When anyone hears the termmecha, the term of an image of aGundamwill almost always come to mind. After all, the signature design and color scheme of any mainGundamis iconic not just to theanimescene but perhaps in the whole of pop culture. Due to its immense popularity, it’s no doubt the series spawned an entire franchise sinceMobile Suit Gundampremiered in 1979.
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With more than 30 anime and films scattered across nine timelines (so far), the upcomingMobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercurywill, without a doubt, show another new protagonist with not just a unique aesthetic but personality as well. However, of allGundamprotagonists out there, just who stands at the top?
Updated on June 09, 2025, by Rhenn Taguiam:With Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury marking the start of a new age of Gundam with Suletta Mercury as the first-ever female protagonist in the series, it makes sense for newcomers and vets of the franchise to look back to previous titles and make comparisons. Whereas youngling Suletta has a mixture of hardheadedness and child-like naivete, other protagonists of the Gundam franchise indeed had equally-bizarre personalities. Among fan-favorites would include Gunpla Battle contestants with a love for building and a love for fighting, an optimistic neophyte who grows into a battle-hardened warrior after experiencing the harshness of war firsthand, and a scavenger in a technologically-advanced Earth who seems to be the only “adult” among single-minded soldiers in conflict.
15Sekai Kamiki (Gundam Build Fighters Try)
Contrary to the meek Sei Iori ofGundam Build Fighters, it’sSekai Kamikiof the sequelGundam Build Fighters Trythat embodies the stereotype of the shonen protagonist more. A martial artist student of Seiho Academy thatstumbles upon the local Gunpla Battle scene, Sekai Kamiki became a standout fighter - so much so that struggling Gunpla Battle Club president Fumina Hoshino and embittered Gunpla builder Yuuma Kousaka are encouraged to join him.
Compared to other protagonists in the franchise, Sekai Kamiki’s resolve and drive to do what he can no matter what is a simple yet extremely relatable sentiment. And whileBuild Fighters Trydoesn’t explore extremely complex themes, Sekai Kamiki’s hard work and determination remain an inspiration - enough to transformBuild Fighters Tryinto an ideal show to watch for those who want a burst of motivation.
14Shiro Amada (Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team)
One of the most tragic tales tohappen throughout theGundamfranchiselikely takes place inMobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team, where viewers are treated to a closer and more personal view of the one-year war. In this story, EnsignShiro Amadabecomes the newly-appointed commander of the titular 08th MS Team of the Earth Federation, where his eventual interactions with opposing Principality of Zeon pilot Aina Sahalin.
What’s incredible about Shiro’s journey is that his optimistic, black-and-white view of the One-Year War suddenly changes when he sees the perspective of the Zeon soldiers. It’s his eventual growth and the dread of the tragedies that may await him.
13Garrod Ran (After War Gundam X)
Compared to otherGundamprotagonists where pilots almost always come from engineering backgrounds and somehow possess supernatural abilities,Garrod RanofAfter War Gundam Xis rather as realistic as protagonists could get. Starting as a street-level criminal, Garrod Ran reflects somethingGundamdoesn’t always show - civilians forced into odd jobs and desperate measures in the thick of war.
In the post-war,post-apocalyptic landscape ofAfter War Gundam X,Garrod Ran is thrust into the brink of war as his membership in the Freeden crew will have him and his team choose between the New United Nations Earth and the Space Revolutionary Army. What makes Garrod Ran more impressive, however, is his equally brash yet frank approach to matters, which allows him to become the voice of reason whenever the adults around him tend to make rash and hasty decisions.
12Iori Sei (Gundam Build Fighters)
Contrary to mostGundamseries,Gundam Build Fightersis set primarily in a fictional analog of the real world where Gunpla are able to engage in realistic combat with each other through Gunpla Battle. In turn, people ranging from kids and adults alike are able to not just build Gunpla but engage in battle with them, withIori Seibeing a meek teenager who inherited his incredible building skills from his father, also a prominent Gunpla Battle competitor.
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While shy and hesitant to battle to a degree, it’s his friendship with the foreigner Reiji that motivated him to not just expand his potential as a fighter but develop a deeper love for Gunpla. Compared to other protagonists, Sei is a more relatable example of a modernGundamfan - someone who loves building so much that it’s infectious, capable of motivating even the audience to grab a kit of their own.
