Mechs go by many names: Gundams, Nightmare Frames, Guymelefs, but they are all giant robots piloted by regular people. Anime and mecha have a long and prosperous relationship. Giant robots fit many roles for anime productions, often as some form of symbolism for weapons of mass destruction. Recalling the most tragic moments in Japanese history adds an emotionally impactful layer to mecha series, as they often deal with psychologically and physically damaged characters during wartimes.

So many of these mechs are awe-inspiring and iconic. Their respective series are some of the most memorable and historically meaningful anime. One of the stand-out aspects of this genre is the unique and beautiful ways people pilot those beastly humanoid constructs. Some of these systems are inventive and brilliant, while others are ridiculous and add a nice spice to their world.

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mobiletracesystem

G Gundam is a celebration of all things mecha. The whole of the show is a global tournament between over-the-top mecha that too often have designs that stereotype the nation they represent. However, calling the show over the top and goofy is not a knock. While the series is absurd and lacks the gravitas of war, many other series in the Gundam franchise contain, it fills the void with wacky, colorful, and exciting robot fighting tournament action.

The mobile trace system used to pilot Gundams in this dimension helps add to the kinetic aspect of these fights. Having super skin-tight suits with sensors forced over their body allows the pilots to move freely within the cockpit of their robots, controlling their movements through their bodies.

This fusion allows for fun combat animation as the show alternates between the Gundams and their pilots in intense, action-packed situations. The mobile trace system stood out by having the pilot and mecha move in tandem and having the damage to the mecha also injure that pilot.

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Cast of Escaflowne

Also utilizing the user's strength, but in a much more steampunk manner, the Guymelefs from Escaflowne are incredibly unique mecha. The pilots insert their limbs into flexible slots, like a giant suit of armor that they utilize to drive the machine physically. Like G Gundam, the immersion with the mecha and pilot also manifests beautifully in combat as the character's elegant swordplay is fully displayed.

Connecting pilot and mecha directly creates dramatic moments as the pilots bleed and suffer when their protective suit is shredded or sliced up. Escaflowne further plays with the concept of meshing a pilot and mecha by connecting one of them to the mental and emotional state of one of the pilots.

This narrative choice echoes many of the finest mecha anime: Neon Genesis Evangelion, Macross Plus, and Rahxephon. As is often the case when a character's mental state is teetering and could alter the story for the worse -- it does. There is a moment when that pilot mentally breaks, and things go wrong. Escaflowne does a fantastic job nailing that moment through an eerie soundtrack, intense fire-driven lighting, and noticeable but lovely visual metaphors.

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Isamu Dyson in the cockpit during the movie Macross Plus.

The Macross franchise is famous for its distinct airplane-like mecha that morphs like Transformers. These mecha are piloted similarly to airplanes with a cockpit and joystick-like controls. However, Macross started playing with their concept in Macross Plus, adding a new model in the mix controlled by the pilot's mind.

This narrative choice purposely contrasted traditional piloting systems and allowed new and exciting mecha combat. Macross Plus is a celebration of all things mecha. It is a wild ride that showcases classic and modern mecha concepts with animation that has aged nicely coupled with a gorgeous soundtrack to help audience emersion.

G Gundam pulls their pilots into the experience through glorious bodysuits, Escaflowne embraces giant steampunk armor suits, and Macross Plus revels in all things mecha. These three shows exemplify all things mecha anime and highlight the innovative methods technology is handled in their respective worlds. The inventiveness of mecha anime continues to grow as this six-decade-old genre remains relevant today through brilliant newer shows like Code Geass, Aldonoah Zero, and Gargantia. These more recent shows highlight the potency of mecha as a symbol and impress viewers with their creative technologies.