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40 Recommended Mecha Anime To Start Getting Into

While this series is virtually forgotten, it ushered in a new genre known as mecha. This genre has expanded dramatically in size and breadth, with one or more new mecha series debuting each year.

The mecha genre is incredibly diverse. While the focus is mostly on enormous robots, each series approaches and employs these hulking behemoths uniquely.

The genre has been used for everything from hard-sci-fi war epics that analyze the essence of human wars to comedy programs that employ their machines for laughs and japes over the years.

 

1.) Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2

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The remaining Black Knights have gone into the shadows a year after “The Black Rebellion,” their leader and figurehead, Zero, was executed by the Britannian Empire.

As the Britannian soldiers concentrate their attacks on the European front, Area 11 is again wriggling beneath the Emperor’s oppressive heel. However, for the Britannians who live in Area 11, life has returned to normal.

On a typical day, a Britannian student skips school at the Ashford Academy and slips out to gamble on his chess game. But, unbeknownst to him, various forces are watching him from the shadows.

 

2.) 86 EIGHTY-SIX Season 2

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The remaining Black Knights have gone into the shadows a year after “The Black Rebellion,” their leader and figurehead, Zero, was executed by the Britannian Empire.

As the Britannian soldiers concentrate their attacks on the European front, Area 11 is again wriggling beneath the Emperor’s oppressive heel. However, for the Britannians who live in Area 11, life has returned to normal.

On a typical day, a Britannian student skips school at the Ashford Academy and slips out to gamble on his chess game.

Unknown to him, various forces are watching him from the shadows, for he is about to have a shocking brush with his veiled past, and the masked rebel mastermind Zero will resurface.

 

3.) Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time

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Shinji, Asuka, and Rei are trapped without their Evangelions in the aftermath of the Fourth Impact. They seek safety in one of the few pockets of humanity that remain on the shattered planet Earth.

There, they live lives very different from their days as Evangelion pilots. The threat to the planet, however, is far from done. A new impact is approaching, one that will prove to be the ultimate end of Evangelion.

Finally, the Human Instrumentality Project is launched, and WILLE makes one last valiant effort to avert the Final Impact.

 

4.) Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion

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SEELE attacks NERV, but with Asuka in a coma and Shinji having a nervous breakdown, things quickly get nightmarish.

This film concludes the final two episodes of Neon Genesis Evangelion‘s anime series.

 

5.) Gurren Lagann

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Simon, a quiet boy who works as a digger in the small village of Jiha, discovers a weird shining object during excavation.

The ambitious Kamina, a young man with rakish sunglasses and the enthusiasm of a firey sun, befriends Simon and creates the Gurren Brigade, a tiny band of brothers, to flee the hamlet and smash through the cave roof to reach the surface, which few think exists.

 

6.) Neon Genesis Evangelion

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The Angels, enormous, compelling alien war vehicles, appeared in Tokyo for the second time in 2015. The Evangelion, a humanoid fighting machine constructed by NERV, a particular United Nations agency, is Mankind’s only hope for survival.

The Evangelion is capable of withstanding anything the Angels can throw at them, with the only limitation being the restricted number of people who can pilot them. Only those born 14 years ago after the Angels first showed up can communicate with the Evangelion.

Shinji Ikari is an adolescent whose father leads the NERV team that created and maintained the Evangelion.

 

7.) 86 EIGHTY-SIX S1

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These are the “Juggernaut” unmanned combat drones produced by the Republic of San Magnolia in response to attacks by the “Legion” autonomous military drones of the neighboring Empire of Giad.

They are piloted by the Eighty-sixers, regarded as animals who are less than human, and treated as objects.

 

8.) Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin

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The first episode, Aoi Hitomi no Casval, is set before the One-Year War in UC.0068 and follows the narrative of Casval Rem Deikun and Artesia Som Deikun (Char and Sayla before Char became known as the Red Comet).

The plot of the second episode, Kanashimi no Artesia, jumps ahead three years to U.C. 0071. The plot will explore the heartbreaking separation of brothers Casval and Artesia (before they were both known as Char and Sayla).

It shows more of the evolution of the mobile suits, especially on the Zeon side.

 

9.) Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance

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Shinji and Rei, two young Eva pilots, were forced to carry the many hopes of all humanity on their shoulders during the first battles against the terrifying Angels. Which is quite a burden.

Shinji and Rei’s burden is now shared by the fiery Tsundere Asuka and the mysterious Mari, both of who are new pilots.

