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The Universal Century timeline isMobile Suit Gundamto its core. It isthemain timeline, having started off as theonlytimeline 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.
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 adaunting prospect, and you may have difficulty locating every single thing. But if you truly wish to experienceevery part of the canon Universal Century timeline, this is what you’re in for.
We should add here thatseveral 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.
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).
0079
2004-2008
OVA series
-
1996-1999
2015-2017
OVA series; also compiled into two feature films
2024
Six-episode series
1979-1980 (anime series); 1981-1982 (films)
43-episode series, followed by feature film trilogy
2022
Feature film
A film adaptation of the infamous 15th episode of the original show, fully realizing
0080
1989
0083
1991
0087
1985-1986
50-episode series, also compiled into three feature films
0088
1986-1987
47-episode series
0093
1993
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.
0097
2018
It’s based on 2016’s extra volume in Unicorn’s manga series, Phoenix Hunting.
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.
0123
This was initially envisioned as a full-length anime series. Unfortunately, that was
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,
0153
1993-1994
51-episode anime series
It’s the last full-fledged anime series that is indisputably set in the Universal Century
0223
2000
Not exactly good, and largely “disinherited” from the timeline. We’d suggest skipping it.
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.
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.) Butif you want to watch the UC stories that are considered “vital”,read on.
Mainline series, but consider watching the films instead
Excellent short spinoff
Mainline series
The film wraps up much of MSG, Zeta, and ZZ
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 trilogybefore giving up entirely. The original show, and this is no slight against it, but it’s clearlyquite dated.
The movies have held up well by comparison, andthey actually provide a more fleshed-out final mission, besides. That said,you’ll get more characterization out of the showby far, so it’s not even a bad idea to do both.
As for0080, we admittedly snuck this one on there at any cost out of personal admiration for it, butit’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 ofan alternate universe in which something very different occurs during the One Year War. Thus, it’snot part of the timeline as we’ve written it, butitisUniversal Century, so it warrants its own split section.
GQuuuuuuX is setfive years after the alternate conclusion to the One Year War,which places it in0085.
It’s safe to assume thatnone 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.
