Mecha anime has had a long history, reaching all the way back to 1963's Tetsujin 28-go. Later series, such as Go Nagai's Mazinger Z in 1972 and Mobile Suit Gundam in 1979, turned the genre into the mainstay it is today. Countless iconic mechs have come and gonre since the genesis of the genre, from the EVA Units to the many and various Mobile Suits. However, sometimes the best anime mechs can be found outside of the mecha genre. As the sub-genre's influence and adoration spread, crossover and homage have become widespread. So, here are six marvelous mechs that appear in non-mecha series.
Fairy Tail: Dorma Anim, the Dragon Armor
Fairy Tail is set in a world full of powerful mages and magic. But that doesn't mean that the setting lacks gigantic robots. The Dorma Anim is an Edolas Item that was outlawed because of its pure destructive power. This large set of mechanical armor resembles a massive dragon. When activated, it drains magical energy from the planet to power itself while also nullifying any magic used against it, making it a formidable foe. If that isn't powerful enough, the Dorma Anim can enter a form called Black Sky. This turns the silver armor pitch-black and causes it to stand fully erect, making it even taller, more imposing and more impressive.
Pokémon: Team Rocket's Mechanized-Marvel-the-Mean-Old-Lady Bot 1
Pokémon's beloved antagonists Jessie and James have used many mechs over the years, to the point that this list could easily be filled with their random robots. While many of these mechs are merely giant Pokémon, some look like they were designed by sugar-addled grade-schoolers. And when it comes to wacky designs, the Mechanized-Marvel-The-Mean-Old-Lady Bot 1 has to take the top spot.
As the name suggests, this mech is literally the top half of a giant, robotic old lady, stuck on some tank treads. This mech is only seen during the Pokémon: Ruby and Sapphire episode "Grass Hysteria". This delightfully hilarious robot grabs grass Pokémon and throws them into a sack on its back. However, like all of Team Rocket's robots, it's quickly blown up by Ash and his pals.
Lupin III: Green Vs. Red : Copycat Lupin's Town Square Bot
While the Lupin III franchise is no stranger to strange turns, rarely do they involve giant robots. But then again, Lupin III: Green Vs. Red is no ordinary Lupin III adventure. Made to celebrate the franchise's 40th anniversary this film is packed full of references and weird moments as a load of Lupin copycats descend on Tokyo.
However, during a tense stand-off, one Lupin gets access to a previously unmentioned mech and starts to cause chaos. This mech rises from beneath a town square, with the square's clocktower forming its head. However, as it starts to move, the robot continues to transform until it resembles an off-kilter Mazinger Z. While the audience isn't shown much of this mech or its capabilities, the fact that it is built from a town square definitely makes it unique. And the fact it comes out of nowhere makes it all the more memorable.
Smile! Pretty Cure: Happy Robo
While the various Pretty Cure teams have access to many powerful items and abilities, they rarely get to use giant robots. However, the Smile PreCure! girls did use a giant mech for a short time. However, they acquired it via strange means.
During the episode "Yayoi, Protect the Earth! A Pretty Cure Became a Robot!?" The team is attacked by the evil Majorina. She fires magic at the Cures but only hits Cure Happy, turning her into a giant robot. The other girls can climb into Happy Robo and pilot her, allowing them to defeat that week's monsters as they try to return their friend to normal. Happy Robo is an adorable robot, retaining all of the hallmarks of a Pretty Cure fighter while also having a retro-look that calls back to early sci-fi B-movies and classic mecha shows.
Sonic x: Dr. Eggman's E-99 Eggsterminator
Doctor Eggman is no stranger to weird and wonderful robots. But rarely do these robots reach the sheer scale of the Eggsterminator from Sonic X. This towering behemoth is made up of three parts, the Bang, the Babang and the Bababang and when they join together, they form the Egg Fort II spaceship. However, during a fight, Doctor Eggman transforms the Egg Fort II into the humanoid "E-99 Eggsterminator." To make it more devastating, Eggman uses some of the Chaos Emeralds to power this machine, giving it massive destructive power.
When compared to Eggman's other creations, Eggsterminator is surprisingly intimidating. This contrast makes it stand out amongst the series' other robots. The shift from Eggman's goofier designs to this hulking behemoth lets the audience the good doctor isn't playing around anymore.
Revolutionary Girl Utena: Utena Herself
The Adolescence Of Utena is full of strange and surreal moments. However, the moment that sticks out for most people is Utena Tenjo turning into a car after being dragged into a cluster of car wash rollers. While some purists may say that Utena doesn't count as a mech due to her not being a traditional humanoid robot, the transformation sequence is quite clearly influenced by mecha anime, with pistons and machinery clunking and moving into position around Utena.
Utena's car form is cool and unique, resembling a futuristic high-tech concept car with two large horse heads sitting on either side of a pointed main body covered in golden exhaust pipes. And, like any good mech, Utena can switch forms, turning into an even sleeker car that allows her to move faster and dodge around obstacles. All while Anthy controls her from the very mecha-esq cockpit.
About The Author