Gundam (Mobile Suit) (2025)

A Gundam is an advanced, high performance mobile suit, often constructed to be much more powerful than the standard production mobile suits. They are generally equipped with the latest experimental technology available at the time of their construction. The definition of a Gundam varies from one timeline to another. In most series it is used as an acronym to refer to something, however in all but the most recent series these acronyms were derived after the fact and do not appear at any point in the animated works. The protagonist's mobile suit of a series usually carries the name Gundam. The main suit in each series usually sports a mainly white and blue color scheme, with yellow and red accents, and sports at least one pair of yellow or white V-fins on its head.

Origins[]

The first Gundam is the RX-78-2 Gundam from Mobile Suit Gundam. The future generations of Gundams can trace their design lineage back to it.

List of Gundam in Gundam Universe

Variations[]

Universal Century[]

In the Universal Century, Gundams are usually equipped with powerful beam weapons and are typically armored in a special alloy, Luna Titanium (later renamed Gundarium in honor of the famous mobile suit). However, the use of Gundarium in the construction of standard mobile suits became widespread. The use of other alloys to manufacture later Gundam models, such as the RX-178 Gundam Mk-II, further blurred the distinction of a Gundam in this era. The Gundam acronym is referred to in the Perfect Grade stickers as "Generalpurpose Utility Non-Discontinuity Augumentation Manuevering Weapon System."

List of Universal Century Gundams

Future Century[]

In the Future Century, the term "Gundam" denotes the mobile fighters created specifically for use in the Gundam Fight tournament proposed by Professor E.C. Ducer. The name of the mobile fighters is derived from the lightweight and ultra-tough Gundarium alloy used in their construction. These mobile fighters are controlled by their pilots via the Mobile Trace System.

In this era GUNDAM refers either to "Gamma UNificational Dimalium Amalgam Mobile-suit" and the more relevant "Govern of Universe Nation Decide Advanced Mobile-suit".

List of Future Century Gundams

After Colony[]

In the After Colony alternate universe, Gundams are loosely defined as mobile suits that are made using Gundarium θ, or as it is more commonly known in this timeline, Gundanium. However, there are mobile suits that are made from Gundanium but are not called "Gundams", such as Vayeate and Mercurius.

In After Colony the GUNDAM acronym is defined as "Genetic on Universal Neutraly Different Alloy-nium Mobile suit".

List of After Colony Gundams

After War[]

In the After War timeline, Gundams are advanced high-performance mobile suits first designed and built by the United Nations Earth near the end of the 7th Space War against the Space Revolutionary Army, and later used by Vulture and the New United Nations Earth forces in the 8th Space War. During the 7th Space War, Gundams were reserved for use by Newtypes and used in conjunction with Bit Mobile Suits and the Flash System, but these practices fell out of use in the After War Era. The origin of the term in this timeline is unknown, it and ∀ Gundam are the only series in which it does not have an acronym.

List of After War Gundams

Correct Century[]

Only one Gundam is seen in this timeline, the SYSTEM ∀-99 (WD-M01) ∀ Gundam. The origin of the term can be assumed to be related to one (or several) of the other Gundam series that are referenced in Turn A as being part of the Dark History. Like Gundam X, in this series the word "Gundam" has no specific acronym.

Cosmic Era[]

Main article: Gundam (Cosmic Era)The term Gundam refers to mobile suits that require powerful mobile suit operation system (M.O.S) to function. The Gundam acronyms refer to the name of the OS on their respective mobile suits. The acronyms are as follows:

