Best Mecha Anime

In Western nations, Transformers probably served as many people’s introduction to mecha; however, that beloved franchise is just a drop in the giant robot bucket. Mecha anime has been around for roughly half a century, and the theme’s manga debut goes back even further. Classics like Mitsuteru Yokoyama’s Giant Robo and Go Nagai’s Mazinger Z helped write the blueprint that would go on to spawn timeless properties like Gundam and all-time great series such as Neon Genesis Evangelion.

Eternal as this topic might be, mecha remains fairly niche. Nowadays, most seasons might contain one or two anime that fit the theme, and they tend not to attract too much attention if they are not part of well-established franchises. As such, newcomers interested in trying out this industry staple genre might not be sure where to start, at least beyond the few household names. To help simplify that process, let’s take a look at the best mecha anime ever.

Updated October 26, 2024 by Mark Sammut: The Fall 2024 anime season has arrived, and there are no mecha anime worth recommending. At most, die-hard Gundam fans might want to check out Netflix’s Requiem for Vengeance, but they need to be prepared for a show that is primarily about style over substance. As there are no new series to add, two older anime have been added.

33 Guilty Crown

MyAnimeList: 7.40

“Ambitious,” “unpredictable,” and “bad” – Guilty Crown has been described as a great many things. The 2011 anime has amassed an infamous reputation for squandered potential, wasting a fantastic soundtrack and all-around great production value on a messy and frustrating story filled with one-note characters who struggle to break free of their archetypes. Simply put, Guilty Crown is far from one of the best mecha anime, and an argument could be made that its relative popularity has served to discourage newcomers from diving deeper into the genre.

So, considering its polarizing state, why is Guilty Crown recommended? Well, the show can be a guilty pleasure, no pun intended. Moving at a blistering pace, the anime barely has anything resembling a slow moment, and each episode comes packed with entertaining monologues, battles, and twists. Sure, some of these scenes are entertaining in a “so bad, it is good” kind of way, but they are still fun. Guilty Crown also has genuinely good stuff in it. The soundtrack is among the best in the mecha genre, and the fights are solid from a technical perspective. Admittedly, the robot designs are fairly forgettable since the mecha are just military weapons, but they are an OK piece of the puzzle and mostly fit the overall universe.

32 Darling in the FranXX

MyAnimeList: 7.19

Nothing hurts more than wasted potential, and a negative finale can render any previous positivity moot. Darling in the FranXX is frustrating. The anime hits the ground running with an endearing couple, some interesting mysteries, and that typical Trigger flare for action. The first half of the series is genuinely great, but the last stretch of episodes significantly damages the overall experience. Just to be clear, Darling in the FranXX never becomes unwatchable, but it stumbles across the finishing line amid a series of baffling and, at times, predictable decisions.

That said, the show is still worth a watch, even if muted expectations are advised. If someone is just craving a mecha vs kaiju type action-fest, Darling in the FranXX can scratch that itch, and the fight sequences are well-animated and bolstered by interesting designs for both the robots and enemies.

31 Magic Knight Rayearth

MyAnimeList: 7.47 (Season 1)

Magic Knight Rayearth is an isekai, magical girl, and mecha anime. A series that combines so many different ingredients should be a chaotic mess, but this ’90s cult classic somehow makes it work. The show is held together by its three female protagonists, all of whom have strong and well-defined personalities that allow them to grow throughout the story.

Related

8 Best Seinen Mecha Manga, Ranked

Fans of manga that feature plenty of mechs should check out the following seinen stories if they haven’t already.

Advertisement

While initially quite comedic, Magic Knight Rayearth is not afraid to get dark or serious if the narrative calls for it. Now, as good as it is, this series does not focus too heavily on its mecha element, and the fight sequences are fine but nothing too special.

30 Mazinger Franchise

MyAnimeList: 7.26 (Mazinger Z)

While Gundam is undoubtedly the most popular mecha franchise of all time, Mazinger is a prime contender for the most influential. Go Nagai’s manga helped establish the genre’s core tenants, basically defining the standard depiction of mecha being robots driven internally by humans. Consequently, Mazinger is undoubtedly one of the greatest mecha properties of all time, and it deserves to be mentioned alongside the genre’s best series. However, the anime franchise can be somewhat difficult to recommend, largely thanks to muddled continuity, inaccessibility, and plain old age.

