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Apr 1, 2015 3:14 PM

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TaisakuSentou said:
Answered OPs question already. Quoting myself because I ended up getting in a forum argument again (trying to stop old ways). The argument was derived from why he dislikes mecha in the first place.
TaisakuSentou said:

It's just cuz some people think giant robots are cool
Personal Favorites:

Giant robots being 'cool' is one of the main factors that's agreeable to mecha fans everywhere. However, there are other reasons:[spoiler]
-people like war tragedies/well developed stories and characters

-over-the-top action scenes and animation quality

-THE FUCKIN MUSIC
Mecha has been influential since the beginnings of anime(Astro Boy 1963). It was one of the genres that helped distinguish Japanese animation from any other, while also acting as a major figure of the anime medium.
It's appeal? The Mecha genre contains long-running fans who grew up with these shows and introduced them to their own children. It's that kind of genre that has such a developed community who supports every aspect of it.
In the end it's all personal preference of, "Do you like giant robots?"
In other words, people like the mecha ANIME because it borrows elements from many other genres. OST is not exactly exclusive from mecha anime, and it is not a common aspect between all mecha anime, so I wouldn't say that the OST is the appeal of mecha. You mentioned "animation quality", but that's a characteristic of an extremely small number of mecha series. Good fights? Just what is the appeal behind two giant robots fighting each other? In the end, the robot with the most OP weapon wins. There is little skill and talent involved between the fighters.
Apr 1, 2015 3:40 PM

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In other words, people like the mecha ANIME because it borrows elements from many other genres. OST is not exactly exclusive from mecha anime, and it is not a common aspect between all mecha anime, so I wouldn't say that the OST is the appeal of mecha. You mentioned "animation quality", but that's a characteristic of an extremely small number of mecha series. Good fights? Just what is the appeal behind two giant robots fighting each other? In the end, the robot with the most OP weapon wins. There is little skill and talent involved between the fighters.

My appeal to giant robots fighting each other varies between each medium:

Super Robot- As kids, some of us grew up with action shows that revolved around your mentioned "OPness". I remember screaming attack names in synch with the shows I watched while basking in the hot-blooded 'manly speeches' that are exchanged during the battles. This might be the same case for others who like super robots.

Real Robot- This genre was made to be the complete opposite of the one above. The machines characters are in, aren't invincible and many suffer as a result. Since Real Robot shows tend to sway towards military aspects, viewers experienced the tragedies of war and the hardships of people involved. The fight scenes involve sci-fi quirks along with pilots using tactics to go against enemies who are on par or superior in skill.
example:


Question: Do you think that the giant robots are just out of place in the shows?
That's a normal reaction. I have some friends who loved Code Geass, but weren't very into the mecha, so I understand if that is the case.
BakaWeebTrashApr 1, 2015 3:53 PM
Apr 1, 2015 3:54 PM
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Excellent post, TaisakuSentou. I can say for myself, I am mostly a fan of the real robot genre, but the magic/super robot genre does have a few shows that appeal to me. The one show that I wish more mecha fans would try is Space Runaway Ideon, though, and here is why:

Ideon is a commentary on the real robot vs. magic/super robot debate. For those who don't know, that is the show Tomino did after MSG 0079. With MSG 0079, Tomino more or less created the real robot genre (after doing Zambot 3, which is arguably a dark, super/magic robot show), because he wanted to introduce hard sci-fi elements into mecha (and was heavily influenced by Starship Troopers, hence the Mobile Suit name being a callback to Mobile Infantry). At first glance, it's odd he makes the main mecha in Ideon a magic robot, with a 70's style, Mazinger-esque design, after taking the mecha genre in the complete opposite direction with Gundam...

And that's why I think Ideon is great, but you have to love mecha to appreciate it. The Ideon is the only magic robot in the entire series; the Buff Clan come at it with a variety of real robots that are very much in the vein of something out of Warhammer (just using that as an example, Warhammer came later, my point is that they are more like western style exoskeletons of 1950's sci-fi), as well as spacecraft. From the very first battle, it's clear the Ideon can't be defeated if it's functioning, so then you start to key in on the fact that it's actually a commentary on the entire mecha genre. I don't want to spoil it, but if you watch that show while looking for the commentary, it makes it much more enjoyable. Of course it's about other stuff too, but I don't think it gets enough credit for being the first show to do that.
Apr 1, 2015 3:55 PM

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jayss said:
black1blade said:
Eva, code geass, gurren laggan. All awesome anime with awesome robots.
inb4 Eva is not mecha since it technically doesn't have robots

Yeah but they look robotic enough for a healthy deconstruction.

