Summary
Anime fans can explore the mecha genre through content available and accessible from the past 5 years, covering a variety of current issues and social topics. SSSS Dynazenon, NieR: Automata Ver1.1a, and Promare are recent mecha anime series that feature unique storytelling, impressive animation, and engaging characters. Mobile SuitGundam: The Witch from Mercury, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection, and Pluto were also highly praised for their compelling storytelling, political intrigue, and significant contributions to the genre.
As one of the oldest and richest genres of animated entertainment, there is no shortage of great films mechanical cartoon for fans to enjoy. Indeed, there is so much great mecha anime content – dating back to the mid-20th century – that fans looking to delve deeper into the genre may feel overwhelmed by the variety of options. However, one of the easiest ways to explore the genre is to look at the most available and accessible content, and use that as a springboard for more thorough exploration.
Luckily, there’s a ton of mecha anime content available and accessible to explore, and much of the best content has taken place within the past five years. On the one hand, the content sticks closely to the classic idea of mecha – robots so completely integrated into human society that they are almost taken for granted. On the other hand, the content takes into account and addresses contemporary sensitivities on a range of current issues, from gender equality to sexual identity, racism to technological development. Here are 10 mecha anime that have recently come out and are easily accessible and available.
10 SSSS Dynazenon
The Gridman series is the most interesting mecha anime franchise to come out in years. This is also a series that is gradually gaining popularity globally since its release in 2018. It is a mecha anime universe that encapsulates the mood of the contemporary anime fan community. SSSS Dynazenon, the second series in the series, tells the story of high school student Yomogi Asanaka, who, along with three others he previously did not know, is tasked with operating a giant machine to fight the war. fight an equally large kajiu monster that threatens their city. With elements of Ultraman – the creator is one of the series’ producers – and classic superheroes, SSSS Dynazenon is a great series to explore newer trends in mecha anime.
9 NieR: Automata Ver1.1a
Adapted from the hugely popular video game, NieR: Automata Ver1.1a has something that few other non-manga based anime series have, namely a deep and detailed universe, crafted available, tested by fans to draw. And manufacturers have made great use of the content they have access to. The result is a visually stunning display that combines elements of the video game experience. As more and more video games are adapted into anime, it is certain that future mecha anime will follow the game-anime integration model of NieR: Automata. There’s also the rather intriguing story surrounding whether mecha can reach such a high level of sophistication that they can become human-like or, at the very least, they begin to believe that they are human.
8 Promare
The fact that Promare was created by the makers of the excellent mecha anime series Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann should be enough to convince any fan of – or interest in – the genre that it’s worth a watch. There’s also the fact that this is the first full-length animated release from Studio Trigger – makers of well-received works like Cyberpunk: Edgerunners and Star Wars: Visions. However, what matters most is the content and its delivery. While the story of a brave group of heroes vanquishing an existential threat is nothing new, the characters on the team are truly worth the viewer’s attention even when the story slows down. In terms of delivery, Studio Trigger’s extremely stylized format is so mesmerizing that it’s almost worth checking out.
7 Mobile SuitGundam: Witch from Mercury
No other franchise has had more influence on the development of mecha anime than Mobile Suit Gunma. It revolutionized the idea of human-controlled machines instead of more traditional autonomous machines working alongside human partners. The Witch of Mercury flips the script by using an automaton powered by human souls. It’s a great twist that creates a new hybrid mecha update with a ton of potential for the franchise and beyond. Additionally, in keeping with the revolutionary trend of Mobile Suit Guns, The Witch of Mercury also introduces GTA’s first female lead role as well as its first hinted same-sex love interest. All of this wrapped up in the familiar engaging Mobile Suit GTA story makes this a great all-around mecha anime.
6 Gridman universes
Gridman Universe, is the third and latest product in the Gridman mecha anime series. It brings together SSSS Gridman and SSSS Dynazenon in one story that links the characters of the two stories. Indeed, due to the collision of two universes, the SSSS Dynazenon team is trapped in SSSS Gridman’s reality. With new kaiju monsters on the loose, two mechanical teams team up not only to destroy the monsters but also find a way to return the Dynazenon members to their own reality. The film provides a great way to tie up the franchise while also addressing ongoing issues. Judging by the franchise’s popularity, the creators are sure to explore the latter. It’s also a great introduction to a franchise that seems to have been around for a while.
5 Code Geass: Lelouch’s resurrection
Code Gaess: Lelouch of the Re;surrection has all the elements of a must-watch mecha anime. There’s political intrigue, dashing young heroes, dazzling action and, of course, shiny cool machines. It is a sequel to the three-part film Code Geass – Initiation, Breach and Celebration, a reinterpretation of the older original Code Geass animated series. That series was one of the most popular mecha anime of its time. However, the most important reason to watch the movie right now is to prepare for the upcoming Code Geass: Z of the Recapture. While little is known about this highly anticipated new anime, rumors suggest it may continue the timeline established in the movies instead of the original TV series. Thus, Re;surrection will provide the necessary background and context for the new anime.
4 Mobile Suite Gundam: Origin – The appearance of the red comet
One of the problems with a franchise as large and diverse as Mobile Suit Gunma is that it’s easy to get so caught up in the plethora of alternative stories that you forget the story that started it all. Mobile SuitGundam – The Origin: The Advent of the Red Comet returns to the original story by telling it from a different perspective, specifically that of a younger Char Aznable as he observes or experiences the transformation of Zeon into a military power capable of taking on the Earth Federation. As Mobile Suit Gun is a must-watch for any mecha anime fan, Red Comet offers a fun primer on the franchise that can be used as a base to explore rich side stories its different.
3 Mission: 3.0 + 1.0 Three at a time
The influence of the Neon Genesis Evangelion series on the mecha anime genre is outstanding. Therefore, viewing the film is essential for anyone who wants to fully understand and enjoy the mecha anime experience. However, it is not a story that its creators make easy for fans to understand. Even veteran watchers will admit to being confused at times. Evangelion 3.0 +1.0 Thrice Upon A Time is the perfect anime for you to understand the content of the Evangelion series without investing too much time. Die-hard fans will love it as a conclusion to the original series. However, new viewers will get a compelling self-contained story with enough questions to make them want to explore the series further.
2 86 – Eighty-six
One of the criticisms of mecha anime is that it tends to emphasize action to the detriment of the story and characters. Nothing can be said about 86 – Eighty-six. Although it offers plenty of action-packed action, battles are not the norm. Rather, the action is often used to support a compelling character-based story about the manipulation of the “Eight Six” – a minority group of the San Magnolia Republic who are overrun by the Alba race. forced to pilot the machine used to fight their enemy’s drones. However, everything changed when a leader Alban of the Eighty Six team decided to help them instead of just controlling them.
1 Pluto
Osamu Tezuko’s Astro Boy is a character who not only helped launch the Japanese anime industry but is also a founding member of the mecha anime genre. He helped define the narrative of autonomous mechanics that dominated the early days of the industry. Accordingly, it’s fitting that Astro Boy finds himself at the center of the anime universe in Netflix’s Pluto. However, Pluto isn’t just about Astro Boy. In fact, he plays a secondary role. Pluto is worth checking out for its creative transformation of a fairly standard Astro Boy story into a compelling physiological murder mystery about the hunt for an unknown serial killer of robots and humans. People. It’s the kind of high-level production that even when you know the ending, you’re still shocked when you watch it again.
As one of Japan’s first and most popular animation genres, there are many great mecha anime for fans to try and enjoy. However, for fans who want content that is available and accessible, ten is great mechanical cartoon mentioned above is what fans looking for quality viewing options should focus on.