Where to begin with Mazinger? Putting aside Go Nagai’s manga, which is worth a read for anyone who enjoys the author’s other works, the most obvious starting point would be 1972’s Mazinger Z. While certainly important, this series is very much a product of its era, which means stiff animation, repetitive storytelling, and pretty poor pacing. That’s not to say it has nothing to offer, but Mazinger Z can be exhausting, especially since it lasts 148 episodes with its sequel, Great Mazinger.

If someone wants to start with the classics, 1975’s UFO Robot Grendizer would be a better option. While set in the Mazinger universe, this spin-off mostly follows a unique path, and it has better action, world-building, mecha designs, and characters. Obviously, the show is still dated, but it holds up better than its predecessor.

Finally, there is Mazinger Edition Z: The Impact!, 2009’s reboot/remake that mostly retells the original manga, albeit incorporating elements from other series and entries. Except for a weird opening episode, this retelling is pretty darn good in most areas. Out of all the Mazinger incarnations, The Impact! is the best starting point.

29 Gargantia On The Verdurous Planet

MyAnimeList: 7.45

Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet envisions a future where humanity has abandoned a dying Earth and taken to the skies. Once among the stars, humans formed an alliance that brainwashed its soldiers to focus exclusively on fighting an alien threat. One day, Ledo, a soldier, crashes onto Earth and discovers that the water-covered planet still has life on it. As he meets the locals, Ledo begins to question his programming.

An ambitious sci-fi anime with sporadic action sequences, Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet‘s highlight is its world-building. Ledo is also a great and grounded protagonist, one who adapts realistically to the revelations he experiences.

28 Vandread

MyAnimeList: 7.15 (Season 1)

Vandread screams “early 2000s,” which could be a positive or a negative depending on the person. Putting aside the standard animation that was fairly typical for the era, the fight sequences were mostly depicted using computer animation, which was quite forward-thinking. More importantly, these sections still look pretty impressive more than two decades later, even if they do kind of have a video game vibe at times. Still, Vandread‘s mecha battles are generally frantic, exciting, and packed with fun designs.

Moving past that point, the anime has more to offer than just cool fights. The premise is quite inspired, bringing to life a universe where men and women live on different planets and see each other as enemies. However, naturally, a small handful of guys find themselves on a ship filled with mostly women, starting a harem-themed journey that has a surprisingly strong sense of mystery.

Vandread is pretty great and well worth checking out today.

27 Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex

MyAnimeList: 8.42 (Season 1)

The original Ghost in the Shell movie is considered to be one of the best of all time so when a series based on it was announced for release in 2002 many fans were skeptical. With Yutaka Maseba producing, the man behind iconic anime like Akira, Trigun, and Sailor Moon, they shouldn’t have been.

Stand Alone Complex turned out to be a serious hit with fans loving the adventures of the special police force Section 9 as they tried to take down unique villains including “The Laughing Man.” It eventually inspired several sequels and spinoffs to be created that maintained the same quality.

26 Star Driver

MyAnimeList: 7.19

Star Driver finds a rhythm in its first episode and adheres to it for nearly the entirety of its run; basically, if the first few chapters do not land with a viewer, then they can probably move on to something else.

On an island that is home to stylish mecha known as Cybodies that can only be used in a unique realm outside of reality, a secret organization strives to destroy the last shrine maiden’s seal so they can use these powerful machines anywhere they like. Luckily for the maiden, Takuto Tsunashi arrives just in time to act as her carefree knight.

Related

Advertisement

Mecha Madness: The 10 Best Video Games For Fans Of Mechs & Giant Robots

Video games have gotten creative with the mecha & giant robot genre, whether it’s through creating original content or adapting popular anime.

Star Driver mainly consists of Takuto fighting members of this organization, with most episodes following this formula with little to no deviation. While this can grow repetitive, the show’s fantastic animation, killer soundtrack, and likable main characters help stave off boredom.

25 Fafner

MyAnimeList: 7.29

Fafner is a surprisingly long anime that debuted in 2004 and has gone on to produce sequel seasons and even a collection of movies. Set decades after aliens invaded and destroyed Japan, Fafner follows a group of teenagers tasked with piloting giant robots to fight off these threats, all the while they are supported by their families.

The latter’s inclusion helps set this story apart from many other mecha shows since the anime devotes a significant amount of time to exploring the relationship between the pilots and their parents, and these dynamics are generally depicted in a more positive light than in something like Neon Genesis Evangelion.

