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Mar 23, 2011 4:03 AM
#1

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May 2010
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So here's the deal. I am not and never was into mecha. I never liked the ideea behind it in anime. On the other hand I have to admit that I only saw a hand of anime from this genre and all of them were chosen randomly. I started with NGE for ex. and didn;t like it at all...

My question is : what am I missing? I am sure this genre has some series/movies that represent it and I would like to know what are those. What are the anime that best define this genre? What should I start seeing first in order to get a general and good impression over this subject?

Ty for your time.
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Mar 23, 2011 4:45 AM
#2
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Try "Toppa Tengen Gurren Lagaan"

It's the epitome of all things great and horrible about mecha all at once. It's essentially a tribute to every mecha anime.

If you don't like it, mecha probably isn't for you tbh
Mar 23, 2011 4:46 AM
#3

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As far as Evangelion goes, I don't believe you even watched up to Asuka's introduction (which was around episode 12, if I remember correctly) while the "deep" part doesn't start until a few episodes after that. Even so, while it does get better, I would still say its too little too late, but I just thought I would tell you anyway.

As for good examples of the mecha genre, I haven't completed many myself, but if it's death that you like, then Gundam creator Yoshiyuki Tomino's nickname is "kill em all". Apparently, Space Runway Ideon is the best/worst as far as the death count goes (ad also considered an inspiration for Eva), but I haven't watched it myself. I would think that Tomino's work in general would be a good place to start for mecha, especially the older stuff.

If you need something more recent, then how about Bokurano? I started to read the manga, and it seems to be pretty good. The anime is supposed to a bit different from the manga, but I don't hear bad things about it (especially when compared to the adaptation of Narutaru, by the same author). I also know of Eva haters who are pretty fond of Bokurano, so maybe that could be your best bet.
Rosa_FOEtidaMar 23, 2011 4:50 AM
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Mar 23, 2011 4:48 AM
#4

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Watch the Gundam franchise! That's what mecha is all about!
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Mar 23, 2011 4:49 AM
#5

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Bokurano
RahXephon
Mar 23, 2011 4:51 AM
#6
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Blue Gender
Code Geass
Eureka Seven
Full Metal Panic
Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
Top wo Nerae!
Mar 23, 2011 5:00 AM
#7

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Well other than Evangelion I guess the ones that really "define" mecha are the gundam shows, and some of them are really good, (though some are really bad) but TBH I really wouldn't recommend any of them to someone who is new to mecha because they focus on the mecha battles a LOT and it can get repetitive/ tedious since most of them are 50 episodes long.

Instead I would say start with something that includes mechas in the story but doesn't treat them as the main focus of the story. My favorites in this category would probably be Code Geass, Bokurano, Innocent Venus, and Mugen no Ryvius (there is only 1 mecha in this one :P). If you do want to try something from Gundam, I would say try Gundam Unicorn first since it is the newest and only has 3 hour long episodes out so far, and it is really good so far too. If you like that one then maybe you will want to try some of the older ones too.
Mar 23, 2011 5:47 AM
#8
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Feb 2011
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Ideon
Dougram
Transformers
Gasshin Sentai Mechander Robo
Hyakujuu-Ou GoLion
Macross[i call this more of a Space Opera then Mecha
Kikou Kantai Dairugger XV
Madou King Granzort
Machine Robo: Revenge of Chronos
Yuusha Keisatsu J-Decker
Yuusha Shirei Dagwon
Zettai Muteki Raijin-Oh
Zettai Muteki Raijin-Oh (1992)
Turn A Gundam
Any UC Timeine Gundam
Tosho Daimos
Choujikuu Kidan Southern Cross
Rokushin Gattai God Mars
Ougon Yuusha Goldran
Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack
Koutetsu Jeeg
Genki Bakuhatsu Ganbaruger
Choujuu Kishin Dancougar
locker Gundan IV Machine Blaster t
Blue Comet SPT Layzner
Bakuto Sengen Daigander [ Not the Dub]
Babel Nisei [1973]
Aura Battler Dunbine
Time Bokan Series: Yatterman
Mar 23, 2011 6:03 AM
#9

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Feb 2005
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Try the original Gundam, that's pretty much the definition of mecha in general. The series has a lot of filler ish stuff here and there though, so watching the movie trilogy might be better in your case.
TTGL is also a great example of over the top super mecha, moreso than NGE.

For something with mecha but with less of a focus on the mecha, you could try Armored Trooper Votoms, which is also more realistic than most other "real mecha" series. You could start with Armor Hunter Mellowlink here too see if you like the general setting enough to watch the main series.
Similarly, Dougram doesn't focus too much on the mecha, and gets a really great political plot, especially in the second part.

