Gundam is a lot like Japan's answer to Star Trek: not only in its space-set subject matter and themes, but also because of its many different series and timelines. For newcomers looking for a jumping-on point, with over 40 years of content to consume, it can be incredibly difficult to know which iterations are and aren't important to watch.
This guide will serve as an introduction to the franchise, giving you three methods of how to start depending on what timeline you wish to immerse yourself into first, or whether or not you want to dip your toe into Gundam-lite content before diving into the deep end of the mecha pool.
Method One: Follow The Amuro Ray Arc
The answer might seem obvious on paper: start at the beginning with the original Mobile Suit Gundam series and follow the original narrative featuring Amuro Ray and Char Aznable. However, this isn't as straightforward a solution as it appears to be because Mobile Suit Gundam has had multiple re-edits and re-workings over the years.
While some might recommend you watch Mobile Suit Gundam as it was originally released, it's far wiser for a new viewer to instead watch the three-part compilation movies released in 1981, which re-edits the 43-episode series into three films, all approximately two hours and 20 minutes in length. The films are faster paced than the series and hit all the major plot beats. They also clean up some of the animation and streamline the story.
After that, you will want to watch Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, which serves as a direct sequel to the original series. While there is a trilogy of compilation films for Zeta Gundam, many plot points are removed to make the films run in a smoother fashion. Therefore, it is recommended you watch Zeta Gundam as a series rather than as a film.
After Zeta, watch the film Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack. While Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ was released immediately after Zeta, neither Char nor Amuro have roles in it.
Method Two: Watch Gundam Chronologically
For the completists, going through the entire chronology in order of how events occur in the franchise might be the only option. This requires a bit of research, since not all of the anime takes place in the Universal Century Timeline that the original Mobile Suit Gundam started. However, if you want to see the Zion and Earth Federation evolve organically, chronological-viewing is essential.
For this, you'll want to start with Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin, then Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin Advent of the Red Comet, which both serve as prequels to the original Mobile Suit Gundam anime, introducing the origins and histories of many key characters leading up to the events of the original series. As prequels, they work well both as self-contained, sci-fi stories and companion pieces to the original.
After that, watch Mobile Suit Gundam, as outlined in the previous section. However, don't continue to Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam. You see, in the U.C. Timeline, The Origin and Advent of the Red Comet cover the years U.C. 0068 to U.C. 0078, while the original Mobile Suit Gundam takes place in U.C. 0079. Zeta Gundam, by contrast, takes place in U.C. 0087, while Char's Counterattack takes place in U.C. 0093! That means there's a lot of story left out.
Instead of moving onto Zeta Gundam, you should instead watch the OVA Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket, arguably one of the best entries in the entire franchise. Then, watch the OVA (Original Video Animation), Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team, followed by Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO and Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt. All of them take place during and around the conflict of the original Mobile Suit Gundam, expanding on the greater war between Zion and the Earth Federation. While this sounds like a lot of content (and it is!) all four of OVAs collectively add up to less material than the original Mobile Suit Gundam.
From there, move on to Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory (which takes place in U.C. 0083), Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ, then Char's Counterattack. While there is more content in the U.C. Timeline that follows Char Counterattack, these are the big titles you ought to see if you're interested in getting into Gundam for the first time in this manner.
Method Three: The Spirit of Gundam
For those who want a softer introduction to Gundam before diving into the deep lore of the franchise -- you're in luck! Gundam has a ton of relatively stand-alone timelines that you can enjoy without knowing four decades-worth of lore.
The most obvious starting point for many new Gundam fans who might not want to jump into the U.C. Timeline is Mobile Suit Gundam Wing. For many growing up with Toonami in the late-'90s into the '00s, Mobile Suit Gundam Wing served as an introduction to the franchise as a whole. While it is simplistic compared to the UC Timeline, it is similar enough to immerse audiences with all the material the UC Timeline is famous for. If you like Gundam Wing's After Colony Timeline, you can then watch Mobile Suit Gundam: Endless Waltz.
Other great stand-alone Gundam titles include Mobile Suit Gundam 00, Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans and Turn A Gundam. All three of these series are more complex than Gundam Wing, while still offering the core appeal of Gundam: sci-fi mecha wars that balance messy politics with nuanced depictions of violence.
One of the wildest Gundam franchise entries that's incredibly easy for new viewers to watch and enjoy is Mobile Fighter G Gundam, which features a shonen-esque tournament for control over the Earth featuring some of the most strange and tacky cultural stereotypes ever put to television. If you're not sure if G Gundam is for you, consider the following: Mexico in the series is represented by "Tequila Gundam," a sombrero-wearing Gundam. While clearly highly insensitive, if that sounds too ridiculous to believe, you should check G Gundam out for yourself.
Method X: What Not to Do
There are, as we've gone through, at least three good ways for new fans to get into Gundam. But there are also wrong ways to get into the franchise. While OVAs like Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket is great, it's difficult to appreciate without the context of Mobile Suit Gundam. Shows that take place after Char's Counterattack in the U.C. Timeline, like Mobile Suit Victory Gundam (U.C. 0153), are probably also a very bad place to jump on board.
Arguably the worst thing you can do, though, is to start with the live-action G-Savior, which takes place at U.C. 0223. G-Savior is a standalone movie but it takes place way too far in the timeline to appreciate without seeing the rest of the franchise first. However, once you see the rest of Gundam and then watch G-Savior, you'll then be able to understand why G-Savior is the absolute worst.
As for SD Gundam -- don't watch it. Just... don't.