Do Transformers count as Mecha?

[superplough]

Opinion poll. And don't go saying it's not anime, because there were at least 4 series' of Transformers anime.

[Levon]

Well Transformers are giant robots after all.

[MonkeyBoy0314]

Are they giant robots? Yes, so it is a mecha series

[Sushikins]

If the Yuusha Robots from GaoGaiGar are considered mecha, I see no reason why the Transformers can't be also.

[Hisoka]

They fit in with most super robots and mecha. Transformers having personality and a mind of their own is the only thing that separates them from the rest. While on the subject I really would like to see TV-Nihon finish up Transformers Victory since they are only one shy of being completed. I saw the first two episodes and it seemed like good stuff, much better than Masterforce which failed to realize that the Transformers themselves is the main attraction and not crappy human characters. With that said I'd also like to see the rest of Headmasters. :)

[superplough]

They fit in with most super robots and mecha. Transformers having personality and a mind of their own is the only thing that separates them from the rest.

This was the only reason I asked. I wasn't sure if mecha only referred to the exoskeletal type used in many anime.

the Transformers themselves is the main attraction and not crappy human characters.

QFT

[Hisoka]

This was the only reason I asked. I wasn't sure if mecha only referred to the exoskeletal type used in many anime.


It's like Sushi said, almost everyone counts Yuusha Robots from GaoGaiGar, Da Garn and I'll throw in Machine Robo Rescue (which is very under the radar). So Transformers should be no exception. I really like this genre type a good deal.

Edit - It's just like the song (http://youtube.com/watch?v=zJV4FLlGeC0) says. "Transformers! More than meets the eye. Transformers! Robots in disguise."

[MonkeyBoy0314]

I saw the first two episodes and it seemed like good stuff, much better than Masterforce which failed to realize that the Transformers themselves is the main attraction and not crappy human characters

As good as the live action movie was (frikkin' AWESOME!! :ssj: ), I think Bay should have taken this into account

[Soluzar]

I count them as super robots. The reason for the name of the genre is that they are suposed to be kind of like robot superheroes, which describes the Transformers perfectly. They are kinda like the X-Men or the Avengers in the way that there's a whole team of 'em who complement each other's skills.

Definitely super robots, in my opinion.

[Phantom]

I wouldn't call the Transformers mecha in the same way i wouldn't call power rangers mecha or MXRs are whatever it is called. These are cartoons aimed at kids not serous shows aimed at the mainstream. The term mecha should be used for japanese anime and/or serous shows. One show outside of japan that i would consider mecha is battletech. They made a good effort on this show but sadly they only made 13 episodes of it. I guess it was too involved for the average kid.

Oh and im not counting the movie as i haven't seen it so it wouldn't be fair to judge it.

[Soluzar]

I wouldn't call the Transformers mecha in the same way i wouldn't call power rangers mecha or MXRs are whatever it is called. These are cartoons aimed at kids not serous shows aimed at the mainstream.
By that definition, more than half the Japanese series featuring robots aren't mecha either. <_<

[Phantom]

Are we counting kid shows? I don't know much about what is airing on japanese TV apart from the latest anime. Tracking down series's like SDF gundam force isn't a good use of my time. Would you count SDF gundam force as mecha?

[Soluzar]

Are we counting kid shows?
We're counting anime. I don't think you can make this arbitrary distinction between entertainment aimed at adults and entertainement aimed at children. I'm pretty sure the original Gundam was considered children's entertainment in Japan.

[ZeroRyoko1974]

transformers are mecha. I can't see why people would think they are not.

[The Million Dollar Prons]

YES BECAUSE THEY OWN.

- Prns

[LuigiHann]

Transformers aren't piloted by angst-filled teenagers, are they?

[CrossboneGundam]

If the Yuusha Robots from GaoGaiGar are considered mecha, I see no reason why the Transformers can't be also.

Why on earth wouldn't they be considered mecha?

There seems to be a serious lack of understanding of the term "mecha" on the part of superplough.

Transformers aren't piloted by angst-filled teenagers, are they?

And since when was that the definition of "mecha"? Mech/a is an abbreviation of "mechanical" or "machine." Since when were whiny teenagers machines? And since when were machines only machines when whiny teenagers were involved?

[Kaneda_88]

YES BECAUSE THEY OWN.

- Prns Well put ^_^ and unlike most mecha seris these robots are sentient beings and can turn into various vehichles so there that much more awsome.

[tenshi_a]

I was thinking of keeping out of this thread, but... gave in and turned up after all.

In the English-fan-definition of "mecha", it seems they're usually exclusively piloted robots, for some reason. (whether the pilot resides in the robot or via remote control)

I personally don't care whether the robot is sentient or not. I think all robots ought to count as mecha, really. So Tetsuwan Atom is a mecha, Arale-chan is a mecha, and Doraemon is a mecha. And the Transformers are.

I also think they're more mecha than other things people count as mecha which are organic, such as Tekkaman Blade (he's more metal-hero (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_Hero), or boosted-armour), or the eva units.

Many people seem to disagree with me, though. -_-;

[Delta-Pheonix]

I vote yes...

(Fillzorx)

[LuigiHann]

And since when was that the definition of "mecha"? Mech/a is an abbreviation of "mechanical" or "machine." Since when were whiny teenagers machines? And since when were machines only machines when whiny teenagers were involved?

