Mecha anime combines giant robots with war, politics, technology and psychological storytelling.
Evangelion offers newcomers a darker, character-driven approach to the mecha genre.
Gundam, Gurren Lagann, and Code Geass provide different entry points for beginners.
Mecha anime still features prominently in Japanese anime, as some of the most recognizable series and characters originate from the sub-genre. However, for those new to the sub-genre, mecha anime can be hard to understand because of its lengthy history, many franchises, and varied storytelling styles.
At a basic level, mecha is anime that focuses on robots or mechanical machines controlled by humans. Nonetheless, the mecha subgenre is much broader than robots fighting each other. Some mecha anime series explore war, politics, technology, identity, relationships, and the effects of war on individuals.
Two schools traditionally classify mecha anime: super robot and real robot.
The first school of mecha anime originated with Mazinger Z, which aired in 1972. Super-robot anime usually depicts powerful robots with great weaponry and skills. Examples of super-robot anime are Getter Robo and Gurren Lagann.
Real-robot anime originated with Mobile Suit Gundam in 1979. While super-robot anime features robot-on-robot battles, real-robot anime usually concentrates on warfare and politics and depicts machines as weapons. Some examples of real-robot anime include Macross, Patlabor, and Code Geass.
They might be quite helpful for newcomers, although modern anime often mixes both schools.
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Neon Genesis Evangelion is different from any other mecha anime because it was first broadcast in 1995-1996 and has 26 episodes.
The story centers on Shinji Ikari, who participates in the NERV project and fights the unknown beings called Angels.
But the anime Evangelion is not only the tale of battles between robots and monsters. Most of the plot concerns those people that are within and around the machines. The authors exploit their apocalyptic universe and battles for exploring relations and psychological conflicts.
Such an approach played a big part in making the Evangelion a reference point for future mecha anime. In addition, it makes the anime psychologically more profound and complicated than any regular robot story.
There is no definitive path towards mecha. The best place to begin will depend on what one is seeking out through the genre.
One who would like to understand the basics of the genre and its history should start with Mobile Suit Gundam, which laid down the real robot concept and spawned one of anime’s most prolific franchises.
Those who seek a simpler introduction into the genre might want to try their hands at Gurren Lagann or Code Geass. The first title follows the super robot concept and delivers with over-the-top action and machines.
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If newcomers are particularly interested in the series titled ‘Evangelion,' then the best way would be for them to see the series. After finishing the series, one can see the film ‘The End of Evangelion,’ which acts as an alternative to the last two episodes of the series.
Eventually, the series evolved more through films that were created under the title of Rebuild of Evangelion, and the films are Evangelion: 1.11, Evangelion: 2.22, Evangelion: 3.33, and Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time.
The mecha universe encompasses Evangelion and Gundam as well. Macross combines space-based fighting with music and romance, and Patlabor is an anime that provides a realistic approach to robotics and policing.
Code Geass introduces politics to the action of the robots, whereas Gurren Lagann represents all the aspects usually characteristic of a super-robot anime.
In modern days, people have an opportunity to enjoy one-off or rather easily accessible anime without having to commit themselves to a franchise series.
Versatility is what distinguishes mecha from any other genre. Military science fiction, political fiction, psychological fiction, and even the action of robots can go hand in hand in the same wide-ranging genre.
What is mecha anime?
Mecha anime focuses on robots or mechanical machines, often exploring war, technology, politics, relationships and human experiences through their stories.
What are the two main types of mecha anime?
The two major traditions are super robot and real robot, with different approaches to machines, battles, characters and storytelling.
Why is Neon Genesis Evangelion important to mecha anime?
Evangelion combines giant-robot battles with psychological conflict, relationships and isolation, giving the genre a darker, character-focused storytelling approach.
Which mecha anime should beginners watch first?
Mobile Suit Gundam, Gurren Lagann and Code Geass offer different introductions, depending on preferences for military drama, action or politics.
What is the Evangelion watch order?
Beginners can start with the original 26-episode series, followed by The End of Evangelion and then Rebuild films.