Gundam Wing was one of the earliest Gundam series that wasn't attached to the franchise's Universal Century, it's primary setting. The series took on an entirely different angle to the usual Gundam approach. Instead of focusing on a single protagonist, Gundam Wing relied on multiple characters that all pushed the narrative forward, each gaining their own Gundam.
The series managed to take off in popularity in the West thanks to its cast of charming leads and its unique mecha designs, plus the lack of continuity required from the viewers. These days, it's fallen behind in popularity but it's still the clear inspiration for one of the more recent popular series in the franchise: Gundam 00.
10 "The Gundam Deathscythe" – 8.1
Barely two episodes in and the series was already cementing Heero Yuy as one of the worst planners ever. The character infiltrates the same school Relena goes to after losing his Gundam and makes plans to destroy the Wing Gundam rather than figuring out how to pilot it.
To his credit, Zechs is already trying to figure out a way to steal it, but this falls through when Duo Maxwell shows up with the Gundam Deathscythe and not only defeats the OZ forces but recovers the Wing Gundam. Heero winds up shot at the end of the episode, and it’s only Relena’s intervention that keeps Duo from accidentally taking out one of his allies.
9 "The Sorrowful Battle" – 8.1
By this point in the series, Relena feels more like a buzzkill to distract from all the cool fights than anything else. Heero has been challenged by Zechs to a duel, and takes Trowa’s Heavyarms to face off against him. The only problem is, Relena appears and distracts them both from the fight.
The big plot twist in this episode comes when Relena learns that Zechs is her missing brother, Milliardo Peacecraft. In the end, the Gundam pilots escape with the Wing and Heavyarms while the Tallgeese battles the mobile suits of OZ long enough for them to get away.
8 "Signs of the Final Battle" – 8.2
One of the last episodes of the series, most of the plot is focused on building towards the major showdown between the Gundam pilots and the mobile dolls.
Duo himself is forced into combat against Mercurius and Vayeate, the two mobile suits that were originally piloted by Heero and Trowa, now containing their pilot data and being used as mobile dolls. Duo also manages to save Hilde’s life after she tries to sneak around gaining info, making him quite busy this episode.
7 "Takeoff Into Confusion" – 8.2
Much of this episode is built around Wufei’s last duel with Trieze, trying to figure out what Trieze really stands for. Trieze eventually convinces Wufei to take him out, but in the end it’s obvious that Trieze is the superior fighter. Meanwhile, the rest of the episode builds up to Heero facing Zechs for the last time in the hopes of stopping his plan.
6 "Portrait Of A Ruined Country" – 8.3
This episode likely ranks highly because it’s the first episode with Zechs in the iconic Tallgeese mobile suit. After multiple episodes of being outmatched, he finally finds his suit which allows him to keep up with everyone else, and it’s three times faster than any mobile suit the Alliance is using.
This also has Zechs reveal his true identity, as the former prince of the Peacecraft monarchy which was destroyed because of the Alliance, whom he seeks revenge against.
5 "Collision In Space" – 8.3
With control of both the Libra and a massive army of mobile dolls, the Gundam pilots are pushed to the brink against Zechs. Their improved Gundams allow them to put up a better fight, but the numbers alone make it a challenge.
The only thing working in their favor is having Trieze and his army aiming to destroy Zechs and the Libra as well. In the end, the pilots of the Peacecraft decide their best option to take the Libra down is using their ship to crash into the Libra and destroy it.
4 "The Final Victor" – 8.4
The last episode is built entirely around preventing Zechs’ plan with the Libra. It’s not the best finale, as Zechs’ entire motive for fighting is lost in his battle with Heero, and he even helps to destroy the Libra himself.
That said, there are some great moments, like another of the best fights in Gundam history between the Wing Zero and the Epyon. Also, Relena finally takes her pacifism into a realm where it can help, where she works inside of the united Earth Sphere to create peace.
3 "The Gundam They Called Zero" – 8.6
After several episodes of being known as “the quiet one," in this episode, Quatre finally loses it. He’s granted control over the Wing Gundam Zero, and uses the power of its incredible buster cannon to wipe out entire colonies.
This is the exact episode fans point to when they talk about the Wing Zero being one of the strongest Gundams ever made. There’s also some stuff going on in the background with the Gundam engineers and the captive pilots, but what people remember is the buster cannon literally obliterating entire colonies.
2 "Scenario For Bloodshed" – 8.7
It’s probably not a good idea to put children in charge of a plan to stop the world from spiraling into war. All of the Gundam pilots try to stop OZ, but instead what they wind up doing is taking out all the decent leaders of the Alliance. This results in Trieze tricking the last Alliance member into all out declaring war with the colonies, and granting OZ power over the Alliance.
1 "Go Forth, Gundam Team" – 8.7
This is where everything starts to build for the last fight of the series. Though the ZERO system is dangerous, the Gundam pilots all agree it’s necessary to stand against the mobile dolls. With that in mind, Heero puts a copy of it into Quatre’s suit, even though the ZERO system was the reason for him going nuts and wiping out countless lives.
This episode getting the highest rank isn’t surprising because it involves Quatre finally stepping up and becoming the leader of the team with Heero away, forcing him to shoulder the brunt of what he’d done.