Is it necessary to watch the previous instalments? Would I be lost if I started here?
no
it's not connected to universal century (main gundam universe)
No. Gundam W is part of the standalone gundam entries.
It's also really bad compared to more of the other series.
>>148470347
>>148470304
>>148469963
>>148469963
>>148470304
>>148470347
So, what are some core/good entry in the franchise?
>>148470441
Universal Century shows are the core, which most series stem from. So you have the original Mobile Suit Gundam ("MSG 0079"), it's direct sequels Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam and Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ (Double Zeta). 0079 is generally liked if you enjoy some older shows, Zeta is a big love/hate show, ZZ is pretty goofy and doesn't garner as many fans.
Then the UC side stories: 0080 (horrors of war ending), 0083
(glorious 80's shading), 08th MS Team (Gundam Vietnam), and Gundam Thunderbolt (brand new, actually very good) Short, sweet shows and generally liked across the board.
Gundam Unicorn is fairly new and generally liked, doesn't need much watching beyond the original and a couple side stories to get most of it, and chock full of goodness if you've seen most of it. They also currently make The Origin prequel series which seems to be bait for new fans. Don't care for it.
>>148470441
For non-UC shows look into G Gundam (fucking zany but very fun), Gundam Wing (so many peoples' first Gundam, but so bad even nostalgia can't save it), Turn-A Gundam (inspires lots of love/hate), Gundam 00 (basically Wing rebooted with a great first half and horrible second half), and Gundam SEED (hated by all but younger fans).
There's a least half a dozen other less popular shows, mostly stand alones that didn't sell enough models.
>>148470441
UC wise either 0080 or 0079 (series not movies)
non UC wise go G Gundam
>>148469940
The real question being why would you want to start here?
>>148470441
Gundam SEED
>>148470441
Start with 0079, the movies or the TV series are good. Then move onto Zeta (avoid the movies for Zeta), then ZZ and finally Char's Counterattack. Those four entries make up the core of the main Gundam continuity, the Universal Century. From there move out wherever you like, whether it be alternative universe entries like Seed or UC side stories like 0080, but please get these four primary entries out of the way first. Every other Gundam series puts some kind of spin on the tropes, character archetypes and cliches that these four entries established. There's no good reason to not watch them first.
>>148471167
You absolutely need 0079, Zeta, ZZ and Char's Counterattack if you want to get the most out of Unicorn. You're missing out on so much of what makes it so enjoyable by skimping out on the core entries.
>>148470441
Wing
>>148472028
True enough. The /m/ transient is right. ZZ just has such big tone issues, I can't personally easily suggest it. Even though Unicorn brings more of ZZ than Z up, some light reading can bring you up to speed.
>>148470441
Turn-A, 0079, Zeta, 0080, G Gundam, and Char's Counterattack are required viewing.
You're better off going to /m/ for opinions on mecha anime than /a/ though.
>>148472292
>You're better off going to /m/ for opinions on mecha anime than /a/ though.
I've only seen the first Gundam, and didn't like it that much, but recently Turn-A caught my interest. I don't want to force myself through all the uninteresting Gundam, can I jump straight to Turn-A?
>>148472270
ZZ is fine to watch provided the viewer knows beforehand about the change in tone and adjusts their expectations. The first half may be a little tough to get through but the series picks itself up so well once the crew get to Earth.
>>148472452
Even if it hurts, finish MSG. It's the foundation that makes any of the good UC Gundam shows really shine. You can watch Turn-A whenever, since it's supposed to be so far in the future of ALL Gundam shows, it makes minimal use of the other shows. MSG is still a needed foundation for it. It's like watching Star Wars while skipping A New Hope. By the end it might not be your favorite, but it's the starting context that is the reason all the rest are the way they are.
>>148472749
Yeeeah I never had any conversation about ZZ before I got there.
>>148469940
G Gundam is the only one you need.
>>148472764
Oh, I'm sorry, I meant I already finished the first Gundam, and nothing else.
If that's enough, then I guess I'm ready for Turn-A?
(will have to wait though because I need to finish Brain Powerd first which I started today)
>>148472905
Pretty much, yeah. Given MSG, Z and ZZ (and the movie Char's Counterattack) are a long road for the unatuned, you may like the more streamlined side stories (0080, 0083, 08th MS team and Thundebolt) before.after you check out Turn-A. Z and ZZ are really needed to watch Unicorn.
>>148469940
Anon I say this as a fan of the genre for far too fucking long.
Stay away from Wing. It will give you the worst impression of what Gundam has to offer and possibly kill your interest in mecha altogether. It is that bad. Take off your toonami nostalgia goggles and you'll see.
>>148472853
Bullshit.
>>148469940
>asking /a/ about wing
no its an alt universe.
also wing kinda sucks past nostalgia.
>>148470441
0079
do it for the cheese and all the campynes
>>148472370
its true though /a/ would send you to ibo and try because waifus/husbandos.
>>148470347
Gundam Wing is a fucking masterpiece.
>>148472452
sorta.though at that point if you don't like msg tv watch the movies instead. enjoyment from msg tv mostly comes from how campy and cheese most the stuff that happens are for a lot of people.
>>148469940
Stay the fuck away from gundam
>>148471167
Zeta is not love/hate, it's was nigh-universally loved for years until some butthurt retard on /m/ started whining about it constantly and converting impressionable retards to his shitty opinion.
>>148470441
The best Gundam is Zeta.
>>148477214
I had never been on /m/ until well after I watched Zeta and I thought it was crap
>>148471167
>Gundam Unicorn is fairly new and generally liked
Best be joking lad.
Unicorn looks really good and has great music, but the actual plot is fucking retarded even by gundam standards.
>>148472292
>You're better off going to /m/ for opinions on mecha anime than /a/ though.
>going to /m/ for anything but /sgg/, /gunpla/ and /krg/ in 2016
The board went to absolute shit, /a/ enjoys mecha shows more than /m/ at this point.
>>148479567
I never went into any Gundam thread about a series I hadn't watched or hadn't finished yet and Zeta is one of my favorite series of all time.
So what the fuck was Uso's problem?
Late UC stuff is great
victory is pure kino
>>148481010
He can't stop it anon
Keeps getting them shakes you know?