Mobile Suit Gundam

Mobile Suit Gundam (機動戦士ガンダム Kidō Senshi Gandamu, also known as First Gundam, Gundam 0079 or simply Gundam '79) is a televised anime series, produced by Sunrise. Created and directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino, it premiered in Japan on Nagoya Broadcasting Network on April 7, 1979, and lasted until January 26, 1980, spanning 43 episodes. It was the very first Gundam series, which has subsequently been adapted into numerous sequels and spin-offs. Set in the futuristic world known as Universal Century 0079, the plot focuses on the war between the Principality of Zeon and the Earth Federation with the latter unveiling a new mecha known as the RX-78-2 Gundam piloted by the young mechanic Amuro Ray.

In 1981, the series was re-edited for theatrical release and split into three movies. The characters were designed by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko, and Kunio Okawara was responsible for the mechanical designs, including the eponymous giant robot, the RX-78-2 Gundam. The first movie was released on February 22, 1981. Tomino himself also wrote a trilogy of novels that retell the events of the series. Two manga adaptations of the series have also been written by two manga artists.

Despite initial low ratings that caused the series' cancellation, the popularity of Gundam saw a boost during reair of the anime which led to the making of several sequels by Tomino and other series set in alternate universes. The series is famous revolutionizing the mecha genre due to the handling of mobile suits as weapons from wars as well as the portrayal of its pilots as soldiers.