Universal Century

Universal Century (宇宙世紀 Uchū Seiki?, literal meaning:"Universe Century") is the original timeline of the Gundam anime metaseries. The official English name U.C. (abbreviation of Universal Century) is often used instead in recent production like MS Igloo and Master Grade model instructions and official pages (i.e. www.gundam.info).

The Universal Century timeline starts with the migration of humanity to populate space, after construction of the first space colony at Side 1 was completed.

By far the most proliferative background universe, Universal Century makes up the dominating majority of the entire franchise. While many new Gundam stories are told in their own parallel universe with independent timelines, giving them a greater degree of creative freedom, the original U.C. storyline continues to be extremely popular for a variety of reasons. It established the series, and delivered many of its best moments, as well as setting the standard for realistic hard science fiction in anime; the original Gundam marked the maturing of the Giant Robot genre. Also, nostalgia for the oldest of the Gundam shows (and Gundam's resulting status as a pop-culture icon in Japan) is still a major factor in its continuing success.[1]

Contents

Universal Century Gundam series and films

List of Universal Century Gundam animated series and movies and live-action films in the order of their release:

Universal Century locations

Earth

Although a large percentage of the Earth's population had been relocated to space, people still lived on Earth. Those left on Earth had either received permission to return to the planet and live there or had never left the planet in the first place. Earth still maintains its seven separate continents, and each continent contains at least one noteworthy location.

North America

South America

Africa

Asia

Antarctica

Europe

Oceania

Space colonies

Space colonies are placed at the five Earth-Moon Lagrangian points. In most cases, a Lagrangian point is home to more than one group of space colonies. Individual colony groups (single or in pairs) are known as bunches, and a collection of colony bunches that occupy a Lagrangian point are known collectively as a Side. Because Sides sometimes share a single Lagrangian point, it is possible to have two Sides in close orbit to one another. All colonies in the Universal Century are O'Neill "Island 3" type colony cylinders, except for the close-type colonies of Side 3.

The first 50 years of the Universal Century were spent building the various colonies and placing them at the Lagrangian points, as well as colonizing the moon. By U.C. 0050 9 billion of the 11 billion people in the Federation live in space colonies or on the moon. In U.C. 0051 the Federation froze plans for additional colony development, and in U.C. 0084 reorganized the remaining Sides into different Lagrangian Points. With the re-organization of the Sides completed, the Federation announced that the status quo would be maintained. In the latter half of the Second Universal Century the construction of new colonies was restarted.

Side 1

Side 1 is called Zarn, and is the Capital Side of the Earth Federation in space. This Side is located at L5, and was one of the first Sides the Zeon attacked during the One Year War.

Side 2

Side 2 is called Hatte, and is located at L4. This was one of the first Sides attacked by the Zeon during the One Year War. One of the colonies was hijacked by Zeon forces and dropped onto Earth, known as Operation British. During the U.C. 0150s, the Zanscare Empire was established in Side 2 under the name of Queen Maria Armonia.

Side 3

Side 3 is located behind the moon, at L2, and is known as Munzo, and is later renamed to "Sweet Water". Side 3 was the only Side to use closed-type colonies, allowing each colony to house greater populations.

Perhaps the most infamous Side of them all, Side 3 was the home of Zeon Zum Deikun, who inspired the people of Side 3 to declare themselves independent of the Earth Federation. After the mysterious death of Zeon Deikun, the Republic of Zeon was renamed the Principality of Zeon by Deikun's deputy Degwin Sodo Zabi. Under the militaristic rule of Degwin's genocidal son Gihren, Side 3 declared a deadly war against the Earth Federation in U.C. 0079 under the banner of independence, known as the One Year War, in which over half of all human population perished. Side 3 regained the name Republic of Zeon after the defeat of the Principality, and received additional colonies in U.C. 0082 and again in U.C. 0083 as part of the Colony Reclamation Project, which sought to ease the overcrowding of Side 3. The Republic of Zeon eventually rejoined the Federation in U.C. 0100s.

Side 4

Side 4 is known as Mua, and is located at L5. Side 4 was one of the first colonies attacked by the Zeon during the One Year War. Side 4 was eventually reconstructed into the Frontier Side in during the U.C. 0120s. During the reorganization of Sides in U.C. 0084, Side 4 was moved to L1.

