Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance — Complete Guide— Netflix Exclusive & the War Through Zeon Eyes

You Don't Need to Know Gundam — Requiem for Vengeance Is the Perfect Entry Point

On October 17, 2024, a brand-new Gundam arrived on Netflix.

Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance. Six episodes, each roughly 30 minutes. Produced to celebrate the Gundam series' 45th anniversary, it is the franchise's first globally exclusive Netflix release.

One thing needs to be said upfront: this is a show that should be watched by people who know absolutely nothing about Gundam.

The reason is simple. It requires almost no prior knowledge. The organizations, machines, and mechanics of this world are laid out from scratch, and the story works fully as a "war film." In fact, many viewers who came in completely fresh have said they enjoyed it more purely than longtime Gundam fans.

It's complete in 6 episodes — no worrying about "too long to commit." The perfect volume for a single afternoon binge.

This guide covers everything: the content, what makes it compelling, the highlights, and where to watch. Episodes with spoilers are clearly flagged before they begin. First, the case for why this show is worth your time — spoiler free.

If you want to know the watching order first: Gundam Watch Order Guide

---

Basic Series Information

If the entire work had to be described in one sentence: "a story that depicts war through the eyes of Zeon soldiers — the 'villains' of earlier Gundam."

---

World Explained — What Is the Universal Century?

"Universal Century" (UC) is the fictional historical axis shared by most Gundam series.

The setting is a future where humanity has migrated to space and lives in space colonies. In UC0079, the Principality of Zeon — a state established in the colony cluster "Side 3" — declares independence from the Earth's government (the Earth Federation). This is the beginning of a massive conflict known as the "One Year War."

The TV anime Mobile Suit Gundam (the original), which aired in 1979 and put this war at its center, has since spawned over 45 years of stories.

For the full Universal Century timeline: Universal Century Timeline

Requiem for Vengeance depicts events in the final stages of the One Year War (UC0079, November) — a different story happening in a different place, at the same time as the original Gundam.

---

Story — A Fight for Survival on European Soil (No Spoilers)

Eleven months have passed since the One Year War began. It is the autumn of UC0079.

The Principality of Zeon has occupied territories across the Earth but is being slowly pushed back as the Federation's massive counteroffensive "Operation Odessa" looms. The setting: the Eastern European front, around the Cluj-Napoca base in Romania.

The Zeon Forces MS (Mobile Suit) squad "Red Wolf" is an elite unit freshly assigned to the European ground front from space. Their commander is a female officer and former violinist: Captain Iria Solari. Known as "the mother wolf," she tries to keep her squad — like family — alive through the brutal battlefield.

After succeeding in the mission to retake Cluj-Napoca base, the Red Wolf unit faces a shock the same night: a mysterious Federation Mobile Suit appears at the base alone. Its designation: "Gundam EX" — a cutting-edge high-performance unit that Zeon weapons can barely scratch.

What begins from here is a story asking how to survive against an overwhelmingly superior enemy.

---

Main Characters

Captain Iria Solari — "Red Wolf Alpha"

The story's protagonist. Female officer and commander of the Zeon Forces MS squad "Red Wolf."

Originally a celebrated violinist from Side 3 (Zeon), she lost her husband to a Federation Forces air strike at the outbreak of the One Year War and resolved to enlist. A young son waits for her in Side 3, and "returning to her son" is her greatest motivation.

A veteran of the space forces with exceptional combat skills — but where she truly shines is in her deep love for her team and in her cool judgment when everything is on the line. She is portrayed as a human leader who prioritizes "bringing her squad back alive" above "winning the war."

As the story progresses, signs emerge that she possesses the potential of a Newtype — a person with awakened special combat intuition.

Lieutenant Neeland Rushovyn — "Red Wolf Charlie"

The squad's youngest member. Bright and uncomplicated, he never loses his humor even in tense moments. His deep trust with Solari grows throughout the story.

Reed Gelfhi (a.k.a. "Chubs") — "Red Wolf Bravo"

The squad's second-in-command and most seasoned veteran. His broad frame and measured tone make him Solari's most reliable right hand. His judgment is underpinned by extensive combat experience.

Kale Zavareta — "Red Wolf Delta"

The squad's designated marksman. The finest shot in the unit, specializing in long-range precision fire. Quiet, but every word carries weight.

