Do you know the mecha genre animes? Is there any historical basis for giant robots to emerge in Japan? How did the Mecha genre originate in Japan? In this article, we will answer these and other questions about giant robots.
For decades, the mecha or meka [メカ] genre has been popular in Japan with famous works like Gundam and not to mention the old tokusatsu. For those who are unaware, the mecha genre includes animes, movies, mangas, or series featuring giant robots.
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How did the Mecha genre originate in Japan?
Every year, thousands of works featuring giant robots are released, and thousands more reference giant robots. How did this genre of giant robot animes come about?
There is no deep origin of giant robots in Japanese culture. Some believe that the armor of Samurai and the legends of Japanese monsters may have had a direct influence on the emergence of these giant robots.
Mecha are generally vehicles, controlled from a cockpit by a single pilot or a small team. The word originated from the English word mechanism (mechanical).
Gundam is one of the most popular giant robot animes in Japan. It is so popular that there is a life-sized statue on the artificial island of Odaiba in Tokyo in front of a shopping mall where a Gundam store is located.
The first MANGA AND ANIME meka in Japan
Do you know how the first manga and anime that gave rise to the meka genre in Japan came about? It is somewhat uncertain to give credits, but historically, in 1940 a short manga named Denki Dako (Electric Octopus) emerged, which involved mechanical octopuses.
The first mecha anime was released in 1963 named Tetsujin 28-GO, and like most animes, it was based on a manga from 1956. Another manga that gave rise to giant robots was Giant Robo. Mitsuteru Yokoyama was the author of both mangas and became known as the father of the genre.
Yokoyama says he was largely influenced by World War II and the bombing of Kobe. He also mentioned being significantly influenced by the Frankenstein monster and the famous Astro Boy.
It is believed that the Gundam and Evangelion series gave a significant boost and popularized this genre. Tokusatsu like Super Sentai and the famous Godzilla movies also greatly influenced the popularization of giant robots.
The Mechas of Animes have been improved
The first anime featuring a giant robot was Tetsujin 28-GO, but until then it was controlled remotely. It was only in 1972 that Mazinger Z emerged, a manga that apparently was the first to present the control of a robot from inside it.
Mecha is a very broad category with many subdivisions involving small, large robots and those with humanoid or animal appearances.
Animes like Code Geass, Gurren Lagann and Aldnoah Zero were able to break the prejudice some people had against the genre. Currently, we have a highlight in Darling in the Franxx.
The best Meka animes of all time
Gundam is a series about giant robots (mecha), one of the largest Japanese science fiction series. Gundam has a quite complex story to describe briefly. Gundam actually has its own universe and various stories.
I don’t even need to mention much about Gundam, since there are many different animes and because we already have an article talking about Gundam. The next animes I will mention are my favorite animes and are within my TOP 10, even though I am not a fan of the Meka genre.
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
An original anime released by Sunrise in 2007 involving mecha, wars, and psychological thriller. The anime shows the world being dominated by an Empire and a super intelligent guy trying to destroy this empire using a special ability he received that allows him to command a person to do something (he needs to look into their eyes, and he can only do this once per person). The plot is very good and has one of the best endings in anime history.
Aldnoah.zero
This anime takes place in a world where humans managed to colonize Mars and discovered very advanced technology. Extremely technological robots that had great war power. This generated a conflict between the inhabitants of Mars and Earth.
Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
The anime tells the story of a war between humans and creatures called Anti-Spirals. Humans were forced to live underground until the protagonists manage to escape and fight against these Anti-Spirals in order to live on the surface of the Planet. (Best anime ever)
Evangelion
This anime is a classic that also helped popularize mechas in the 90s. It tells the story of Earth being attacked by indestructible beings called Angels. Giant robots called Eva are created to combat these enemies.
