Unlike the previous installments, the timeline that this series takes place in corresponds to the real life Gregorian calendar, in this case Anno Domini (AD).

The power was found in the form of multiple Dyson rings (massive arrays of solar power collectors) orbiting Earth, and supported by three orbital elevators, each one serving one of the three "power blocs" on the planet, namely the Union (Union of Solar Energy and Free Nations), controlling the Americas, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan; the Human Reform League (Sino-Japanese: 人類革新連盟; Romaji: jinrui kakushin renmei; Pinyin: rénlèi géxīn liánméng), controlling nearly all of mainland Asia besides the Middle East along with most of Oceania; and the AEU (Advanced European Union), which controls mainland Europe as well as many islands in the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans.

The main protagonist is 16-year-old Setsuna F. Seiei, a taciturn Gundam pilot who grew up in the war-torn Middle Eastern Republic of Krugis (which seems to be based on the territory of Kurdistan).

Without the tactical aid from the organization's artificial intelligence, Celestial Being is easily overwhelmed and overpowered by the GN-X units and their superior numbers.

The United Nations Army initiates Operation Fallen Angels to destroy the Gundams, having discovered the location of the Meisters' mothership, Ptolemaios.

Alejandro Corner, in his unique custom mobile armor Alvatore, attacks Setsuna as the GN-X units proceed to destroy the Ptolemaios and the remaining Gundams.

Graham Aker, an ace pilot of the United Nations Army, then challenges Setsuna to a fight, seeking revenge for his fallen comrades and questioning the purpose of the Gundams' existence.

Unknown to the general public, however, is that the A-Laws misuse their power and employ inhumane tactics to oppress freedoms, doctrines, and ideologies, all in the name of 'unity'.

After uncovering the truth about Ribbons' true intentions, Celestial Being joins forces with dissident members of the A-Laws to stop their oppression and bring the fight to the Innovades.

Following the final battle, the Federation disbands the A-Laws and works towards a genuine global peace while Celestial Being returns into the shadows until another intervention is needed.

[11] Iketani approached Seiji Mizushima, who had previously worked on the first Fullmetal Alchemist anime series, for the first time at the end of 2005 to be the director.

[11] Compared to other anime shows, Gundam 00 has more main staff members, partly due to the detailed mobile suit designs.

Season one of the series will be re-broadcast across Japan on various television networks such as TBS, Kids Station, MBS and BS-i from April onwards.

Featuring voice work by the four Meisters, the trailer lampoons many early ideas for the show, fan theories and anime clichés before leading into a special message from Mizushima and a preview of the 00 Gundam.

[16] A series of compilation films with new animated sequences and re-recorded dialogue, titled Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Special Edition, was also released.

Licensing for a North American release of Mobile Suit Gundam 00 was announced by Bandai Entertainment at New York Comic Con 2008 on April 18, 2008.

The second entry to the series of character CDs, featuring Lockon Stratos and voice actor Shinichiro Miki, was released on September 24, 2008.

A novelized version of Mobile Suit Gundam 00 was published by Kadokawa, currently ongoing with two volumes and authored by Noboru Kimura.

The two manga series essentially follow the same story as the anime's main plot, but vary in the sequence of events that unfold and in artistic style.

Illustrated by Kōichi Tokita, this manga series focuses on Fereshte, an autonomous branch of Celestial Being that is also in possession of several previous generation Gundams.

This adaptation contained notable differences from the film, such as an alternate ending in which Setsuna uses his ELS powers to restore Marina's youth and marries her.

[43][44] The play starred Shohei Hashimoto as Setsuna F. Seiei, Yū Imari as Lockon Stratos, Taiyō Ayukawa as Allelujah Haptism, and Seiichirō Nagata as Tieria Erde.

The cast members include, Shohei Hashimoto, Yū Imari, Taiyō Ayukawa, and Seiichirō Nagata who all reprise their respective roles from the first adaptation.

"As for the production values, they're top-notch: the mecha and character designs are attractive, and the fights—especially the opening chase scene—are fluid and composed with an eye for maximum impact.

He stated that its "sheer momentum is breathtaking, and even as coldly detached as the series is, the catastrophic fates in store for its cast make for compelling viewing," and concluded that "being swept up in the coalescing second half, the abrupt drop-off at the end only raises a raging thirst for season two.

"[59] Chris Beveridge of Mania.com gave the first season a B rating, stating that as "this part of the series comes to a close, events become bigger than they were before and nobody is safe from change – or death."

He concludes that the "culmination of this season does give me all that I like from a Gundam series as it tries to change the world and then throws you for a loop by moving everything ahead four years.

"[60] Ross Liversidge of the UK Anime Network gave the first season a 9/10 score, concluding that it is "Everything Gundam should be – huge cast, lots of politics and big battles.

[62] Miyano and Tieria Erde's voice actor, Hiroshi Kamiya, both won the "Best Main" and "Best Supporting Male Characters" respectively at the 2008 Seiyu Awards.

[citation needed] The series was also a commercial success, with the DVDs showing consistently high sales of action figures and Gunpla.