Alfie Zeedas (Technical Captain)

A mechanic officer who has known Solari for years. Assigned to Brigade Support Command, he has exceptional Mobile Suit maintenance skills. A veteran technician who keeps the squad's combat strength up from behind by repairing and modifying damaged machines.

The Gundam EX's Pilot

A boy of mystery. His name, age, and background are entirely unknown — absent from official records. Possessing the potential of a Newtype, combined with the Gundam EX's extraordinary capabilities, he becomes feared by Zeon soldiers as the "White Devil."

---

The Revolution of the Zeon Perspective — The Terror of War Seen from the "Villain's Side"

What is fundamentally different about this work from conventional Gundam is that the protagonist is on Zeon's side.

Starting with the original Gundam, most Universal Century works have depicted young Earth Federation soldiers (like Amuro Ray) as protagonists. Zeon soldiers appear there as "enemies to be defeated." The Gundam is a "symbol of justice."

In this work, that equation is completely reversed.

From Zeon soldiers' perspective, the Gundam is "incomprehensible terror."

A mysterious white machine that appears suddenly and destroys ally after ally. No one knows who's inside. Attacks can't get through. No one knows where it's coming from. It registers as nothing less than an irrational killing machine closing in from the dark.

This shift in perspective gives the work a unique tension and dread. The Gundam depicted not as a "hero" but as a "monster" — this is a noteworthy piece of direction even across the more-than-45-year history of Gundam.

The work also refuses to portray Zeon soldiers as simple "bad guys." The squad members, Solari included, are all depicted as ordinary people who have "somewhere they want to return to." The senselessness of war, the weight of life and death, the meaning of protecting your comrades — themes like these function as a universal war drama that transcends the simple frame of "good versus evil."

Even viewers who don't know Gundam can fully engage emotionally through this "war film" framing. That is the strength of this work as an entry point.

---

The Full-CG World — The Real Battlefield Built by Unreal Engine 5

Another major feature of this work is that it is entirely CG animation.

The technology used is "Unreal Engine 5" — widely recognized as one of the world's highest-level game engines, increasingly used in film and anime production in recent years. Within the Gundam series, it is the first full-CG work of significance since MS IGLOO, and the first TV/streaming series to use Unreal Engine 5 — a landmark work.

The greatest effect this visual style produces is a sense of reality.

European forests, a battlefield smeared in mud and blood, a base at night with shells flying — all rendered with surprisingly realistic texture. The weight of Mobile Suits, the sound of machinery operating, the flicker of flames. Even viewers who have been put off by CG animation in the past find themselves surprised by this work's visual quality.

There are viewers who dislike the "stiffness" inherent to full CG, and opinions do split there. But in terms of "using visuals to express the reality of the battlefield," the choices made here were the right ones.

The Production Team

Production of this work involved three countries: Japan, the United States, and Germany.

Director Erasmus Brosdau is German; screenwriter Gavin Hignight is an American creator (who has worked on Transformers: Cyberverse and others). Mechanical design is by Japanese Gundam craftsman Kimitoshi Yamane (who has worked on G Gundam, 08th MS Team, SEED, and others).

Episodes 1 and 6 were led by the German team; Episodes 2–5 were led by the Japanese team — an unusual division of labor. This exceptional international co-production gives the work a distinctive character all its own.

---

Mobile Suits (MS) — Machine Guide

Zeon Forces

MS-06F Zaku II Type F (Red Wolf Custom)

The Principality of Zeon's main mass-production Mobile Suit. It is, in effect, the protagonist machine of this work.

Each machine in the Red Wolf squad is given distinctive custom paintwork with a "wolf" motif. Solari's machine (Alpha unit) has a uniquely reddish paint job, two communication antennas on the head suggesting wolf ears, and wolf-claw markings on the legs.

The Zaku II is one of the most iconic machines in the Gundam series, and here it is depicted with care as the Zeon soldiers' partner. The sight of it fighting with ingenuity against impossible odds creates a relatable, player-character-like familiarity.

Gouf Custom

A close-combat type Mobile Suit developed as a successor to the Zaku II. It appears in this work as well and is one of the most popular machines among fans. Its gatling shield delivers overwhelming firepower, and its close-range mobility shines.

