Editing Gundam (section)

==={{anchor|Narrative}}Timelines===
Most of the ''Gundam'' animation (including the earliest series) is set in what is known as the Universal Century (UC) [[calendar era]], with later series set in alternate calendars or [[alternate future|timelines]]. Many UC shows were directed by series creator Tomino, especially throughout the 80s and 90s. However, many new ''Gundam'' stories are told in their parallel universe with independent timelines (giving jumping on points for newer generations of kids). The original UC storyline continues to be popular, with new installments frequently produced in and around the other established stories. Nostalgia for the oldest ''Gundam'' shows (and its status as a pop-culture icon in Japan) is a factor in its continuing success.<ref>[http://www.mhi.co.jp/news/sec1/020220nl.html] ''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。''</ref> 

Other notable timelines include the Cosmic Era, (Gundam Seed, Seed Destiny, and Seed Freedom), Anno Domini (00, 00: Awakening of The Trail Blazer) and many others. These act as much more self contained narratives, re-adapting and playing off of many of the series core tropes in more modern ways built for the times in which they were released in.