• "General Unilateral Neuro-link Dispersive Autonomic Maneuver synthesis system" was Morgenröte's designation for the OS mounted on the "G Project" MS. This includes the GAT-X105 Strike Gundam, GAT-X102 Duel Gundam, GAT-X103 Buster Gundam, and GAT-X207 Blitz Gundam, GAT-X303 Aegis Gundam, MBF-02 Strike Rouge and later the ORB-01 Akatsuki Gundam.
• "Generation Unsubdued Nuclear Drive Assault Module complex" is the term used by ZAFT to refer to the Gundams they designed using the technology acquired from the stolen Morgenröte machines. The machines using this OS are the ZGMF-X09A Justice Gundam, ZGMF-X10A Freedom Gundam (as well as their successors, the ZGMF-X20A Strike Freedom Gundam and ZGMF-X19A ∞ Justice Gundam), as well as the ZGMF-X11A Regenerate Gundam, ZGMF-X12A Testament Gundam, and ZGMF-X13A Providence Gundam.
• The similar term, "Generation Unrestricted Network Drive Assault Module", was the designation for most of the Second Stage Series of Gundams including the ZGMF-X56S Impulse Gundam, ZGMF-X24S Chaos Gundam, ZGMF-X31S Abyss Gundam, ZGMF-X88S Gaia Gundam and the ZGMF-X23S Saviour Gundam.
• "Gigantic Unilateral Numerous Dominating AMmunition" is an acronym unique to the Earth Alliance's GFAS-X1 Destroy.
• Specifically the ZGMF-X666S Legend and ZGMF-X42S Destiny of the ZAFT Second Stage Series use the acronym "Gunnery United Nuclear-Dueterion Adavnced Maneuver".
• Guider UNmanned Deployment Autonomic Manipulation" is an acronym for the Deep Space Survey and Development Organization's GSX-401FW Stargazer.

List of Cosmic Era Gundams

Anno Domini[]

In the Anno Domini timeline, Gundams are generally mobile suits constructed and used by the private paramilitary organization Celestial Being although they are a few exceptions. Unlike other mobile suits in the timeline, the Gundams are powered by a semi-perpetual generator unit known as the GN Drive, allowing them to operate for an indefinite period of time. The GN Drive produces GN Particles that have a myriad of uses, including energy generation, propulsion, usage in weaponry (both offensive and defensive), weight and mass manipulation, radar disruption, etc. These particles and the various systems that use them also play a role in the Gundams' superior performance over conventional mobile suit. Additionally, the Gundams can function in multiple environment including land, air, space and underwater without any modifications.

Setsuna F. Seiei is known to take this definition a step further, labelling anything which assists in the eradication of conflict as a Gundam regardless of whether it is a machine or a human being.

In Anno Domini, "G.U.N.D.A.M." is lettered as such, however it is not explained as an acronym. The term "Gundam" was coined as early as Aeolia Schenberg's time and was used by him in the recording where he introduced Celestial Being.^[1] Despite being historically credited as the creator of mobile suits, Aeolia himself did not expect the Gundams to be humanoid weapons.^[2][3]

List of Anno Domini Gundams

Advanced Generation[]

In the Advanced Generation, the Gundams are primarily high-performance mobile suits designed based on data provided by the AGE System. The term may also refer to the legendary mobile suit, The Gundam, which appeared from the time of the Silver Chalice Treaty as the "savior that ended the war." The first Gundam developed by the AGE System, the AGE-1 Gundam AGE-1 Normal, may have referenced this legendary mobile suit.

List of Advanced Generation Gundams

Post Disaster[]

In the Post Disaster timeline, "Gundam" refers to a Mobile Suit frame design used in the Calamity War 300 years ago. As such, Gundams in this timeline are also commonly referred to as "Gundam Frames". Gundam Frames are each powered by a pair of Ahab reactors, while other Mobile Suit Framestypically only use one Ahab reactor. Due to the difficulty in keeping both reactors functioning in parallel, only 72 units were produced. During the events of Mobile Suit Gundam IRON-BLOODED ORPHANS, only 26 Gundam Frames are confirmed to still be operational. Each Gundam Frame is named after the numerically corresponding demon listed in the Ars Goetia.

List of Post Disaster Gundams

Ad Stella[]

In the Ad Stella timeline, "Gundam" is an abbreviation of "GUND-ARM" and refers to Mobile Suits using GUND Format technology. GUND Format technology was originally developed for use in cybernetics to help the human body adapt to living in space, but was weaponized for the development of Gundam-type mobile suits. Given the technology used to make such mobile suits, they are notorious for killing the pilots in events known as a "Data Storms". Those who pilot Gundam-type mobile suits are often called "Witches", though that term is also used for any individual who works on GUND Format technology.

List of Ad Stella Gundams

References[]