What is Mecha?

Mecha is a genre of Japanese manga and anime that heavily features or focuses on mechanical innovation. Robots, cyborgs, androids, and space stations, for example, all fall under the wide umbrella of mecha; however, robots are usually the primary focus.

The type of robot may vary from series to series, ranging from giant robots used for battle—such as those featured in Yoshiyuki Tomino’s Mobile Suit Gundam—to more humanoid robots such as Osamu Tezuka’s Astro Boy. Although heavily influenced by science fiction, whether the robots are produced through scientific or magical means also differs from series to series.

A Brief History of Mecha

Mecha became a popular genre in Japan following the end of World War II as the country began to experience rapid economic and technological growth. Starting in the 1950s, two series emerged that would come to define the foundations of mecha: Osamu Tezuka’s Mighty Atom (introduced in 1952), and Mitsuteru Yokoyama's Tetsujin 28-go. Both series are more widely known by their English titles, Astro Boy (1952) and Gigantor (1956).

Astro Boy follows the adventures of the title character, an android with human emotions. Gigantor revolves around a 12-year-old boy who inherited a giant robot from his late scientist father. Both series featured robots battling either other robots or giant monsters in order to save the day. This battle robot format would become very popular for mecha, as would the anime series adaptations of Astro Boy and Gigantor, with big fan bases in Japan and abroad.

Mecha reached the height of its popularity in Japan during the 1970s and 1980s starting with Go Nagai’s Mazinger Z in 1972. Just like Gigantor, this series feat,ured a giant robot doing battle; however, it was the first series to have a protagonist pilot the robot from within an inner cockpit rather than through remote control.

The "Monster of the Week"

Up until that point, most mecha series featured a "monster of the week" scenario, in which the giant robot would battle another robot or monster, win the battle, and then do it all again in the next episode or volume. But in 1979, Yoshiyuki Tomino’s Mobile Suit Gundam anime changed the genre forever by foregoing the "monster of the week" plot in favor of an epic space saga involving intergalactic war, genocide, and legendary battles between giant robots called gundams.

In the decades since its original anime debut, Mobile Suit Gundam has been adapted multiple times, in both anime and manga form. The series’ impact on Japanese culture is so great that there is currently a life-sized Unicorn Gundam statue in Tokyo’s Odaiba district.

Popularity in America and Mecha Into the 1990s

The rise of mecha in Japan also had an impact on American culture. Model kits of popular mecha series were extremely profitable, and toy lines featuring robots were very popular in Japan. Japanese toy company Takara Tomy’s Diaclone and Microman toy lines introduced the concept of robots that could transform into other objects, such as a cassette player or car. Their products caught the attention of American toy company, Hasbro who, in 1984, rebranded the Japanese toys into their American counterparts, The Transformers.

The popularity of mecha has waxed and waned since its heyday in the 1970s and 1980s with breakout series popping up here and there such as Hideaki Anno’s Neon Genesis Evangelion in 1995. This series turned many of the genre conventions on its head and introduced a much darker and psychological story than previous series. The 1990s saw a rise in popularity of the cyberpunk and dystopian genres, which often crossed over into mecha.

Types of Mecha Robots

For the most part, robots featured in mecha anime and manga can be split into two categories: super robots and real robots.

Super robots are often unique, one-of-a-kind robots with pseudo-mythical powers or abilities that are usually products of ancient civilizations or gifted scientists. These robots can often be combined with other robots to become a giant, super robot such as the titular super robot, Voltron, from Voltron: The Legend Begins (1984).

Voltron: The Legend Begins was an American animated television series released in 1984 that was a rebranding of several Japanese mecha anime. The popular 1990s live-action series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers also featured the use of several weaker robots combining together to form a giant super robot named the Megazord.

Like Voltron, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers was an American television show that used stock footage from a Japanese program, Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger. Both series were extremely popular and are probably the most well-known American examples of a super robot being formed from several weaker robots.

Real robots are more "realistic," science-based, mass-produced (usually for war) robots, such as the war suits used in Hiroshi Sakurazaka’s All You Need is Kill. Yukito Kishiro’s Battle Angel Alita (1990) and Shirow Masamune’s The Ghost in the Shell (1989) are both excellent examples of manga featuring cyborg mecha and "real robots," in stories that follow cyborg protagonists in dystopian/cyberpunk settings.

Much like science fiction, mecha anime and manga serve as embodiments of the relationship between humans and technology during each era. Mecha of the 1950s viewed technological advancement with hope and eagerness, an extremely different approach from the often dark and bleak mecha of the 1990s.

