Mecha is one of the most popular genres in anime. The genre was popularized in the 1970’s with “Mobile Suit Gundam”, and quickly became a staple of Japanese pop culture. There’s no “one size fits all” option when it comes to what constitutes a mecha anime. It can be as simple and straightforward as “a giant robot goes around blowing crap up” or as complicated and nuanced as “a detective investigates the murder of a scientist who created a mechanical catgirl who is a clone of his dead wife”. With so many choices, it’s hard to decide which series deserve your time so we created our list of the best mecha anime worth watching.
The genre usually combines elements of science-fiction and is often set in the far future or an alternative timeline. The style of a mecha anime can vary from show to show, but there are some elements that can help you as a fan define what exactly a categorizes a series “mecha”. The elements generally include giant robots and the protagonists who control them. The protagonists of a mecha anime might be a solo operation, or it might be a full team of pilots. And there are sometimes those who have no piloting skills, but get involved with the robot as well. Mecha anime also tend to include some type of military organization that is fighting against enemies. They are usually organized for a larger goal in mind, like trying to prevent worldwide destruction while other times they are trying to conquer new lands.
In this article we’ll introduce you to some of the best mecha anime – those that have been met with overwhelming popularity and acclaim from fans and critics alike, as well as those that have singularly shaped the entire genre.
1. Code Geass
Code Geass is the best mecha anime of all-time.
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2. Neon Genesis Evangelion
Neon Genesis Evangelion is the second best mecha anime of all-time.
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3. Full Metal Panic!
Full Metal Panic! is the third best mecha anime of all-time.
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4. Gurren Lagann
Gurren Lagann is the fourth best mecha anime of all-time.
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5. Ghost in the Shell
Ghost in the Shell is the fifth best mecha anime of all-time.
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6. Gundam 00
Gundam 00 is the sixth best mecha anime of all-time.
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7. Eureka Seven
Eureka Seven is the seventh best mecha anime of all-time.
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8. Knights of Sidonia
Knights of Sidonia is the eighth best mecha anime of all-time.
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9. Super Space Fortress Macross
Macross is the ninth best mecha anime of all-time.
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10. Gundam SEED
Gundam SEED is the tenth best mecha anime of all-time.
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11. Broken Blade
Broken Blade is the eleventh best mecha anime of all-time.
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12. Tenchi Muyo! War on Geminar
Tenchi Muyo! War on Geminar is the twelfth best mecha anime of all-time.
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13. The Vision Of Escaflowne
The Vision Of Escaflowne is the thirteenth best mecha anime of all-time.
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14. Fafner
Fafner is the fourteenth best mecha anime of all-time.
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15. Zegapain
Zegapain is the fifteenth best mecha anime of all-time.
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