Gundam Pickings: Know which one is worth your while

The Gundam Franchise has always been my first choice if I need to get a mecha fix right away. I may not have seen them all but I have seen a lot, enough for me to at least give a ranking of my favorite series in the franchise so far. In this list, I will only include those series that had been made into an anime or OVA. No mangas or other non-anime published works (like those produced in Dengeki Hobby).

5. Mobile Suit Gundam –

On the fifth spot is the series that started it all, Mobile Suit Gundam. Although the visuals are clearly dated, and the opening theme is just one step short of atrocious, the political backdrop, plot and grim development of the many characters in the story are still superior to the recent emo-philosophical crap we've been battered with in the past decade from Sunrise and Bandai. Plus the rivalry that eclipses all Gundam rivalries is here. If you think Kira and Athrun's rocky friendship was a rivalry, that is nothing compared to Amuro Ray's and Char Aznable's personal squabbles.

4. Mobile Fighter G Gundam

A lot of people hated G Gundam, what with its over the top, quirky and downright ridiculous battles, but I for one appreciated the clean-cut, downright honesty of the series. It knows its a parody of sorts of the Gundam franchise, but it has no pretentions at being one. In fact it revels in the fact that there is no Gundam series quite like it. An added plus (for me) is the lack of heavy political commentary which was all but omni-present in other Gundam franchises. Too much war-drama can dull the senses, and with its absence in the series, Gundam G focuses on other aspects that make it fun to watch.

3. Mobile Suit Gundam 00

Ok. I admit that Mobile Suit Gundam 00 was hard to watch what with some scenes just downright cringe-inducing (like the scenes where the characters appear naked, which is a mental projection while bombarded with GN particles, the internal nonsensical monologuing of Setsuna F Seiei and Tiera Arde's crossdressing scene to infiltrate the Innovators' parties) but it was a direct and honest series. The plot, although predictable was at least not as convoluted as Wing's or Seed's. But what wins me over are the central characters who are all affected and changed drastically by the events in the series, i.e. Saji Crossroad and Louise Halevy. In spite of the ludicrity of it all, the characters endear themselves to you and that is what makes you stick around and watch.

2. Gundam Build Fighters

A series based on a series can be a bad idea, but Gundam Build Fighters (which was sort of the spiritual sequel to Gunpla Fighters, though not connected in any way) managed to pull it off. The premise of the show is that there is a sport where Gunpla (Gundam Plastic Models) can come alive in a special arena to do battles with each other. I admit it is shallow, butsometimes with all the heavy socio-political, existential-philosophical ramblings present in a lot of Gundam series, shallowness can serve as a fun-filled break. It also is unabashedly a fan service of sorts to all Gundam Otakus out there, with a basketload of Easter Eggs and references to other Gundam series. One can say that this

series is nothing more than a vessel to market Bandai's toy line, but look past all of that and you will see the heart of the series as the timeless story of two friends plowing through all obstacles to achieve their goals. Give it a try. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

1. Mobile Suit Gundam 08th MS Team

Gundam has always been touted as the originator of the "real robot" genre of mecha anime, where unlike the gigantic mechs of Go Nagai's Mazinger and Getter Robo franchises, mobile suits are somewhat based on "science". But starting with Wing and onwards, the mechs feel much more "super robot" than real robot, where each Gundam is an over-the-top machine from hell that can easily wipe out an armada faster than you can say "Kira suxorz". If you want to go back to the basics, you might want to give the 08th MS Team a try. Gone are the bells and whistles of the newer series, and the political peacocking of others. What you get is a downright honest and enjoyable take of the series as seen through the eyes of a soldier. Imagine it as Full Metal Jacket placed in the anime universe and with huge humanoid tanks to boot. Plus they somehow stick a love story in there somewhere that somehow works.

Honorable Mentions

1. Gundam Unicorn

This would have been great. But I find Banagher Links too whiny and too indecisive, that he irks me to no end.

2. Gundam Zeta

A great series as well, but its too bogged down by the main character's emotional baggage and further slowed down by the bigger political goings on. At least Char Aznable and Amuro make an appearance.

3. Gundam X

Two words: Satellite Cannon. Has one of the baddest weapons around. You think the Wing Zero's buster rifle was awesome? That's nothing. And to think the suit gets an upgrade later on in the series. As if one wasn't enough, it becomes a Twin Satellite Cannon. Talk about

overkill. The ending though killed it.

4. Gundam Wing

It's ok in my book. But way back in college, my female classmates and dorm-mates can't stop gawking at the five pilots. Yeesh.

5. Char's Counterattack

This could easily be part of my top 5 picks, but I hated the ending, which becomes a cliffhanger of sorts as to the final fate of Amuro Ray and Char Aznable. However, beyond that, it's a great OVA, but be prepared to be traumatized with all the tragedies that happen in the movie, like the accidental and nonsensical death of Amuro's girlfiend at the hands of a crazed love-sick teenager.

Avoid at all costs. No explanation necessary. Just don't. You'll be wasting your time.

Avoid at all costs. No explanation necessary. Just don't. You'll be wasting your time.

Gundam Seed Destiny -  Gundam Seed Destiny is Gundam Seed, with an angstier protagonist and the same plot overall.

Gundam 0083: Stardust Memories - What would happen if a Gundam was piloted by the brashest, lamest pilot around? If you want to know desperately, watch this. Kou Uraki was a test pilot, but just because there was no one else, they had no choice but put him up to it. Heck, the veteran pilot who was part of the team opted out for some reason (probably old age) but he could have at least tried to. If he had become the pilot of the GPO1 At least it makes this series the only series with a sexagenarian protagonist, and that in itself would have redeemed it immensely.

And there you have it, soulful advice from an honest Gundam fan. I am not, by any means saying I am an expert in all things Gundam, and I know a lot of Gundam fans out there are inclined to disagree, but if you have the same sensibilities as I do, then by all means, use this list to your advantage.