the best mecha anime for you to check out

Top 25 Best Mecha Anime Since The Start of Mecha Anime Era With Tetsujin 28-gou

By:

Published:

23/03/2019

Updated on: 18/11/2023

Can anyone ever imagine an anime without robots? Without any doubt, the answer would obviously be no. In fact, the mecha has been a part of our life since our childhood. And I remember my first anime being transformers. I can say without a doubt that this old classic has gotten me intrigued into mecha anime.

Best Mecha Anime

‘Mecha anime’ is the anime genre used in the otaku world, referring to the anime featuring robots. Since the release of the animation ‘Tetsugin 28-gou’ in 1963, mecha anime became an immensely popular category.

Robots come in various models such as vehicle type robots, humanoid robots, cyborgs, etc. They are fully armed with mass destructive weapons and special abilities such as flight mode and super strength. Used by the human in the times of wars or to fight strange monsters.

26. Listeners

Genres: Action, Mecha, Music, Sci-Fi

Myuu is a mysterious girl who has a special feature in her body. In a world where the concept of music doesn’t exist anymore, she has an audio input jack. She encounters a boy, and the two learn more about the history of music while embarking on an amazing journey.

It might seem like a generic storyline, but the show started strong and managed to build upon that. With its cliffhanger of an ending, you’ll find yourself wishing that this has more than 12 episodes.

25. Tetsujin 28-Gou

Genres: Adventure, Mecha, Sci-Fi, Shounen

The first anime series to feature giant humanoid robots. The mecha genre started evolving from here.

The series follows the story of Shotaro Kaneda as he is given Tetsujin 28. A giant robot by his father who created this robot to fight in the Pacific war. Even though his father was not able to use it in the end due to some dark secrets of the war.

The most popular sequel of this mecha anime was the ‘Tetsujin 28-Gou (2004). This sequel is the advanced version of the original series, which is more suitable for the fans who don’t like the old version.

   24. Taiyou No Kiba Dougram

Genre: Action, and Mecha

The story of this mecha anime takes place on a colonial planet, Deployer. Along with his giant robot ‘dougram’ and his friends, our main lead rebels against the governor’s dictator rule and the earth federation. The story for independence starts now.

keroro gunson - best mecha anime

23. SSSS.GRIDMAN

Genre: Science fiction, and Mecha

A collaboration work with Tsuburaya Productions. If you dunt, know who they are best known for Ultraman. This series is kind of an old-school classic take on the tokusatsu genera to the West things like power rangers would fit in this genre. While silly and over the top are what these genres are known for. In this series, they try to mix it with basic anime vibes, telling a good story and building up an interesting world while mixing it with over the top action trigger studio is best known for. This series is the beginning of the Gridman universe, building up a really interesting world that’s slowly growing more and move as new Gridman universe anime are starting to air. Before it becomes too big, now might be the best time to start this series. Trust me it’s very much worth your time.

gargantia - best mecha anime

22. Suisei No Gargantia

Genre: Action, Adventure, Mecha, and Social Sci-fi

Set in the long-forgotten war flooded earth where our protagonist crash-landed while fighting against the giant squid-like aliens through the space distortion. Primitive human species that were aboard on a huge gargantia ocean ship rescued him and his partner “chamber” (an AI Robot)

The story follows how our main character will go about adjusting his lifestyle. Further reforming his existing ideals so to his new peaceful environment with few exceptions of evil pirates.

See Also: Top 50 Horror Anime Worth Your Time

the big O robot - best mecha anime

21. The Big O

Genres: Action, Mecha, and Mystery

The paradigm city is also known as the city of amnesia. It is a fictional city inhabited by people with altered memory because of the ‘event’ that destroyed the whole world outside and left the survivors without any prior memories.

Our main hero is Roger Smith, the top negotiator and an agent who offers ‘much-needed services’ to the city’s needy ones. With his butler and android, he solves the problem of his clients. Subsequently, that also led him to uncover past ‘event’ secrets. Follow Roger as he and Big O, an ancient giant relic, will reset the simulated reality that shackles the Paradigm city.

Zoid- chaotic century - best mecha anime

20. Zoids

Genre: Adventure, Mecha, and Comedy

The series takes place on the Zi planet. Zoid franchise revolves around the beast-like machines known as Zoids made by the zoidians used for transportation and wars as weapons of mass destruction. Organoids are the special type of Zoid, the living miniature Zoid organism though they are few in the series.