24 Space Runaway Ideon

MyAnimeList: 7.16

Debuting in 1980, Space Runaway Ideon fell into obscurity after completing its run with 1982’s The Ideon: Be Invoked movie. This super robot anime revolves around humanity’s conflict with an alien race known as the Buff Clan, a meeting that happens on the planet Solo. This world holds a powerful energy source that people will do anything to get their hands on.

Space Runaway Ideon strikes a grim and dark tone early on and seldom lets up after that point. As more than 40 years have passed since the series aired, this ’80s anime is unavoidably dated in many ways, but its story and themes hold up well. The movie is also great.

23 SSSS.Gridman

MyAnimeList: 7.13

SSSS.Gridman tends to be polarizing, as the anime’s appeal comes down to one of its central antagonists: Akane Shinjou. Not only does this character hog the limelight, but she also goes through the most significant arc in the story while also driving the plot forward. If she fails to click with someone, then SSSS.Gridman will likely fall flat. However, the reverse also holds true.

Related

The Best Trigger Anime Isn’t The One You Think

When people think of Trigger, they think of Hiroyuki Imaishi or Yoh Yoshinari, but this director’s work might change that.

Advertisement

Trigger anime pits the eponymous mecha against a plethora of creative kaiju in epic battles. Naturally, these fights all have brilliant animation and music. Although a bit slow at first, the story blossoms during the season’s second half as it begins to dive into its main antagonist; that said, the protagonist is basically an empty vessel.

22 Knights Of Sidonia

MyAnimeList: 7.64 (Season 1)

Debuting as the first Netflix original anime, Knights of Sidonia came with an entry barrier due to its platform exclusivity and its 3D CG animation. The latter tends to be a hard sell for most people, but this art style is a good fit for a sci-fi mecha anime set in the harsh coldness of space. Knights of Sidonia tells a rather conventional story in most ways, as it follows an outcast who has a talent for an antiquated brand of mecha that proves to be the most dependable line of defense against an alien threat. Naturally, this leads to plenty of awesome fight sequences.

Related

8 Darkest Sci-Fi Manga

The sci-fi genre is no stranger to dark and disturbing themes. The following from various manga are the proof.

Advertisement

As entertaining as this part of the narrative is, Knights of Sidonia builds most of its intrigue through its exploration of humanity’s development. Earth’s remnants have established roots on an asteroid, crafting a colony built on incredible technological achievements and a fragile power imbalance.

21 Giant Robo The Animation: The Day The Earth Stood Still

MyAnimeList: 7.83 (OVA Series)

Giant Robo the Animation is a slightly unusual mecha anime recommendation since, despite its name, the eponymous Giant Robo takes a backseat for lengthy stretches of the OVA series. The anime envisions a world redefined by a fantastical power source and a secret decade-long conflict between the evil Big Fire and heroic Experts of Justice. The latter consists of Earth’s greatest warriors and a boy who can control the titular mecha.

Even if it treats Giant Robo as a special attraction, this anime is still a classic in the mecha genre. Featuring high production value along with generally great characters and world-building, Giant Robo the Animation hits the mark on nearly every level. The anime also improves as it goes along, culminating in an unforgettable final OVA episode.

20 Getter Robo: Armageddon

MyAnimeList: 7.79

Super Robot stories typically combine mecha with superpowers (or mythical origins), and Getter Robo pioneered the sub-genre. Debuting as an anime and manga in 1974, the original show is influential and important, but it can be difficult to revisit in this day and age. Thankfully, Getter Robo has gotten a few OVA series that are more accessible to modern viewers. Newcomers looking to get into the franchise should start with 2004’s New Getter Robo.

That said, Getter Robo: Armageddon is too awesome not to get a mention here. This anime revolves around humanity’s battle against the Invaders, an alien threat that can assume various forms. With Earth reduced to essentially a wasteland, the Getter team roams the apocalypse for enemies to fight. Getter Robo: Armageddon opens with three fantastic episodes before losing its way for a while due to a change in director; however, the series picks up steam towards the end and produces some fantastic battle sequences.

19 The Big O

MyAnimeList: 7.55

The Big O is one of those rare anime that found a bigger audience in Western nations than in Japan. It is also not difficult to see why: the show’s neo-noir aesthetic and cool protagonist were perfect for a decade that had already spawned Batman: The Animated Series​​​​​​.

