Top Anime with Mini-Mecha: From Appleseed to Zoids

Summary

Mecha anime isn’t just about battling giant robots, some series focus on robots for travel or survival.
Mecha can come in smaller, more reasonable sizes, offering diverse and interesting sub-genres.
Some mecha anime like Appleseed, Armored Trooper Votooms also explore deep narratives beyond battles.

The genre of Mecha anime is underappreciated and brimming with depth, frequently slipping beneath notice. It encompasses a broad range of themes that can be incorporated into a series without always featuring giant robots as combat instruments against ominous adversaries. In many instances, these machines serve as weapons; however, there are also Mecha anime where the robots function merely as means of transportation or essential gear for navigating perilous terrains.

As a mecha enthusiast, I’d like to clarify that not every mecha is a gigantic machine dwarfing skyscrapers. In fact, there are animes where mecha are compact vehicles or armors, scaled down and more feasible for everyday use. These mini-mechas may be smaller in size, but they pack the same punch and intrigue as their larger counterparts. Unfortunately, they aren’t as prevalent in anime, but fear not! For those mecha fans and newcomers seeking fresh series to indulge in, here are some top picks featuring mini-mechas that won’t disappoint.

7. Appleseed

A Futuristic War Drama

Release Year: 1988
Number Of Episodes: 1

Appleseed, crafted by the brilliant mind of Masamune Shirow, is a renowned anime film. It’s part of an extensive collection that includes anime series and numerous other animated movies. This work of art is set in a post-apocalyptic landscape where technology has reached unparalleled heights, with AI, robotics, and cybernetics being commonplace aspects of daily life in the contemporary world.

In the aftermath of a devastating third global conflict, human existence was preserved by an advanced supercomputer stationed in the last metropolis, Olympus – a city rising from the embers of yesterday’s world. Our daily lives are overseen by intricate bio-androids, yet even these mechanical beings aren’t flawless. In the seemingly perfect utopia of Olypuis, I find myself as part of an elite SWAT unit tasked with maintaining tranquility. However, we are occasionally called upon to probe into the unusual and inexplicable instances of crime that manage to seep into our idyllic city.

6. Armored Trooper Votooms

A Classic Series With A Strong Narrative

Armored Trooper Votoms is another timeless series, initially aired in the eighties, and is the brainchild of Ryouske Takahashi, who has contributed to the Gundam franchise with his work on Mobile Suit Gundam: 0083 Stardust Memory. The story unfolds amidst a military struggle, where an entire universe stands on the precipice of reigniting a century-old war that spans over two hundred worlds within the cosmos.

Chirico Cuvie, a spacecraft operator relying on external power for his armor, finds himself branded as an adversary by his own planet’s administration following their secretive deployment of him in a prohibited mission. With no reliable ally and a death warrant looming over him, Chirico embarks on a quest to uncover the truth behind his deception. As he delves deeper into the conspiracy, a woman of enigmatic origins starts appearing in his dreams.

5. Get Ride! AMDriver

New and Flashy Designs On A Regular Basis

Release Year: 2004
Number Of Episodes: 51

In a far-off time period, people are under constant attack from bug-like creatures known as Bug-Chines. To fight off these invasive pests, exceptional individuals are selected to become AMDrivers. Equipped with cutting-edge and mighty AM Technology, they serve as enhanced warriors in an action-packed series that combines elements of Super Sentai and mecha genres, offering a dose of entertainment.

Financially backed by both public ballots and major companies, various groups of AMDrivers transform into modern-day superheroes in the eyes of the world. These teams receive larger budgets, cutting-edge equipment, and power-enhanced armor to fight off the Bug-Chine menace.

4. Blue Gender

A Grim Dark Series About Survival

Release Year: 1999
Number Of Episodes: 26

The series “Blue Gender” is set in a post-apocalyptic version of our world, where Earth has been taken over by insectoid aliens, leaving humans to live on a space station called Second Earth. Their goal is to reclaim their home planet from these invaders. A small military unit is sent down to Earth to reduce the alien population.

In the future, a young man named Yuji Kaido is revived after being frozen for close to forty years, only to find himself in a chilling science fiction nightmare where survival means fighting or perishing. The soldiers, equipped with formidable mech suits, are the only weapons known to be effective against the terrifying invading aliens. Struggling to adapt to his new reality and the necessity of combat, Yuji Kaido finds it challenging to accept his new roles and responsibilities.

3. Rideback

A High-Octane About Freedom And Rebellion

In a fresh twist from traditional mecha anime, we find ourselves in a world where the action doesn’t revolve around cosmic dangers or star wars. Instead, these unique machines known as Ridebacks are employed across various domains, with human pilots competing in rally-style races being one of the exciting applications.

17-year-old Rin Ogata is grappling with her future’s path. Previously on track to become an accomplished ballet dancer, a severe injury brought an abrupt end to her promising career. By pure chance, Rin encounters a Rideback and finds herself pilot, out of control, hurtling down a bustling city street. This experience ignites a sense of exhilaration within her for the first time since she gave up dancing. Eager to explore this newfound passion, Rin is determined to learn all there is to know about Ridebacks.

2. Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040

Sleek Designs And Constant Action

In the year 2040, the series “Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040” is set, showcasing a future where human technological progress has been a double-edged sword. Androids and robots serve as the foundation of society, offering unpaid labor and enabling people to enjoy their daily lives more freely. However, trouble arises when technical glitches start affecting Tokyo, leading to androids attacking humans and causing chaos.

In a future where androids are increasingly malfunctioning at an alarming rate, a group of vigilantes known as the Knight Sabers take it upon themselves to protect humanity by battling these malfunctioning machines. Equipped with advanced and powerful cybernetic armors, the Knight Sabers engage in combat on par with the massive android machinery that causes destruction throughout the city. The goal of the Knight Sabers is to discover the source of these malfunctions and ensure the safety of humans.

1. Zoids: New Century

Wild Competitive Combat Between Animal-Like Machines

Release Year: 2001
Number Of Episodes: 26

The anime series “Zoids: New Century” is renowned for its groundbreaking approach to the mecha genre. Unlike typical mecha, these machines in the form of Zoids possess unique personalities and instincts reminiscent of real animals. Ranging from creatures like lions, T-rex’, and sharks, Zoids are harnessed by humans for both practical purposes and combat.

In the world of Zoids: New Century, combatants engage in fierce tournaments with their bio-mechanical companions. Among these contenders is a self-assured newcomer named Bit Cloud, who acquires an untamable Zoid known as Liger Zero. Their ambition is to conquer the Blitz World Cup, and nothing will deter them from reaching the top.

2025-03-12 01:39