List of Mecha Animes
Below is a list of mecha animes with their release years. We ordered them by the most popular according to MAL and Anime-Planet. What do you think of the mecha genre? Did you like the article? Share it with friends or leave your comments.
| Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 | 2008 |
| Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion | 2006 |
| Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann | 2007 |
| Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Second Season | 2008 |
| Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans 2 | 2016 |
| Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid | 2005 |
| Mobile Suit Gundam 00 | 2007 |
| Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin – Advent of the Red Comet | 2019 |
| Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans | 2015 |
| Neon Genesis Evangelion | 1995 |
| Macross Frontier | 2007 |
| Knights of Sidonia: Battle for Planet Nine | 2015 |
| Full Metal Panic! | 2002 |
| Eureka Seven | 2005 |
| Super Dimensional Fortress Macross | 1982 |
| Full Metal Panic! Invisible Victory | 2018 |
| Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet | 2013 |
| Mobile Suit Gundam Wing | 1995 |
| Knights of Sidonia | 2014 |
| Mobile Suit Gundam SEED | 2002 |
| Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam | 1985 |
| DARLING in the FRANXX | 2018 |
| Vandread: The Second Stage | 2001 |
| Aldnoah.Zero | 2014 |
| Gundam Build Fighters | 2013 |
| Guilty Crown | 2011 |
| Knight’s & Magic | 2017 |
| Mobile Suit Gundam | 1979 |
| GaoGaiGar FINAL Grand Glorious Gathering | 2005 |
| Bokurano | 2007 |
| Samurai 7 | 2004 |
| AKB0048: Next Stage | 2013 |
| The Vision of Escaflowne | 1996 |
| Heroic Age | 2007 |
| Gundam Build Fighters Try | 2014 |
| Valvrave the Liberator 2 | 2013 |
| Fafner Exodus 2nd Season | 2015 |
| Asura Cryin’ 2 | 2009 |
| The Big O II | 2003 |
| Broken Blade TV | 2014 |
| Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny | 2004 |
| Aldnoah.Zero 2nd Season | 2015 |
| Ride Back | 2009 |
| Martian Successor Nadesico | 1996 |
| Armored Trooper Votoms | 1983 |
| Zoids: New Century/Zero | 2001 |
| Kuromukuro | 2016 |
| Vandread | 2000 |
| Zoids: Chaotic Century | 1999 |
| IGPX: Immortal Grand Prix 2nd Season | 2006 |
| Zegapain | 2006 |
| Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn RE:0096 | 2016 |
| Zoids: Guardian Force | 2000 |
| RahXephon | 2002 |
| Taikong Lixianji | 2010 |
| New Getter Robo | 2004 |
| Patlabor: The Mobile Police TV | 1989 |
| Giant Gorg | 1984 |
| Planet With | 2018 |
| Mazinger Edition Z: The Impact! | 2009 |
| Ginga Hyouryuu Vifam | 1983 |
| Mobile Fighter G Gundam | 1994 |
| Tetsujin 28-gou (2004) | 2004 |
| Valvrave the Liberator | 2013 |
| Tekkaman Blade | 1992 |
| Dual! Parallel Trouble Adventures | 1999 |
| Mars Daybreak | 2004 |
| Genesis Climber Mospeada | 1983 |
| Turn A Gundam | 1999 |
| Infinite Stratos | 2011 |
| Gun x Sword | 2005 |
| GaoGaiGar | 1997 |
| SSSS.Gridman | 2018 |
| Buddy Complex | 2014 |
| Cross Ange: Rondo of Angels and Dragons | 2014 |
| Sentou Mecha Xabungle | 1982 |
| Muteki Kojin Daitarn 3 | 1978 |
| Aquarion Evol | 2012 |
| Fafner Exodus | 2015 |