Side 5

Side 5 is known as Loum, and is located at L1. During the One Year War, this Side became a battlefield when the Zeon attempted to capture a colony from Side 5 to drop on the Earth. When the Federation forces arrived and intervened, a massive battle for Side 5 erupted between General Revil's 1st Combined Fleet and Dozle Zabi's Zeon Attack Forces. Due to the deployment of mobile suits, Zeon eventually won the battle, but at an extremely high price. The battle was known to Universal Century history as the Battle of Loum. During the story of Blue Destiny, It was in Side 5 where Professor Chlust Morses created the 1st Anti-Newtype system, the Exam System. Coincidentally, months later Side 5 would be the final resting place for the EXAM system, when the last 2 EXAM Gundams, The Blue Destiny Unit-2 & Blue Destiny Unit-3 would both be destroyed. At the end of the One Year War this area became known as the shoal zone, littered with debris of colonies and warships. During the reorganization of the Sides in U.C. 0084, Side 5 was moved to L4.

Side 6

Side 6 is known as Riah, and is located at L4. Side 6 declared autonomy from the Earth Federation on April U.C. 0077, and adopted the name Riah Republic. Side 6 declared neutrality in the opening weeks of the One Year War, and managed to avoid most of the major conflicts. Side 6 was targeted by the Zeon for a nuclear attack late in the war after a Federation R&D base was discovered here, but was rescued by Federation fleets (Gundam 0080). It was annexed by the Earth Federation sometime after Operation Stardust. During the reorganization of Sides in U.C. 0084, Side 6 was moved to L5.

Side 7

Side 7 is known as Noa, and is located at L3. At the time of its introduction in the original Mobile Suit Gundam, Side 7 consisted of a single, incomplete space colony that housed a Federation R&D base involved with Project V. This Side became famous on September 18, U.C. 0079, when the White Base and its prototype mobile suit RX-78-2 Gundam successfully fended off an attack by Zeon mobile suits, and in doing so marked the first recorded battle between mobile suits.

Side 8

Side 8 is the latest addition to the Universal Century timeline; its first on-screen appearance isn't until U.C. 0223. This Side is agricultural and is located at L1.

Additional colonies

Moon

Von Braun

The first and the largest city on the moon, named after the German rocket scientist Wernher Von Braun, and was built on the landing site of Apollo 11, which is an industrial city specializing in the manufacture of heavy equipment. It's also home to a branch of Anaheim Electronics, where the prototype mobile suit programs for the Gundam Development Project were developed in U.C. 0083. It is said that whoever controls Von Braun controls the moon. The Albion docked at Von Braun during its pursuit of the Delaz Fleet in November U.C. 0083. In U.C. 0087, the Titans launched Operation Apollo, forcing their way into Von Braun in order to force the AEUG out. It was controlled by the Earth Federation during the One Year War.

Granada

A Zeon stronghold during the One Year War. The Federation agreed to meet with Zeon representative in January U.C. 0080 after hearing rumors that a Zeon fleet may have been here. The Zeon's Elite Cyclopes Team was also based here briefly before departing for Side 6 to commence Operation Rubicon. It also serves as a headquarters for the AEUG during U.C. 0087.

Amman

Home to a branch office of Anaheim Electronics. The AEUG forces receive support from Amman when the Titans are lurking around Granada. The city is bombarded and destroyed by Titans' missile barrage though the AEUG forces already set off for the Jaburo Drop Operation.

Asteroids

Luna II

A former mining asteroid, originally known as Juno and used for the construction of the space colonies, that became the headquarters of the Earth Federal Space Force in U.C. 0060, Luna II serves as a naval base and staging area for the Federation. In U.C. 0070, the base was moved to L3 to help in constructing the new Side 7. During the One Year War the asteroid became the major base in space of the Earth Federation. Its status makes it a tempting target for attack by pro-space sympathizers.

Solomon/Konpei Island

One of three asteroids that the Principality of Zeon used as staging points. It is located at L5, amid the ruins of Side 1. On December 24, U.C. 0079, a massive battle was fought here, resulting in the death of Dozle Zabi. Also, the EFSF (Earth Federation Space Force) used their prototype mass-destruction weapon—the Solar System—during the battle to fight against Zeon. Shortly thereafter, the Earth Federation secured it and renamed the captured base Konpei Island. In U.C. 0083, Zeon ace Anavel Gato used the RX-78GP02 Gundam Physalis to attack the Naval Review at Konpei with an MK-82 nuclear warhead, destroying or crippling 2/3 of the Federation's space forces that took part in it.

