6 Best Mecha Anime Shows - Investment Policy

Anime history has been significantly shaped by the mecha genre, as these series transcend the appeal of mere mechanical beings. They delve into narratives that explore individuals grappling with insurmountable challenges, discovering their roles in life, and contemplating the essence of conflict.

Six outstanding mecha anime series stand out as classics within the genre. These tales delve into the emotional odysseys of their protagonist pilots, or explore complex political struggles. All have indelibly marked the landscape of anime and continue to ignite creativity in today’s productions.

6. Guilty crown

A King’s Burden, A Nation’s Fate

2011 saw the arrival of Guilty Crown, boasting impressive production standards and an intriguing premise that immediately piqued viewer interest. The narrative unfolds in a 2039 Tokyo setting, where we follow Shu Ouma, a typical high school student, who acquires the “King’s Power,” enabling him to draw out weapons or tools from other people’s hearts, symbolizing their character traits and abilities.

Following the catastrophic spread of a pandemic known as the Apocalypse Virus across Japan, the nation was governed by the GHQ, an international body that claimed to offer aid. Shū then becomes affiliated with a clandestine movement called Funeral Parlor upon encountering the enigmatic singer Inori Yuzuriha, who operates the mech Endlave.

In Guilty Crown, the main characters control advanced combat robots known as Endlaves, which are operated remotely and used by both the GHQ and resistance groups. The show’s unique blend of these mecha designs with a futuristic Tokyo backdrop highlights the exceptional animation skills from Production I.G, while Hiroyuki Sawano’s captivating soundtrack adds to its lasting impact.

Spanning 22 episodes, Guilty Crown is available with an English dub from Funimation.

5. Eureka Seven

Surfing The Skies On Mechanical Waves

Eureka Seven presents an exceptional perspective within the robot genre by blending colossal robots with the style of surfing. In this narrative, which is set 10,000 years ahead, we follow the journey of 14-year-old Renton Thurston, a young dreamer who yearns to join the mercenary group Gekkostate and glide across the planet’s trapar waves using a device called a ref, which acts like a surfboard in the sky.

The course of his life is dramatically altered when a girl named Eureka, who pilots an enigmatic mech called Nirvash TypeZERO, collides into his grandfather’s garage. Later on, Renton becomes a part of Gekkostate and uncovers the secrets behind the world he inhabits, including the essence of Scub Coral that blankets the planet and the shadowy organization pursuing Eureka.

From 2005 to 2006, the initial series spanned over 50 episodes. After this, a movie was released, followed by multiple spin-offs and prequels, such as Eureka Seven: AO. The show’s mecha, known as LFOs (Light Finding Operations), stand out due to their ability to glide along trapar waves much like surfers, resulting in breathtaking aerial skirmishes that resemble well-coordinated dance performances.

Eureka Seven stands out for its exceptional universe creation, unveiling layer by layer the intricate past and workings of its cosmos, all while expanding a diverse group of characters. The Bandai Entertainment dubbing team brings this series to life with Johnny Yong Bosch voicing Renton and Stephanie Sheh as Eureka.

4. 86: Eighty-Six

When The Oppressed Become The Shield

2021 saw me diving headfirst into the captivating world of 86: Eighty-Six, a fresh addition to the mecha genre that’s been earning its spot as a modern classic. The narrative unfolds in the Republic of San Magnolia, a place boasting their development of drones for battle against the autonomous machines of the Giadian Empire – supposedly ensuring a war with no human casualties. But as I soon found out, there’s more to this tale than meets the eye.

In reality, things are much grimmer than they appear. The drones you see are actually being controlled by the Eighty-Six, a minority group who have lost their citizenship and are compelled to wage war and sacrifice themselves on the battlefield. This series explores the dynamic between Vladilena “Lena” Milize, a woman from the dominant Alba population, and Shinei “Undertaker” Nouzen, leader of an Eighty-Six squadron.

This version maintains the original’s tone while aiming for clarity and readability.

Drawing inspiration from Asato Asato’s light novels, the anime masterfully tackles complex themes like racism, genocide, and the degradation of humanity during warfare. The mech designs are distinctively insectoid, with the Eighty-Six operating spider-like vehicles known as Juggernauts, symbolizing their low status in society.

86: Eighty-Six spans across two seasons, comprising a total of 23 episodes, cleverly structured in a split-cour format for enhanced animation detail. As an enthusiast, I’ve immersed myself in this gripping series, with Aleks Le lending his voice to the protagonist Shin and Suzie Yeung bringing Lena to life, both available through Crunchyroll’s English dub.

3. Mobile Suit Gundam- Series

The Grandfather Of Modern Mecha Anime

In 1979, Yoshiyuki Tomino’s creation, Mobile Suit Gundam, significantly altered the mecha genre. Prior to this, giant robots in anime were often depicted as super-powered beings. However, Tomino introduced the idea of “operational robots”, or mechs that functioned like actual military equipment with practical limitations.

The initial series unfolds amidst the One Year War between Earth Federation and Zeon Principality, focusing on Amuro Ray – a typical teenager who unexpectedly pilots the Federation’s latest mobile suit prototype, the RX-78-2 Gundam. This show portrays war not as a straightforward battle of good versus evil, but as a multifaceted struggle with each side having its own legitimate viewpoints.

Despite initially being axed due to low viewership ratings, the original series later thrived through reruns and merchandise like model kits, ultimately leading to a franchise boasting over 50 anime series and movies across various storylines and dimensions. The Universal Century timeline of the original show is particularly rich, delving into the far-reaching effects of the conflicts presented in the first installment.

The longevity of Mobile Suit Gundam is due to its blend of thrilling robot action with profound anti-war themes. While the original series’ English dub was not easily accessible until more recently, subsequent Gundam series usually get an English dub soon after their Japanese premiere.

2. Neon Genesis Evangelion

Where Giant Robots Meet Existential Crisis

Only a handful of anime have left an indelible mark on the genre comparable to Hideaki Anno’s Neon Genesis Evangelion. In this dystopian 2015 setting, the narrative revolves around Shinji Ikari, a teenager who is unwillingly enlisted by his distant father to control a massive bio-mechanical machine called Eva Unit-01, with the mission of safeguarding mankind against the enigmatic creatures known as Angels.

Initially appearing as a typical battle between giant robots (mecha) and monsters, this series subtly evolves into a deep investigation of depression, human relationships, and the essence of life itself. The Evangelion units aren’t just ordinary machines; they are living entities with artificial limitations, creating an additional layer of psychological terror.

Initially airing for 26 episodes between 1995 and 1996, the initial show concluded amidst debate due to its final controversial episodes. This sparked a movie titled “The End of Evangelion,” providing an alternate finale. Later in 2007, Anno initiated a new film series called “Rebuild of Evangelion,” offering a contemporary reinterpretation of the original storyline using updated animation.

As an enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that this captivating series offers both subtitles and English dubbing, which makes it universally appealing. The Netflix redub from 2019 has indeed opened up the show to a fresh wave of viewers, even though some contentious translation decisions have tweaked iconic lines from the initial English version.

1. Code Geass: Lelouch Of The Rebellion

A Chess Game With Giant Robots As Pawns

In a world where the mighty Holy Britannian Empire has seized Japan, renaming it Area 11 in their wake, I found myself captivated by the narrative of Code Geass. As a former Britannian prince named Lelouch Lamperouge, I’ve been exiled from my homeland and find myself embroiled in a struggle for freedom. But when fate grants me the extraordinary power known as “Geass,” which allows me to control others with a mere glance, I see an opportunity to challenge the Empire and bring hope to the oppressed people of Area 11.

Under the guise of Zero, Lelouch employs his strategic brilliance and immense power to orchestrate a rebellion against Britannia, utilizing sophisticated machinery known as Knightmare Frames in this struggle. The show deftly interweaves political scheming, emotional bonds, and pulse-pounding mecha combats, creating a captivating narrative.

2006 marked the debut of the first season, with the second season premiering in 2008. In all, Code Geass comprises 50 episodes. This series stands out within the mecha genre due to its protagonist’s morally ambiguous nature and its exploration of what genuine justice entails amidst warfare and oppression.

This animated series showcases some of the most memorable mecha (giant robots) designs from anime, notably the Lancelot operated by Suzaku and Lelouch’s Gawain and subsequently Shinkiro.

If you’re more comfortable with English dubs, Code Geass offers an outstanding one from Bandai Entertainment, featuring Johnny Yong Bosch delivering a standout performance as Lelouch. The show gained such popularity that it led to several movies, OVAs, and even a spinoff series titled Akito the Exiled.

2025-04-04 14:10