《新機動戰記鋼彈W》（Mobile Suit Gundam Wing）是由日昇動畫（Sunrise）製作的《鋼彈》系列作品，於1995年4月7日至1996年3月29日在日本朝日電視台首播，全49集。是鋼彈系列首次以完全獨立於宇宙世紀（UC）的新世界觀展開，並開創「新機動戰記」系列的序章。由於角色造型、劇情風格以及五位少年駕駛員設定極具鮮明特色，在日本與海外（尤其是北美）都造成極大迴響，甚至成為許多國際觀眾認識鋼彈的入門作。

劇情背景設定在「After Colony（A.C.）」紀元，敘述地球聯邦政府以壓倒性軍事力量，藉由強大的組織「OZ」控制宇宙殖民地。面對高壓統治，殖民地內部秘密策劃反抗計畫，派遣五位少年駕駛員，分別搭乘由各地博士研發的五架高性能鋼彈機體潛入地球，展開名為「流星作戰」的反攻行動。這五位少年主角分別是希洛·尤爾（Heero Yuy）、迪歐·麥斯維爾（Duo Maxwell）、特洛瓦·巴頓（Trowa Barton）、張五飛（Chang Wufei）以及卡特爾·拉巴伯·溫拿（Quatre Raberba Winner），各自擁有不同性格、背景與戰鬥信念。

其中，希洛·尤爾作為故事的中心人物，他性格冷靜、行動果斷、擅長隱秘與戰鬥。與殖民地代表少女莉莉娜·多利安（Relena Darlian）的命運交錯，也是整部作品的情感主線。杜奧·麥斯維爾則性格外向幽默，自稱「死神」，駕駛鋼彈死神（Gundam Deathscythe），擅長突擊與近戰。特洛瓦·巴頓神秘寡言，身份撲朔迷離，駕駛重武裝鋼彈（Heavyarms），擅長火力壓制。張五飛是來自中國殖民地的武者，重視榮譽與正義，駕駛神龍鋼彈（Shenlong Gundam）。卡特爾則是來自富裕家族，性格溫和，珍視同伴，駕駛沙漠鋼彈（Sandrock Gundam），負責陸戰與支援。

隨著戰事發展，地球與殖民地之間的鬥爭愈演愈烈，OZ政權內部亦出現權力鬥爭與派系對立。蕾莉娜逐漸得知自身真正身世，成為「桑古王國」繼承人，試圖以和平主義終結戰爭。另一方面，五位少年駕駛員歷經戰火、背叛、犧牲與重逢，彼此建立深厚羈絆，並揭露OZ與羅姆費拉財團（Romefeller Foundation）背後操控世界的黑幕。劇情在後期轉入「白色獅鷲作戰」，殖民地起義與地球革命軍聯手對抗獨裁勢力，鋼彈機體亦陸續升級，包括人氣極高的飛翼鋼彈零式（Wing Gundam Zero）登場，成為最終決戰的關鍵。

市場反應方面，在日本上映時便掀起熱潮，特別是以「美少年X鋼彈」題材吸引大量女性觀眾，成為90年代少數同時受到男性機器人迷與女性角色迷雙重支持的鋼彈動畫。角色設計由村瀨修功負責，個性鮮明、畫風俊美，尤其五位駕駛員的對立與羈絆，搭配緊湊劇情與鋼彈對決場面，迅速累積人氣。

作品於北美播出時，成為Cartoon Network Toonami 時段中最受歡迎的日本動畫之一，成功打開歐美鋼彈市場。配合英文配音與主題曲《Just Communication》與《Rhythm Emotion》廣受好評，使得《鋼彈W》成為不少海外觀眾認識鋼彈系列的起點，開啟日後《Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz》OVA劇場版製作與小說、漫畫等周邊延伸。

總結來說，《新機動戰記鋼彈W》以其獨特世界觀、五位性格對比鮮明的少年駕駛員、充滿政治陰謀與人性掙扎的劇情，以及視覺效果出色的鋼彈戰鬥，成為鋼彈系列極具代表性的作品之一。至今依然是鋼彈粉絲與90年代動畫愛好者心中的經典。