A Bao A Qu/Gate of Zedan

First appearing in Mobile Suit Gundam, A Bao A Qu was one of the Principality of Zeon's two asteroid bases in the Earth Sphere (Solomon being the other). Named after a Malayan legend, the base serves as Zeon's final defensive stronghold in the last two episodes of the series. The Zeon surrenders the base after both Gihren and Kycilia Zabi die over the course of the battle. In Z Gundam, the Titans acquire the base from the Republic of Zeon and rename it the Gate of Zedan. The Axis asteroid base later destroys it in a collision that scatters rock fragments to destroy part of the Titans fleet.

Part of the Battle of A Bao A Qu is also viewed from a different perspective in the OVA series MS Igloo Apocalypse 0079.

Axis

First appearing in Mobile Suit Z Gundam, Axis is a massive asteroid colonized for mining that served as a waypoint for the Jupiter Energy Fleet in the asteroid belt. It is recognizable through its four large nuclear pulse thrusters and a smaller asteroid connected on top called the Moussa habitation block.

Following the end of the One Year War in Mobile Suit Gundam, several thousand Zeon survivors retreated to Axis to prepare themselves for future campaigns. In Z Gundam, the Neo-Zeon forces bring the asteroid with them to the Earth Sphere and later uses it to ram the Titans' Gate of Sedan asteroid base (formerly A Baoa Qu). In Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ, Axis serves as the main Neo-Zeon base until rebel leader Glemy Toto uses it to destroy Haman Karn's Core 3 headquarters. The Earth Federation takes over control of Axis after the Neo-Zeon surrenders following the events of the series. A few years later, during the events of the movie Char's Counterattack, the Neo-Zeon successfully buys back Axis from the Federation in exchange for the group's disarmament. However, Char Aznable, who has emerged to command Neo-Zeon, attempts to drop it on Earth to finally force mankind's total migration to space. In the movie's climax, the Londo Bell blows up Axis into two halves, with one of them still primed for orbital entry. Amuro, in his RX-93 ν-Gundam, takes it upon himself to push it back into orbit with help from Federation and Neo-Zeon units, resulting in a psycowave that stops the descent.

Fifth Luna

A mining asteroid. It was secured by Char Aznable's Neo Zeon forces and dropped on Lhasa, Tibet.

Beyond the Earth Sphere

While humanity is repeatedly stated to have settlements beyond the Earth Sphere, very little is known about them or how many and where they even are. The Earth Federation appears to have little influence outside of the Earth Sphere, giving the extraplanetary settlements near, if not complete autonomy.

Mars

Mars was featured as a location in the manga series Gundam F90. After the One Year War, a portion of the Zeon fleet that escaped the Earth Sphere did not go to Axis; instead, they established a new base of operations on Mars. They would later accept refugees from the Second Neo Zeon movement, but would remain on their own, unnoticed and uninvolved, until they would initiate conflict with the Earth Federation in U.C. 0120. During this time it was revealed that the Mars Zeon group, as they were called, had converted Olympus Mons into a gigantic railcannon.

Jupiter

The gas giant is the source of Helium-3, a critical element in Minovsky fusion. The Jupiter Energy Fleet travels between Earth and Jupiter to collect Helium-3, but little is known about life near Jupiter during the One Year War era. Paptimus Scirocco commanded the Jupiter Energy Fleet's flagship, the Jupitris, and his extensive time spent out at Jupiter led some of his Earth-born Titans allies to view him as more "alien" than their Spacenoid foes, leading some to derogatorily refer to him as "The Man from Jupiter".

In U.C. 0133 the Jupiter Empire, which has members in the Jupiter energy fleet, plans to conquer Earth but their plans are thwarted by the Crossbone Vanguard.

Universal Century manga and novels

Main article: Gundam Manga and Novels

Manga

Novels

Original design series/variations

Due to the sheer popularity of the Gundam franchise, especially the mobile suit design, several original design series were published. These series are drawings and precise specifications for additional mobile suit units not found in the original animated material.