This mecha anime franchise consists of four series. The most popular being,

  • Zoids: The Chaotic Century

This series follows Van Flyheight and his friends’ story as they adventure around the world to unravel some secrets. But as they travel around the Helic Republic, a war broke out, and they get caught in the middle of it.

  • Zoids: Genesis

The plot of this series takes place after the post-apocalyptic tragedy known as ‘God’s fury.’ A boy named Ruuji from a small seaside village becomes the main protagonist of this series as he pilots the Murasame Liger.

rahxephon anime with its robot - best mecha anime

19. Rahxephon

Genre: Mecha, Music, and Romance

First of all, we will come across our main lead as his life takes a different turn from being a student and artist. One day when he gets stalked by some mysterious person, strange machines appearing and trying to invade their city. Then how he will play an important role by using his ability to control the dolem. (smallhandsbigart.com) After reuniting with his love as his memory recovers, their journey starts.

Music has the power to unite and bring world peace. The saying in this anime is actually realized as our hero with the music as his power defeat all his foes and re-tunes the entire Tokyo Jupiter.

Heroic Age - Best Mecha Anime

18. Heroic Age

Genre: Action, Mecha, and Space opera

The powerful golden tribe called for the races to join them in the stars just as they were leaving for another universe. Four races answered this call: the golden tribe as the silver tribe, bronze tribe, heroic tribe, and the latter coming humans as the iron tribe.

For the sake of saving the weaker human tribe against the other strong tribes, a princess from the iron tribe found Age, a messiah. Age has the power to transform into the giant being that will battle against the other tribes and salvaging humanity from complete extinction.

patlabor robot - best mecha anime

17. Kidou Keisatsu Patlabor

Genre: Comedy, Mecha, Police, Sci-fi

The ‘labors,’ a heavy type of robot created by the advanced robotics commonly used for firefighters, construction work, police force, etc. The laborers employed in the patrol force are called ‘Patlabors’ that handle the crime involving both humans and laborers.

Patlabor follows the story of the crime division 2 as they go around solving crimes. Hilarious moments are never-ending in the 3 arcs of this anime.

Though this anime doesn’t have those fantasy types, battle in space, it has its own shares of comedy, drama, and action, which makes it a good watch. This anime deserves a spot in the best mecha anime as it emphasized the more simple nature and old school style. This gave a more realistic and down-to-earth look at the mecha genre.

sokyuu no fafner - best mecha anime

16. Soukyuu No Fafner

Genre: Sci-fiction, and Mecha

The anime starts with a tragic outbreak in the life’s of Tatsumiyajima’s (a hidden floating island) people as they got exposed to the outside world through the outbreak of a festum. It is a silicon-based alien life form that has invaded the earth and annihilated the human population. Here comes the only last hope of humanity, a giant robot fafner deployed by the tatsumiya elders to destroy the festum.

The mystery, anticipation, ‘best friend’ concept keep up a good pace throughout the series.

the youngsters who become the next pilot in the war game - best mecha anime

15. Bokurano

Genre:  Sci-fi, Thriller, and Mecha

The anime revolves around the fights between the parallel worlds for the survival of the fittest. So that there can be more diversity in the multiverse. The plot theme focuses mainly on the next pilot of the Zearth, a giant robot used by the contracted pilots to battle in the alternate universe against their enemy universe.

But there is a catch. Zerath consumes the lifeforce of a pilot operating it. Therefore, whether they win or lose, they will end up dying.

Aldnoah Zero - Best Mecha Anime

14. Aldnoah Zero

Genre: Action, Mecha, Military and Sci-Fi

The plot of this mecha anime centers around the war between the Terrans, the humans of the earth, and the vers, the mars’ empire. The Vers Empire was originally the humans who came to settle on Mars after discovering hyper-gate on the moon.

The Vers Empire declared war on earth, which destroyed the hyper-gate. After the ceasefire order gets revoked, the protagonist will battle against the Ver empire’s 37 clans of orbital knights.

SOUKOU KIHEI VOTONS - best mecha anime

13. Soukou Kihei Votons

Genre: Military, Sci-Fi, Mecha and Space Opera

Follow the story of  Chirico Cuvie, an armed trooper pilot, as he conspired against his own nation while on a suspicious mission.