And if you're one for bucketfuls of melodrama and crazy plot twists, Gundam SEED and Code Geass could be worth a try, at least as long as you don't expect too much of a consistent story.
Mar 23, 2011 6:17 AM

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I'd say GaoGaiGar
Pure Mecha action with good plot
Mar 23, 2011 10:19 AM

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mellors said:
Try "Toppa Tengen Gurren Lagaan"

It's the epitome of all things great and horrible about mecha all at once. It's essentially a tribute to every mecha anime.

If you don't like it, mecha probably isn't for you tbh


Wrong!!!! TTGL is very different from what a typical mecha anime really is. Is more like a crazy simplifier over the top comedic version.

And Evangelion isn't really a mecha anime anyway. Anyone watching Evangelion for the mecha is an individual that doesn't even realize what the hell kind of show is watching. bloodlover probably fell for that if he got Evangelion as a suggestion for mecha.
Mar 23, 2011 10:31 AM

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Baman said:
Try the original Gundam, that's pretty much the definition of mecha in general.


This, also Fullmetal Panic is a good Comedy/Romance/Mech show.
Mar 23, 2011 10:34 AM

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761
Well a few years ago I had a friend that was into anime and he kept telling me how awesome NGE is. So I did what I always did and looked for more info on the internet. I saw some AMV's on youtube and read some reviews and it was praised everywhere so I assumed that NGE is the best example of what mecha looks and feels like. I think that I totally missed the point and charm of NGE because of that and for the same reason I found it so boring that I quit looking at it when I reached episode 10. I will eventually give it another shot and try to look at it from a different perspective, but I need to sort my issues with mecha genre, or else I will probably make the same mistake as I did in the first place.

In the next few days I will probably start looking at Gundam. Any particular order in which I should look at this?
If you are a fan of (or simply interested in) Japanese films
then please join the Cinema of Japan club! Thank you (:


Mar 23, 2011 10:39 AM

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go with gundam seed or gundam 00 there not that old and have very good plots
also marcross frontier is a good choice
oh and Eureka Seven is a great choice
Mar 23, 2011 10:47 AM

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bloodlover said:
Any particular order in which I should look at this?


http://myanimelist.net/anime/80/Mobile_Suit_Gundam

Don't watch anything else till you've watched the original gundam.
Mar 23, 2011 10:56 AM

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bloodlover said:
Well a few years ago I had a friend that was into anime and he kept telling me how awesome NGE is. So I did what I always did and looked for more info on the internet. I saw some AMV's on youtube and read some reviews and it was praised everywhere so I assumed that NGE is the best example of what mecha looks and feels like. I think that I totally missed the point and charm of NGE because of that and for the same reason I found it so boring that I quit looking at it when I reached episode 10. I will eventually give it another shot and try to look at it from a different perspective, but I need to sort my issues with mecha genre, or else I will probably make the same mistake as I did in the first place.

In the next few days I will probably start looking at Gundam. Any particular order in which I should look at this?
bloodlover said:
Well a few years ago I had a friend that was into anime and he kept telling me how awesome NGE is. So I did what I always did and looked for more info on the internet. I saw some AMV's on youtube and read some reviews and it was praised everywhere so I assumed that NGE is the best example of what mecha looks and feels like. I think that I totally missed the point and charm of NGE because of that and for the same reason I found it so boring that I quit looking at it when I reached episode 10. I will eventually give it another shot and try to look at it from a different perspective, but I need to sort my issues with mecha genre, or else I will probably make the same mistake as I did in the first place.

In the next few days I will probably start looking at Gundam. Any particular order in which I should look at this?


so when you watch gundam you need to watch according to the MSG date which can be found here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gundam

how ever since you have never been a fan of mecha so i would go with something newer i would go with gundam seed or gundam 00 both are very good with amazing fight scenes and great plots
Mar 23, 2011 11:04 AM

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Well I don't really care about old animations to be honest. Same goes for movies or video-games. I'll give anything a shot as long as I find it interesting.

Thank you again for all your replies and I will give you updates in a few days about this subject.
If you are a fan of (or simply interested in) Japanese films
then please join the Cinema of Japan club! Thank you (:


Mar 23, 2011 11:21 AM

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Jun 2009
15319
bloodlover said:
Well a few years ago I had a friend that was into anime and he kept telling me how awesome NGE is. So I did what I always did and looked for more info on the internet. I saw some AMV's on youtube and read some reviews and it was praised everywhere so I assumed that NGE is the best example of what mecha looks and feels like. I think that I totally missed the point and charm of NGE because of that and for the same reason I found it so boring that I quit looking at it when I reached episode 10. I will eventually give it another shot and try to look at it from a different perspective, but I need to sort my issues with mecha genre, or else I will probably make the same mistake as I did in the first place.