Anime is good, fucking deal with it.
Apr 1, 2015 4:03 PM

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retrogamer32x said:
Excellent post, TaisakuSentou. I can say for myself, I am mostly a fan of the real robot genre, but the magic/super robot genre does have a few shows that appeal to me. The one show that I wish more mecha fans would try is Space Runaway Ideon, though, and here is why:

Ideon is a commentary on the real robot vs. magic/super robot debate. For those who don't know, that is the show Tomino did after MSG 0079. With MSG 0079, Tomino more or less created the real robot genre (after doing Zambot 3, which is arguably a dark, super/magic robot show), because he wanted to introduce hard sci-fi elements into mecha (and was heavily influenced by Starship Troopers, hence the Mobile Suit name being a callback to Mobile Infantry). At first glance, it's odd he makes the main mecha in Ideon a magic robot, with a 70's style, Mazinger-esque design, after taking the mecha genre in the complete opposite direction with Gundam...

And that's why I think Ideon is great, but you have to love mecha to appreciate it. The Ideon is the only magic robot in the entire series; the Buff Clan come at it with a variety of real robots that are very much in the vein of something out of Warhammer (just using that as an example, Warhammer came later, my point is that they are more like western style exoskeletons of 1950's sci-fi), as well as spacecraft. From the very first battle, it's clear the Ideon can't be defeated if it's functioning, so then you start to key in on the fact that it's actually a commentary on the entire mecha genre. I don't want to spoil it, but if you watch that show while looking for the commentary, it makes it much more enjoyable. Of course it's about other stuff too, but I don't think it gets enough credit for being the first show to do that.
Don't forget its glorious religious symbolism. The ending still makes me think.
Apr 2, 2015 7:07 PM
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All Mecha animes are just a Bunch of Huge Robots Fisting eachother
Apr 2, 2015 7:08 PM

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Whats the appeal in discussing the same thing over and over again?
Apr 2, 2015 7:14 PM
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The problem with mecha animes is that they take themselves too seriously. And when they do, it turns to shit, and ends up with Giant Robot having sex in space
Apr 2, 2015 7:15 PM

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muhdubs97 said:
The problem with mecha animes is that they take themselves too seriously. And when they do, it turns to shit, and ends up with Giant Robot having sex in space
muhdubs97 said:
All Mecha animes are just a Bunch of Huge Robots Fisting eachother
You're trying too hard
Soul-Master said:
Whats the appeal in discussing the same thing over and over again?
Viewing the same subject from different points of view
Apr 2, 2015 7:18 PM

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"different points of view" indeed
Apr 2, 2015 7:19 PM
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my points were pretty valid
Apr 2, 2015 7:23 PM

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muhdubs97 said:
my points were pretty valid




bitch pls

even as an attempt at trolling, it wasn't even remotely entertaining.
Apr 2, 2015 7:31 PM
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Chicks dig giant robots
Apr 2, 2015 7:48 PM
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I told u, all mecha animes end up with robots doing sex in space
Apr 2, 2015 7:49 PM
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muhdubs97 said:
I told u, all mecha animes end up with robots doing sex in space

Damn you Buff Clan muhdubs97!
Apr 2, 2015 7:50 PM
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muhdubs97 said:
I told u, all mecha animes end up with robots doing sex in space
Just stop, your jokes aren't even funny.
Apr 2, 2015 7:50 PM
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retrogamer32x said:
muhdubs97 said:
I told u, all mecha animes end up with robots doing sex in space

Damn you Buff Clan muhdubs97!


Just Accept it bruh-chan
Apr 2, 2015 8:57 PM

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Gholy said:
muhdubs97 said:
I told u, all mecha animes end up with robots doing sex in space
Just stop, your jokes aren't even funny.


