Top 10 Gundam designs in the Universal Century

Hello everyone on the Broken Infinite. This is Jeremias de Leon and I'm bringing you my first countdown. The countdown for this week will be part of a series of countdowns concerning the Gundam Metaseries, they'll be spread out over the next few months, although their might be two on some months.

The first countdown for this little series will be the top Gundam designs in the Universal Century. If the title didn't already let you know. Well, that's enough of the introductions let's start this thing off. Here we go with number 10.

Number 10

RX-78NT-1 Gundam "Alex"

Despite it being low on the list the pilot Christina MacKenzie is still hot so... it has that

In terms of design the Gundam Alex is pretty solid. The classic Gundam color scheme of red, white, blue, and yellow is accounted for here. But this color scheme has more blue and white than any other color. With the mainly blue and white color scheme that has yellow and red accents this Gundam is one of the more slender looking ones. Almost as if it was more about speed than power in combat.

It really is a great design, following the principle of simple and straightforward aesthetics that I myself follow when designing. It's low on the list however for not being too memorable of a design, it's not bad as I said before but it's not one that I feel compelled to look at.

Number 9

RX-79(G) Gundam Ground Type

Couldn't fight in space though

The grunt Gundam in the 08^th MS Team. Like the Alex it's none too fancy but it still has quite a bit going on. The torso is different than most Gundam designs, with the yellow vent only on one side. It has more of a militaristic look than the original Gundam as well. These being mass produced units they have numbers stating which MS team they belong too and have a more uniform look to them. Which is why the design is cool, actually. It looks like it can actually be a real military weapon. Like the Alex though, it's also a bit bland. Simple is good but it feels as though perhaps it's a bit too simple. Then again it's a grunt unit, and not a lead Gundam.

Number 8

RX-178 Gundam Mk-II

Whether in AEUG or Titans colors it'll look cool

The Gundam Mk-II also isn't too complex of a design but this is where the designs start to get memorable. It took the concept of the original RX-78 and made it more militarized like the Ground Gundam, but also gave it a bit of an update and with that update made it stand out on it's own. It has the classic Gundam head and V fin and also has the standard looking torso. However, the skirt armor, backpack and shoulders make it look more intimidating than other Gundams. It looks like something you don't want to tangle with in a fight. Which one would assume is the point and in this point the Gundam Mk-II excels beautifully. A design which will always stick with me.

Number 7

RX-105 Ξ Gundam

One of the more unique Gundams

The lead Gundam Hathaway Noa (Bright's son) pilots in the novel series Hathaway's Flash. Also called the Xi Gundam. It is more complex than the other Gundams in this countdown so far. It does not feel that it has way too much going on though. Your eyes never feel like they're getting tired trying to keep up with all the minute details in the design. One of the more underrated Gundam designs to, possibly because not many outside of Japan have read the novel Hathaway's Flash. I don't see many people bring this Gundam up when talking about designs. Which is sad, because it's such a nice, refreshing and unique take on a Gundam design. We usually don't see many lead Gundams look serpentine like this one. It's one that should be looked at more.

Number 6

RX-0 Unicorn Gundam

The Unicorn just has this quality to it, that you just have your eyes drawn to it

When looking at the Unicorn Gundam, just one word pops into my head, “sleek”. It's the kind of design that when you look at it all you can really say is “that's cool”. When it's flying around as a pure white moble suit in the darkness of space, it just seems to gleam. When it's rampaging with the glowing red and gold in destroy mode it is totally eye catching. The Unicorn Gundam is the kind of design that toy makers love, one that demands your eye's attention and never lets it go.

Number 5

RX-93 ν Gundam

Fin Funnels, you wish you had some, right?

The Nu Gundam in Char's Counterattack is one of the cooler designs in the Universal Century. The color scheme of black, red, and yellow is a nice break from the standard lead Gundam color scheme and works well with this design of what's essentially a more slender looking Gundam with an awesome backpack of beam funnels. Out of the other Gundam's on this list, save for possibly the Unicorn Gundam this one seems to be one of the more fanciful designs with a very non-standard weapon. Although fin-funnels have been seen before with Haman Khan's Qubeley in Zeta and ZZ Gundam. When it's in motion the design really stands out as it gives the Nu Gundam a kind of mystical look to it.

A very cool design.

Number 4

RX-78-2 Gundam

The OG

The classic, original Gundam. The grandaddy of Gundams. The RX-78-2 is an iconic design. It's not overly complicated, the color scheme is great and you can never forget it once you've seen it. It's the kind of design that not only works as a design for a robot but as an icon, that stands for something. Whenever it's seen it's almost as if it's more than just a robot for military use, it's a symbol and that right there is great design.

Number 3

MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam

Remember that weird attack that used the souls of dead people Kamille used? What? Can't be random?

The Zeta Gundam is such a cool design. From the different head type from most other Gundams to the unique shield this Gundam takes a lot of strides away from the usual Gundam design. The color scheme of having more blue than red or yellow helps it looks sleeker, just like the Gundam Alex. The waverider mode it can transform into also helps it stay in your mind. But sticking with mobile suit mode, it's the kind of robot a kid would love to get a toy of, it just looks like something you want to stand on your shelf. Since having people buy toys of these Gundams are the point of these designs that makes this design high on the list.

Number 2

MSZ-010 ΖΖ Gundam

Piloted by Judau and the junkyard kids.

Yes, that's right, I like the Double Zeta and yes, I like it this much to put it this high on the list. Hear me out though, you see there's three things that make for a good Gundam design in the Universal Century, how cool it would be as a toy, how much it looks like a military machine, and how unique it is compared to the other mobile suits. The Double Zeta is a cool toy, especially the recent high grade, it looks like a hulking military machine and compared to the other mobile suits it looks quite different.

Others who don't like the Double Zeta's design usually remark that they don't like big hulking machines and prefer the Zeta because it's a more elegant looking mobile suit. I say I prefer the Double Zeta because of it's behemoth size. It's something I'd expect a robot made to be so powerful by the military to look like. They'd want something that looks big and intimidating. The design works and like I've been saying throughout this countdown it is one to be remembered.

All right... so here it is, number 1 Gundam design in the Universal Century

Number 1

RX-78GP03S Gundam

Swag

The second lead Gundam in Stardust Memory after the GP-01. This Gundam has an almost pure white color scheme, extra powerful thrusters in the back and a sleek look, yet not totally slender. Almost in between the bulky Double Zeta and slim Alex and Zeta Gundams. This Gundam looks like it should. On top of all the other factors I mentioned before, like how it looks like a war machine, and looks like it would make a great toy, it also looks like a robot made for an ace pilot. Which is what the Gundams are, they're not made for the everyday soldier but the hotshots and this looks like a machine for an ace.

With all the white and bits of shiny green when in motion, it's like it's just a blur of lights. Whenever I think of Gundams in the Universal Century, or just Gundam in general the very first thing that comes is the GP03 Dendrobium Stamen. It's got a cool look, it's fast and it's powerful. It really is the total package.

What do you think? What's your favorite Gundams in the Universal Century? Also, keep a heads up for the next Gundam countdown top non-Gundam designs in the Universal Century.