Other Zeon Forces Equipment

• Zaku I (older-model Mobile Suit)
• Zaku Tank (work/transport unit)
• Gaw Attack Carrier (Zeon large-scale transport aircraft)
• Dopp (Zeon fighter aircraft)
• Magella Attack (Zeon ground tank)

The variety of Zeon ground forces appearing in this work is also one of its highlights.

Federation Forces

RX-78(G)E Gundam EX

The most striking presence in this work. A cutting-edge Mobile Suit developed by the Earth Federation Forces, designed for "long-duration operations in the harsh ground conditions of Europe."

Its appearance evokes the original Gundam (RX-78-2) lineage, but with overall heavier armament and greater mobility. Its capabilities are beyond what Zeon weaponry can counter, making it a "towering threat" in this work.

Through Zeon soldiers' eyes, Gundam EX is "an incomprehensible monster" — which generates this work's greatest horror-like direction.

Other Federation Forces Units

• GM (Federation mass-production Mobile Suit)
• Guntank B Type (Ground Assault) (artillery support unit)
• 61st Tank (Federation ground forces)

---

Episode Summaries (Spoilers Ahead)

Warning: The following contains spoilers. Recommended reading after viewing.

---

Episode 1: "Forest of Despair"

The Red Wolf unit heads for the mission to retake Cluj-Napoca base. After fighting through Federation forces in the forest, they succeed in retaking the base. A strong opening battle that highlights the squad's teamwork and Solari's calm command.

But before the celebration can settle, that night — the mysterious white machine "Gundam EX" breaks into the base alone. Against its overwhelming combat capability, the Red Wolf unit suffers devastating damage with no ability to resist. Episode 1 makes a powerful impression with the first encounter with the "White Devil."

Episode 2: "Shattered"

In the wreckage of the base, Solari and the survivors work to assess the situation. Machine losses are severe, and the prospect of continuing the mission looks thin. This episode portrays Solari's resolve to get her soldiers out alive regardless. The reunion with old acquaintance mechanic Alfie Zeedas also takes place, and repair and reorganization begins.

Episode 3: "Junkyard"

Alfie's hands assemble new machines (Zaku II modified type "Unknown Type") from scrap and debris. The episode centers on the efforts of technicians working with limited resources, emphasizing human drama over spectacle. Character relationships deepen.

Episode 4: "Visitor at Dusk"

Sortie in repaired machines. In new combat, Solari begins to experience Newtype-like intuition — a sense of predicting enemies' movements that becomes a crucial factor in later battles. A clash with Federation Forces Lieutenant Haley Arfon's armored unit also unfolds, further complicating the front.

Episode 5: "The River"

Back-and-forth fighting across a river. In a war of attrition where losses are inevitable, Solari struggles between "winning the war" and "protecting her comrades." The Gundam EX's pilot (the boy) is gradually brought into focus — suggesting that he too is "just one more person caught in the machinery of war."

Episode 6: "Road to Retreat" (Final Episode)

A direct confrontation between Solari and the Gundam EX's pilot. Facing an overwhelming power gap, Solari is pressed to an ultimate choice. "Vengeance" or "survival" — the answer she chooses makes you reconsider the meaning of the title.

The ending is not bright. But that is the reality of war, and it is exactly the theme Gundam has pursued for 45 years. The title — "Requiem" — resonates deeply in the final scene.

---

Connection to the Universal Century — A Different Story in the Same Era as the Original Gundam

This work is set in Universal Century 0079 — the same year as the original Gundam.

However, it is not the exact same continuity, but is depicted as a parallel-world-style side story. The RX-78-2 (the Gundam that Amuro pilots) does not appear — instead, the original "Gundam EX," specially designed for ground operations in Europe, takes that role.

Placement in the Timeline

• UC0079, January 3: Zeon declares independence war against the Earth Federation (start of the One Year War)
• UC0079, February–March: Battle of Loum (major space engagement; Solari won distinction here)
• UC0079, September: Original Gundam main story begins (Amuro boards White Base)
• UC0079, November 6: Setting of this work (the day before Operation Odessa) — here
• UC0079, December 31: End of the One Year War

This work depicts the One Year War's "final phase." At this time Zeon is already in a disadvantaged position, forced to retreat even in Europe — and it is in this period that Solari's story unfolds.

