10 Iconic Anime Mecha

[Ghost Train]

Yeah, like the others have said. Eva doesn't belong. Technically, its an organic being with an exosuit. Its not mechanical.

Taksraven

LOL all you guys saying that EVA is not mecha are funny. Then riddle me this? What genre is the Evangelion series/movie/reboot ... slice of life, echii perhaps ?

The fact that it's about an emo teenager who pilots a giant machine is enough to classify it as mecha.

It really doesn't make a difference to me that the machine uses biological tissue rather than hydraulics. Mecha derives from Mechanical, which itself is a subset of Mechanics - the branch of physics that deals with forces acting on materials and objects. Nowhere does it specify that said object had to be organic or non-organic.

If we go by an "organic definition" then pretty much nothing would be mecha as Carbon (the essence of something being Organic) is present in abundant quantities in the alloys used to create an advanced mech.

When I took a massive dump this morning and think about all the forces that come into play... yea that's mecha too, if animated.

Edited September 29, 2010 by Ghost Train

[Noriko Takaya]

All I know is I'm getting tired of people stealing images from my website. GO SCAN YOUR OWN!!!

[Mr March]

LOL all you guys saying that EVA is not mecha are funny. Then riddle me this? What genre is the Evangelion series/movie/reboot ... slice of life, echii perhaps ?

Some are still debating Evangelion isn't mecha? Wow. Talk about fighting a lost war long past...

But I gotta say, you may just be onto something big with your "mechanical" idea. Gawd knows there's been many who've made a profit by presenting their customers with what is basically a big dump. I say change your name to G. Train Shyamalan and you've got a legitimate hit on your hands

[eugimon]

LOL all you guys saying that EVA is not mecha are funny. Then riddle me this? What genre is the Evangelion series/movie/reboot ... slice of life, echii perhaps ?

The fact that it's about an emo teenager who pilots a giant machine is enough to classify it as mecha.

It really doesn't make a difference to me that the machine uses biological tissue rather than hydraulics. Mecha derives from Mechanical, which itself is a subset of Mechanics - the branch of physics that deals with forces acting on materials and objects. Nowhere does it specify that said object had to be organic or non-organic.

If we go by an "organic definition" then pretty much nothing would be mecha as Carbon (the essence of something being Organic) is present in abundant quantities in the alloys used to create an advanced mech.

When I took a massive dump this morning and think about all the forces that come into play... yea that's mecha too, if animated.

If an eva is mecha than so is Frankenstein's monster.

[EXO]

I agree that Eva and TFs are not mecha. But how nerdy can you get? Do you expect a website to title the article "Most Iconic Robotish Cartoon from Japan?" or to leave Evangelion out of a list of iconic giant robots?

[sketchley]

Agreed. I think that we should collectively take a step back from promoting our personal favourites and major influences, and think about the influence that the mecha on the list had on latter productions.

Eva has had, and continues to make a large influence.

Now, where is Tetsuwan Atom (aka Astro Boy)?

[Lobizon]

Now, where is Tetsuwan Atom?

Naaah! that just a robot like TFs.

Edited September 29, 2010 by Lobizon

[mikeszekely]

And here are some un-respected who don't get to make the list:

3) Mazinger Z, Mazinger Z: ROCKET PUNCH! That is all

Mazinger Z was 4 on their list.

[ron5864]

So is the Nivarsh TypeZERO that Renton and Eureka piloted a mecha? It seems to fall in the same class as the EVA.

[Graham]

Heh, I like that the image they chose of the VF-1A, was of a Yamato 1/48 toy!

Graham

[taksraven]

I agree that Eva and TFs are not mecha. But how nerdy can you get? Do you expect a website to title the article "Most Iconic Robotish Cartoon from Japan?" or to leave Evangelion out of a list of iconic giant robots?

What are we supposed to argue about then? Politics? I don't think so..... :P

To be fair I guess, most of us just really get off on the process of debating and arguing rather than what the actual argument is about. See below...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teMlv3ripSM

Taksraven

Edited September 29, 2010 by taksraven

[EXO]

What are we supposed to argue about then? Politics? I don't think so..... :P

To be fair I guess, most of us just really get off on the process of debating and arguing rather than what the actual argument is about. See below...

Taksraven

lol... I forgot that it's a prerequisite to make any thread an argument on the interweb.

[Major Focker]

Exclusion of Shirow is ...kinda shocking.

indeed. perhaps they found most of the shirow mecha on the small side. tachikomas FTW!

also no Voltes V. synonymous to giant robo in my part of the world, well at least for my generation. it predates voltron but i guess getter robo was meant to represent it on the list.

and how about Daimos? possibly the first transforming but non-combining giant robot? if not for that, perhaps the pioneer of cheesy romantic dialogue in anime. Erikaaaaa! Richard! Erikaaaaa!

undoubtedly the inspiration for the Titanic scriptwriters. Rose! Jack! You're so stupid Rose! Jack!

[Black Valkyrie]

I disagree with the Evangelion being on the list.

