Top 10 Mechs in Anime

Kicking off our list is this 80s mecha classic. In “Patlabor”, Labors are mecha that are piloted for use in heavy construction work or can be founds as Patrol Labors in service to the police. Humanoid in shape, each Labor comes with a variety of specifications depending on their usage. For instance, the standard construction Labor is equipped with reinforced steel and aluminum while the police and military Labors are equipped with a rather large arsenal of weapons. You definitely need to be skilled and certified to pilot one of these bad boys.

Serving as the 25th anniversary series to the original Macross series, “Super Dimension Fortress Macross”. “Macross Frontier” is set 47 years after the original and follows the new Macross Frontier interstellar colonial fleet. The newest variable fighter mecha unit, VF-25F Messiah, is piloted by series protagonist Alto Saotome. Armed with multiple cannons, anti-Vajra warheads, and a custom sniper rifle, the VF-25F Messiah is a major threat in the hands of a skilled pilot. Invading aliens beware.

Step aside for the grand daddy of all mechs. Serving as the main fighting instrument in the Robotech universe, Veritech are a group of mechanized infantry created by humans using robotechnology. Veritech have come in a large variety of models over the years, but our favourite are the 80s originals. While the Veritech may be a pretty straight-forward mech, its versatility allows transformation into three forms: a humanoid gladiator-esque style, a full fighter jet for high-speed transportation, or a hybrid of the two. Versatility and speed? Yes please.

Only the most powerful mechs can run on magic. Bonded via blood pact with protagonist Van, the King of Fanelia, Escaflowne is beautiful in design and requires a dragon’s Energist to operate. Despite its disappointing combat capability, the Energist also allows Escaflowne to transform into a dragon mode for increased mobility. Escaflowne has its own consciousness, choosing only the worthiest of Kings to sit in its cockpit. Escaflowne should not be trifled with, as it will draw its sword towards any battle. En guarde!

In Paradigm City, you never know what can happen. In this mecha series, the titular Big O is a massive black robot used by a team providing negotiation services around the city-state. Controlled by series protagonist Roger Smith, Big O is armed with lasers and massive arms for maximum damage. When Roger calls upon Big O and he comes crashing through the ground, get the hell out of it’s way. Big O does occasionally act based on it’s own will, most commonly when team members are in danger. It never hurts to have Big O in your corner.

Why fight a war with guns and blades when you can with mechanized weapons of terror? Created by the Holy Britannian Empire as weapons of war, Knightmare Frames are commonplace in the streets of occupied Japan. While there are a variety of models in operation, series star Lelouch’s personal frame known as Gawain includes measures such as a Druid system to predict enemy movements and an array of Harken cannons for maximum destructive potential. Planning to conquer a country? Grab a few Knightmare Frames to keep it’s populace at bay.

Who said that you can only have one mech? The titular mecha in the “Gurren Lagann” series, Gurren Lagann is actually a fusion of two mechas, Lagann as the head and Gurren as the body, primarily piloted by protagonists Simon and his best friend Kamina respectively. The unit’s most notable skill is its manipulation of varying sizes of drills for use as projectiles or melee attacks, as well as a convenient energy shield. Fun fact, Gurren Lagann operates on the sheer spirit of the unit’s pilots. Logic? What’s logic? The power of friendship after all.

If Angels invade the Earth, how do you propose to fight them? Why with mechs based on angel technology of course! Created by NERV (Nerv), the Evangelions serve as Earth’s first and only line of defense against the massive creatures that attack Japan. Unlike other entries on our list, Evangelion units exist as biological cyborgs that utilize the mysterious “A-T Field” to bring down the powerful angels. They’re also linked to their pilots, so the pilots feel pain whenever the Eva units take damage. What the Evangelion units lack in firepower, they make up for in versatility, dexterity and strength.

It doesn’t matter which Gundam series is your favourite, all of them feature a huge variety of powerful, bad-ass mobile mech suits. While Gundams have appeared in many forms over the years, the RX-78-2 model has become the face of the franchise. This model included beam cannons as well as dual beam swords to take out enemies in close quarters. Doesn’t mean its useless long range, as a long beam rifle is all it needs Gundam’s influence over the mecha genre will last forever.
Before we mechanize our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

IS Units
“Infinite Stratos” (2011-13)

Golems
“Break Blade” series (2010-14)

Grendizer
“Mazinger” series (1972-2004)

Here he comes, the “Defender of the Universe”. Created thorugh the combination of five mechs based on lions, Voltron is piloted by the Voltron Force, a group of five pilots that operate one of each of the individual mechs. Prepared for any situation, Voltron is armed with a giant blade that can literally cut through anything. While his success was rather limited in his homeland of Japan, Voltron blew up in North America, thrilling children every Saturday morning. Damn you nostalgia, you win again.
Do you agree with our list? What is your favourite mecha in anime? For more complex top tens published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.