For first-time viewers of the “Gundam” franchise, it is important to note that the main canon timeline is called the Universal Century (UC). Viewers should start with the 2015 “Gundam Origin” and then the series that kicked off the franchise in 1979, “Mobile Suit Gundam,” which introduces the central conflict and iconic rivalry between Amuro Ray and Char Aznable.

This rivalry continues in “Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam” and “Mobile Suit ZZ Gundam,” concluding in the 1988 movie “Char’s Counterattack.” While the characters change, the UC storyline continues with 2010’s “Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn" and its direct sequel film, "Gundam Narrative," and then follows a protagonist named Hathaway in 2021’s “Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway.”

Next, viewers should watch the 1991 film “Gundam F91,” the controversial 1993 series “Mobile Suit Victory Gundam,” and finally conclude the UC timeline with the 1999 series, “Turn a Gundam.” However, that’s not the end for the vast “Gundam” franchise, all the UC side stories and multiverse shows can be viewed according to the viewer’s taste and preferred order.