Top 5 Mecha anime for cultured beginners

I’ve spent a lot of time in the giant robot anime fandom during the last years. It’s a particular niche that doesn’t attract a lot of people but is indeed rewarding once you start to really understand its appeal on a level beyond the average fan. Anime fans nowadays just glance over the Mecha genre, thinking they wouldn’t be interested, even though it’s one of the cornerstones that help anime distinguish itself from other country’s animations. So, here are my personal top 5 giant robot series I would recommend for those who have an interest in the genre. Generally, I wouldn't recommend mainstream mecha hits like Evangelion and Code Geass, because "bleh", these are your anime fan choices, not your mecha fan choices.

The franchises I'm about to recommend are pivotal to the mecha genre, but the particular entries aren't necessarily the franchises' most successful, so do keep that in mind that this is not a top 5 most influential mecha anime.

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Mobile Suit Gundam (1979)

If Tetsujin 28th birthed the mecha genre, then Mobile Suit Gundam exploded it. People do watch Gundam, but how many of them can claim to have watched the original 43 episodes TV series? Not many. I admit, the animation isn't the best, even for the time, but this is Mobile Suit Gundam after all. It's an epic story of military conflict with romance, drama and action, the complete package. If you can get used to the animation, you're in for one hell of a ride. The anime's OST is also classic and worth a listen.

Furthermore, the series also offers a view of how human society could look like in the future. The concept of new types for example is quite near to our own considering the amount of research that is being poured into the field of genetic engineering nowadays.

Lastly, how could I ever forget about Char, the big bad magnificent villain of the show? He has a big presence all over the Gundam franchise even today, because he's just that awesome.

The director, Yoshiyuki Tomino went on to direct two TV anime sequels, Zeta and ZZ, as well as a bunch of other mecha shows, and while they all have their moments, I would argue that the original Mobile Suit Gundam series was his true Magnus opus.

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Amored Trooper Votoms (1983)

Armored Trooper Votoms is another 80s oldie that deserves your watch. Unlike Gundam though, the military conflict only happens in the background between two powerful nations locked in a century-old galactic war. The story of Votoms is a lot more personal though as it involves the journey of Chirico Cuvie, a soldier who's been betrayed, captured and tortured by his own side, after being sent on a suspicious mission to retrieve a mysterious object. That mysterious object in question happens to be a beautiful woman and is Chirico's sole clue to unraveling a long galactic conspiracy.

Sounds crazy? Because it is. Director Ryousuke Takahashi has a knack for including very mystical elements to his sci-fi series, and Votoms is no exception. Additionally, what differentiates Votoms from other mecha is the inclusion of much smaller piloted robots, thescopedogs. They're your every man's crappy go-to mech.

• Key Demographic: Galactic conspiracists, i.e Scientologists.
• Release Date: 1983-1984
• Episodes: 52

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Getter Robo Armageddon (1998)

Ken Ishikawa's Getter Robo Saga is a super robot manga epic spanning generations. It started with Getter Robo (1974) and ended with Getter Robo Arc (2002). Trying to adapt anything from that series is sure to be a challenge. Director Yasuhiro Imagawa (who went on to direct the two works below) directed the first 3 episodes of this series before being kicked off the project. Jun Kawagoe replaced him for the rest of the episodes.

Because of its controversial directorial switch, the series underwent a massive tonal shift in episode 4 which can throw off some people. This series mostly acts like a spinoff inspired by the manga series rather than a straight adaptation. Therefore, its storyline is only ever canon to itself. Because of its long history, Armageddon is the kind of series that's best to go blind and not ask questions till much later. It's an exhilarating romp (with fantastic music) that doesn't make a lot of sense even to hardcore Getter Robo fans but the simple pure raw energy that this series gives off will simply conquer all of your senses.

• Key Demographic: For those who needs the motivation to hit the gym.
• Release Date: 1998
• Episodes: 13

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Tetsujin 28^th (2004)

Tetsujin 28^th started its life as a manga by Mitsuteru Yokoyama in 1956. It’s essentially the first giant robot series, and its influence on the medium today is massive. Unlike other mecha series nowadays, Shotaro the main character pilots Tetsujin (Translated to Iron Man) with a remote control as opposed to piloting it. There are a few different versions of the series in the 80s, 90s and 10s. However, the real winner to me is the 2004 version which is the one that sticks most closely to the original source with decent production values.

You wouldn’t believe it, but despite the show looking like a kid’s cartoon (although that was just the retro style of the time), the themes approached by this anime are very dark. More specifically, Tetsujin 28^th takes place after the second world war, and asks some serious questions about Japan’s military involvement through the lives of those who lived both through and after it, without attempting to either denigrate or white wash history. The series also boasts an excellent soundtrack by Akira Senju, and a masterful direction by Yasuhiro Imagawa.

• Key Demographic: Nostalgia and depression combined.
• Release Date: 2004
• Episodes: 24

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Shin Mazinger Shougeki! Z-Hen (2009)

This is another series by the director of Tetsujin 28th (2004) based on Go Nagai's Mazinger Z (1972). Shin Mazinger therefore shares many storytelling quirks of his. It's a part reboot and a part spinoff series that will rock you the fuck up. In other words, the overall arching narrative from the original 1972 Mazinger Z manga is the same while the details differ greatly on how they reach from point a to point b.

This is where director Imagawa's storytelling comes into play. He took all the various Mazinger media, manga over decades and crafted a story with them. Think of what Yuasa did to Devilman with Crybaby, and it's a bit of the same. The result is a schizophrenic mix of interwoven family driven conspiracies, manly robot action and fake Greek mythos. It's awesome.

• Key Demographic: Fans of Alex Jones and Giorgio A. Tsoukalos of Ancient Aliens fame.
  
• Release Date: 2009
• Episodes: 26

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And there you have it, my personal top 5 opinionated mecha anime recommendation for beginners. There were many other excellent series I thought of, like Giant Robo, Dai-Guard, Macross, GaoGaiGar, G Gundam, Panzer World Galient etc but rather, I wanted to just give the mecha virgin audience a taste of what mecha wizards are actually into, as opposed to what anime fans think what we like. I also listed the franchises that were influential to the genre in some way and their respective shows also had to be watchable, and suitable for a new audience. For example, I enjoy Gundam The Origin, but I don't see it as a replacement for the original 1979 series nor do I think it's beginner friendly, although I do feel differently with Shin Mazinger and the original Mazinger Z TV series. Similarly, the 2004 reboot of Tetsujin 28th is the one I'd recommend over any of its previous versions. (But also because it's the only one with full subs, but that's a story for another day).

Super Robot Wars Games as an alternative way in getting into mecha

Lastly, if you're more of a gamer, I advise you to find and play the turn based strategy Super Robot Wars games, available on multiple platforms. Years back, it was a luxury to be able to read Japanese and play these games. Nowadays, with fan translations and officially English versions of the game like Super Robot Wars V and T, it’s become easier than ever. They’re a nice way for people to discover new or old mecha series other than what I listed above.