In the year 0079 of the Universal Century, humanity has expanded into space, residing in colony clusters referred to as "Sides." One such Side proclaims itself the "Principality of Zeon" and initiates a war against the Earth Federation, the governing authority that controls Earth. Utilizing powerful humanoid robots called "mobile suits," Zeon swiftly gains an advantage.
Nine months into the war, the Earth Federation has created its own formidable mobile suit, the Gundam. When Zeon attacks the colony housing the Gundam, a 15-year-old civilian named Amuro Ray is suddenly thrust into a battle that carries him across Earth and space, opposing the enemy's ace pilot, Char Aznable.