As a series, Gundam is known for several things—from the interesting look into politics and the ideals of its leaders to some genuinely great villains. While all of that is true, most newcomers to the series are in it for the sweet mecha on mecha battles that the series helped make popular.
There's no shortage of these, as every series has a few battles that are standouts, even the OVAs or movies that are lacking in other departments. Some of them are flashy and amazing to look at, while others perfectly show the struggle of life and death—a rare that few series manage to pull off.
10 00 Diver vs Astray No-Name Lacks Tension But Is Pure Eye Candy
From a purely aesthetic sense, this fight is amazing to view. It's flashy and feels like a shonen-style fight taking place in mechs, making it a bit different than the standard of the series.
The thing holding it back is that it's too much like a shonen as the protagonist, Riku, uses the power of friendship to overcome his foe—something that was never used as blatantly in a Gundam series before. The power of friendship undercuts what is an otherwise awesome fight, even if the stakes are far lower than other series.
9 God Gundam VS Master Gundam Is One Of The Most Epic In The Series
The battle between Master Asia and Domon is epic in every sense of the word. Their battle was different than most, particularly how this battle ended.
It still kept the life and death aspect of the fight, but rather than swordplay or an attrition-based fight, both of them are flying around and throwing blows like they are Super Saiyans. Even the final bit is them hurling what are essentially Kamehamehas at one another in a battle of will and technique.
8 EB-06rs Graze Ritter VS ASW-G-08 Gundam Barbatos
From a sheer brutality aspect, this is the top of the heap. Carta attempts to have a 3 on 3 battle, seeing it as a fair battle in her eyes. Mikazuki is having none of it, only having revenge in his belly.
He bum rushed Carta and her guard, killing them in swift order and then taking her to the task. He dominates the entire fight, showing off what an animal he is as both a pilot and a person. It's one of the more bloody battles and shows why Iron Blood Orphans is such a well-regarded show.
7 Turn A VS Turn X Is A Pure Spectacle To Watch
As a whole, the Turn A Gundam series is a little controversial, with many newer fans loving it and some older fans disliking it. This final battle is a microcosm of that as it's one of the flashiest in the entire series. The animation of it is great if at times overloaded with bright flashes and colors.
It even has quite a few callbacks littered in it, namely the ending with them out of the mechs. The entire battle is akin to a Hollywood blockbuster, amazing to look at, but not the deepest in the series.
6 Freedom VS Providence Has The Right Balance Of Flash & Character Work
There is some good action to have in Gundam SEED, and some of the story elements worked in it. The battle between Kira Yamato and Rau Le Creuset is part of that. Kira being willing to turn back on some of his ideals to make sure Rau couldn't be victorious was well done, especially after the death of Flay Allster. Her death helped kick the battle into second gear. The fight is pretty well choreographed as well, even if a few of the scenes feel repeated in parts.
5 Wing Zero VS Epyon Helped Give Gundam Its Massive Popularity
Among all of the series, few have the level of attachment to western fans quite as Gundam Wing does. It's what brought the series over to this side of the world and was a staple of Cartoon Network as it led the anime surge here.
It's an utter classic for more reasons than just that. It has one of the better moments of banter between final combatants. Both Zechs and Heero make their cases well and do so calmly, without screaming at each other. The way it ends with the two making one finally slash on one another was perfect.
4 08th MS Team VS MS-07B-3 Gouf Custom Is Filled With Strategy & An Epic Ending
Among pilots, Norris Packard is one of the smartest and most respectable around. This battle showed why as he had a goal in mind and strategically went about completing it. The level of strategy involved here is immense, and it showcased him on another level from the other pilots present.
There was almost a sense of horror when Norris would appear from rumble or a cloud of dust. Not to mention the end of the fight is epic, with Shiro ripping part of his arm off and beating Norris with it.
3 Kimaris Vidar VS Bael Is Filled With Intensity
The amount of emotion in this battle is massive between McGillis Fareed and Gaelio Baudin. It's felt with each blow given to their opponent, battle jam-packed with intensity. Something even Rustal seemed to feel as he rightfully didn't interrupt the duel with reinforcements.
The music perfectly ramps up the intensity of the battle, never overwhelming it, and the fight never overstays its welcome, settling into that perfect five to eight-minute length.
2 Full Armour Gundam VS Psycho Zaku Is Gritty And Realistc
The battle between Io Fleming in the Full Armour Gundam and Daryl Lorenz in the Psycho Zaku is beautifully animated. Unlike most newer versions of Gundam, the flash is toned down, and instead, the battle is filled with a grittiness that was the epitome of fights earlier in the series.
There are no super-powered moves, just two guys slowly wearing the other down until they can no longer continue. The way damage is taken in the fight is brilliant, and the jazz-style music even more so.
1 Sazabi VS Nu Gundam Can Never Be Topped
Nothing is ever going to top the rivalry these two had with one another, spanning over multiple series. It's Gundam battles at its absolute best, throwing away the super-powerful moves and focusing squarely on piloting and hand-to-hand combat.
What sets it apart is the story behind the battle, and how connected both Char and Amuro are to one another. Nothing beats the emotion here, and the way is a perfect way to put a cap on the rivalry.