Ever since its debut in 1979, Gundam GuuuuuX TV series set to debut in April and more Gundam anime on the way—including a sequel to Gundam: Hathaway—another Gundam project is in the works that could propel the franchise to even greater heights.
A live-action Gundam movie has been in development for years, but fans got a big update in October 2024 when Legendary Pictures (home of Pacific Rim and the Legendary MonsterVerse) announced a new partnership with Bandai Namco Filmworks, which develops Gundam content in Japan. The two companies have agreed to develop and produce the long-awaited film, which is now set to be directed by Jim Mickle, known for his work on the fantasy TV series Sweet Tooth.
But making a successful live-action Gundam movie will require more than just putting flesh-and-blood actors inside the cockpit of the iconic RX-78-2 mobile suit. After 46 years and 37 canonical stories spanning anime movies, TV series, and OVAs, making sense of the Gundam timeline (or timelines, depending on your perspective) is a daunting task—even for longtime fans. However, the filmmakers behind the live-action adaptation might have a clear path to success if they focus on the timeline that made Gundam a cultural phenomenon in the first place: the Universal Century.
How Mobile Suit Gundam Revolutionized Anime
War in the Universal Century
Mobile Suit Gundam premiered on April 7, 1979, and immediately revolutionized Japan’s mecha anime genre. Directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino and produced by Sunrise, the series introduced the concept of real robots, portraying mecha as realistic military hardware rather than the invincible super machines of previous shows like Mazinger Z. Unlike earlier mecha anime aimed at children, Gundam targeted older audiences, featuring detailed world-building and complex characters, setting a new standard for the medium.
The original Gundam storyline is set in Universal Century 0079, during a war between the Earth Federation and the Principality of Zeon. The story follows Amuro Ray, a teenage civilian who becomes the pilot of the RX-78-2 Gundam, a powerful mobile suit developed by his father for the Federation. As Amuro faces off against Zeon’s ace pilot, Char Aznable, he struggles with the horrors of war and his evolving identity as a Newtype—a human with heightened psychic abilities. Over its initial 43-episode run (later condensed into three compilation films), Gundam redefined anime by blending character-driven conflict, political intrigue, military strategy, science fiction speculation, and thrilling mecha action, laying the foundation for the franchise’s future.
Gundam Expands Beyond the Universal Century
The Rise of Alternative Gundam Timelines
The first batch of Gundam sequels—including Zeta Gundam (1985–1986), ZZ Gundam (1986–1987), and the 1988 feature film Char’s Counterattack—were direct continuations of the original storyline and remained set in the Universal Century timeline. Then, in 1994, Mobile Fighter G Gundam debuted on Japanese TV. This series, which centered on martial arts-style tournament battles between Mobile Suits representing different nations, broke away from the Universal Century continuity and introduced an entirely new setting for Gundam: The Future Century timeline.
From this point forward, new entries in the Gundam franchise were no longer confined to a single continuity and could introduce their own distinct timelines. This departure from the traditional Gundam formula paved the way for alternative settings, such as the After Colony (AC) timeline with Gundam Wing (1995–1996), the Cosmic Era (CE) timeline with Gundam SEED (2002–2003), and the Anno Domini (AD) timeline with Gundam 00 (2007–2009). While this expansion offered a variety of Gundam experiences tailored to different audiences, it also made the franchise’s continuity more complex and harder to follow, especially for newcomers.
The Universal Century Timeline Lives On
Gundam and Western Sci-Fi: A Comparison
Meanwhile, Gundam stories set in the original Universal Century timeline have continued to be released. However, rather than directly advancing the overarching story, these entries often explore different points within the ongoing conflicts between the Earth Federation and the independent space colonies. So far, fans have witnessed Amuro and Char’s early struggles in Gundam: The Origin (2015–2018) and followed Bright Noa’s son as he emerged as a terrorist leader in Gundam: Hathaway (2021). Even the recent 2024 Netflix series, Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance, is set within the Universal Century timeline.
In some ways, Gundam is now comparable to two long-running Western sci-fi franchises: Star Trek and Star Wars. All three have expanded their universes through sequels, prequels, and spin-offs, exploring new storytelling possibilities across multiple generations. For some fans, keeping track of these cosmic narratives is no challenge—whether they grew up with the franchises or have studied them deeply enough to navigate their intricate lore. However, in recent years, audiences for Star Trek and Star Wars have declined, with some viewers expressing frustration over increasingly complex backstories, making it harder to follow the latest installments.
The Big Decision Facing the Live-Action Movie
Gundam's Future: More Than Just Mecha Battles
The makers of the new Gundam live-action movie now face a crucial decision as they work to bring the beloved anime to a massive global audience. Should they draw inspiration from the original Universal Century timeline, or should they forge an entirely new path? My advice would be to return to the original Gundam series and retell its story using the latest special effects techniques. While other Gundam timelines have come and gone, the Universal Century has proven itself both durable and flexible. For instance, the new hit anime Gundam GuuuuuuX reimagines the Universal Century in an alternate reality where Zeon won the One Year War—changing key details while still maintaining the essence of the franchise. Without some connection to its roots, a live-action Gundam risks becoming another Pacific Rim—visually exciting, but ultimately just Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots.
Casting The Mobile Suit Gundam Live-Action Movie: 15 Actors Who Would Be Perfect
Even without any official casting updates, Netflix and Lionsgate's live-action Mobile Suit Gundam movie leaves plenty to the imagination.
But Gundam has always been more than just giant robots smashing into each other. What sets it apart is its depth—a mix of political intrigue, tactical warfare, and thought-provoking sci-fi concepts that have kept fans coming back for decades. Whether the live-action movie sticks to the Universal Century or creates something new, it needs to embrace what makes Gundam unique and make it clear when it is set in the continuity. Do that, and it won’t just be another mecha movie—it’ll be something truly special.
- Created by
- Yoshiyuki Tomino
- TV Show(s)
- Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury, Mobile Suit SD Gundam, Superior Defender Gundam Force
- First Film
- Mobile Suit Gundam I
- First TV Show
- Mobile Suit Gundam
- Latest TV Show
- Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury
- First Episode Air Date
- April 7, 1979
The Gundam franchise is a cornerstone of mecha anime, featuring giant robots known as "mobile suits" in various wartime settings. Originating with Mobile Suit Gundam in 1979, it explores complex themes of war, politics, and humanity through the struggles of pilots who navigate these massive machines. The franchise spans multiple timelines and universes, creating a rich tapestry of interconnected stories and standalone narratives.