This happens as the lethal attack of the Angels intensifies, and the apocalyptic Third Impact approaches.

The four young souls struggle fiercely to save humankind from the sky, manoeuvring their massive Eva machines into combat—but will they be able to save themselves?

 

10.) Mobile Suit GUNDAM Iron Blooded Orphans 2

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Kudelia founded Admoss Company after learning about the world on her journey to Earth to achieve Mars’ financial independence.

While inspecting a half-metal mining site, Orga Itsuka, the leader of Tekkadan hired by Admoss as guards, detects an attack from a new threat and heads out to deal with them, accompanied by Mikazuki in the Gundam Barbatos Lupus mobile suit.

Related: The Best Anime About Business, Management, Or Similar Themes

 

11.) Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket

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The Side 6 space colony serves as a haven in the conflict between Zeon and the Earth Federation. Alfred Izuruha, a ten-year-old child, escapes the monotony of homework by tracking the development of the war and collecting military relics.

When rumours spread that the colony harbours a Federation mobile suit research program, Alfred sees Zeon’s special forces as a source of further excitement.

However, as the Zeon mission becomes more pressing and both sides resort to increasingly desperate measures, he may be in for an unexpectedly close encounter with the realities of war.

 

12.) FLCL

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Naota is a distant sixth-grader experiencing puberty symptoms. He’s having fun with his brother’s ex-girlfriend when a mad female on a motor scooter drives over him, brains him with a bass instrument and moves into his house.

Haruko, a pink-haired girl who claims to be an alien, throws Naota into the center of a mega-hidden corporation’s goal. Oh, and enormous battling robots are now shooting from his skull.

Topping off the adventure that will make you fall hard for FLCL’s mind-bending animation and tunes that are music to the ears.

 

13.) Mobile Suit Gundam U.C.

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Banagher Links, a young man who grew up without knowing who his father is, runs into a strange girl on a ship bound for Industrial 7.

The hands of time begin to move when the white mobile suit Unicorn goes through repeated tests, becoming the focus of several speculations.

 

14.) Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway

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Hathaway Noa, the son of Bright Noa, is an officer of the Earth Federation Forces. He also served in the One Year War and is the character who calls himself “Mafty” and ultimately controls this organization.

Hathaway personally joined the forces attempting to put an end to Char’s Rebellion.

With firsthand knowledge of Amuro Ray and Char Aznable’s goals and ideologies, he has become a warrior in their footsteps and wants to carve a route forward through armed opposition.

His destiny is drastically altered when he meets Federation Forces officer Kenneth Sleg and a young beauty named Gigi Andalucia, who’s mysterious in her own right.

 

15.) Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury – PROLOGUE

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The Gundam Lfrith is being tested in the Vanadis Institute’s laboratory at Fólkvangr, a front built inside an asteroid.

The Lfrith has yet to meet the council’s requirements, and test pilot Elnora Samaya is growing frustrated. Her daughter’s fourth birthday is also on that day.

 

16.) Promare

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Thirty years have passed since the Burnish, a race of flame-wielding mutant beings that used fire to destroy half of the Earth.

The epic struggle between their leader, Lio Fotia, and Galo Thymos, a recent member of the anti-Burnish rescue organization Burning Rescue takes place when an aggressive group of mutants starts showing up.

 

17.) Turn A Gundam

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This tale takes place thousands of years in the future. Earth’s population has forgotten about the space battles of the past, reverting to a pre-industrial existence. However, the Moonrace, a group of lunar inhabitants who have kept their advanced technology, intends to recapture their mother planet for themselves.

As the war starts to unfold, the character Loran Cehack, pilot of the famed Turn A Gundam, attempts to connect humanity’s long-separated branches.

 

18.) Mobile Suit Gundam 00

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The year is A.D. 2307. Because all fossil fuels on Earth have been expended, humanity has turned to the next viable power source: solar energy.

During this time, the Union (previously the United States of America), the Human Reformist Alliance (Russia, China, and India), and the AEU constructed three orbital elevators with solar power generation systems (Europe).

However, not all countries can benefit from this arrangement, resulting in widespread anger and bloodshed.

As a result of the fight, a not so known non-profit military organization known as Celestial Being shows up, trying to abolish all combat through the use of Gundam Mobile Suits.

