Gundam: The Universal Century, Explained

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Gundam: The Universal Century, Explained

Key Takeaways

  • Universal Century features a battle between Federation & Zeon ideologies, with a new era starting in space.
  • Zeon develops mobile suits, kicks off One-Year war against the Federation.
  • RX Project creates iconic Gundam unit to counter Zeon’s aggression in Mobile Suit Gundam series.

As a seasoned connoisseur of all things mecha and a lifelong fan of the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise, I can wholeheartedly vouch for diving into the captivating world of the Universal Century. This expansive timeline is brimming with intricate plots, compelling characters, and breathtaking action sequences that have stood the test of time.

The Mobile Suit Gundam series, spanning nearly half a century, boasts numerous anime shows, films, manga, video games, and model kits, making it one of Japan’s largest intellectual properties. Out of all these series, only one has been consistently developed since the inception of the anime, with multiple narratives unfolding within a single chronology: the Universal Century. This timeline serves as Gundam’s primary continuity and is undoubtedly its most renowned and iconic.

Glancing over the collection of series might initially appear daunting, but once you have an opportunity, the epic struggle between the Federation and Zeon in the Universe Century of “Mobile Suit Gundam” is certain to captivate everyone. If you’ve ever been curious about exploring the universe of this classic anime, here’s a handy guide to help you get started and embrace the hope for a brighter future.

The Universal Century, Gundam’s Icon

There’s no Good vs. evil, Only Ideologies

The Universal Century begins at 0001 UC. After the human population has surpassed 9 billion, humanity has finally colonized space and left Earth. A new dawn for the species lies among the stars. The Universal Century is declared with a change in the calendar, signifying a new stage of human history. A new space station called Laplace is built and in it, Prime Minister of the Earth Federation, Ricardo Marcenas, conducts a ceremony to celebrate the calendar change and the new era. A group of terrorists uses solar-powered explosives and destroys the station during Marcenas’ speech, leaving no survivors except for one of the terrorists, a young man named Syam Vist. Syam stumbles upon the Universal Century Charter, a signed statement from all the current world leaders. He takes it with him and goes into hiding.

In the future, mankind establishes seven space settlements referred to as “Sides”. As time passes, more people move to these colonies, earning them the label “Spacenoids”. Eventually, one of their leaders emerges: a politician and philosopher named Zeon Zum Deikun. He proposes the “Newtype Theory”, suggesting that living in space can unlock our full human potential, granting us psychic abilities which could usher in a new age of comprehension. During a significant address, he suffers a fatal heart attack, with many suspecting he was poisoned by his associates, the Zabi Family. He leaves behind a spouse and two children: Casval Rem Deikun and Artesia Som Deikun.

Following his demise, the Earth Federation became the focus of accusations, as they had long been at odds with the Spacenoids. In search of freedom from the Federation’s control, the Spacenoids established a new space nation called the Principality of Zeon, led by Degwin Zabi. Zeon persisted in its pursuit of independence, and with the assistance of Dr. Minovsky, they created a revolutionary weapon of war – a humanoid, giant mechanized suit known as a mobile suit. Pioneering this technology, Zeon built their first mobile suit, which they named the YMS-05 “Zaku”.

In anticipation of a conflict with the Federation, Zeon manufactures the Zaku. Later, Gihren Zabi, Degwin’s son, uses one of the space colonies to break free from its orbit and crash it into Earth, devastating Australia and altering the planet’s weather patterns. This catastrophic event is referred to as the Colony Drop, marking the start of the One-Year War. Zeon Deikun’s son joins the Zeon military, rises through the ranks, and takes on the name Char Aznable. Known for his swift and powerful red Zaku, he earns the nickname “The Red Comet”.

In the Federation, Dr. Minovsky’s research is combined with that of Dr. Tem Ray, launching the RX Project – a covert endeavor aimed at building an advanced mobile suit to counter Zeon. This project eventually yields a revolutionary mobile suit far superior to any Zeon had ever designed: The Gundam. During a Zeon assault on Side 7, a 14-year-old boy named Amuro Ray discovers the Gundam and controls it to repel the attacking Zaku. Thus, the storyline for the first Mobile Suit Gundam series unfolds.

Anime in the Universal Century

Here’s Your Watch List

In the gaming world, I’ve found myself immersed within the vast Universe Century, a cosmos teeming with numerous anime series, OVAs, movies, manga, novels, and even video games! Let me walk you through the animated content, arranged chronologically as it unfolds in this universe:

  • Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin: The story of Char Aznable with modern animation, although its canonicity is debatable.
  • Mobile Suit Gundam 0079: The very first series was released in 1979. It tells the story of Amuro Ray and the crew of the White Base in their battle against Char Aznable and Zeon.
  • Mobile Suit Gundam MS Igloo Movie Trilogy: A Different Side of the One Year War following the crew of the Jotunheim.
  • Mobile Suit Gundam 08th MS Team: OVA showing the 08th MS Team led by Shiro Amada on Earth in their battle against Zeon’s new weapon.
  • Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket: A Zeon team investigates the development of a new Federation mobile suit on Christmas.
  • Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory: The battle between Kou Uraki and the relentless Anabel Gato and their two powerful Gundams.
  • Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam: The successors of the Zeon leaders continue their fight with the Federation.
  • Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ: Neo Zeon resorts to horrific crimes in their quest for victory and independence.
  • Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack: The culmination of the rivalry between Amuro Ray and Char Aznable, changing the landscape of the Universal Century.
  • Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn: The Zeon remnants seek the Laplace’s Box as a new Gundam like no other brings a new era for humanity.
  • Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative: The direct sequel to Unicorn, the battle against Neo Zeon continues.
  • Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: Years later after Char’s Counterattack, a boy changed by that conflict begins his revolution.
  • Mobile Suit Gundam F91: Much later in the timeline, humanity can’t escape the cycle of conflict.
  • Mobile Suit Victory Gundam: The farthest point in the timeline, beyond the Federation and Zeon, the Gundam still exists.

As a dedicated gamer, I can vouch for the fact that diving into the Universal Century might seem intimidating at first, but trust me, it’s worth every second. This epic saga from the Mobile Suit Gundam universe is packed with thought-provoking clashes of ideologies, intense political warfare, mind-blowing sci-fi action, and characters that truly stand the test of time. The Universal Century is more than just a story; it’s a legendary journey that explores the quest for understanding in the face of endless conflict – a tale that will captivate you from start to finish.

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2024-10-27 21:33