| Basquash! | 2009 |
| Macross Delta | 2016 |
| AKB0048 | 2012 |
| Majestic Prince | 2013 |
| Blue Comet SPT Layzner | 1985 |
| Star Driver | 2010 |
| UFO Robo Grendizer | 1975 |
| Zoids: Genesis | 2005 |
| After War Gundam X | 1996 |
| Muteki Robo Trider G7 | 1980 |
| Invincible Superman Zanbot 3 | 1977 |
| The Big O | 1999 |
| Strain: Strategic Armored Infantry | 2006 |
| Toushou Daimos | 1978 |
| Muv-Luv Alternative: Total Eclipse | 2012 |
| Lagrange: The Flower of Rin-ne – Season 2 | 2012 |
| Eureka Seven AO | 2012 |
| Danball Senki Wars | 2013 |
| Asura Cryin’ | 2009 |
| Fafner | 2004 |
| IGPX: Immortal Grand Prix | 2005 |
| Super Robot Wars OG: The Inspector | 2010 |
| Robotech: The Masters | 1985 |
| Zone of the Enders: Dolores | 2001 |
| Chou Denji Robo Combattler V | 1976 |
| Aquarion | 2005 |
| Macross 7 | 1994 |
| Lagrange: The Flower of Rin-ne | 2011 |
| Voltes V | 1977 |
| Super Robot Wars OG: Divine Wars | 2006 |
| Gear Fighter Dendoh | 2000 |
| Mazinger Z | 1972 |
| Danball Senki W | 2012 |
| Great Mazinger | 1974 |
| Blue Gender | 1999 |
| Infinite Stratos 2 | 2013 |
| Gunparade March | 2003 |
| Mobile Suit Victory Gundam | 1993 |
| Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ | 1986 |
| Undefeated Bahamut Chronicle | 2016 |
| Godannar 2nd Season | 2004 |
| Hyakujuu-Ou GoLion | 1981 |
| Zoids Wild Zero | 2019 |
| Space Warrior Baldios | 1980 |
| Argento Soma | 2000 |
| Ninja Robots | 1985 |
| Dai-Guard | 1999 |
| Bubuki Buranki: The Gentle Giants of the Galaxy | 2016 |
| Koutetsu Jeeg | 1975 |
| Red Baron | 1994 |
| Fang of the Sun Dougram | 1981 |
| Innocent Venus | 2006 |
| Space Runaway Ideon | 1980 |
| Linebarrels of Iron | 2008 |
| Danball Senki | 2011 |
| Burst Angel | 2004 |
| Gaiking: Legend of Daiku-Maryu | 2005 |
| Aura Battler Dunbine | 1983 |
| Kousoku Denjin Albegus | 1983 |
| Ginga Hyouryuu Vifam 13 | 1998 |
| ID-0 | 2017 |
| Brave Fighter of Legend Da-Garn | 1992 |
| Golden Warrior: The Gold Lightan | 1981 |
| Gundam Build Divers | 2018 |
| Viper’s Creed | 2009 |
| Dancouga: Super Beast Machine God | 1985 |
| Turning Mecard W | 2016 |
| Yatterman (1977) | 1977 |
| Overman King Gainer | 2002 |
| Tomica Hyper Rescue Drive Head: Kidou Kyuukyuu Keisatsu | 2017 |
| Destiny of the Shrine Maiden | 2004 |
| Kotetsushin Jeeg | 2007 |
| Brave Fighter of Sun Fighbird | 1991 |
| Kishin Taisen Gigantic Formula | 2007 |
| Chiisana Kyojin Microman | 1999 |
| Genki Bakuhatsu Ganbaruger | 1992 |
| IGPX: Immortal Grand Prix (2003) | 2003 |
| Choujin Sentai Baratack | 1977 |
| Tenkai Knights | 2013 |
| Getter Robo | 1974 |
| Transformers: Super-God Masterforce | 1988 |
| GR -Giant Robo- | 2007 |
| Super Dimensional Cavalry Southern Cross | 1984 |
| God Mazinger | 1984 |
| Metal Armor Dragonar | 1987 |
| Super Dimension Century Orguss | 1983 |
| Schwarzesmarken | 2016 |
| Mirai Robo Daltanias | 1979 |
| Transformers: Armada | 2002 |
| Kinkyuu Hasshin Saver Kids | 1991 |
| Brave Express Might Gaine | 1993 |
| Mobile Suit Gundam AGE | 2011 |
| Mado King Granzort | 1989 |
| Gad Guard | 2003 |
| Transformers: Robots in Disguise | 2000 |
| Heavy Metal L-Gaim | 1984 |
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