I was just joking around regarding the genre conventions. Perhaps I should have added a smiley? Besides, under your definition, is every machine a mecha? Regular cars? Computers? Ramps? Elevators? Where is the line?

[tenshi_a]

An aside: when Japanese people use the term "mecha" they're referring to anything mechanical. I saw it stated in the wiki article on mecha, then noticed it last night while watchig Cutey Honey, someone referring to part of a car, or something.

BTW Cutey Honey - the original "Robot in Disguise"! :lol:

[Delta-Pheonix]

An aside: when Japanese people use the term "mecha" they're referring to anything mechanical. I saw it stated in the wiki article on mecha, then noticed it last night while watchig Cutey Honey, someone referring to part of a car, or something.

BTW Cutey Honey - the original "Robot in Disguise"! :lol:

QFT, i think however in anime terms Mecha is essenially anything with Robots wether sentient autonomous or piloted is an essential or significant part of the plot. Then again it depends on what the viewers opions.

[Soluzar]

QFT, i think however in anime terms Mecha is essenially anything with Robots wether sentient autonomous or piloted is an essential or significant part of the plot. Then again it depends on what the viewers opions.
It doesn't have to be robots, though. I know what you mean, but I've seen some mecha in anime which you could hardly describe as robots. I think that what defines the "mecha" genre is that the focus is usually upon mobile weapons platforms. Sometimes those take the form that you might call a robot, other times they look a bit more abstract. That's still distinct from the more general use of "mecha" to describe anything mechanical.

I also think that some users (such as Phantom) have a rather reductive definition of the mecha genre, because they are only familiar with the more modern entries in the genre. The very first mecha anime was a super robot anime, and there was pretty much no other kind of mecha anime until Gundam.

It is important to remember that super robots came first, and although they may not have the complex plots you expect of modern mecha anime, they defined the genre, not Yoshiyuke Tomino's creations.

[boomsnapclap]

YES BECAUSE THEY OWN.

- Prns

AGREED. :D

[CrossboneGundam]

I was just joking around regarding the genre conventions. Perhaps I should have added a smiley? Besides, under your definition, is every machine a mecha? Regular cars? Computers? Ramps? Elevators? Where is the line?

Mecha=mechanical. What more is there? You don't see anime about inclined planes, pulleys or levers, do you?

[LuigiHann]

Mecha=mechanical. What more is there? You don't see anime about inclined planes, pulleys or levers, do you?


Maybe you don't

[Matsu'o Tsurayaba]

Yes.I can think of 2 Transformers Anime.Armada,which was my favorite and Cyberton..i think.

[CrossboneGundam]

Maybe you don't

Great comeback, that's totally not effectively the same as saying "no u." No way anyone would tell you to come up with examples of pulley anime or anything, right? :P

Yes.I can think of 2 Transformers Anime.Armada,which was my favorite and Cyberton..i think.

What? I don't see any posts where somebody's saying there's no Transformers anime.

I can't even comprehend your motivation for saying that when it's common knowledge that the original Transformers was anime.

[Vaikyuko]

Transformers count as mecha. There's not really anything to debate.

There's two general definitions I tend to use when it comes to the term mecha. Crossbone's is, logically speaking, the obvious choice and one I use a majority of the time as a general thing. Giant robots of any kind (powered armor, androids, etc do not fall into this category) is the other definition. It doesn't matter if it's piloted, sentient, or a homosexual trapeze artist who likes eating croissants from Hell upside down, so long as it's a giant robot, it qualifies. The only times I use this definition for mecha, however, is when I'm speaking more specifically about giant robots (obviously). It's not a proper definition.

[Delta-Pheonix]

It doesn't have to be robots, though. I know what you mean, but I've seen some mecha in anime which you could hardly describe as robots. I think that what defines the "mecha" genre is that the focus is usually upon mobile weapons platforms. Sometimes those take the form that you might call a robot, other times they look a bit more abstract. That's still distinct from the more general use of "mecha" to describe anything mechanical.

I also think that some users (such as Phantom) have a rather reductive definition of the mecha genre, because they are only familiar with the more modern entries in the genre. The very first mecha anime was a super robot anime, and there was pretty much no other kind of mecha anime until Gundam.

It is important to remember that super robots came first, and although they may not have the complex plots you expect of modern mecha anime, they defined the genre, not Yoshiyuke Tomino's creations.

Nail head hit = true

[Egyptpower]

Transformers inspired the Yuusha/Brave franchise, which had a toyline done by the Japanese company that created the Transformers toyline. So YES, it counts as Mecha.

[Ridley-X4]

If trains count as mecha, it's a no-brainer that any robot would count as mecha. Even the IRL ones on those battling shows popular with trailer trash.

[Masokick]

If it's got big machines I'd call it mecha, pilots or no. More importantly, Transformers has Optimus Prime!! <3

[Waga]

Of course they are Mecha. This thread is like asking if God is considered a divine entity or not. But i see where you're comin from. The fact that its become a very americanised thing some how decieves people into thinking transformers is not anime or mecha.

[Yozuki]

Ever watched the fourth season of Transformers? It was called Headmasters, which had humans in control of an exosuit that were the heads of the Transformers. It later spawned an anime season or two in Japan.

They fall under the mecha category, but it is also weird as mainstream normally sees mecha as piloted robots that merge into a larger machine. Some were sentient, but almost always had a pilot, the Transformers normally don't have one.