The 1980s heralded a new generation of giant robots, providing a break from the episodic and monster-of-the-week style that the 1970s "super robot" anime was known for. In 1979, a little show called Mobile Suit Gundam would revolutionize the genre and give way to a subclass of mecha called "real robot" anime. This is defined through narratives that further explored the depth of human existence, the lengths and horrors of war, and the militarization of mechs.
Although the term mech is synonymous with the Gundam franchise, it is important to know that other anime during the 1980s helped redefine and refine the mechs of today. Below is a list of the most essential mecha anime to be released during the decade, many of which allowed titles such as Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995) and Eureka Seven (2005) to flourish in the community.
10 Space Runaway Ideon (1980)
Space Runaway Ideon, directed by Yoshiyuki "Kill 'Em All" Tomino shortly after Mobile Suit Gundam (1979), takes place in the close future of 2300, as humans have begun to live on other planets. On Solo, remains are discovered of a combination mecha named Ideon, as the colony is faced with an attack by the Buff Clan.
To escape the attack, protagonists Cosmo Yuki, Kasha Imhof, and Bes Jordan infiltrate Ideon's three separate remains, which suddenly possess the ability to combine into Ideon. The Buff Clan is relentless, however, as their attacks do not waver throughout this 39 episode epic. Space Runaway Ideon is said to be one of Hideaki Anno's (Neon Genesis Evangelion, 1995) greatest influence, borrowing from the carnage and psychological implications that this show portrays.
9 Six God Combination God Mars (1981)
Takeru is a normal seventeen-year-old and as a member of the Crusher Squad, he helps defends the Earth from outside alien attacks. His friends notice peculiarities about Takeru's abilities and, after a bizarre encounter, Takeru discovers he and a giant robot named Gaia were sent to Earth to destroy it by Emperor Zul of Gishin when he was a baby.
Takeru can control Gaia with ESP, however, inside Gaia is a bomb Zul implanted to eliminate Earth. Takeru progresses through the series with a refusal to destroy Earth but is faced with the reality that if he dies, the bomb will detonate, thus would Earth.
8 Combat Mecha Xabungle (1982)
Another entry into Yoshiyuki Tomino's directorial canon, Combat Mecha Xabungle centers around Jiron Amos and his revenge against Timp Sharon for murdering his parents. Jiron stumbles upon a group called the Sand Rats in his quest, acquiring the mecha Xabungle and essentially obtaining a new family on the ship, the Iron Gear.
More lighthearted and earnest in its approach than previous Tomino anime, Combat Mecha Xabungle begins as a revenge plot but unravels into a larger commentary on class inequality between the Innocent and the Civilians, the two divergences that live on Zora.
7 Super Dimension Fortress Macross (1982)
Known in America as the first part of the Robotech franchise, Super Dimension Fortress Macross was directed by the late Noboru Ishiguro and released in Japan in 1982 under the name Chōjikū Yōsai Makurosu. Macross contains elements of the real robot genre, with significant use of mechs, a war against an alien race, and relationships that evolve from conflict.
Military organization U.N. Spacey uncovers an alien spaceship and rebuilds it as the SDF-1 Macross. During its unveiling, war breaks out between the Zentradis and the Earthlings, as the Macross attacks the aliens based on its past settings and secrets. The conflict between the Zentradis and the people aboard Macross ensue, as their understanding of each other and the realities of war become apparent to both sides.
6 Genesis Climber MOSPEADA (1983)
Genesis Climber MOSPEADA involves a near future where Earthlings are colonizing other planets, such as Mars. Earth is soon attacked by an alien race called Inbit, leaving the Earth uninhabitable save a few places. There are many failed attempts by the Mars Base to retrieve the Earth, including one in which Stick Barnard is involved.
Stick crashes on the planet with his Legioss, and, fueled with revenge due to the death of his fiance, brings together a band of fighters. With help from mech motorcycle Mospeada, a plan is hatched to infiltrate the Inbit Earth base. In North America, Harmony Gold released it as part of the Robotech franchise, Robotech: The New Generation, changing names and stories to fit with the created narrative.
5 Giant Gorg (1984)
Giant Gorg, directed by Mobile Suit Gundam (1979) character designer, Yoshikazu Yasuhiko, deals with the mysteries surrounding New Austral Island, an organization named GAIL, and a huge robot deemed as the island's protector, Gorg. Yuu Tagami is on a journey to uncover the secret behind his father's death.
Yuu travels to New Austral Island with his father's accomplice, Dr. Wave, Dr. Wave's younger sister, Doris, their dog, Argos, and Dr. Wave's friend, Skipper. Upon arrival, the group becomes separated as Yuu is left to defend himself alongside Argos. As death is staring Yuu directly in the eye, Gorg suddenly appears and helps Yuu to safety. And so the adventure begins, as the group wards off attacks from GAIL while uncovering the truth behind it all.
4 Heavy Metal L-Gaim (1984)
Yet another entry into Yoshiyuki Tomino's credits, Heavy Metal L-Gaim tells of Daba Myroad and his rebellion against Oldna Poseidal, the emperor of Pentagona. The sole heir and survivor of the Yaman Clan, Daba has his society's mech, L-Gaim.
Along with his friend Mirao Kyao, the two are chased by thieves that lead to Daba learning of the name Amandara Kamandara. Through a series of coincidences and events, Daba and his growing group continue their way uncovering who Kamandara is, what mysteries surround the L-Gaim, and face many battles and heartbreak before the series ends.
3 Bubblegum Crisis (1987)
Although this OVA series spans past the decade into 1991, Bubblegum Crisis is an entry point for many western fans of not only the mecha genre but anime as an art form. Eight episodes in length, the OVAs focus on a group of female mercenaries who resolve conflict with the use of their armor.
As the cyberpunk story unfolds, Tokyo is split into two due to an earthquake. The corporation Genom is creating artificial life that claims to assist humans in the form of boomers. Tasked to battle these boomers, the female mercenary group (the Knight Sabers) go beyond just protecting Tokyo. The show delves into issues of class inequality as Priss, Sylia, Linna, and Nene work together, ultimately questioning where the line divides humans from machines?
2 GunBuster (1988)
As an early entry into studio GAINAX's catalog, as well as being Hideaki Anno's (Neon Genesis Evangelion, 1995) directorial debut, GunBuster is a narrative surrounding unimpressive Noriko Takaya and her journey of becoming a pilot for the GunBuster project. Along with Kazumi Amano, the two girls pilot Buster Machines; special pilot-driven space mechas designed to battle the Space Monsters and when combined, form the GunBuster.
The story delves deep into philosophies surrounding Time Dilation and the real reality of saving your planet and the ones you love. At only six episodes long, GunBuster is what many claim to be the truest precursor to hugely popular and influential 1995's Neon Genesis Evangelion. Regardless, it is a breathtaking look at the fragile concept of time and how long our relationship is with it.
1 Mobile Police Patlabor: The Early Days (1988)
This seven-episode OVA series, the first six directed by Mamoru Oshii, involves the creation of robots called "Labors", whose primary use is to perform jobs under the discretion of humans. To stop criminals from making robots do their bidding, police forces deploy "Patlabors".
Nao Izumi is a pilot of one she names Alphonse and along with a cast of friends, protects society from those who choose to use the "Labors" as weapons of destruction. Unlike most of the titles on this list, Patalbor brings notes of slice-of-life and moments of comedy together in a world where society relies on mechs as coworkers rather than machines programmed to destroy and kill.