was praised for its realistic portrayal of the impact of war on civilians, especially children. It was set in the One Year War timeline, but followed a young boy who befriends a Zeon pilot and learns the harsh realities of war firsthand. It was also notable for its strong character development and emotional storytelling.Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket is a six-episode anime series set in the Universal Century Gundam universe. It was created by director Fumihiko Takayama and produced by Sunrise. The series follows the story of a young boy named Alfred Izuruha, who lives in a neutral colony during the One Year War, a conflict between the Earth Federation and the Principality of Zeon.- Year of Release: 1989
- Animation Studio: Sunrise
- Episodes: 6
- Setting: Universal Century
- Genre: Mecha, Drama
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81votes
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin (2015)
Yoshikazu YasuhikoThis series was a retelling of the original Gundam series, with updated animation and new scenes that filled in backstory and character development. It was also notable for its exploration of the origins of the Gundam technology and the politics of the Earth Federation and Zeon.Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin (2015) is an anime series which serves as a prequel to the original Mobile Suit Gundam series. It is based on the manga of the same name written by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko. The series explores the early days of the One Year War, focusing on the events leading up to the conflict and the origins of various iconic characters and Mobile Suits.- Original Run: 2015-2018
- Genre: Mecha, Military, Drama
- Episodes: 13 (Episode 6 divided into two parts)
- Studio: Sunrise
- Directed by: Takashi Imanishi
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910votesThis series was praised for its stunning animation and epic storyline, which followed a young man who is drawn into a conflict over a powerful Gundam unit that could change the course of the war. It was also notable for its exploration of the history and mythology of the Gundam franchise, as well as its focus on themes of sacrifice and redemption.Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn is a mecha anime series set in the Universal Century timeline of the Gundam franchise. It follows the story of Banagher Links, who becomes involved in the conflict between the Earth Federation and the Sleeves, a remnant of the Principality of Zeon.
- Original Release Year: 2010
- Episodes: 7
- Director: Kazuki Akane
- Studio: Sunrise
- Music: Hiroyuki Sawano
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109votesThis series was a departure from the traditional Gundam formula, with a focus on martial arts and tournament-style battles between mobile suits. It was set in a universe where Earth is divided into separate countries that wage war against each other, and follows a young fighter who must represent his nation in a tournament to determine the fate of the world. It was also notable for its over-the-top action and humor.Mobile Fighter G Gundam (1994) is a Japanese anime series set in the Gundam universe. It takes a departure from the typical Gundam storyline by featuring a tournament-style format where representatives from different countries pilot giant robots known as Gundam Mobile Suits to compete and settle conflicts. The series follows Domon Kasshu, a skilled martial artist and pilot of the Shining Gundam, as he participates in the Gundam Fight tournament to uncover the truth behind his brother's disappearance. With a mix of intense action, political intrigue, and personal growth, Mobile Fighter G Gundam offers a unique twist on the Gundam franchise.
- Original run: April 1, 1994 – March 31, 1995
- Episodes: 49
- Director: Yasuhiro Imagawa
- Studio: Sunrise
- Opening theme: "Flying in the Sky" by Yoshifumi Ushima
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Ranking factors for popular series
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Sales and viewership figuresOne of the main factors that determine a Gundam series' popularity is its overall sales and viewership. This includes DVD and Blu-ray sales, merchandise sales, and TV ratings. More popular series usually have higher sales and viewership figures.
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Critical reception and reviewsA popular Gundam series will usually have positive reviews and ratings from both critics and fans. Reviews from popular anime websites, magazines, and forums can give an idea of the general perception of each series.
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Cultural impact and influenceThe popularity of a Gundam series can also be judged by its cultural impact and how it has influenced other media, such as the proliferation of Gundam model kits, spin-offs, and adaptations in different formats like manga and light novels. Additionally, a popular series may inspire other anime and mecha properties.
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Fanbase and community engagementThe level of fan engagement, such as online discussion boards, fan art, fanfiction, and cosplayers, can also be an indicator of a Gundam series' popularity. The more active and passionate a fanbase is, the more popular a series is likely to be.
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Popularity of its characters and mobile suitsA popular Gundam series will often have iconic characters and mobile suits that fans love and can recognize. They may become fan favorites and be featured in various fan art, merchandise, and apparel.
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Longevity and historical contextGundam series that have stood the test of time and continue to be popular years after their original release can be considered popular. Understanding the historical context and the influence each series had during its release will help to determine its popularity.
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Number of sequels and spin-offsA popular Gundam series may have multiple sequels or spin-offs that are created due to their popularity. This can include direct sequels, side stories, or alternate universe stories.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Gundam series. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or series is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2304 views
- 174 votes
- 10 ranked items
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Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each series once every 24 hours. The rank of each series is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular gundam series
Gundam is a long-running anime franchise that has been around since 1979. It is set in a futuristic world where giant robots, known as Mobile Suits, are used for warfare. Over the years, the franchise has spawned numerous TV series, movies, manga, and video games, each with its own unique storyline and characters. The popularity of Gundam has continued to grow worldwide, with fans eagerly anticipating each new release. With so many entries in the franchise, it's no surprise that fans have their own opinions on which series is the best. In this article, we'll be exploring the most popular Gundam series, as voted on by fans on StrawPoll.
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