A giant robot mecha anime, The Big 0 takes place in a city with a population of amnesiacs. While these people have pressed on for decades without knowledge of their shared history, they exist in a metropolis with no future, one that has a tendency to serve as the playground for battles between massive robots. Roger Smith can typically be found in one of these mecha.

18 Promare

MyAnimeList: 7.91

Promare is unfiltered Studio Trigger goodness. The 2019 movie envisions a world split by discrimination against a group known as the “Burnish,” and two people from opposite walks of life have to come together when the fate of the planet is on the line.

“Hype” is the name of the game here, as Promare delivers a full-frontal assault to people’s eyes and ears. Just to be clear, that is a positive thing. Boasting unsurprisingly stellar animation and music, Promare is a blast of energy that throws out some awesome mecha fights alongside its colorful characters and decent world-building.

17 Brave Bang Bravern!

MyAnimeList: 7.77

On the surface, Brave Bang Bravern! appears to be a fairly by-the-number show, at least when the plot is broken down into its basic elements. During an international military exercise revolving around human-controlled mecha, the soldiers are attacked by highly advanced enemies with seemingly alien origins. While on the verge of total annihilation, Isami Ao suddenly finds himself staring at a colorful, massive, and talkative robot named Bravern. Despite his vocal reservations, Isami agrees to enter Bravern, forming a partnership that pushes back the enemies. In hindsight, this attack represented the start of a war that would push humanity to its brink and force them to rely on a Super Robot they do not understand.

Also, Bravern’s dialogue mostly consists of innuendos that would not be out of place in an erotica novel. Meanwhile, Isami seems to be constantly in the middle of a panic attack.

Advertisement

Related

Winter 2024 Anime Lineup: Where To Watch Every Series

The Winter 2024 anime lineup is split across Crunchyroll, HIDIVE, Hulu, Netflix, and more. Here is where every show will be airing.

Advertisement

Brave Bang Bravern! is the definition of weird, and it almost ventures into parody territory at times. The anime essentially takes a “serious” military mecha setting and throws a ’80s Super Robot into the mix, creating a peculiar whole that suffers from some tonal whiplash but is still constantly entertaining. Funny as the show can be, Brave Bang Bravern! is not a pure comedy either, and most episodes feature quite a lot of action. In terms of characters, Bravern completely steals every scene, and the robot is complemented by a range of likable-enough humans. Isami comes across as a punchline in the first few episodes, but he does grow into his new role well. Lewis Smith is one of the better examples of an American character in an anime, and he is arguably more interesting than Isami.

16 Bokurano

MyAnimeList: 7.61

Bokurano is a “realistic” mecha anime, in the sense that it tries to depict the world’s reaction to massive battles involving monsters and robots in as grounded a way as possible. In this universe, children must pilot a mecha to protect the Earth from deadly creatures. The catch? They will die.

Bokurano is dark, frustrating, and sporadically brilliant. The anime has a few issues that stop it from achieving full greatness, mainly that most of the characters lack depth, but the anime’s high points more than justify sitting through its weaker moments.

15 The King Of Braves GaoGaiGar

MyAnimeList: 7.94

The Brave franchise was Sunrise and Takara’s attempt at crafting a replacement for Transformers as the franchise’s popularity dwindled during the ’90s. Split into eight shows, each of which takes place in separate timelines, Brave didn’t hit a home run until its very last incarnation, The King of Braves GaoGaiGar. Following a child sent to Earth courtesy of a mecha lion, GaoGaiGar finds the protagonist and a group of other heroes protecting the planet from an alien invasion.

Related

Advertisement

Transformers: 17 Best Autobots, Ranked

The Transformers franchise centers on the struggle between good Autobots and evil Decepticons. Among the Autobot faction, these characters stand out.

Epic action defines this anime, and while the show starts off quite episodic, GaoGaiGar adopts a serial narrative structure as it goes on, becoming all the better for it. The anime produced a decent spin-off dubbed Betterman and a fantastic sequel OVA series called The King of Braves GaoGaiGar Final.

14 FLCL

MyAnimeList: 8.03 (Season 1)

A fever dream of an anime, FLCL can be described as a wide array of things. A surreal comedy packed with philosophical ideas, the anime is an avant-garde masterpiece that requires multiple viewings to fully comprehend; conversely, some might describe the show as pretentious or more style than substance.

Regardless of whether someone loves, hates, or feels indifferent to the 2000 OVA series and its more polarizing successors, FLCL is ultimately one of the most important mecha anime of all time. What other show has robots coming out of the protagonist’s forehead?