Giant robots, epic battles, intense action, and high stakes. It’s mecha anime time!
Mecha is a genre of anime with a long history, with the first animated series dating back to the 1960s. It introduced us to stories of young warriors, often barely in their teenage years, trying to hold together a world on the verge of collapsing. Because, you know, adults rarely have responsibilities in anime. Since then, hundreds of mecha anime shows have been released over the years. Some are iconic classics that everyone should see at least once in their lifetime — like Neon Genesis Evangelion or Code Geass — while others are obscure gems that only hardcore fans have seen.
But which mecha shows have left a lasting legacy? And which new ones slipped under your radar? This list will walk you through the best mecha anime of all time. We’ve included some of the most popular and influential series and a few hidden titles you may not have heard about before. So sit back, relax, and get ready to enjoy some giant robot battles!
#1 Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex
2002 | 52 episodes
Made by Production I.G. and based on the successful manga by Masamune Shirow, Ghost in the Shell is among the most popular anime franchises out there — and with good reason. Stand Alone Complex features the members of an elite law enforcement unit specializing in cybercrime and terrorism and their pursuit of a mysterious hacker.
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#2 Code Geass: Lelouch Of The Rebellion
2006 | 50 episodes
Code Geass: Lelouch Of The Rebellion is one of those rare anime series not based on a manga but with an original concept of its own. The story centers around an exiled prince, Lelouch vi Britannia. Upon meeting a mysterious woman, C.C., he obtains a supernatural power known as Geass. From there, he starts a rebellion against the rule of the Holy Britannian Empire, battling it with a series of mecha attacks.
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#3 Gurren Lagann
2007 | 27 episodes
Set in a future where humans are forced to live in underground villages, Gurren Lagann follows the story of two orphans finding their way to the surface. Here, they hope to restore peace and defeat the Beastmen and their robots, who terrorized humans for a long time. The show gave life to a whole franchise, including manga, a video game, a light novel, and two movies.
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#4 Neon Genesis Evangelion
1995 | 26 episodes
When the world descends into violence and destruction, Shinji becomes a reluctant member of a pilot squad using sentient machines to defend humanity. It’s been almost 30 years since the release of Evangelion, but it’s still a hotly debated animation title due to its complexity. But in the end, it doesn’t matter what people say about it; Evangelion is, without any doubt, a Japanese animation milestone!
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#5 Eighty-Six
2021 | 23 episodes
An interesting recent addition to the robot anime genre, 86 follows the conflict between the Republic of San Magnolia and the Empire of Giad. While everyone in San Magnolia thinks the war is being fought by autonomous machines, the robots are piloted by humans of the Colorata minority, persecuted by the dominant Alba race and forced to risk their lives for the country.
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#6 Mobile Suit Gundam Seed
1979 | 43 episodes
Despite initial low ratings that caused the series’ cancellation, frequent reruns made Mobile Suit Gundam a popular culture icon in Japan and a prolific mecha media and toy franchise. No surprise here: The animation is fantastic, the character development is worthy of recognition, and the battles have you glued to the edge of your seat!
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#7 Eureka Seven
2005 | 50 episodes
Here’s a recommendation for all the romance and adventure sci-fi anime fans out there! A mecha anime that topped the charts back in its day, Eureka Seven follows the story of Renton Thurston — son of the researcher who saved the world — his relationship with the mysterious mecha pilot Eureka, and the enigma surrounding the Coralians.
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#8 Macross
1982 | 36 episodes
The Macross franchise is pretty unique in terms of its story and vastness. It includes four animated series, four movies, six special episodes, one light novel, five manga series, and forty video games! The original series of this popular mecha anime, released in 1982, depicts a conflict between humans and aliens, with the aliens sent to Earth to retrieve a ship that crashed there ten years before.
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#9 Armored Trooper Votoms
1983 | 52 episodes
A noteworthy military science-fiction and mecha anime from the 80s, Armored Trooper Votoms’ narrative and action make it a meaningful classic for every mecha fan. The story centers on Chirico Cuvie, a soldier from planet Melkia, who gets accidentally caught up in a clandestine mission that will put his life on the line.
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#10 Magic Knight Rayearth
Imagine a world where three young girls are transported into a magical world and discover that they are tasked with saving the life of a princess. That’s Magic Knight Rayearth for you! This anime series from the 90s mixes elements of different genres, from isekai and mecha to the “magical girl” trope. Overall, it’s a pretty enjoyable experience.
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#11 Full Metal Panic!
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#12 Broken Blade
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#13 Gunbuster
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#14 Patlabor: The Mobile Police
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#15 FLCL
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#16 The King Of Braves Gaogaigar
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#17 Bokurano
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#18 Promare
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#19 The Big O
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#20 Star Driver
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#21 Akira
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#22 Nausicaä Of The Valley Of The Wind
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#23 Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans
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#24 Knights Of Sidonia
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#25 Yamato
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#26 Bubblegum Crisis
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#27 Appleseed XIII
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#28 Astro Boy
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#29 Mazinger
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#30 Five Star Stories
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#31 Guyver: The Bioboosted Armor
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#32 Last Exile
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#33 Voice Of A Distant Star
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#34 Steamboy
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#35 Pacific Rim: The Black
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#36 Burst Angel
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#37 Mobile Suit Gundam Wing
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#38 Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz
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#39 Mazinkaiser SKL
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#40 Rahxephon
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#41 Martian Successor Nadesico
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#42 Space Runaway Ideon
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#43 Aura Battler Dunbine
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#44 Fafner: Heaven And Earth
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#45 Infinite Ryvius
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#46 Gravion
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#47 Godannar
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#48 Gaiking
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#49 Overman King Gainer
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#50 Metal Skin Panic Madox-01
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