Are you ready for some action? If you’re on the hunt for adrenaline-pumping mecha anime, then your search is over. This article looks into some of the best mecha anime series available, from old classics to the latest releases. Whether you’re looking for giant robots, horror, sci-fi, adventure or just an all-out wild ride, you’ll find something that will satisfy all your action cravings. So grab some popcorn and buckle up as we explore the best mecha anime series around.
What is Mecha Anime?
Before we jump into the list of the best mecha anime series, let’s take a little look into what mecha actually is. Mecha is a genre of anime that puts enormous robots and machines at the forefront of stories. The word itself is derived from the Japanese term meka, which means mechanical, and the genre is hugely popular among fans of science fiction. It’s not uncommon for series within the genre to feature popular elements like giant monsters and superheroes. But by far the most distinguishing feature of mecha anime is the giant robots, known as mecha. Now let’s get on to the list!
Best Old School Mecha Anime
If you’re looking for something classic, then these old school mecha anime series have you covered.
Mazinger Z: First aired in 1972, this series follows the adventures of a brave young man called Koji Kabuto as he uses an enormous super robot to fight back against the forces of evil.
Gundam: First aired in 1979, this iconic anime is set in a future age during a war between space colonies and Earth. It follows two different factions as they engage in massive battlefields featuring giant robots called mobile suits.
Macross: Also known as ‘Robotech’, this series first aired in 1984. In this anime, an alien race called the Zentraedi arrive on Earth to reveal their plan to dominate and enslave humans. In the face of such opposition, traditional jets and tanks are not enough, and humanity is forced to use the similarly sized mecha to take back control.
Best Modern Mecha Anime
For a modern take on the genre, check out these current mecha series.
Code Geass: When it first aired in 2008, this series quickly became one of the most popular mecha anime. It follows a high school student called Lelouch Lamperouge who, after gaining a mysterious power called Geass, uses it to reinvent the world order and lead a rebellion against his tyrannical father.
Neon Genesis Evangelion: In this series, which first aired in 1995, giant monsters called Angels have suddenly appeared from another world and are attacking the human race. In order to combat the deadly creatures, an organisation called NERV has created an organisation called Evangelion Unit 01. Headed by a young pilot called Shinji Ikari, the unit fights to protect the world.
Gurren Lagann: Who says human-sized robots can’t fight giant monsters? In this series, which first aired in 2007, two heroes discover a powerful mecha called Lagann on the surface of a post-apocalyptic world filled with giant creatures. Lagann, along with its companions, is then used to battle the monsters as the heroes struggle to restore the world to its former glory.