Regardless, mecha anime and manga have influenced cultures beyond Japan. In 2013, director Guillermo Del Toro released his big-budget Hollywood blockbuster, Pacific Rim (2013), as a love letter to the Japanese mecha and monster genres. In 2014, Hiroshi Sakurazaka's science fiction mecha novel, All You Need is Kill, was also given a big budget Hollywood adaptation called, The Edge of Tomorrow, starring Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt. 

Below is our list of recommended mecha manga and anime, so if you love giant robots, check these out!

Completely new to Japanese manga? Then check out our manga beginner’s guide!

Completely new to science fiction? Then check out our beginner's guide to scifi!

Anime

Gurren Lagann (2007)

In his skyless cavern of a village, Simon toils daily, drilling holes to expand his stifling little world until, one day, he makes an extraordinary discovery: a small glowing drill bit and the man-sized mecha it activates.

 

Voltron: The Legend Begins (1984)       

This tells the story of a brave team of space explorers: Keith, Lance, Sven, Hunk, and Pidge, who search for the keys to five mythical robot lions on the planet Arus. Arus has been destroyed by the armies of King Zarkon and his use of giant robeast monsters created by the witch Haggar.

The planet's only hope lies in the discovery of the five robot lions, which combine to form the mighty robot Voltron: Defender of the Universe!

 

Androids & Cyborgs

Astro Boy Omnibus by Osamu Tezuka; translation and introduction, Frederik L. Schodt; lettering and retouch, Digital Chameleon

Can a robot have a soul? Built by a brilliant scientist to replace his lost son, but with powers beyond imagination, Astro Boy fights for the oppressed and helpless whether they be human, alien, or robot.

Exciting, whimsical, and touching, Astro Boy brings back the classic era of comics and animation, featuring tales that readers young and old will enjoy.

 

Battle Angel Alita by Yukito Kishiro with a new introduction by Brenden Fletcher; translation by Stephen Paul; lettering by Scott O. Brown

In a dump in the lawless settlement of Scrapyard, far beneath the mysterious space city of Zalem, disgraced cyber-doctor Daisuke Ido makes a strange find: the detached head of a cyborg woman who has lost all her memories. He names her Alita and equips her with a powerful new body, the Berserker. While Alita remembers no details of her former life, a moment of desperation reawakens in her nerves the legendary school of martial arts known as Panzer Kunst.

In a place where there is no justice but what people make for themselves, Alita decides to become a hunter-killer, tracking down and taking out those who prey on the weak. But can she hold onto her humanity as she begins to revel in her own bloodlust?

The Ghost in the Shell by Shirow Masamune; translation and English language adaptation by Frederik L. Schodt and Toren Smith; additional translation by Stephen Paul

In a near future, technology has firmly taken root into society at large. Cybernetic implants are nothing uncommon and robots roam as plentiful as humans, all connected through their "ghosts" to the electronic datastreams of the net. Major Motoko Kusanagi and the Public Security Section 9 find themselves in a constant battle with the newly created wave of technological terrorists and cyber-hackers.

But things take a turn once Motoko gets involved in a certain case involving an extremely dangerous "ghost" hacker nicknamed the Puppeteer, as she dives deeper and deeper into the limitless reality of the net to reach her own startling conclusions.

Art     

How to Draw Sci-fi Utopias and Dystopias: Create the Futuristic Humans, Aliens, Robots, Vehicles, and Cities of Your Dreams and Nightmares by Prentis Rollins

Sci-fi imagery commands today’s popular culture, from Star Wars to The Hunger Games and The Walking Dead. For clear-eyed artists ages 12 and up who see that science fiction is becoming science fact at an astounding rate, How to Draw Sci-Fi Utopias and Dystopias gives an in-depth look at the process of completing sci-fi illustrations—from brainstorming and conceptualization to constructing basic forms and objects on paper, converting roughs into finished pencil drawings, and then inking them in and coloring them in Photoshop.

The book is organized around the perennial distinction between two ways of representing the future in sci-fi: the pessimistic and the hopeful, or dystopian and utopian.

Manga Now!: How to Draw Monsters & Mecha by Keith Sparrow

Keith Sparrow's book gives you an overview of manga basics before launching into the exciting—and terrifying—world of monsters, mutants, and dangerous beasts! Don't panic! Heroic robots and daring mecha-suits also join the fray so you will quickly learn how to draw them to bring your beasts to battle.

Follow the simple step-by-step format and you will be amazed how quickly you will learn to draw expertly. Become a beast master or commander of a robot army with this guide, packed with ideas and inspiration.

Mecha Mania: How to Draw the Battling Robots, Cool Spaceships, and Military Vehicles of Japanese Comics by Christopher Hart

Mecha is short for mechanically-based humanoids—as well as anything else mechanical, high-tech, and really cool. If it can fly, swim, fire a weapon, explode, or destroy stuff, it’s mecha.

