History SoYouWantTo / WriteTheNextGundam

* RuleOfCool: while Gundam is a mostly a RealRobot genre, at many times you need it to be a successful series.

* Most Gundam series are of the RealRobot genre. Meaning most mecha are mass-produced with few prototypes existing. But should you opt for a SuperRobot approach? ''Anime/GGundam'' opted for that approach, though the RealRobot aspects are still there. Mixing the genres is good provided that they are consistent.

* ''Anime/MobileFighterGGundam'' was the first AU Gundam, and was the show's first foray into the SuperRobot territory. It proved that just because it's not serious doesn't automatically mean it's bad.

* Applied Phlebotinum: there should be explanation on why mobile suits instead of traditional weapons are used. In the original series, the proliferation of Minovsky particles jam most radio communications, so they render many guided missiles useless. The solution is to have the humanoid mobile workers be turned into mobile suits.

* How tall are the mechs: Most Gundams and mobile suits are eighteen meters tall, though some series like in Gundam Wing, they are mostly 16 meters tall. There are larger ones such as the Psyco Gundam from ''Zeta Gundam'' and Destroy Gundam from Gundam Seed Destiny, for example, them being in the 50 meter range.

* Have the main pilot be female. Gundam normally has male main characters as the lead.

* The first half of ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamZZ'' shows that too much of a tone shift from past shows won't be an immediate hit.

The ''Franchise/{{Gundam}}'' franchise has been going on for almost 40 years, and it's really no surprise, given its status as a {{cash cow|Franchise}}, the relevancy of its WarIsHell themes to modern society, the consistent fictional technology, and a lot of other things. So do you have what it takes to write the next ''Gundam''? If you think you can, then catch up on SoYouWantTo/WriteAStory for some basic advice. Most tropes that apply to ''SoYouWantTo/WriteAHumongousMechaAnime'' also apply here, but this one is going to list tropes specific to Gundam.

* ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamAGE'' shows that just because a plot's ambitious doesn't justify [[TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot not doing anything with it]]. If you have a good idea, use it! Also, use Kio Asuno as an example of how '''NOT''' to write a TechnicalPacifist.

* ''Anime/GundamBuildDivers'' make no unexplained DeusExMachina moments that seem to ruin suspense.

* ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEEDDestiny'' is why you shouldn't let personal conflicts between the production crew and the [=VAs=] affect the quality of the product.

* ''Anime/GundamReconguistaInG'' serves as an example of what ''not'' to do when pressed for time. It tried to cram in so many factions and characters, all vying for a piece of the spotlight in a limited runtime, instead of trying to shave things down and put focus on the important parts. It also displays that a good idea or setting alone does not a good plot make.

* ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamUnicorn''

* ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamIronBloodedOrphans''

* ''Anime/GundamReconguistaInG'' serves as an example of what ''not'' to do when pressed for time. It tried to cram in so many factions and characters, all vying for a piece of the spotlight in a limited runtime, instead of trying to shave things down and put focus on the important parts.

* Make the protagonist start in a grunt mobile suit, and have the enemy start with a Gundam.

* ''Anime/GundamReconguistaInG'' serves as an example of what ''not'' to do when pressed for time. It tried to cram so many factions and characters, all vying for a piece of the spotlight in a limited runtime, instead of trying to shave things down and put focus on the important parts.

* ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamAGE'' shows that just because a plot's ambitious doesn't justify [[TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot not doing anything with it]]. If you have a good idea, use it! Also, use Kio Asuno as an example of how '''NOT''' to write a TechnicalPacifist.

* ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamWing'' was the second AU Gundam, but is the most remembered of the 3 major ones from the 90s. It also proved that Gundam could appeal to fans in other countries, and introduced [[PeripheryDemographic girls]] to the franchise.

* ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamAGE'' shows that just because a plot's ambitious doesn't justify [[TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot not doing anything with it]]. If you have a good idea, use it! Also, use Kio Asuno as an example of how '''NOT''' to write a TechnicalPacifist.
* ''Anime/GundamReconguistaInG'' spent so much time setting up the world that it forgot to tell a story...and by the time it remembered to do so, it was only a few episodes away from the finale.

* The first half of ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamZZ'' is how not to do a sequel.

* ''Anime/MobileSuitVictoryGundam'' is what happens when ExecutiveMeddling goes too far and causes an [[CreatorBreakdown already depressed]] [[Creator/YoshiyukiTomino director]] to want [[SpringtimeForHitler to kill the franchise]]. It's not a BaseBreaker for nothing.

* A LoveInterest: You don't have to have them hook up (you can if you want to though), but you have to at least IMPLY something.

* Have the Gundam be stolen - either by the main character

* ''Anime/

* ''Anime/MobileSuitVictoryGundam'' is what happens when ExecutivieMeddling goes too far and causes an [[CreatorBreakdown already depressed]] [[Creator/YoshiyukiTomino director]] to want [[SpringtimeForHitler to kill the franchise]].
* ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEEDDestiny'' is why you shouldn't let personal conflicts between the production crew and the VAs affect the quality of the product.

The ''Franchise/{{Gundam}}'' franchise has been going on for almost 40 years, and it's really no surprise, given its status as a {{cash cow|Franchise}}, the relevancy of its WarIsHell themes to modern society, the consistent fictional technology, and a lot of other things. So do you have what it takes to write the next ''Gundam''? If you think you can, then catch up on SoYouWantTo/WriteAStory for some basic advice.

!!'''The Epic Fails'''

* How the protagonist should act? There are some archetypes of Gundam protagonists around. The first are the protagonists based on Amuro Ray of the original series. He is a student living in a colony, somewhat connected to a the development of Gundam, he then was forced to pilot it. The second one is those based on Heero Yuy of Gundam Wing. Unlike Amuro, he's trained from the start to pilot the Gundam, has a mysterious past, and is somewhat emotionally cold. There are other prototypical characters that abound, but having a new type of protagonist that does not use any of the standard mecha protagonist tropes are not necessarily bad.

* RealRobot or SuperRobot: Most Gundam series are of the RealRobot genre. Meaning most mecha are mass-produced with few prototypes existing. However, ''Anime/GGundam'' opted for the Super Robot approach, though the RealRobot aspects are still there.
* Piloted or remote-controlled: the main Gundam and most mobile suits are piloted. While pilotless examples and remote-controlled mechs do exist, it is commonly accepted that the protagonist Gundam should pilot the mecha.
* Where they usually fight: any Gundam could theoretically fight on land, space, air, and sea, though it was space that Gundams are known to fight. Specialist mecha could be used on a specific battle environment.
* Most Gundams and mobile suits are eighteen meters tall, though some series like in Gundam Wing, they are mostly 16 meters tall. There are larger ones such as the Psyco Gundam from ''Zeta Gundam'' and Destroy Gundam from Gundam Seed Destiny, for example, them being in the 50 meter range.

The ''Gundam'' franchise has been going on for almost 40 years, and it's really no surprise, given its status as a {{cash cow|Franchise}}, the relevancy of its WarIsHell themes to modern society, the consistent fictional technology, and a lot of other things. So do you have what it takes to write the next ''Gundam''? If you think you can, then catch up on SoYouWantTo/WriteAStory for some basic advice.