In the original Gundam main story, the Federation's "Operation Odessa" — a large-scale offensive against Zeon forces in Europe — is depicted. This work's events happen precisely on the eve of that operation. Knowing this overlap makes interest in the original Gundam deepen further.

For more on the original Gundam: Original Gundam Complete Guide For the full Universal Century timeline: Universal Century Timeline

---

Behind the Scenes — A German Director Who Built Gunpla Makes Gundam

One element essential to any discussion of this work is the background of director Erasmus Brosdau.

Born in Germany, Director Brosdau has been a Gundam fan since childhood and grew up building Gunpla (Gundam model kits). He is living proof that Gundam is beloved in Europe — and that passion was poured into the realistically rendered battlefield depictions of this work.

The director has said that in making this work, he "wanted to make it clear that Gundam is the enemy." His primary goal was to share with viewers the experience that from Zeon soldiers' perspective, the Gundam is not a "hero" but an "embodiment of fear."

Screenwriter Gavin Hignight is an American creator with experience writing Transformers: Cyberverse and PlayStation's Marvel's Spider-Man. The result of his Western-style storytelling fusing with the Japanese Gundam world gives this work its uniquely distinct tone.

It has been reported that the Netflix and Bandai Namco Filmworks production in Unreal Engine 5 originated from a conversation between producer Kenichi Yatomi and Netflix in which "seriously considering making Gundam in full CG" was discussed. Using a game engine allowed both rapid prototyping unlike conventional anime production and the simultaneous achievement of photorealistic visual expression.

Visual Expression Made Possible by Unreal Engine 5

Unreal Engine 5 can be understood as the visual production software used in the latest gaming hardware like PS5. In this work, it demonstrates particular power in the following areas:

• Light: Realistic reproduction of varied lighting environments — daytime and nighttime, forest interiors and open battlefields
• Terrain and texture: Visual texture that conveys the difference in materials — mud, metal, explosions
• Machine weight: Expressing the "heaviness" of a nearly 30-meter giant Mobile Suit landing
• Hit and explosion effects: Physically accurate explosion scenes difficult to achieve in conventional hand-drawn animation

Within the Gundam series, Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO (2004–2009) was previously produced in full CG. This work inherits that lineage while advancing the technology significantly.

---

Gunpla — Building the Machines with Your Own Hands

The machines in this work have been released as Bandai Gunpla (model kits). Synchronized Gunpla releases tied to anime are a Gundam series tradition.

Major Released Models (HG Series, 1/144 Scale)

Gunpla can be purchased through Bandai's direct sales site "P-Bandai" and hobby shops nationwide. The beginner-friendly HG series is an ideal "first step" for someone who, after watching the anime, wants to "build that machine with my own hands."

The machines in this work have distinctive custom paintwork that looks great straight from the box, but they're also extremely popular subjects for experienced modelers' custom paint work.

---

Exploring This Work's Themes — "Vengeance" and "Requiem"

"Requiem" in the title refers to a requiem — the mass sung for the dead in Christian tradition. A requiem for those who lose their lives one after another on the battlefield — that is the theme running through this story.

And the word "Vengeance." Solari lost her husband to a Federation air strike. One of her reasons for standing on the battlefield is certainly "vengeance." But through the story, she is forced to face the question of "whether carrying out vengeance truly resolves anything."

War is not a clash between justice and evil — it is a collision between human beings who each have "something they want to protect."

This work brings that truth into relief by carefully depicting it from Zeon soldiers' perspective. The "mysterious boy" who is the Gundam EX's pilot is also suggested to be a person caught in the machinery of war in the same way as the Zeon soldiers. In the final confrontation, the moment Solari chooses "something other than vengeance" — that is where this work's answer lies.

The question the Gundam series has pursued for 45 years is: "What can humanity learn from depicting war?" Requiem for Vengeance presents that question in its most compact and striking form.

---

Similar Works and This Work's Place in the Lineage

Within the Gundam series, there are works with concepts similar to this one — "the Zeon perspective," "ground warfare," "side stories." All are highly regarded.

Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team (1996–1999)

A 12-episode OVA (home video series) depicting the One Year War from an ordinary soldiers' perspective in the dense jungles of Southeast Asia. Its emphasis on the realism of ground warfare and human drama shares much in common with this work. Particularly recommended for those who enjoyed this one.

Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO (2004–2009)

A full-CG series with Zeon weapons development teams as protagonists. This is this work's immediate forerunner in both "Zeon perspective" and "full CG." Its perspective — that of "weapons developers" — makes it grittier and more niche than this work. Essential viewing for Universal Century fans.

Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket (1989)

A 6-episode complete OVA depicting the final stages of the One Year War through the perspective of a boy living in a colony. Highly regarded as one of the earliest side stories depicting "the One Year War that isn't a story of heroes." Those who resonated with this work's dramatic tone should make sure to watch this.

If you're unsure what order to watch Gundam in: Gundam Watch Order Guide

---

Netflix Streaming — Watch Anytime, Anywhere in the World

This work is a worldwide Netflix exclusive.

It is simultaneously distributed in Japan and worldwide, and can be watched at any time by Netflix paying subscribers. Japanese audio, Japanese subtitles, and English and multilingual support are all robust.

Approximately 30 minutes per episode, 6 complete episodes. Total viewing time around 3 hours — the perfect volume for a single-afternoon binge.

This work was also a catalyst for Netflix to pay greater attention to the Gundam series, and expectations are high for future Gundam x Netflix developments. Using this work as a gateway and then expanding into the wider world of Gundam is a highly recommended path.

Viewing Route After This Work

---

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Can someone who has never seen Gundam enjoy this?

A. Yes, absolutely. This work is designed to be fully comprehensible even with zero Gundam background. The "Universal Century," "One Year War," and "Zeon vs. Federation" setup is explained naturally within the story. Viewers who enjoy war films should find it especially accessible.

Q2. Should I watch the original Gundam first?

A. It's not required. However, since you'll be seeing the same era and same world from a different perspective, watching the original first does allow for a deeper "oh, that's the era this is set in" experience. Feel free to choose your order. Using this work as your entry point and watching the original afterward is also completely valid.

Q3. How many episodes total? How long does it take?

A. 6 episodes total, approximately 30 minutes each. About 3 hours total. A comfortable length for watching all at once. No Season 2 has been announced as of this writing.

Q4. I hear it's CG (Computer Graphics) — is it hard to watch?

A. Some viewers do feel a sense of unfamiliarity, but most highly praise the visual quality. The realistic texture of the battlefield, the weight of the machines in particular are expressions conventional animation can't achieve. It usually takes about 5 minutes to adjust. Give it a try.

Q5. Is it hard to feel empathy for Zeon (the villains) as protagonists?

A. Actually, the opposite. The Zeon soldiers are depicted as ordinary people who "have somewhere they want to return to," making them very easy to empathize with. The theme that "good and evil in war are not one-dimensional" is carefully portrayed — and that is one of this work's greatest charms.

Q6. Is Gundam EX the same machine as the original Gundam?

A. It's a different machine. Gundam EX is an original setting for this work, developed specifically for "ground operations in Europe." Its appearance evokes the original Gundam lineage, but both specifications and design philosophy are different. Because this work is a parallel-world side story, the original Gundam RX-78-2 does not appear.

Q7. Are there plans for a sequel or Season 2?

A. No official announcement as of March 2026. This work tells a complete story in 6 episodes with a clear ending. A Season 2 is not impossible given its success, but there is no update to wait for at this time.

---

Conclusion — Gundam's New Door at Year 45

Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance is a work that showed "a new way into Gundam."

6 episodes, about 3 hours. Watch it on Netflix anytime. No prior knowledge required. A war drama told from the "villain's side." Immersive full-CG visuals. This combination created what is arguably the lowest-barrier entry point in Gundam series history.

For longtime Gundam fans, the fresh angle of the Zeon-soldier perspective and the novelty of familiar machines depicted as "the protagonist's side" are more than enough to draw you in. Reception has its split opinions, but there is no doubt this is a landmark work as a bold artistic challenge.

If you haven't seen it yet — open Netflix right now.

A new world of Gundam is waiting there.

---

Articles to read next: - Gundam Watch Order Guide — Which Work Should You Start With? - Universal Century Timeline — Complete Organization from UC0001 to 0153 - Original Gundam Complete Guide — The One Year War Seen from the Federation Side

---

Last updated: March 6, 2026 Information is current as of March 2026. Streaming availability and sequel information are subject to change.