 

19.) Mobile Suit GUNDAM Iron Blooded Orphans

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Three hundred years after the “Calamity War,” a woman named Kudelia takes a journey to Earth to fight for the freedom of the Martian city of Chryse under the rule of the Earth government.

Mikazuki Augus and Orga Itsuka, two characters of the private security group CGS are with her. When Gjallarhorn attacks CGS and Kudelia, Orga takes this opportunity to rebel against CGS and start a coup.

Mikazuki and Orga get thrown into a new battle right after. Mikazuki mounts the Gundam Barbatos, an outdated mobile suit from the Calamity War fueled by a nuclear reactor, to fend off Gjallarhorn.

 

20.) Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone

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After the second impact, all that remains of Japan is Tokyo-3, a city under attack by Angels, enormous creatures who wish to eliminate humanity.

Shinji Ikari receives a phone call after not seeing his father in over eight years, telling him to come to the NERV Headquarters immediately, an organization that deals with the elimination of Angels through the employment of enormous mechs known as Evas.

Shinji’s goal is to drive Eva Unit 01 while collaborating with the Eva Unit 00 pilot, Ayanami Rei.

 

21.) Eureka Seven

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When a mysterious beauty named Eureka asks for a tune-up, Renton is drawn into a high-flying mecha dogfight, making him a military target by association.

After everything settles and the battle is done, Renton is invited to join Gekkostate. That’s where he discovers the dark side of life and much more down the line.

 

22.) Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin – Advent of the Red Comet

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The Zabi family seizes control of Side 3 and leads the Principality of Zeon, the early days of many renowned Zeon ace pilots who later fight in the One Year War.

 

23.) Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion III – Glorification

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The third and final instalment of Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion and Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2’s three-part theatrical film adaption.

 

24.) Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam

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Universal Century 0087 is the year. The One-Year War has been over for seven years. The Earth Federation has established the Titans, an elite fighting force, in its zeal to eliminate any lingering opposition.

On the other hand, the Titans quickly go out of hand, committing crimes comparable to the worst the Principality of Zeon had to offer throughout the battle.

In reaction, disgruntled residents, former Zeon soldiers, and even members of the Earth Federal Forces organized the Anti-Earth Union Group or AEUG. As the following conflict approaches, a small AEUG team arrives at Side 7 to inspect the new Gundam Mk.

 

25.) Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt: December Sky

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During U.C.’s One-Year War, 0079, the Earth Federation and the Principality of Zeon clash at the “Thunderbolt Sector,” a shoal zone in the former Colony Side 4 “Moore.”

Io Fleming, an ace Federation pilot and jazz enthusiast, is given command of the latest Gundam prototype after successfully infiltrating Zeon’s sniper field.

 

26.) Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Second Season

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The final fight between Celestial Being and U.N. Forces occurred four years ago.

After establishing the Earth Sphere Federation, humanity establishes an independent security preservation force, A-Laws, separate from the formal Federation army, to unite nations and humanities will further.

The reality, however, was the brutal oppression of power, doctrines, and ideas in the guise of unity.

 

27.) Macross Frontier: The Wings of Farewell

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Separate organizations are manoeuvring behind the scenes to dominate the Vajra horde by leveraging the two songstresses’ singing powers.

As the entire Macross Frontier fleet begins the final battle against the Vajra, Alto is forced to choose between Ranka and Sheryl.

 

28.) Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury

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A period in which numerous enterprises have entered space and developed a massive economic structure.

A lone girl from Mercury transfers to the Asticassia School of Technology, run by the Beneritt Group, which controls the mobile suit business.

 

29.) Macross: Do You Remember Love?

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A.D. 2009: Humanity is embroiled in a three-way conflict with a race of substantial humanoid aliens known as the Zentraedi (male) and Meltrandi (female) (female).

During a minor clash with Zentraedi soldiers, teenage pilot Hikaru Ichijo saves idol singer Lynn Minmay, and their relationship blossoms while they are stranded somewhere within the ship.

However, shortly after returning to Macross City, Minmay is caught by the Zentraedi. Hikaru and another female character find themselves back on Earth, only to witness the wreckage of their civilization’s demise.

 

30.) King of Braves GaoGaiGar Final

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Following the victory of the Gutsy Galaxy Guard over the Zonder Empire and the 31 Primevals, a new potential enemy appears on Earth.

GGG, Guy Shishio, and the newly built GaoFighGar join forces with their French counterpart, Chasseur, to combat the evil organization BioNet.

