Best Standalone Gundam Series to Start Today with No Prior Knowledge

A franchise that started before Ryan Gosling was born is a pretty intimidating one to jump into. Thankfully, there are a handful of Standalone Gundam series that you can dive into at any time without needing to know a decade’s worth of lore.

5 Standalone Gundam Series You Can Start Today

So, If you’re new to Gundam or even just looking for a standalone series to dive into without prior knowledge, these five series offer compelling stories and characters that stand on their own:

G Gundam

G Gundam takes a different approach from the traditional Gundam formula. Its focus is on martial arts tournaments between nations instead of a large-scale war. It’s easy to follow with its self-contained storyline, colorful characters, and thrilling fights.

Plus, it’s really a Shonen anime with Gundam paint, so it’s super accessible to newcomers without prior Gundam knowledge. However, it’s also unlike other Gundam series in most respects. Therefore, you may find that liking this one doesn’t mean you’ll like the rest. You can stream G Gundam on Crunchyroll, which is subtitled.

Gundam Wing

Most American millennials probably started their Gundam journey here as Gundam Wing used to air on TV in the late 90s. It was known for heavy political narratives and complex characters, unlike other anime airing at the time. Gundam Wing tells the story of five young pilots thrust into a war for independence.

Each pilot hails from a different faction with diverse perspectives and conflicts. Gundam Wing has excellent character development, plenty of great action, and the single greatest name of any fictional character ever: Treize Khushrenada. You can watch the series subbed or dubbed on Hulu and Crunchyroll.

Gundam 00

Set in a future where private military organizations dominate the world. Gundam 00 follows the exploits of a group of skilled pilots known as Celestial Beings. Its sleek animation, wonderful battles, and thought-provoking narrative about the consequences of war should appeal to anyone looking to get into Gundam.

You can jump into the series without prior Gundam knowledge and still appreciate its standalone storyline. There’s also two seasons worth of Gundam 00 to enjoy. It’s streaming subbed and dubbed on Hulu or subtitled only on Crunchyroll.

Gundam Iron-Blooded Orphans

Gundam Iron-Blooded Orphans offers a gritty and realistic portrayal of war. The focus is a heavy one: child soldiers fighting for freedom on Mars. With its emphasis on character-driven storytelling, intense action scenes, and exploration of heavy political and social themes, Iron-Blooded Orphans draws you in.

Its wonderfully developed characters make it accessible to newcomers while still offering plenty of depth for longtime Gundam fans. It is heavy though, so if you’re more into a light series maybe try one of the other ones. You’ll find Gundam Iron-Blooded Orphans subbed and dubbed on both Hulu and Crunchyroll.

Gundam SEED

Set in the “Cosmic Era” of the Gundam timeline, SEED features a conflict between genetically enhanced humans and regular humans. Its engaging plot and particularly high-quality animation make it an excellent entry point into the Gundam universe for the uninitiated.

SEED’s exploration of war and the human condition represents the overall series themes well, regardless of their familiarity with the franchise. Gundam SEED is currently on Crunchyroll, both subbed and dubbed.

In conclusion, whether you’re new to Gundam or a seasoned fan, you’ve got standalone Gundam series with captivating stories, rich characters, and thrilling battles that can be enjoyed on their own merits. So hop over to Hulu or Crunchyroll and get started today!