Strongest Mecha In Anime

Key Takeaways

The mecha anime genre showcased overpowered machines, influencing the trope of powerful anime protagonists.
Eva Unit 01 from Neon Genesis Evangelion is nearly indestructible with limitless energy and a near-unbreakable force field.
Devil Gundam from Mobile Fighter G Gundam could evolve, corrupt Gundams, and control organic beings with its DG Cells.

As a seasoned anime enthusiast who’s seen more mecha than I care to remember, let me tell you about these three titans of destruction that are sure to shake the very foundations of your favorite isekai worlds!

Nowadays, there’s a vast array of anime genres for fans to explore. However, in the past, things were quite distinct, and the mecha anime genre held an uncontested throne. The trope of the overpowered anime protagonist seems to have originated from this genre, with its colossal, extraordinarily powerful mecha. Over time, the powers of these mecha grew increasingly fantastical, much like the powers in shonen anime today, as competing series strove to surpass one another and their own previous creations.

Over time, numerous mecha anime have been created, with many showcasing incredibly powerful machines. Picking the “most powerful” can be quite challenging due to this abundance. For this compilation, we’ve opted for some of the more popular titles and disregarded those whose complete capabilities were only depicted in the manga rather than the anime. Instead of merely considering their advertised powers, we have ranked these mechanical titans based on their demonstrated feats as well.

8 Eva Unit 01 – Neon Genesis Evangelion

Tears Through Enemy Angels And Is Almost Indestructible

In comparison to the standards set by Evangelion, the EVA units are quite peculiar, even for them. Instead of being typical robots, these units resemble colossal kaiju-style beings enclosed in mechanical structures. However, when they go berserk, they are controlled much like traditional mecha through pilots. Among all the EVA models, Unit 01 stands out as the most potent one.

The S2 Engine and the AT Field give Unit 01 near-invulnerability, but what truly sets it apart is its remarkable agility and potent weaponry. This allows it to effortlessly overcome any angel enemies.

7 Devil Gundam – Mobile Fighter G Gundam

Could Repeatedly Evolve To Become Stronger And Corrupt People Using DG Cells

Released: 19994
Genres: Sci/Fi, Mecha
Creator: Yoshiyuki Tomino

Under its ominous moniker, Devil Gundam took on the role of a main adversary within the anime series, Mobile Fighter G Gundam. Initially, Dr. Kasshu crafted it as a savior, using cutting-edge nanotechnology to restore Earth. However, due to an unfortunate malfunction, it morphed into Devil Gundam and began wreaking havoc instead. While its initial armaments were standard for a Gundam – four head-mounted vulcan guns and a potent beam cannon – its true power lay in the DG Cells.

With these special cells, the Devil Gundam possessed an ability to regenerate itself, reproduce clones, and advance its own evolutionary process. It was also capable of utilizing these cells to seize control over any Gundam it encountered, altering their form, as well as controlling organic lifeforms mentally. Exposed Gundams were then compelled to evolve into new shapes due to the influence of these DG cells. At its zenith, the Devil Gundam transformed into the Devil Colony by amalgamating with the Neo-Japan space colony. This iteration of the Devil Gundam was destructive enough to obliterate entire cities and could only be defeated using the God Gundam. If unchecked, it’s uncertain how far up this power ranking it might have climbed given enough evolutionary steps.

6 System-∀99 ∀ Gundam – Turn A Gundam

Harnesses The Power Of A Blackhole And Carries Deadly Nanomachines

Release Date: April 9, 1999
Creator: Yoshiyuki Tomino
Genres: Sci-Fi (Genre), Mecha (Genre), Drama (Genre)

In the vast Gundam universe, System-∀99 ∀ Gundam, or Turn A Gundam, stands as the culmination of generations of mecha development. Primarily operated by Loran Cehack, its creator, this mecha was engineered for potential interstellar combat should our solar system face an alien invasion. As such, it possesses capabilities far surpassing those of any other mecha seen in the Gundam series.

The formidable strength of Turn A originates from a synthetic black hole, which serves as its primary energy source. This black hole fuels the various weapons embedded within Turn A and the nanomachines that provide both offensive and defensive capabilities. These nanomachines give Turn A near-invincibility due to their rapid healing abilities, quickly repairing any damage sustained. Moreover, they can obliterate both synthetic and organic matter when deployed during the Gundam’s Moonlight Butterfly attack. Following the series finale, novelizations revealed that Turn A possessed hidden powers not shown on screen, further amplifying its already impressive capabilities. Despite featuring in some of the best Gundam games, the developers often fail to accurately portray its true might due to balance constraints.

5 Gunbuster – Gunbuster

Can Travel At Light Speed And Packs A Blackhole Bomb

Hideaki Anno is well-known for creating numerous excellent anime series, but “Gunbuster” stands out as one of his finest works. This was his initial directorial project and embodies everything that was extravagant and quintessentially 80s. In this timeless 80s anime, the colossal mecha named Gunbuster reduces colossal space monsters into fragments and annihilates adversaries that would typically render other mechas powerless.

