The "Universal Century" (UC) is a timeline used in the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise, which is a popular series of anime, manga, and novels. It begins in the year UC 0001 and spans various events, conflicts, and characters, primarily focusing on the use of giant robots called mobile suits. The timeline explores themes of war, politics, and human evolution in a future where humanity has colonized space. The Universal Century is marked by significant events, such as the One Year War, which pits the Earth Federation against the Principality of Zeon. This era also introduces iconic characters like Amuro Ray and Char Aznable, who play crucial roles in the ongoing struggle between Earth and its space colonies.