Mobile Suit Gundam SEED

Mobile Suit Gundam SEED
Cover of the first Mobile Suit Gundam SEED DVD volume featuring Kira Yamato and his first mobile suit, GAT-X105 Strike Gundam, in the background.
機動戦士ガンダムSEED(シード)
(Kidō Senshi Gandamu Shīdo)
GenreMecha, military science fiction, romance
Created byHajime Yatate
Yoshiyuki Tomino
Anime television series
Directed byMitsuo Fukuda
Written byChiaki Morosawa
Music byToshihiko Sahashi
StudioSunrise
Licensed by
Original networkJNN (MBS, TBS)
English network
Original run October 5, 2002 September 27, 2003
Episodes50
Original video animation
After Phase: In the Valley of Stars
Directed byMitsuo Fukuda
StudioSunrise
Licensed by
  • NA: Sunrise
ReleasedMarch 26, 2004
Runtime5 minutes
Manga
Written byMasatsugu Iwase
Published byKodansha
English publisher
MagazineMagazine Z
DemographicSeinen
Original runMarch 20, 2003January 21, 2005
Volumes5
Novel series
Written byRiu Goto
Published byKadokawa Shoten
English publisher
ImprintKadokawa Sneaker Bunko
DemographicMale
Original run20052006
Volumes5
Manga
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Re:
Written byJuu Ishiguchi
Published byKadokawa Shoten
MagazineGundam Ace
DemographicShōnen
Original runMarch 26, 2012April 2014
Volumes3 (+6 uncollected chapters)
Related

Mobile Suit Gundam SEED (Japanese: 機動戦士ガンダムSEED(シード), Hepburn: Kidō Senshi Gandamu Shīdo) is an anime series developed by Sunrise and directed by Mitsuo Fukuda. The ninth installment in the Gundam franchise, Gundam SEED takes place in a future calendar era, in this case the Cosmic Era. In this era, mankind has developed into two subspecies: Naturals, who reside on Earth, and Coordinators, genetically enhanced humans capable of amazing feats of intellect who emigrate to man-made orbital colonies to escape persecution by natural humans. The story revolves around a young Coordinator Kira Yamato who becomes involved in the war between the two races after a third, neutral faction's space colony is invaded by the Coordinators.

The television series was broadcast in Japan between 2002 and 2003, on the Tokyo Broadcasting System Television and MBS TV networks, beginning a broadcast partnership with the Gundam franchise. The series spawned three compilations films and was adapted into a manga as well as light novels. A sequel series, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny followed in 2004 and a followup film, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom was released in 2024. Merchandise has been released, including models, CD soundtracks and video games. Gundam SEED was licensed by Bandai Entertainment for broadcast in North America, and began airing in the United States and Canada in 2004. The films and the sequel were also licensed by Bandai. The manga and light novels as well as the spin-off series, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Astray, were licensed. Video games were released in North America. In 2011, a HD remaster of the series consisting of 48 episodes was released.

Mobile Suit Gundam SEED was widely popular with the public in Japan, winning numerous awards, with high sales of the series DVD and music. It was also a critical success with writers focusing on the character development and animation especially the leads. However, similarities with previous Gundam series were noted.