While some budding artists may not have a feel for human anatomy or drawing the expressive faces of cartoon characters, anyone who can draw blocks and circles can draw mecha. Mecha Mania demonstrates how easy it is to draw fantastic mecha vehicles, robots, space stations, and more. The 300 step-by-step illustrations make it simple for anyone to master this wildly popular comic book genre and achieve dramatic results.

Giant Robots

Knights of Sidonia by Tsutomu Nihei; translation by Kumar Sivasubramanian

Outer space, the far future. A lone seed ship, the Sidonia, plies the void, ten centuries since the obliteration of the solar system. The massive, nearly indestructible, yet barely sentient alien life forms that destroyed humanity’s home world continue to pose an existential threat.

Nagate Tanikaze has only known life in the vessel’s bowels, deep below the sparkling strata where humans have achieved photosynthesis and new genders. Not long after he emerges from the Underground, the youth is bequeathed a treasured legacy by the spaceship’s cool-headed female captain.

 

Mobile Suit Gundam the Origin by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko; original story by Yoshiyuki Tomino, Hajime Yatate; mechanical design by Kunio Okawara; translation by Melissa Tanaka

It is the year Universal Century 0079. In a space colony, the Earth Federation is storing and testing a new piloted robot for use in the battle against the Principality of Zeon. The experimental RX-78 Gundam mobile suit is scheduled to be transported to Federation command in Jaburo, deep within the Brazilian jungles. Unfortunately, before the transporter would arrive, the Federation would come under attack from Zeon. With few resources available against the Zeon's most mobile mechs, Federation forces strike back using their new weapon, the mobile suit Gundam.

Caught in the crossfire is a young teen named Amuro Ray. Not willing to see innocent people die like this, Amuro crawls into the cockpit of the closest machine around him. Whether it be a tank, jeep, or jet, Amuro would use it to help stop this slaughter. And he happened to slide into another Gundam. Having never operated a machine like this, what are the chances he can do anything to repel an experienced squad of mech-piloting invaders?

Neon Genesis Evangelion story and art by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto; original concept by Khara; translation by Mari Morimoto, Lillian Olsen; English adaptation by Fred Burke, Carl Gustav Horn; lettering by Wayne Truman, John Clark

Once, Shinji didn’t care about anything. Then, he found people to fight for—only to learn that he couldn’t protect them or keep those he let into his heart from going away.

As mankind tilts on the brink of the apocalyptic Third Impact, human feelings are fault lines leading to destruction and, just maybe, redemption and rebirth.
 

Robotech Archives: The Macross Saga by Carl Macek (author), Jack Herman (author), Syea Stauch (illustrator), Neil Vokes (illustrator), Reggie Byers (illustrator), Dave Johnson (illustrator), Mike Leeke (illustrator)

The Robotech animated series is legendary, and now you can immerse yourself in the classic comics with a series of books with classic Robotech comic material, most of which are out-of-print or have never been previously collected.

Featuring Robotech fan-favorite creators such as Carl Macek, Jack Herman, Mike Leeke, and Neil Vokes.
 

Voices of a Distant Star story by Makaoto Shinkai; art by Mizu Sahara; translation by Melissa Tanaka.

Schoolgirl Mikako has been recruited into the UN Space Army to fight a war against an alien race known as the Tarsians. Mikako's close friend, Noboru, remains on Earth. The two continue to communicate across space using text messages. But as the distance between them increases, the wait between messages gets longer and longer.

 

 

History

Anime Classics Zettai!: 100 Must-See Japanese Animation Masterpieces by Brian Camp and Julie Davis

Looking for something specific? Eight unique icons make anime reviews easy to browse. From Akira to Naruto, Pokemon to Sailor Moon, anime veterans Brian Camp and Julie Davis present over 100 black-and-white images alongside summaries, style notes, rare facts, viewer-discretion guides, and critical comments on films that fans absolutely—zettai!—must see.

Anime Impact: The Movies and Shows that Changed the World of Japanese Animation by Chris Stuckmann

While many books on anime simply offer a list of "essential titles" and recommendations, Anime Impact goes deeper by showcasing the many voices of anime’s biggest fans.

You’ll find many distinct stories that only each specific writer could tell, all painting a fun and surprisingly touching portrait of the true impact of anime over multiple generations.

 

The Art of Osamu Tezuka: God of Manga by Helen McCarthy

Osamu Tezuka has often been called "the god of manga" and "the Walt Disney of Japan," but he was far more than that. Tezuka was Walt Disney, Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Tim Burton, and Carl Sagan all rolled into one incredibly prolific creator, changing the face of Japanese culture forever. Best known for Astro Boy and Kimba the White Lion, Tezuka was instrumental in developing Japanese animation and modern manga comics.