Treated as a traitor and tortured for information, Chirico one day successfully escapes. Inevitably, he ends up on the army’s wanted list, which led the army and criminal both to chase after him. Meanwhile, he comes to find out the truth about what he had to retrieve on that life-changing mission. Mysterious and beautiful women who would help him discover a huge galactic conspiracy.

The anime with a serious storyline and a protagonist who is a real badass man without being too mushy and has the skills to win most of the unfavorable situations.

See Also: Best Harem Anime For Ecchi Lovers

12. Tenkuu No Escaflowne

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, and Mecha

The story revolves around the fantasy adventure of a girl named Hitomi. When she suddenly teleport from earth to the planet Gaea the former Atlantis. With the psychic ability, Hitomi, along with Prince Van and other companions, try to stop the evil Zaibach Empire, who are on the mission to revive the “legendary” power from the ancient city Atlantis, a tool of mass destruction.

This mecha anime illustrates the Escaflowne, an ancient robot in the hands of van’s family. And other mecha with fantasy elements weaved in the form of dragon heart stones, hydraulics as the source of mecha energy.

Sidonia no kishi - best mecha anime

11. Sidonia No Kishi

Genre: Mecha, Space, and Action

The humans are now residing in the huge spaceship when they escaped from the earth after the alien species called Gauna invaded and brought total annihilation upon humanity. From then on, the humans live on the constant fear of being hunted down.

Furthermore, the plot follows the story of young men Nagate Tanikaze. He unknowingly gets dragged into the battle between both races when he joins the Sidonia knight force. The Sidonia knights have powerful Garde’s mecha with the power to destroy the Gauna.

The best mecha series like this can create excitement through each chapter. It also has good enough control of the CGI effects, with amazing background music and sound effects, which have perfect sync with the actions.

Mazinger Z - best mecha anime

10. Mazinger Z

Genre: Action, Mecha, Drama, and Shounen

The anime is a typical mecha story. You have a mad scientist who wants to dominate the world. A young hero and his powerful robot ‘Mazinger’ will ultimately save the world from the evil scientist.

Even though Mazinger is an old school anime, it can still bring excitement with its classical mecha theme.  The base of the mecha anime generation formed because of these top gems of the old days only.

09. Yuusha Series

Genre: Mecha, Action, and Adventure

The plotline of the franchise follows the story where our main hero is a robot. The main lead with his support team of super combiner robots helps him in defeating the robot villain.

To sum up a few of the most popular best mecha anime franchise of this series:-

  • YUUSHA- OU GAOGAIGAR

Guy, a cyborg, being aided by a group of combiner robots and a boy Mamoru, start their struggle to combat against the mecha parasite aliens.

  • J-DECKER

The robots with AI technology form the good robot-human bond that provides them with a sentient ‘heart.’ Subsequently, a typical monster of the week follows through with giant and super robots.

Renton and Eureka Thurston

08. Eureka Seven

Genre: Mecha, Adventure, and Fantasy

A fictional story that takes place after the humans inhibited an unknown planet. Furthermore, the existence of the Scub Coral is rumored as a sentient intelligent alien life form.

It follows the story of 14 years old boy, Renton Thurston, with (mysterious Coralian) Eureka, a pilot of Nirvash, a giant mecha, and a member of Gekkostate, a renegade group. They both will be solving the mystery behind the Scub Coral while going through various intriguing adventures with Nirvash.

07. Full Metal Panic!

Genre: Military, Action, High school, Comedy, and Mecha

The franchise follows through the plot of a member of the mithril military organization, Sousuke Sagara, as he protects a high school girl named Kaname Chidori. Her being a ‘whispered’ individual with the intellectual ability to create destructive devices and mecha.

The stories start with a bang of mecha action and then turn toward the high school parody. The most popular and best mecha franchises of this series are:

  • Full metal panic! the Second Raid

It is a sequel to the original series. Sousuke faces the new enemy organization ‘Amalgam.’ Due to this, his mission of protecting Chidori is terminated. Who is now in the protective care of another Mithril agent?

  • Full metal panic? Fumoffu!

