Summary

• Iconic characters and mobile suits like the RX-78-2 and Devil Gundam shaped Gundam and mecha anime as a whole.
• Designs like Zaku II and Turn A Gundam set trends and inspired variations in mecha anime aesthetics.
• Mobile Suits such as the Unicorn Gundam and Freedom Gundam have become beloved symbols of modern Gundam design.

Along the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise, there are several iconic characters and mobile suit pilots. These are the heroes and villains who pilot the giant robots of the series, and they are the real stars, despite being mere humans. Although their mechs do not have their own personality, several of them are iconic parts of both Gundam and mecha anime as a whole.

Whether it’s the iconic RX-78-2 Gundam or more out-there concepts like the Devil Gundam, these designs are popular in their own right. Many of them have exemplified their respective series, pushing mecha anime forward as a result. This can be seen in the way elements of their designs have trickled down into general popular culture regarding mecha anime.

10 The Devil Gundam exemplified the weirdness of G Gundam

Mobile Fighter G Gundam It was a strange seriesbecause it was much more of a Super Robot anime than normal military fiction Gundam shows. One of the strangest designs was that of the Devil Gundam, also known as the Dark Gundam. This mecha was essentially a Gundam protruding from a giant Gundam head, with said skull being able to transform into a pair of enormous, almost bestial legs.

It wasn't the most traditional Gundam design, which is why it worked so well for the series. As the main antagonist, the Devil Gundam's design allowed the franchise to be a bit more experimental. Likewise, a similar head-based aesthetic was seen years later in the designs of the unrelated anime Right Toppa Gurren Lagann.

The standard Zaku II mobile suits are the most common mechs seen in the Zeon battalion. during the original Mobile Suit Gundam. Cast in dark green and armed with axes and machine guns, they are sturdy weapons in the hands of skilled pilots. Of course, they are mostly just used as cannon fodder, being the typical “grunt” mobile suit throughout the Universal Century timeline.

The Zaku's design has inspired more advanced variations of the mobile suit aesthetic used for certain characters. Even alternate continuities have their own versions, such as the ZAKU in Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Timeline. The Zaku are so synonymous with "generic enemy mecha" that the general design is emulated as such in other properties.

8 Turn A Gundam was the best of both worlds

The series Become a Gundam It was a little different because it was an independent series and at the same time connected to all the divergent ones Gundam schedule in advance. The Turn A Gundam itself also had an unusual design., namely due to its “mustache”. In many ways, it was a more steampunk version of the typical “main Gundam” design, and this extended to its powers.

Turn A had godlike abilities, and this made it more of a Super Robot than a Real Robot. It paid homage to giant robots like the Ideon and concepts seen at more recent trade shows like Neon Genesis Evangelion. In doing so, it continued a trend from that era of having asymmetrical mixes of militarized and fantastical robot designs, as seen later in Raxefonte.

7 Nobel Gundam Combines Mecha with Magical Girls

Seen in Gundam, Nobel Gundam was the representative mobile suit of Neo Sweden. Like other mobile suits in the series, it looked particularly unique, resembling a Japanese schoolgirl (despite being from Sweden). In fact, it was mainly based on the appearance of Sailor Moon and her allies.

This helped the Gundam The franchise continues to have unique and even feminine designs in the series, even if many of them have been reserved for alternate universe Gunpla plastic model kits. Likewise, Gundam as a whole began to have crossovers with traditionally “feminine” franchises, including Hey kitty. This kind of thing probably wouldn't have happened without the most elegant mobile suit of all.

6 Unicorn Gundam is one of the most beloved modern Mobile Suits

Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn is set in the Universal Century timeline, but the Unicorn Gundam's design is a bit different than usual. For one, it has an almost camouflage-like color scheme, predominantly white, which is much less colorful than most "main" Gundams. Likewise, the Gundam's iconic crest folds over to become the "unicorn" horn, giving it an even more unique look.

Despite these differences, Unicorn Gundam has become an incredibly popular design. Since then, it has become a consistent seller in the form of toys and model kits. There has even been a full-size Unicorn Gundam installed in Japan, showing how it has become as iconic as the old mobile suits.

5 Freedom Gundam is the modern RX-78-2

Although it shares visual characteristics with the true “classic” Gundam, The ZGMF-X10A Freedom Gundam was the “main” mobile suit for a generation. Seen in Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, combined a utilitarian look with interesting design elements such as wings. It was also powered by a nuclear reactor, which made it extremely powerful.

The Freedom Gundam was replaced by the Strike Freedom, which shares most of the same design cues. The popularity of the mobile suit helped win it and its corresponding anime over to Japan and Asia as a whole. Here's why Mobile Suit Gundam SEED is easily the most popular alternate timeline outside of the Universal Century universe.

4 Barbatos was the best example of the iron-blooded orphans' projects

Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans was a unique and somewhat controversial entry in the franchise, and had some particularly interesting designs. One of them was the Barbatos Gundam, which didn't resemble any previous Gundam in the franchise. Instead, it had a unique, modular design, resulting in one of the most powerful and versatile mechs ever. Gundam anime.

The Barbatos Lupus Rex is especially known for its claw-like fingers and large club.. These were unique designs for a series as dark and gritty as Iron-Blooded Orphans. The series as a whole, and Barbatos in particular, helped drive modernity Gundam design in a new direction, which is why Barbatos and its various forms have the same number of model kits.

3 Char's Zaku II is more than just a pawn

Although Char Aznable has his own Zaku II mobile suit, this mecha is far beyond those piloted by Zeon foot soldiers. Its red frame shows its unique nature, earning Char the nickname “The Red Comet.” In his hands, Char's Zaku II is much more deadly than many other normal Zakus.namely due to the lack of a limiter.

Char is easily the most iconic Gundam villain of all time, and this is reflected in his choice of mobile suit. His red version of the Zaku II is as iconic as the RX-78-2 mobile suit, being instantly recognizable to most. Thus, whenever a Gundam villain is used in a parody, Char's Zaku II usually leads the charge.

2 The Wing Zero Gundam is an Angelic Mecha

The anime series New Gundam Wing Mobile Report introduced the Wing Zero Gundam, but the mobile suit's redesign in the Endless waltz the film is his most iconic form. There, he had organic wings, making him look like a robotic angel. This aesthetic helped make Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz the most beloved and memorable film in the franchise.

There are several model kits for the movie version of the Wing Zero Gundam., and is one of the most iconic designs in the series. In fact, the design of the titular mech in the anime Raxefonte It's quite similar, right down to the organic wings. Add in the fact that it's related to one of the most popular entries in the franchise, and it's no wonder fans love the design so much.

1 The RX-78-2 Gundam Changed Everything in Mecha Anime

It's impossible to talk about mobile suit designs without mentioning the original RX-78-2 Gundam from the 1979 classic Gundam Series. This mobile suit's design started the trend of main Gundams for most entries in the franchise. Notable cues included the white, red, blue, and yellow color scheme, as well as the central crest and antennae in the middle of the head.

The RX-78-2 Gundam was notably not a “Super Robot”, instead, it uses military weapons to defend itself. This started the Real Robot subgenre and moved mecha anime away from the sillier trappings of works like Mazinger and Enlarger. To this day, most Gundam designs take cues from the RX-78-2, and it can be seen all over the world dotting plastic model kits, full-size replicas, and even Gundamthemed manholes in cities across Japan.