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 the aesthetics of mecha anime.
• Mobile Suits such as the Unicorn Gundam and the 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 series' giant robots, and they are the true stars, despite being mere humans. Although their mechs lack 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, ultimately boosting mecha anime. This can be seen in the way elements of their designs have permeated mainstream mecha anime popular culture.

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 the Devil Gundam, also known as the Dark Gundam. This mecha was essentially a Gundam protruding from a giant Gundam head, with said skull capable of transforming 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. Similarly, 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 robust weapons in the hands of skilled pilots. Of course, they are primarily used as cannon fodder, being the typical "grunt" mobile suit throughout the Universal Century timeline.

The Zaku's design inspired more advanced variations on 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 their 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, making 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 largely based on the appearance of Sailor Moon and her allies.

This helped the Gundam The franchise continues to feature unique and even feminine designs in the series, even though 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 sleekest mobile suit of all.

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

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

Despite these differences, Unicorn Gundam has become an incredibly popular designSince then, it has become a consistent seller in the form of toys and model kits. A full-size Unicorn Gundam has even been installed in Japan, demonstrating 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, making it extremely powerful.

The Freedom Gundam was replaced by the Strike Freedom, which shares most of the same design cues. The mobile suit's popularity 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 featured 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.

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 the 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 reflects 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 Zaku II is as iconic as the RX-78-2 mobile suit, 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 redesign of the mobile suit 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 franchise's most popular entries, 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 kicked off the trend for main Gundams throughout most of the franchise's entries. Notable features 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 Greater. To this day, most Gundam designs take cues from the RX-78-2, and it can be seen around the world dotting plastic model kits, full-size replicas, and even Gundamthemed manholes in cities across Japan.