T5W#298-Top 5 Modern Day Gundam Eras (2002-Present)

A couple of weeks back, I ranked the original five eras of the Gundam multiverse: The Universal Century, Future Century, After Colony, After War and Correct Century timelines.  All five world were unique in their own way despite sharing several integral Gundam qualities.  When it came time to enter the next century, Gundam decided to continue that trend (even though we have revisited the Universal Century from time to time).  So, just as I did for those Classic Gundam Era (list is right here: http://gundamanimeblog.blogspot.com/2021/04/t5w296-top-5-classic-mobile-suit-gundam.html ) today I’m gonna look at the Top 5 Modern Day Gundam Eras (2002-Present) and see what these new worlds have brought to the table of Gundam. 

#5-Advanced Generation

Mobile Suit Gundam AGE

While this may be the setting for one of my least favorite Gundam series, the Advanced Generation is still pretty unique for the sole fact that we see it evolve across several decades in a single show.  From the advancements in the tech the Asuno Family uses to update their Gundams to the continuous upgrades given to the Federation battleship Diva across all three generations, progress is progress and we don’t have to wait several shows to see it all appear on screen.  The AG may also be the first Gundam universe to have Mars as a focal point location for part of the major conflict.  Which is funny because up until I watched it, I always thought that honor went to…

 

#4-Post Disaster

Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron Blooded Orphans

A Gundam Universe where the red planet Mars itself is a major location for the bulk of the show.  While that is pretty cool, I like how old school and rugged the Post Disaster universe feels.  The mecha used by Tekkadan feel ancient and rickety, they have plenty of history (particularly the Gundam Barbatos).  I also like the emphasis on hand to hand combat between pretty much every faction in this world.  Sure there’s always gonna be beam spamming but most pilots like to skip the blasters and go right to the swords and clubs, almost as if Gallajhorn are the Knights to Tekkadan’s Gladiators.  This is a universe that isn’t afraid to get down and dirty.

 

#3-Cosmic Era

Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny

There was a lot of hype going into Gundam SEED, being the first Gundam of the 2000s and I feel like there was a hope that the Cosmic Era would become the new central focal era for the new millennium, the new Universal Century.  I think there’s plenty of validity as the Cosmic Era has a lot of potential to mine, particularly in its messages about race relations between Naturals and Coordinators.  The Cosmic Era isn’t afraid to show that despite this being the far future, Racism is still a threat that is far more devastating than any bullet or nuclear weapon.  Seeing how this is handled and addressed, along with several other ideas such as deep space exploration, show that the Cosmic Era still has plenty of life left…just leave Shinn Asuka out of it ok?

 

#2-Anno Domini

Mobile Suit Gundam 00, Mobile Suit Gundam 00-The Movie: A Wakening of the Trailblazer

A Gundam Universe set in our own AD timeline?  Not going to lie, even if this means ill be long gone by the time this happens, it’s sweet to believe that Gundams will walk my Earth one day.  The Anno Domini setting took the real world problems aspect of the Cosmic Era and took it one step farther.  The whole world is a melting pot of conflict, some of which have been going on since long before the current generation of Humans existed.  It’s fascinating to see how combat has literally evolved with the newest technology and giant robots.  And, of course, its even better to see glimmers of hope that, despite Celestial Beings questionable tactics, world peace could very well be a thing.

 

#1-Build Fighters/Build Divers

Gundam Build Fighters, Gundam Build Fighters Try, Gundam Build Divers, Gundam Build Divers Re: Rise

I know I get some flack for enjoying Build Fighters more than I should but you know what, tough.  This universe doesn’t have a clever title like the others so I’ll just address it as Build Fighters/Build Divers…I’m pretty sure these are both set in the same universe despite no confirmation.  ANYWAY!!! This is the Gundam world I wanted to live in after I first saw Gundam Wing in middle school.  I wanted to live in a world where Gundam was everywhere and beloved by millions across the world.  Adding in the ability to build Gunpla and let them loose on digital battlefields is just an added bonus.  Gundam may be all about the horrors of war and politics and it handles both very well.  At the end of the day though, it’s just super cool to see Giant Robots kick ass before a live audience and get all the love.  This world is my Gundam paradise.