Don´t discourage him from going on. The joke isn´t funny, but his lame attempt at being is. A lot in fact.

lupadim said:

Viewing the same subject from different points of view


Its a genre. Some people enjoy super robots punching each other and blowing shit up, some don´t

There isn´t anything to discuss of analyze from different points of view. Its a simple of matter of
"I dig that" or "I don´t"
Apr 2, 2015 9:23 PM

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May 2013
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I really don't know. If you exclude a few different ones, I don't really find them appealing. I guess that's how some people feel when they watch harems and stuff?
Apr 2, 2015 9:50 PM

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The robots, duh.
Apr 2, 2015 10:18 PM

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The appeal of mecha < the appeal of this thread
Kagami_Hiiragi said:
Idc if you think its weird, I have a life and friends and an income of money.

Apr 3, 2015 11:46 AM

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Cause I get lady boners when random highschool male protagonist gets into giant robot to fuck some shit up.
"What has two arms, two legs, and is alive? Not your favorite character lol! xD"
Apr 3, 2015 1:38 PM

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Skyzblue said:
The appeal of mecha < the appeal of this thread


ooh, shots have been fired to OP
All credit goes to Sacred.
Apr 3, 2015 9:27 PM

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FireEmblemIke24 said:
Skyzblue said:
The appeal of mecha < the appeal of this thread


ooh, shots have been fired to OP
He's saying the thread is more appealing than mecha though, so if anything shots are being fired at mecha for not being as appealing as a forum thread.
Apr 3, 2015 9:40 PM

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Because mecha is a genre, and there are people who like that kind of things, and why is it become a problem for you?
Apr 4, 2015 2:30 AM
♡( •ॢ◡-ॢ)✧˖° ♡

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Mecha is hot and sexy



(っ◔◡◔)っ 𝓘 𝔀𝓲𝓼𝓱 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓪𝓵𝓵 𝓱𝓪𝓿𝓮 𝓪 𝔀𝓸𝓷𝓭𝓮𝓻𝓯𝓾𝓵 𝓭𝓪𝔂 ♥
Apr 4, 2015 2:08 PM

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MaskTai87 said:
People are still falling for this thread?
There's nothing to fall for, people are just failing to defend any positive stance they have on mecha. Even those who have tried to defend it neglect the state of it in the 21st century, mentioning only pre-millennium artifacts that everyone has already known about.
Apr 4, 2015 2:11 PM
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YorozuyaGinSan said:
There's nothing to fall for, people are just failing to defend any positive stance they have on mecha. Even those who have tried to defend it neglect the state of it in the 21st century, mentioning only pre-millennium artifacts that everyone has already known about.

I didn't neglect it, I just like watching older tv shows/movies. Film noir and horror movies are my favorite genres of Hollywood films, their glory days are long past as well, I don't care about watching seasonal anime or what is coming out at this exact point in time, I watch stuff when/if I get to it.
Apr 4, 2015 11:35 PM

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Mecha or robot is just part of the setting, what's more important is the story. Most mecha anime is a war story, so I think war + robotic action are the appeal (for most people). I think it's ridiculous if one decide not to watch a certain anime just because it's a mecha anime.

Btw there's an Old English proverb that says : Do not judge an anime by its mecha.
Apr 4, 2015 11:39 PM

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the appeal of mecha is threads like this.
Apr 5, 2015 11:33 AM

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I really love mecha anime, but that doesn't mean that other genres of anime should be underated.
Your question is like questioning why someone likes shoujo, if it's always the guy or girl in love, highschool, bla bla bla...

As any other anime genre it has a lot of designs, old and new, etc.
You may like a certain genre of anime, that doesn't mean everything of the genre is gonna be great.

What I like about mecha anime, are the mechas itself and then the pilots, the way they fight with them, their relashionship (if there is one)... it's like someone who likes samurais ou ninjas, it's the fighting stuff/competition.
Apr 5, 2015 11:44 AM

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Because giant robots, man.. What more needs to be said? :P
Apr 5, 2015 12:01 PM

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YorozuyaGinSan said:
FireEmblemIke24 said:


ooh, shots have been fired to OP
He's saying the thread is more appealing than mecha though, so if anything shots are being fired at mecha for not being as appealing as a forum thread.


oh my bad thought he was for mecha
well still this thread is shit
All credit goes to Sacred.
Apr 5, 2015 12:02 PM

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muhdubs97 said:
All Mecha animes are just a Bunch of Huge Robots Fisting eachother
It's some damn good fisting.
Please learn about cel animation and its technical process.
Learn how special effects and backlighting were done without computers.