Renais Cardiff Shishioh, a former BioNet cyborg on a mission to destroy those who took her humanity, is among Chasseur’s ranks. But, as GGG and Chasseur fight the BioNet, other global GGG’s bases are assaulted.

Mamoru Amami, who was abducted and cloned steals the freshly found “Q-Parts” and the original Gao Machines.

 

31.) Gunbuster

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The plot opens in 2023, not long after the initial clashes with the aliens, and revolves around young Noriko Takaya.

Even though Noriko’s father was a legendary Captain in the space navy, slain during one of the war’s initial engagements, her abilities as a pilot are uncertain.

Nonetheless, she has enrolled in a training program. Throughout the series, Noriko strives to overcome the trauma of war, the scepticism of her peers, and her lack of confidence, aided by the attractive and gifted Kazumi Amano.

 

32.) Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt

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The tale occurs during the same One Year War in UC 0079 as the original Mobile Suit Gundam anime series.

It recounts the clashes between two ace pilots from the Principality of Zeon and the Earth Federation at the “Thunderbolt Sector,” a shoal zone filled with wrecked space colonies and battleships.

 

33.) Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid (S2)

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This series takes place around two months after the events of the original series Tuatha de Danaan. Mithril learns of a secret organization with technology capable of defeating the Electronic Cloaking System.

This organization called Amalgam has “Black Technology” gained from “Whispered,” like Kaname Chidori, and they plan to obtain more, as do the other intelligence agencies.

However, when Mithril terminates Sousuke’s mission to safeguard Chidori, everything appears to be in place for Amalgam’s intentions. It is based on the FMP novel “The End of Day by Day,” as many of its fans know.

 

34.) Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th M.S. Team

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Ensign Shiro Amada is appointed commander of the 08th M.S. Team, commanding a squadron of Ground Type Gundams into war.

His mission: is to distract the enemy while also tracking down a secret new Zeon weapon. But will he be able to finish it if he falls in love with a Zeon pilot named Aina Sahalin?

 

35.) Tiger & Bunny

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People dubbed “Next” live in Sternbild City and use their special powers to protect the people as superheroes.

These heroes solve crimes and rescue lives to earn sponsor logos or “hero points,” and their exploits are broadcast on the famous show “Hero T.V.,” which selects the “King of Heroes” in a yearly ranking.

Wild Tiger, the veteran hero, has always preferred to work alone, but he has now been assigned the novice Barnaby Brooks Jr., who has a different take on being a superhero.

 

36.) Ghost in the Shell 2.0

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The internet has made the world borderless in 2029; enhanced humans live in virtual worlds, watched over by law enforcement who can download themselves into super-powered, crime-fighting mecha.

The ultimate future secret spy is not human, has no physical body, and can freely cruise the world’s information highways, hacking and manipulating whatever and whenever required.

 

37.) Macross Frontier

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After being threatened with extinction by alien invaders known as the Zentradi, humanity set about ensuring its survival by releasing fleets of colony ships into space.

High school student, Saotome Alto’s life is permanently transformed on Macross Frontier, one such fleet, when unexplained creatures suddenly assault the fleet while he is performing aerial feats for a concert by the massively popular idol Sheryl.

 

38.) Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex – The Laughing Man

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The “Laughing Man Incident” occurred in 2024, when Ernest Serano, president of the revolutionary micromachine business Sereno Genomics, was abducted and ransomed.

Shortly after sending a message during a 6 year investigation, Yamaguchi, critical to the case’s success, is killed in an accident.

Many days pass, and amid a police interrogation relay questioning suspicions behind interceptors, “The Laughing Man” warns of his next crime. The incorporeal hacker starts moving again.

 

39.) Mobile Suit Gundam

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What would you do if you awoke in the middle of a conflict? the devastation of war in his home. During the commotion, Amuro stumbles onto the new covert weapon of the Earth Federation, the mobile suit Gundam, and manages to make it function.

Amuro and the other refugees board the warship White Base to leave their country. This bunch of young, inexperienced warriors will alter the fate of the conflict.

 

40.) Gundam Build Fighters

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If you unexpectedly found yourself amid a war, what would you do? When war invades his country, Amuro Ray, a teenager, sees his life shattered.

During the commotion, Amuro stumbles onto the mobile suit Gundam, the new covert weapon of the Earth Federation, and manages to make it function.

On the warship White Base, Amuro and the other refugees depart their country. This bunch of youngsters and inexperienced troops will alter the result of the conflict.

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