It is year 0079 of the Universal Century. Mankind has moved to space, living in colony clusters known as "Sides." One of these Sides declares itself the "Principality of Zeon" and declares war on the Earth Federation, the governmental body currently ruling Earth. Using powerful humanoid robots known as "mobile suits," Zeon quickly gains the upper hand. Nine months into the conflict, the Earth Federation has developed its own powerful mobile suit called the Gundam. When Zeon launches an attack on the colony holding the Gundam, a 15-year-old civilian named Amuro Ray suddenly finds himself thrown into a conflict that will take him all across Earth and space, pitting him against the enemy's ace pilot, Char Aznable. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
PG-13 - Teens 13 or older
Sunrise
Sotsu, Nagoya Broadcasting Network
Apr 7, 1979 to Jan 26, 1980
Original
Aznable, Char
Main
Ray, Amuro
Main
Ajan, Matilda
Supporting
Akahana
Supporting
Al Bakharov, Simus
Supporting
Asakura
Supporting
Bamro
Supporting
Barom
Supporting
Bloom, Cameron
Supporting
Boone, Flanagan
Supporting
Bow, Fraw
Supporting
Bull, Challia
Supporting
Callahan
Supporting
Callas, Antonio
Supporting
Camilla
Supporting
Carioca
Supporting
Kidou Senshi Gundam was not popular when it first aired, and came close to being cancelled. The series was originally set to run for 52 episodes but was cut down to 39 by the show's sponsors, but the staff was able to negotiate an extension to end the series with 43 episodes. When Bandai bought the copyrights to build plastic models for the show's mecha things changed and the show became popular. It revolutionized the genre by portraying mecha as piloted military weaponry with real-world scientific basis instead of superheroes' giant robots. Often referred to as the 'real robot' genre, it became the norm for mecha anime in the following years after its release. The series was the first winner of the Animage Anime Grand Prix prize, in 1979 and the first half of 1980.
Escape
Space Fortress: A Baoa Qu
A Cosmic Glow
Lalah's Dilemma
The Newtype: Challia Bull
Char and Sayla
The Duel in Texas
Big-Zam's Last Stand
The Glory of Solomon
A Fateful Encounter
Farewell in Side Six
Breakthrough
A Decoy in Space
A Wish of War Orphans
Tragedy in Jaburo
Across the Atlantic Ocean
A Spy on Board
Char Returns
The Battle of Odessa
Black Tri-Star
Matilda's Rescue
The Trap of M'Quve
Sorrow and Hatred
Hand-to-Hand Combat
Ramba Ral's Attack
Zeon's Secret Mine
Amuro Deserts
Sayla's Agony
Time, Be Still
Coming Home
The Threat of Zeon
Icelina - Love's Remains
Garma's Fate
Fly, Gundam!
Winds of War
The Core Fighter's Escape
Garma Strikes
Re-entry to Earth
Escape from Luna II
Vote to Attack