Apr 5, 2015 12:07 PM
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Robots obviously. fight scenes aaaand piloting or watching while a giant robot fights is pretty appealing to me
Apr 19, 2015 9:43 AM

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I need some good recommendations to help me get into the mecha genre.

My first experience with mecha was Aldnoah.Zero. I didn't care much for the mecha fighting in that show, but I liked the story. I didn't like season 2 at all, though.

I have just begun Code Geass and I like it so far. Again though, I'm drawn more into the story and the characters than the actual mecha fighting.

To me it seems that all mecha anime are the same when it comes to combat. Even the mecha models all generally look the same.

Are there any really standout mecha anime that really shine in story, characters, and action/animation?

inb4 Zoids!
Apr 19, 2015 10:06 AM

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@Kalisto
Well, it's hard to say what sort of stories and what kind of animation might be satisfactory, but these might fit:

Eureka 7 - quite lengthy, a fairly episodic, and with a focus on teen romance. Some find it boring, and others love it.

Mobile Police Patlabor
The franchise has a bit of variety. Lightly wrapped in a police setting, it's mostly a comedic slice of life with a parody slant. Almost completely episodic, it dabbles in mystery and a variety of genres.

Giant Robo - Oldschool campy mix of martial arts, super powers, and world drama.

Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket - war drama.

http://myanimelist.net/anime/8934/Star_Driver:_Kagayaki_no_Takuto
http://myanimelist.net/anime/182/Tenkuu_no_Escaflowne
http://myanimelist.net/anime/3572/Macross_Frontier
http://myanimelist.net/anime/30/Neon_Genesis_Evangelion
http://myanimelist.net/anime/2581/Mobile_Suit_Gundam_00
http://myanimelist.net/anime/949/Top_wo_Nerae!_Gunbuster
http://myanimelist.net/anime/165/RahXephon
Apr 19, 2015 3:07 PM

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I'm into mecha anime for mech designs or war stories. Imagine if humans somewhere in the future really do fight with giant robots. Though Fafner is unlike your typical mecha series and it's cool that people jump into mechs and fight the alien race that threatens humanity. I watched Fafner for tragedy.
Kurt_IrvingApr 19, 2015 3:11 PM
Apr 19, 2015 5:03 PM

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I used to be a girl who told herself that she would never watch any mecha animu 3 years ago but one day, I tried Gundam Build Fighters and I had to admit it was so fucking awesome, I was over excited ,those feelings I had never experienced before when watching anime. Then I tried some more mecha and I gotta say, mecha animu is always the most fun and enjoyable. Looking at those giant robots make me feel so damn happy. They're cool as hell!! Esp the design of Gundam!!!!!! I can't ever stay calm watching mecha, just look at how beautiful Gundam 00-Raiser, Build Burning Gundam, Star Build Strike Gundam, Destiny Gundam, Strike Freedom Gundam, or even RX-78-2. They look hot and sexy and beautiful>__<
I don't really care about the old animation at all, they still look awesome to me.
Their stories are beautiful, I cried 5 times already while watching Gundam 00 tho. :(
That's why, you can't judge mecha animu if you have just watched Code Geass.
matchacatsApr 19, 2015 5:10 PM
Apr 19, 2015 5:09 PM

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mecha > girls
Apr 19, 2015 5:12 PM
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I really liked the movie Pacific Rim. Good action, nice simple story, very cool designs.

If there were more anime like Pacific Rim, I would be more interested in the mech drama. I'm not so hot on space operas, dramas that don't actually revolve around mechs, kids in mechs, lots of thing.

But if there was one thing that I would like to see, it would be mechs that feel like mechs. Not that mobile gundam just a big suit that moves really fast stuff. But mechs that have all those complicated working innards and the steams, and all the moving parts and whatnot.

So basically, steampunk mechs?
Hai forces
Apr 19, 2015 5:14 PM

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Giant robots, Duhhh
Apr 19, 2015 5:15 PM
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Imaishi said:
mecha > girls


Somebody in Japan is going to somehow happen upon your post. They will see mecha and girls in the same sentence. They will make mecha-girls. Just like that battleship-girl fetish anime thing.

