Mecha anime and mecha manga are actually well-known in Japan as robot anime and robot manga. They are indeed anime and also a manga that features robots in any particular battle. The genre is broken down into two subcategories and which are ‘super robot’ which features super-sized, implausible robots, and also ‘real robot’ which robots are more governed by realistic physics and technological limitations.
Mecha anime and mecha manga series also cover a wide variety of genres from action to comedy to drama, and the genre has expanded into other media such as video game adaptations. Mecha has also contributed to the popularity of scale model robots. This amazing series has underwent a lot of transformations. For those who do not know, this is the full ‘Evolution of Mecha Anime’ risograph by Wren McDonald.
@mobilesuitgutsy‘Evolution of Mecha Anime’ risograph by Wren McDonald #mechaminute #gundam #gunpla #gundamentals #anime #mecha #mazingerz #getterrobo♬ original sound – Gutsy🤖
1) Gigantor (1963)
It is also known as ‘Gigantor’ in North America. It is one of the first anime ever to be dubbed and localized outside of Japan. ‘Gigantor’ was released in 1963 and really is an established formula of like a young boy fighting crime with his giant robot and its creepy professor guardian.
2) Mazinger Z (1972)
The mecha genre got really exploded in the year 1970. This represents the birth of the genre known as Super Robot. Humongous mechas are treated like superheroes. When Mazinger Z came out, it is like when action comic one dropped.
3) Getter Robo (1974)
This also represents the birth of the genre known as Super Robot. It is really interesting because it’s the first instance of a combining mecha.
4) Mobile Suit Gundam (1979)
At the end of the ’70s, we reintroduced with something that is called Real Robot. That is why Mobile Suit Gundam is so very iconic and influential. The angles have become straighter, lines have become cleaner. Now, we are treating mecha as if they were actual military assets.
@mobilesuitgutsyReply to @cyberexboyfriend ‘Evolution of Mecha Anime’ risograph by Wren McDonald #macross #robotech #mechaminute #gundamentals #gundam #anime #mecha
5) Macross (1982)
Just like Mobile Suit Gundam, Macross is a Real Robot anime. It has a pretty detailed naval military aesthetics. It has big battleships, transforming jets, and many others. What makes Macross really influential and the difference from Mobile Suit Gundam and any other Real Robot anime at the time was that it shifted the tone of Real Robot from war drama to something completely new. It combines humongous mecha with the power of music and the power of love triangle to change the course of anime history.
Sources: TikTok Gutsy