Quite some time ago the things that came to mind when Mecha was said were things like Gundam and Macross (a.k.a. Robotech). Back in their time they were the big ones and some of the first. Still today these are common times when the genre is talked about. Though, during the time from then to now, has the genre changed? The answer is yes, and yes the question was kinda obvious. The reason for asking it was to get ideas about how Mecha has changed, or what is even the same to this day with new series.

Though I may be jumping ahead though time, but I would like to start with how Mecha anime was made fun of in series or just humor in Mecha series. So, this brings up Martian Successor Nadesico. This other than being a great series also makes fun of itself and other Mecha anime. Thus we have GekiGenGar the mecha anime in Nadesico. Half of the characters are obsessed with it. From what is shown it is just your standard 80s mecha anime. Then the plot when it comes down it Nadesico is the same plot for just about any mecha show expect it makes sure it shows that is shown. From the main character that wines to even the harem parts, it is there in Nadesico.

Now before this just becomes a post about just Nadesico I need to move on. So, yes there are mecha anime that take cues from the past, but that does not mean some are not new ideas. For a newer example lets take Bokurano. Bokurano tries to be different by throwing in the Horror factor, thus if you ask me just leads into the “omg your gonna be confused” area. Then, though it may be a bit iffy to say all of this, but it goes into the idea that people have a life even though they pilot a giant mech. For most of the others it doesn’t go like that; Gundam, military, Macross, SDF, Nadesico, Nergal. But Full Metal Panic could be argued that it does the same, but that still comes back to the military.

So to reel these thoughts in. The mecha genera started with the giant robot, like Voltron I suppose. From there it moved to the ‘norm’ of mecha anime with Gundam and Macross. From there to today we still see a lot of stuff that the older ones did, but as people may not think the mecha genera still has their fresh points. This has really just picked at the tip of the ice burg with the examples I have brought up, there are many hidden series that I missed with or without knowing. This is just to show that it is more than meets the eye if I can get away with that quote.

Anime talked about: Gundam, Macross, Matrian Successor Nadesico, Bokurano, Full Metal Panic, and Voltron

Other Anime that relate: EVA, GaoGaiGar, Soukou no Strain, and Jinki Extend

Now, if your wondering who I am. I am the admin over at G and the 1/2 Fraction, Shadro. Anyway I hope you enjoyed the post and saw something in it.

Tags: No Tags

Category: Rants & Raves