The weaponry of Gunbuster is tailored for space battles. Its preferred move is the Buster Collider, where it smashes foes with its colossal fists. For long-range attacks, it employs the Buster Beam, cutting through entire enemy armadas, and has homing lasers and missiles at its disposal. What truly sets Gunbuster apart is its incredible speed – it moves at 99% the speed of light and can accelerate beyond that when utilizing FTL warp technology. It also possesses a covert weapon, the Black Hole Bomb, revealed in the final episode of the anime. This devastating superweapon is said to obliterate entire star systems. In the anime, it was used to annihilate an impending wave of space creatures threatening humanity. As the subsequent sections will demonstrate, Gunbreaker approaches the pinnacle of mecha power before veering into excessive might.

4 Mazinger Z – Mazinger Z

Capable Of Whatever the Plot Demands And Then Some

Originating from the creative mind of Go Nagai, Mazinger Z stands as one of the pioneering and impactful instances of mecha anime. First appearing in 1972, this robot character was nothing short of a colossal powerhouse. Nearly every episode featured the mecha acquiring a new weapon, power, or skill to combat that week’s formidable villain. Some of these enhancements were exceptionally potent, some were less impressive, and others bordered on the absurd.

In the anime, Mazinger Z boasts some remarkable attacks, yet its power isn’t significantly greater than other initial entries on the list. What truly sets it apart are its materials – Super-Alloy Z – and an engine said to be as potent as the sun. However, its most potent version is only depicted in the manga series “Shin Mazinger Zero” and “Shin Mazinger Zero vs. The Great General of Darkness”. These comics unveiled that Mazinger Z possesses seven mysterious black boxes, which when activated, grant it unbelievable power levels. When transformed into Mazinger Zero form, the mecha can inflict damage on a planetary and even cosmic scale. Given these abilities are not shown in the series, placing Mazinger Z higher seems somewhat like an unfair advantage.

3 Ideon – Space Runaway Ideon

Can Cut Planets In Half And Blow Up Galaxies

Moving forward, I find it challenging to rank these mechas due to the excessive claims about their capabilities, and “Ideon” serves as a perfect illustration of this conundrum. This mecha was initially portrayed as a defensive weapon against the hostile Buff Clan, yet its arsenal appears more geared towards offense rather than defense.

The Ideon consists of three interconnected starships, forming a colossal mecha. Initially, it’s quite ordinary with standard weaponry, but things escalate rapidly to overpowered levels. The Ideon is equipped with missiles, guns, and cannons as one would expect from a regular mecha. However, its power levels skyrocket when it summons two massive swords, known as the Ideon Swords, capable of cleaving planets in half. To add to its devastating arsenal, it also possesses a Black Hole Cannon that can fire a miniature singularity, annihilating everything within the Ideon’s immediate surroundings.

Additionally, it possesses the Wave Leader Cannon, capable of annihilating multiple planets and entire enemy forces with a single burst. This destructive power makes it an ideal choice for top-tier isekai mecha anime. However, its capabilities don’t end there. The mecha’s final move is a colossal self-destruct. In the series, this explosion appears to be galaxy-sized rather than universe-wide.

2 Zinv – Dual! Parallel Trouble Adventure

With Its Limiter Removed, Zinv Can Destroy And Remake Entire Dimensions

Released: 1999
Genre: Sci/Fi, Mecha
Created By: Masaki Kajishima

Dual! Parallel Trouble Adventure” stands out as an exceptional mecha anime for enthusiasts who appreciate robust robots and aren’t averse to a touch of humor. The protagonist, Kazuki Youtsug, is a young individual who gains the ability to command mechanical entities. However, Zinv isn’t merely a tool of destruction; it’s engineered to rectify disparities across multiple universes. As Kazuki and Zinv’s bond strengthens, Zinv’s power grows significantly.

From the outset, Zinv exhibits formidable abilities such as disintegrating planets with energy blasts, effortlessly crushing enemy machinery, and boasting nearly indestructible energy shields. When bonded strongly with its pilot and freed from limitations, this entity can traverse dimensions, jumping between parallel universes and even manipulating them at will. In the finale of the series, Zinv demonstrates an extraordinary ability to regenerate itself after being destroyed and creating a whole new universe for Kazuki and his companions. Although Zinv appears to be unparalleled in power, its strength is contingent on its symbiotic relationship with its pilot. Without such a bond, it remains relatively impotent.

1 Super Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann – Gurren Lagann

Is Bigger Than The Universe And Uses Galaxies As Projectiles

Gurren Lagann wasn’t designed for fans who prefer their mecha anime grounded in realism. Instead, it consistently pushed boundaries with the power of its giant robots. However, it reached its pinnacle during the events portrayed in its second film, introducing the colossal, tongue-twisting Super Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann. This titanic machine was forged during the climactic battle between protagonist Simon and the Antispiral, a desperate move to protect all existence.

This mechanical entity is surprisingly whimsical, despite its mind-boggling characteristics. It’s said to surpass the vastness of the observable universe – a span of approximately 93 billion light-years across for context – and move at inconceivable speeds, calculated by fans to be around 50 trillion light-years per second. In essence, this mecha transcends our understanding of time and space. It has the ability to casually hurl galaxies as if they were toys and obliterate entire universes without a second thought. Immersion in its actions necessitates a willing suspension of disbelief.

2024-10-26 12:35