Agreed.

[ruskiiVFaussie]

so really a valk is no.2 behind the gaydum. That doesn't sound right.

[Black Valkyrie]

so really a valk is no.2 behind the gaydum. That doesn't sound right.

Ahem ahem.

[sketchley]

Naaah! that just a robot like TFs.

Ah, but it's more than Transformers. For starters, it came first and has had more of a lasting impact. Lastly, Testuwan is much cooler looking, and he's got a bit more realistic anime magic working for him.

[DarrinG]

Swap out the Transformers for the Ingram, & swap out the Eva for a Scopedog and I'd be closer to agreeing.

[kanedaestes]

Honestly I agree with the list, only because it talks about the ICONIC mecha of anime, mostly for US audiences. Now as someone who doesn't know much about the others you guys have mentioned I do know about all the mechs listed. With the exception of Gunbuster I believe if you ask most ppl that watch anime what they feel are iconic mechs this entire list will be mentioned. Now does that mean that everything on the list is techinically a mech? No but it does mean if I asked someone who has a decent knowledge on anime on the street what mech is they will probably list the things here. I know a ton of people that watch anime and they always talk about these when talking about mechs. I am glad the Gunbuster did make the list though.

Edited September 29, 2010 by kanedaestes

[F-ZeroOne]

Mazinger Z was 4 on their list.

Whoops. Don't know how I missed that, I saw Getter but for some reason Mazinger just didn't register...!

Lets swap out Mazinger, then, for...

3) Big Dai-X. Just because I can.

Edited September 29, 2010 by F-ZeroOne

[dreamweaver13]

In the first place... who the heck is John Rose?

[Ghost Train]

If an eva is mecha than so is Frankenstein's monster.

I have no objections to this. Victorian mecha ftw.

...And where the 501st "Strike Witches" Fighter Wing at? They're both mechanicaru and biorogicaru... that list is clearly messed up.

[anime52k8]

Swap out the Transformers for the Ingram, & swap out the Eva for a Scopedog and I'd be closer to agreeing.

Nobody cares about scopedogs except for crotchety old mecha nerds.

[BeyondTheGrave]

Then riddle me this? What genre is the Evangelion series/movie/reboot ... slice of life, echii perhaps ?

All of the above.

[F-ZeroOne]

Nobody cares about scopedogs except for crotchety old mecha nerds.

And theres something wrong with being a crotchety old mecha nerd, hmm?

[wolfx]

If it has metallic parts and it requires a pilot, then its a mecha. In my books anyway.

That said, Eva's in, Frank (argento soma) isn't.

[Wanzerfan]

if that article is correct, kawamori co-designed optimus prime?

Yeah, it suprised me when I found out on this site that Kowamori did the character designs for Convoy/Optimus Prime.

I classify both Golion/Lion Voltron and Dairugger 15/Vehicle Voltron as mecha, mainly because both require pilots to operate them.

[Funkenstein]

So what does that make Buster Machine Nono ? She is technically piloting...herself.

[Gubaba]

Yeah, it suprised me when I found out on this site that Kowamori did the character designs for Convoy/Optimus Prime.

But he didn't.

Didn't you read this and this?

(And it's "Kawamori," by the way, not "Kowamori.")

[F-ZeroOne]

So what does that make Buster Machine Nono ? She is technically piloting...herself.

Awkward.

[EXO]

Nobody cares about scopedogs except for crotchety old mecha nerds.

finally got to use that vote the post up thingie...

but then again, aren't we all guilty of being the same...

[DarrinG]

Yep - guy waddling up to the Eva, whacking it with his cane - "Whaaat's thisss new Fangled thinga-ma-gig HEre - sonny??" (no teeth, hunched) "Youu woodn't catch me without myyy trusty SCopedawg I tell ya..." "- Baaaa, kids theese days..."

[slaginpit]

i think the list is good. I was surprised to see an Eva Unit. I love evengelion but I never considered the thing to be a pure mecha but with an open mind I guess you can accept it.

The list should have been longer. 20 best cause Patlabor is up there along with ATV. I think GaoGaiGar and Dancouga should had been in place of an eva and transformers.

[taksraven]

But he didn't.

Didn't you read this and this?

(And it's "Kawamori," by the way, not "Kowamori.")

Shhh. Don't point out Wanzers many failings, you will annoy Seto.....

If it has metallic parts and it requires a pilot, then its a mecha. In my books anyway.

That said, Eva's in, Frank (argento soma) isn't.

So you would classify the Motorcycle Armour from Mospeada as mecha?? What about a regular suit of medieval armour. By your definition, thats mecha too...

Taksraven

[Ghost Train]

Shhh. Don't point out Wanzers many failings, you will annoy Seto.....

So you would classify the Motorcycle Armour from Mospeada as mecha?? What about a regular suit of medieval armour. By your definition, thats mecha too...

Taksraven

The argument can definitely be made that knights in medieval armor were the mecha of their day.

Edited October 1, 2010 by Ghost Train