This is the series that was specially made to feature the high school parody genre of the anime. We come across various romance- comedy scenes between our two main protagonists. If you are looking for a good comedy where you will laugh until you this anime is for you.

ghost in the shell - best mecha anime

06. Ghost In The Shell

Genre: Mecha, Police, Sci-fi, Seinen, and Psychological

The story of the members of public security section 9 will bring all the corrupted corporations and politicians to justice. We will also see how the AI robot can evolve by interacting with humans and its intellectual knowledge.

With a pretty smooth mix between action-thriller combined with more cerebral drama, political fiction, and predictions about humanity’s nature in the face of advancing technology. I mostly love to see the cyborg action play in this anime series.

See Also: Best Anime Currently Available On Netflix

macross frontier series - best mecha anime

05. Macross

Genre: Mecha, Sci-fi, and Space

‘Macross’ a massive spacecraft featured in all Macross series.

This anime takes place when humans discovered a huge alien spaceship and used its technology to create other super machines and devices to fight off against the alien called ‘Zentradi.’ Somehow, the Macross transported them far away in the solar orbit. Humans’ journey as they wander in the space to return to earth starts from here while constantly coming in contact with the Zentradis.

The most popular sequel of this anime are:-

  • Super Dimension Fortress Macros

Being the first sequel in the Macross series, it was amazing to start the Macross series journey with it gaining popularity in the mecha anime category.

  • Macross Frontier

This series follows the story of space human colony in the Macross as they are on their way to find a habitat planet. Along with their search, they come across the insectoid mecha alien species trying to eliminate them.

04. Code Geass

Genre: Mecha, Action, and Drama

Given the power of kings, we will see how Lelouch will go about safeguarding his sister’s life, finding the secret of his mother’s death, ultimately, how this all steered him on the path of world dominance.

The series ran for 2 seasons, with both gaining immense popularity. Most of all, people normally do not expect 2-D animation to view philosophical matters in such an earnest way explicitly, but Code Geass does just that.

neon genesis evangelion - best mecha anime

03. Neon Genesis Evangelion

Genre: Psychological, Action, Mecha, and Adventure

After the Holocaust acts done by the mysterious alien ‘Angels’ on the earth, the anime takes place.

Therefore, humanity’s last hope in defeating them lies on the shoulder of our protagonist Shinji. With the Evangelion a giant machine and his comrades of the Nerv organization will combat against the angels. Besides, it also led him to uncover the hidden secret of angels and the truth behind the events of the past.

Controversies surrounding Evangelion lead to the changing of its original ending. Despite all that, this anime was still marked as one of the most influential and best mecha anime of all time.

gundam - best mecha anime

02. Gundam Series

Genre: Mecha, Action, and Adventure

Gundam is a classic mecha anime that features various giant and humanoid mobile suit robots.

With the release of the first Gundam series, the anime was able to garner massive popularity. Let’s go through the few most popular and best mecha ones around the Gundam universe.

  • Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron Blooded Orphan

The IRO series have 2 seasons that show the story of orphan children when their organization’s adult force abandoned them. Now they have to take up eliminating the attackers on their own. They will help Kudelia, a Martian. A noblewoman as she hopes to make Chryse nation on mars independent from the earth and economically developed.

  • Mobile Suit Gundam: Wing

Gundam Wing is the sixth series in the franchise. It focuses on the five Gundam pilots who fight against the united earth alliance and free several space colonies from their oppression.

  • Mobile Suit Gundam 00

It eleventh series in the Gundam franchise. Gundam 00 features the struggle and fight against the powerful nations who have dominated the world’s energy source.  Follow our main heroes and members of celestial beings as they strive to eradicate the war and bring unity.

gurren lagan - best mecha anime

01. Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann

Genre: Mecha, Action, Adventure, and Comedy

Terrifying alien invaders have forced humanity to go deep underground. Simon, along with the Gurren Lagann and his friends, combat these alien invaders and save the humans from becoming extinct.

Most of the reviews that I have checked are constantly trying to compare Gurren Lagann with other anime. Yet especially with just only 27 episodes, Gurren Lagann was able to dominate the entire mecha universe.  Therefore, this is a true gem. And, with just its sheer power, it seized first place in my top mecha anime.

And so, with this now, I end my list. Do let me know in the comments which mecha anime you liked.

Categories AnimeTop 10

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *