Top 10 Best Mecha Anime [ You Should Definitely Watch ]
by Subhashree M
Updated Mar 16, 2023
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What is Mecha Anime?
Mecha anime is a popular genre of Japanese manga and anime that heavily emphasizes mechanical innovation. It generally focuses on robots, cyborgs, androids, and space stations. However, robots are usually the primary focus. In Japan, people are culturally open to robots due to animism, where they don't differentiate between inanimate objects and humans. Mountains, trees, the sun, and the moon each have their own spirits or gods. Shōji Kawamori, a Japanese mecha designer, pioneered the concept of transforming mecha in the early 1980s. He created the Diaclone toy line in 1980 and then introduced the Macross anime franchise in 1982.
Top 10 Best Mecha Anime
S.No
Mecha Anime
1
Gurren Lagann
2
Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex
3
Code Geass: Lelouch Of The Rebellion
4
Neon Genesis Evangelion
5
Mobile Suit Gundam – Series
6
86: Eighty-Six
7
Eureka Seven
8
Macross
9
Armored Trooper Votoms
10
Magic Knight Rayearth
1. Gurren Lagann
The anime series Gurren Lagann from Gainax is an exceptional blend of epic, humor, action, tragedy, philosophy, and all other conceivable descriptive terms. It revolves around humanity's struggle to escape their subterranean confinement, with the dynamic duo of Kamina and Simon providing the driving force for this ambition. This goal requires them to confront the Beastmen, which becomes possible once they acquire their mecha robots. The show is divided into three distinct arcs, yet thematically connected and develop the characters. With its stunning visuals, memorable characters, memorable quotes, and willingness to push the boundaries, this show is regarded as a masterpiece. Even those who are not particularly fond of mecha anime should give Gurren Lagann a try.
2. Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex
When the announcement for a series based on the original Ghost in the Shell movie was made in 2002, a lot of fans were doubtful about its success. However, with Yutaka Maseba as the producer, the mastermind behind popular anime such as Akira, Trigun, and Sailor Moon, their skepticism should have been unnecessary. The result was Stand Alone Complex, which turned out to be a massive hit among fans, who enjoyed following the special police force, Section 9, on their quest to bring down extraordinary adversaries, including "The Laughing Man." The series' success led to the creation of several sequels and spinoffs that maintained the same level of quality.
3. Code Geass: Lelouch Of The Rebellion
Original anime series that can define a genre are rare, but Code Geass stands out as an exception. The show's political stance continues to perplex fans today - some argue that it promotes fascist ideologies, while others believe that it celebrates leftist ideals. Nevertheless, the show has an undeniably captivating narrative. Lelouch's acquisition of the Geass power, which enables him to manipulate anyone he desires, leads him to launch an assault on the Holy Empire of Britannia. Witnessing a young person with such extraordinary power fighting against imperialistic conquerors creates a lot of tension and social commentary, keeping viewers engaged throughout the series.
4. Neon Genesis Evangelion
Neon Genesis Evangelion is undeniably one of the most renowned anime series ever created, with numerous films, an N64 game, and several alternate versions and spinoffs inspired by it. The show's plot, which centers on Shinji and the tremendous burden placed on him, is a remarkable psychological drama that still resonates with fans today. Additionally, Evangelion's unforgettable theme song, "Cruel Angel Thesis," is another aspect that fans can't forget.
5. Mobile Suit Gundam – Series
Mobile Suit Gundam, the series that kickstarted the phenomenon, is responsible for one of the most massive anime franchises ever. Surprisingly, the show did not achieve much success during its initial run, and it was on the brink of cancellation after only 39 episodes. Today, the Gundam franchise has grown into dozens of anime sequels that span multiple timelines, games, manga, and even live-action films. Ultimately, the show transformed the anime industry and served as an inspiration for all the mecha anime that came after it. Watching the original series from 1979 is worth it to compare it with its modern counterparts and see how much the genre has evolved.
6. 86: Eighty-Six
During the Spring 2021 season, 86 emerged as one of the top shows, captivating fans with its storyline. Against the backdrop of renewed tensions in the Gaza Strip, the show explores the implications of labeling a particular group of people as inferior to the privileged elite. This theme resonated with audiences on a personal level. The show's tremendous success was evident, as a second season was greenlit before the initial season concluded. With its immense popularity, 86 is poised to become one of the most recognizable modern mecha anime.
7. Eureka Seven
The premise of Eureka Seven may require viewers to overlook some unlikely scenarios, such as a fourteen-year-old boy joining a mercenary group. However, the story takes an interesting turn when a robot named Light Finding Operation, piloted by a young girl named Eureka, crashes into his grandfather's mechanic shop, offering him a way out. The show's quality was evident from the multiple awards it garnered upon its conclusion in 2006, including Best Female Character, Best Character Design, and Best Screenplay. Eureka Seven stands out as one of the top-quality mecha anime available.
8. Macross
Macross continues to receive sequels, with the latest one released in 2016, despite the original series being over thirty years old. The story of Earth discovering they are not alone in the universe and the resulting adventures as the crew of the ship engages in a galactic war is a timeless classic. The original Macross was released in 1982, just two years after the debut of Mobile Suit Gundam, which is widely regarded as the anime that established the mecha genre. It is truly remarkable that such a groundbreaking show like Macross emerged so soon after the genre's inception, and the directors of the show deserve recognition for their work.
9. Armored Trooper Votoms
Armored Trooper Votoms, released in 1983, was the first mecha anime to explore the realistic subgenre, and it's one of the few to have spawned a long-running series. Unlike other mecha shows that focus on wars, Votoms places greater emphasis on character development, thanks to the masterful storytelling of Ryousuke Takahashi.
10. Magic Knight Rayearth
Magic Knight Rayearth is a unique anime that blends magical girls with mecha. The story follows three girls who are transported to the magical land of Cephiro, where they must save the imprisoned princess and the entire kingdom. Despite the addition of an anime-exclusive character named Inouva, the show remained faithful to its source material. Additionally, Magic Knight Rayearth's theme song won the Best Theme Song award at the inaugural Animation Kobe Awards, so viewers should prepare to hear a catchy tune.
Which is Best Robot Anime?
Robot anime that are widely regarded as being among the best, including Neon Genesis Evangelion, Gundam, Code Geass, and Full Metal Panic. Each of these series features intricate and engaging stories, memorable characters, and stunning mecha designs. Other notable robot anime include Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, Eureka Seven, and The Vision of Escaflowne, among many others. Ultimately, the best robot anime is up to individual interpretation and can vary depending on factors such as personal taste, nostalgia, and cultural significance.
What is the Most Popular Mecha Anime?
Ghost in the Shell is the franchise that defined anime in the 1990s and served as an inspiration for a whole generation of anime and live-action films has been steadily continuing since the release of the first movie over 20 years ago. Although the tone and style of the anime have changed considerably over time, it has yet to reach the same level of storytelling and quality that it had in the 1990s. Recent movies and series serve as prequels, so viewers may have a preference for the older material or the newer ones depending on their personal taste. The entire franchise is worth watching, but Innocence, the only direct sequel to the original film, deserves special mention for breaking new ground by combining traditional hand-drawn anime with CGI.
Top 10 Best Mecha Anime - FAQ
Mitsuteru Yokoyama's manga Tetsujin 28-go, which was created in 1956, was the first series in the mecha genre. The manga was later adapted into an animated series in 1963 and was also released overseas under the name Gigantor.
Super Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
Code Geass, Evangelion, and Gurren Lagann are considered the biggest three mecha series and are therefore given the title "Big 3." However, I believe that Gundam is similar to Dragonball in that it may not be the most popular, but it is highly influential and significant to the ones that followed.