#whathaveyoudone
Hai forces
Apr 19, 2015 5:16 PM

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Imaishi said:
mecha > girls

mecha>boys
Apr 19, 2015 5:18 PM

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GloriousKaiser said:
Imaishi said:
mecha > girls


Somebody in Japan is going to somehow happen upon your post. They will see mecha and girls in the same sentence. They will make mecha-girls. Just like that battleship-girl fetish anime thing.

#whathaveyoudone


have you seen gurren lagann's second movie?

Apr 19, 2015 5:23 PM
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Imaishi said:


have you seen gurren lagann's second movie?

(img snip)




I know, hashtags are stupid but I held that face for like 6 seconds.
Hai forces
Apr 19, 2015 5:43 PM

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Mecha is a popular genre because the entrenched logic of mecha provides a convenient base upon which to create (self-insert) power-fantasy stories. The logic I'm referring to is that, in general, the only qualification for being a mecha pilot is being the right person. If you're one of those special people who has "the power of youth" or who can "foster a connection with the mecha", then you can pilot one. Decades of intense technical training are not required. Once this logic is generally accepted — and it is — it becomes perfectly reasonable for some random high-school student to save the world or do any other number of crazy awesome things.

Creators are free to make the main character as normal and relatable as they want, while still crafting a believable plot that involves him/her becoming incredibly powerful. This is a lot harder to do if you have to construct the logic of your world from scratch.

(I don't know very much about mecha, so I could be completely wrong.)

icirate said:
People love it because it's a power fantasy that doesn't rely on the character actually possessing physical strength.
Basically, this — except I'd extend it to say that it also doesn't require the character to possess specialized knowledge or training, as you would expect in reality. I'm not sure if my bit about the entrenched logic/believability is actually important.
JoshApr 19, 2015 5:53 PM
LoneWolf said:
@Josh makes me sad to call myself Canadian.
Apr 19, 2015 6:47 PM

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Part of me feels that this question is super ignorant. Mechas for the most part are no different from any other anime. I don't know why their being treated like they're some exotic breed of anime reserved solely for elitists. With threads like these I feel like people are referring to certain show in order to represent the genre in entirety.

I like Mechas because they accentuate plot points which I like. In Mecha stories people fight against each other without knowing their opponents identity. Only in mecha anime can you have family members, best friends, and lovers fighting against each other without them even knowing so.
Apr 19, 2015 7:16 PM

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retrogamer32x said:
josh_ said:
Mecha is a popular genre because the entrenched logic of mecha provides a convenient base upon which to create (self-insert) power-fantasy stories. The logic I'm referring to is that, in general, the only qualification for being a mecha pilot is being the right person. If you're one of those special people who has "the power of youth" or who can "foster a connection with the mecha", then you can pilot one. Decades of intense technical training are not required. Once this logic is generally accepted — and it is — it becomes perfectly reasonable for some random high-school student to save the world or do any other number of crazy awesome things.

Creators are free to make the main character as normal and relatable as they want, while still crafting a believable plot that involves him/her becoming incredibly powerful. This is a lot harder to do if you have to construct the logic of your world from scratch.

(I don't know very much about mecha, so I could be completely wrong.)

Basically, this — except I'd extend it to say that it also doesn't require the character to possess specialized knowledge or training, as you would expect in reality. I'm not sure if my bit about the entrenched logic/believability is actually important.


There are a lot of exceptions to this, but those shows are almost all older or not as popular. Gasaraki is nothing like what you described, but how many people know Gasaraki vs. how many know Evangelion (which is from the same year), you know?

EDIT: Actually Gasaraki came out one year after Eva, my bad on that.


Shows on the real robot end of the spectrum generally avoid this, though Gundam, the progenitor of the whole real robot thing, is a mixed bag in this regard.
Apr 19, 2015 7:28 PM

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0079 tried to cover it's bases in regards to the whole falling into the cockpit thing, but it's a bit silly for Amuro to be able to pilot the Gundam after skimming the manual for a few seconds.

Subsequent installments all give far more credible reasons for the pilot's ability, but it remains a bit of a stretch for a teenager to be able to overwhelm professional soldiers even then.

But of course, within Gundam, you also have 08th MS Team and Stardust Memory where the main characters are trained, professional soldiers.
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