The Art of Osamu Tezuka is the first authorized biography celebrating Tezua's work and life, featuring over 300 images—many of which have never been seen outside of Japan. With text by respected manga expert Helen McCarthy, The Art of Osamu Tezuka: God of Manga pays tribute to the work of an artist, writer, animator, doctor, entrepreneur, and traveler whose curious mind spawned dozens of animated films, and over 170,000 pages of comics art in one astonishingly creative lifetime.

Eastern Standard Time: A Guide to Asian Influence on American Culture from Astro Boy to Zen Buddhism, edited by Jeff Yang, Dina Gan, Terry Hong, and the staff of A. magazine

For everyone who's ever wondered how to order Korean barbecue and Chinese dim sum; what "good feng xui" is and how to have it; where to find the 10 greatest Nintendo games never released in the States; and which is the deadliest martial art, here is the long-awaited guide to Asian cultural literacy: the key concepts, events, people, trends, and products that have been imported from Asia to America, and become part of our way of life.

Manga and Anime Go to Hollywood by Northrop Davis

The media industries in the United States and Japan are similar in much the same way different animal species are: while a horse and a kangaroo share maybe 95% of their DNA, they're nonetheless very different animals. So it is with manga and anime in Japanese and Hollywood animation, movies, and television. Though they share some key common elements, they were developed mostly separately while still influencing each other significantly along the way. That confluence is now accelerating into new forms of hybridization that will drive much of future storytelling entertainment.

Packed with original interviews with top creators in these fields, and illuminating case studies, Manga and Anime Go to Hollywood helps to parse out these these shared and diverging genetic codes, revealing the cross-influences and independent traits of Japanese and American animation.

The Osamu Tezuka Story: A Life in Manga and Anime by Toshio Ban and Tezuka Productions; translated by Frederik L. Schodt

This graphic-format biography of Osamu Tezuka—Japan's "God of Manga"—looks at one of the 20th century's great creative artists. It is also an anecdotal study of the evolution of Japan's early manga and anime business and its heroes.

 

 

Live Action TV and Movies

Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger/Super Sentai Zyuranger: The Complete Series (1992)

170 million years ago, there were five young warriors from a civilization of humans who had evolved from dinosaurs. Their sworn enemy, Bandora the Witch, put them in suspended animation and only now, in the present, have these five warriors finally awakened.

 

 

 

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (1995)

The Power Rangers may have met their match as they face off with the most sinister monster the galaxy has ever seen—Ivan Ooze.

 

 

 

 

 

Transformers (2007)

On the planet Cybertron, a war was waged between the Autobots and the Decepticons for control of the Allspark, a mystical talisman that would grant unlimited power to whoever possessed it. 

 

 

Pacific Rim (2013)

When legions of monstrous creatures, known as Kaiju, started rising from the sea, a war began. On the verge of defeat, the forces defending mankind have no choice but to turn to two unlikely heroes—a washed-up former pilot and an untested trainee, teamed up to drive a legendary but seemingly obsolete Jaeger from the past.

Together, they stand as mankind's last hope against the mounting apocalypse.

 

Edge of Tomorrow (2014)

In a near future, an alien race has hit the Earth in an unbeatable assault. Major William Cage has never seen a day of combat, but is dropped into a suicide mission and killed within minutes. Cage now finds himself thrown into a time loop-forcing him to live out the same day over and over, fighting and dying each time. With each "life", Cage learns more fighting skills, so that when he and warrior Rita Vrataski take the fight to the aliens, they are one step closer to defeating the enemy.

 

Mecha Novels

All You Need is Kill by Hiroshi Sakurazaka; translated by Alexander O. Smith

When the alien Mimics invade, Keiji Kiriya is just one of many recruits shoved into a suit of battle armor called a Jacket and sent out to kill. Keiji dies on the battlefield, only to be reborn each morning to fight and die again and again. On his fifth iteration, he gets a message from a mysterious ally -- the female soldier known as the Full Metal Bitch. Is she the key to Keiji's escape or his final death?

 

 

 

Mecha Samurai Empire by Peter Tieryas

The Man in the High Castle meets Pacific Rim in this action-packed alternate history novel from the award-winning author of United States of Japan.  After Germany and Japan won World War II, the United States fell under their control. Growing up in this world, Mac plays portical games, studies haphazardly for the Imperial Exam, and dreams of becoming a mecha pilot. Only problem: Mac's grades are terrible. His only hope is to pass the military exam and get into the prestigious mecha pilot training program at Berkeley Military Academy.

When his friend Hideki's plan to game the test goes horribly wrong, Mac washes out of the military exam too. Perhaps he can achieve his dream by becoming a civilian pilot, but with tensions rising between Imperial Japan and Nazi Germany, and rumors of collaborators and traitors abounding, Mac will have to stay alive long enough first.