In the next few days I will probably start looking at Gundam. Any particular order in which I should look at this?


I don't think "liking" the mecha genre is required to like NGE. Hell, for the most part I've been underwhelmed by the genre and, guess what, Evangelion is still my favorite series. So.. but, I can understand where you are coming from. I tried to watch the series a few years ago and was expecting huge explosions (which Eva does have, just not the amount I wanted at the time) and what I got was something very different.

I've always considered NGE to be more of a character study than a pure mecha anime, so it would be wise to watch it in a entirely different light.

Also, I'm going to very much recommend Gunbuster (Top wo Nerae!) as it is a very short 6 episode ova at 30 minutes apiece and is a large influence on Gurren Lagann and, of course, it's protagonist is the spiritual ancestor of Shinji from NGE only more likable.

I really can't comment on the Real Robot Genre, as I've only seen a bit of the original Gundam and will probably just opt for the movie version.
"Yes, I have been deprived of emotion. But not completely. Whoever did it, botched the job."

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Mar 23, 2011 12:49 PM

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try Mobile suit Gundam 00

and Break blade <---- best mecha anime i ever seen
Mar 23, 2011 12:50 PM

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Gurren Lagann is pretty amazing, both subs and dubbed.

I like the dubbed version better than the subbed, even after viewing both.
Mar 23, 2011 1:17 PM
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Seconding the original Gundam; it doen't get any more mecha than this. Also seconding Top wo nerae; I'd like to add the Giant Robo ovas to the recommendations.
Mar 23, 2011 1:20 PM

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How could I have forgotten Giant Robo?
"Yes, I have been deprived of emotion. But not completely. Whoever did it, botched the job."

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Mar 23, 2011 1:59 PM

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insan3soldiern said:
How could I have forgotten Giant Robo?
Good question. Seconded. Not really a mecha as in piloted robots, though (GR is remote-controlled).

Top wo Nerae is good too (moreso in the second half. The first half will probably be slow if you dislike mecha), so seconding that as well.
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Mar 24, 2011 8:17 AM

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insan3soldiern said:
I've always considered NGE to be more of a character study than a pure mecha anime, so it would be wise to watch it in a entirely different light.
Definitely. The main point in NGE is the characters and their psychological issues, the aliens and biomecha are more of a backdrop.
Typical mecha series have the main focus on the action, and with character drama and other things usually coming in second place.
Mar 24, 2011 5:39 PM

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Mar 2009
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Baman said:
Try the original Gundam, that's pretty much the definition of mecha in general. The series has a lot of filler ish stuff here and there though, so watching the movie trilogy might be better in your case.

TTGL is also a great example of over the top super mecha, moreso than NGE.

For something with mecha but with less of a focus on the mecha, you could try Armored Trooper Votoms, which is also more realistic than most other "real mecha" series. You could start with Armor Hunter Mellowlink here too see if you like the general setting enough to watch the main series.
Similarly, Dougram doesn't focus too much on the mecha, and gets a really great political plot, especially in the second part.

And if you're one for bucketfuls of melodrama and crazy plot twists, Gundam SEED and Code Geass could be worth a try, at least as long as you don't expect too much of a consistent story.


I have to agree with what has been said here. And, for what it is worth, I am one of a few mutants who can't stand Toppa Tengen Gurren Lagaan.

I love most Gundam's for the gray nature of their good guys and bad guys and for their ability to question war while celebrating the soldier. My favorite Gundams the 1979 Mobile Suit Gundam, Gundam Wing, and Gundam Seed/Gundam Seed Destiny. Gundam 00 reminds me a lot of Gundam Wing.

Neon Genesis Evangelion is more about existentialism than it is mecha. You might try the updated Evangelion 1.0, 2.0 and the upcoming 3.0 and 4.0.

RahXephon is a lot like Evangelion and, in some ways, even better.

Argento Soma is good but I'd put it a bit further down the list.

I also really love the old series Cybuster.

Break Blade also has a pretty good story and character relationships.

Super Robot Wars OG focuses more on the battles and less on characters.
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Mar 31, 2011 7:59 AM
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Any sunrise Mecha made between 77 and 95[ back when they were either Independent or in Partaship with Nippon

and all Toei / Nagai anime
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