Video games

Main article: List of Gundam video games

Arcade

Microsoft Windows

Nintendo Entertainment System

Super Nintendo Entertainment System

Nintendo GameCube

Wii

PlayStation

PlayStation 2

PlayStation 3

PlayStation Portable

Sega Saturn

Dreamcast

Xbox 360

History

In a pre-production memo, Gundam creator Yoshiyuki Tomino wrote that the first series takes place in 2066 AD,[3] which would have the Universal Century calendar starting in 1988 AD. However, a "2079" date stamp in the first Gundam series' episode 26 and a "2087" date stamp in Zeta Gundam's episode 8 indicated a 2001 starting date(but not necessarily AD). The date stamps were not included in the subsequent movie versions of these series, and these dates have since been contradicted by later works.

Based on a dated newspaper shown in the last episode of the Gundam 0080 OVA series written by Gainax's Hiroyuki Yamaga (Monday, January 14, 0080) and in Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ, Axis Zeon became Neo Zeon on 29th Feb, 0088, the Universal Century can be pinpointed to begin in several specific years, including 2053, 2081, 2109, and 2149. In the Universal Century chronology, the last dated entry of the AD system was 2045 AD, leading to the common misconception that U.C. 0001 followed immediately afterwards. A few early unofficial sources even listed U.C. 0001 as 2046 AD (or even 2045), but current official materials indicate the presence of a gap of years between the AD and U.C. calendar systems. Therefore the first year of the Universal Century calendar is deduced on the official Gundam website in North America as being 2053, 2081, 2109, or possibly later, meaning U.C. 0079 would correspond to 2131, 2159, 2187, or later.

References

  1. ^ [1] 機動戦士ガンダムは、同じくバンダイグループの（株）サンライズが制作し、1979年4月～1980年1月にテレビシリーズ第１作が放映されて以来、テレビシリーズ8作品、劇場用映画9作品などが公開され、20年以上にわたり人気を保っています。米国をはじめ、ヨーロッパ、アジアでも作品が放映され、各地で高い人気を得ています。
  2. ^ Gundam Ace June 2009 issue
  3. ^ Quoted in Gundam Century
Mobile Suit Gundam (Universal Century)
TV series
Original series (1979)  • Zeta Gundam (1985)  • Gundam ZZ (1986)  • Victory Gundam (1993)
Films and OVAs
Char's Counterattack (1988 film) • 0080: War in the Pocket (1989 OVA) • Gundam F91 (1991 film) • 0083: Stardust Memory (1991 OVA) • The 08th MS Team (1996 OVA) • MS IGLOO (2004 OVA)  • Gundam Unicorn (2010 OVA)
Novels and manga
Gundam Sentinel (1987 novel) • Gaia Gear (1987 novel) • Double-Fake: Under the Gundam (1989 manga) • Hathaway's Flash (1989 novel) • Crossbone Gundam (1994 manga) • Blue Destiny (1997 manga) • The Origin (2002 manga) • Thoroughbred (2003 manga) • Gundam Unicorn (2006 novel)
Live-action
G-Saviour (2000 film)
Video games
Hot Scramble (1986) • EX Revue (1994) • Side Story (1996–1997) • Gundam: Battle Assault series (1997–2002) • Gihren no Yabou series (1998–2008) • Gundam Side Story 0079: Rise From the Ashes (1999) • Journey to Jaburo (2001) • Zeonic Front (2001) • Federation vs. Zeon (2002) • Lost War Chronicles (2002) • Encounters in Space (2003) • Senshitachi no Kiseki (2004) • Gundam vs. Zeta Gundam (2004) • Gundam Battle series (2005–2008) • MS Saga: A New Dawn (2005) • Universal Century Gundam Online (2005) • Senjō no Kizuna (2006) • Crossfire (2006) • Dynasty Warriors: Gundam (2007) • MS Sensen 0079 (2007) • Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2 (2008) • Mobile Ops: The One Year War (2008) • Gundam vs. Gundam (2008) • Gundam vs. Gundam Next (2009) • Gundam Extreme Vs. (2010)
Nations and factions
Mobile weapons
Original series (Gundam • Guncannon • Guntank • GM • Ball • Zaku I • Zaku II • Zeong) • Zeta Gundam (Gundam Mk-II • Z Gundam • Psyco Gundam) • Gundam ZZ (ZZ Gundam) • Gundam Unicorn  • Victory Gundam
Gundam Sentinel (S Gundam) • Char's Counterattack (Jagd Doga • Sazabi) • Gundam F91 (Gundam Formula 91) • 0083: Stardust Memory • The 08th MS Team (Apsalus Project) • Crossbone Gundam (Crossbone Gundam) • Other (Formula Project)
Topics