11Amuro Ray (Mobile Suit Gundam)
Perhapsthe most iconicGundamprotagonist remains the first one. Starring inMobile Suit GundamisAmuro Ray, a Newtype that has quite the promising potential to stop the devastation wrought from the war between the Earth Federation and Principality of Zeon with the all-powerful Gundam.
Earning an infamy as the pilot to turn the tide for the Earth Forces, Amuro and his rather peaceful and kind nature earned the respect and interest of the likes such as Char Aznable, the Red Comet, and Ace of the Principality, who would eventually become his constant rival throughout the series.
10Kira Yamato (Gundam SEED/Destiny)
Probably the most recognizableGundamcharacter of the 2000s,Kira Yamatostarred as the ever-hesitant protagonist ofGundam SEEDand one of the three leads in the sequelSEED Destiny. Starting as the unwilling pilot of the Strike Gundam, the Coordinator Kira grew as the pilot of the much stronger Freedom Gundam and Strike Freedom Gundam - using his machine’s powers to stop senseless war between the Earth Federation and ZAFT.
Interestingly enough, whileSEED Destinyputs newcomer Shinn Asuka as its lead, Kira Yamato swoops in and steals the spotlight simply to help stop the war between the two factions once and for all. While Kira’s relentless unwillingness to fight makes him an annoying protagonist (likeLacus Clyne, his rather “naive” counterpart as female protagonist), his position as this particular franchise’s “best pilot” makes him unironically recognizable.
9Heero Yuy (Gundam Wing)
When it comes to representing teenage angst at its height during the early 1990s, it’s probablyHeero Yuyamong the Gundam Pilots ofMobile Suit Gundam Wing.Tasked to pilot the Wing Gundam,Heero is one of five teenage pilotsdeployed around the world with the sole mission of leading the charge against the oppressive Zodiac government.
Similar to the other pilots, Heero has quite a personal arc to get through over the course of the story - but his is perhaps the most gripping, at least in the context of internal growth. Despite his rather cold demeanor, Heero is actually extremely kindhearted, having been trained to keep his emotions in check in order to avoid heartbreaks in battle. It’s thanks to the efforts of Relena Peacecraft that Heero was able to open up a bit.
8Mikazuki Augus (Iron-Blooded Orphans)
In their quest to fight back against the adults that continue to take advantage of them,Mikazuki Augusand the Gundam Barbatos are the frontline fighters of the Tekkadan inMobile Suit Gundam Iron-Blooded Orphans. While just asdeadly and tactically-astuteas otherGundamprotagonists, Mikazuki has two natures as an individual - making him quite unique in the context of the entire franchise.
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While quiet and meek outside combat, Mikazuki tries his best to look at the big picture. His open personality makes him likable to his teammates, even when he appears blunt most of the time. In combat, however, Mikazuki becomes too engrossed in protecting those around him that he loses his sense of self, becoming berserk.
7Domon Kasshu (G Fighter)
It’s not all the time that aGundamprotagonist hasa mysterious pastthat never seems to leave them, which in the case ofDomonofMobile Suit G Fightergives him an air of intrigue that perfectly matches his ferocity in the series. Set in a post-apocalyptic Earth where space colonists wage their wars through representatives in a tournament, Domon represents Neo Japan with the G Gundam. However, he also has a personal agenda in between matches: find his missing brother.
While his quest brings Domon to a journey of helping various people across the world, he eventually has to come to terms as to what really happened to his brother and how Domon’s fate becomes intertwined with that of the world. Not to mention, his brash and impulsive behavior makes his penchant for martial arts quite the exciting thing to watch - considering all the Gundams in the series are also tied to their user’s physical movements.
6Kamille Bidan (Zeta Gundam)
ProtagonistKamille BidanofMobile Suit Zeta Gundamis uniquely known for his hatred for his rather feminine name, which he compensates for by learning the fundamentals of amateur mobile suit creation. Like other protagonists, he tends to be thoughtless and act on his own judgment, giving him a particular air of arrogance that doesn’t help his angsty and emotionally-vulnerable exterior.
It’s thanks to the influence of the likes of Char Aznable (as Quattro Bajeena) that Kamille eventually overcomes his childish aspects and grows intoa true Newtypesoldier - one who can follow orders, act accordingly, and put the welfare of others behind his own needs. While Kamille remains emotionally fragile throughout the series, this does fuel his thoughts on war in general.