Mobile Suit Gundam Wing (新機動戦記ガンダムW) is an anime series produced by Sunrise and part of the broader Gundam franchise. It originally aired on TV Asahi in Japan from April 7, 1995, to March 29, 1996, totaling 49 episodes. This series was groundbreaking as it was the first Gundam installment to feature a completely new universe, entirely separate from the long-standing Universal Century (UC) timeline. It marked the beginning of the "After Colony" universe and the New Mobile Report line of series. With its distinctive character designs, dramatic storyline, and the compelling concept of five teenage pilots, the series resonated strongly with audiences both in Japan and internationally—particularly in North America—where it served as the first Gundam experience for many viewers.

The story is set in the After Colony (A.C.) era, during a time when the Earth Sphere Unified Nation controls the space colonies through overwhelming military force, largely enforced by the powerful organization OZ. In response to this oppression, the colonies secretly initiate "Operation Meteor," a resistance movement in which five highly advanced Gundam mobile suits are sent to Earth, each piloted by a young teenager trained in covert warfare. These five protagonists—Heero Yuy, Duo Maxwell, Trowa Barton, Chang Wufei, and Quatre Raberba Winner—each come from different backgrounds, hold unique ideals, and pilot their own specialized Gundams.

Heero Yuy, the central figure of the series, is a stoic, emotionally restrained soldier known for his efficiency and tactical skill. His relationship with Relena Darlian, a pacifist and noblewoman whose destiny is closely tied to Earth’s political future, forms the emotional core of the series. Duo Maxwell, the self-proclaimed “God of Death,” is humorous and talkative, piloting the Gundam Deathscythe with expertise in stealth and close combat. Trowa Barton is quiet and enigmatic, piloting the Heavyarms Gundam equipped with overwhelming firepower. Chang Wufei, hailing from a Chinese colony, is a warrior who values honor and justice, piloting the Shenlong Gundam. Quatre Winner, born into a wealthy aristocratic family, is kind-hearted and deeply values camaraderie, piloting the Sandrock Gundam, known for its land-combat specialization and support capabilities.

As the conflict escalates, tensions between Earth and the colonies reach a boiling point. Internal power struggles emerge within OZ itself, while Relena uncovers her true lineage as the heir to the pacifist Sanc Kingdom and begins advocating for peace in a war-torn world. Meanwhile, the five pilots face betrayal, loss, and rediscovery, ultimately forging strong bonds as they uncover the dark secrets of OZ and the Romefeller Foundation, the shadowy organization manipulating global conflict from behind the scenes.

The story intensifies in the second half with the "Operation White Fang" arc, which sees space colonies rising in rebellion and allying with Earth's revolutionary forces to challenge totalitarian rule. The Gundams undergo major upgrades during this period, most notably the debut of the Wing Gundam Zero—equipped with the powerful ZERO System—which becomes a pivotal asset in the final battles.

Upon its initial release in Japan, Gundam Wing generated a significant buzz. Its focus on attractive young male protagonists and their personal rivalries, struggles, and camaraderie made it especially popular among female audiences, while still maintaining strong appeal for traditional mecha fans. Character designs by Shukou Murase contributed heavily to its visual impact, with expressive art and stylized personalities setting the series apart.

The series’ broadcast in North America—particularly on Cartoon Network’s Toonami programming block—proved to be a massive success. It quickly became one of the most-watched anime titles in the West, playing a key role in introducing the Gundam franchise to an entirely new generation. Its English dub, combined with memorable theme songs like "Just Communication" and "Rhythm Emotion," helped it gain lasting popularity. This success led to the production of the OVA and film Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz, as well as a range of spin-off media including novels, manga, and model kits.

In conclusion, Mobile Suit Gundam Wing stands out as one of the most iconic entries in the Gundam franchise. With its original universe, five deeply contrasting pilot characters, intense political and emotional narrative, and stylish mobile suit battles, it remains a defining title for fans of both Gundam and 1990s anime. Even decades later, it is fondly remembered as a gateway series that brought the world of Gundam to a global audience.