In the Universal Century year 0079, the space colony known as Side 3 proclaims independence as the Principality of Zeon and declares war on the Earth Federation. One year later, they are locked in a fierce battle for the Thunderbolt Sector, an area of space scarred by the wreckage of destroyed colonies.

Into this maelstrom of destruction go two veteran Mobile Suit pilots: the deadly Zeon sniper Daryl Lorenz, and Federation ace Io Fleming. It's the beginning of a rivalry that can end only when one of them is destroyed. The lightning-streaked debris fields are about to become the stage for an epic duel where death is the only true winner.

Kidou Senshi Gundam Thunderbolt has been published in English as Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt by VIZ Media under the VIZ Signature imprint since November 15, 2016. Shogakukan Asia has been publishing the series in English in the Southeast Asia region since April 22, 2015.