Super Robot/Mecha Recommendations

[Jon]

Alright, is there anything as epic as Gurren Lagann out there? I absolutely had a blast watching. I know there's more shows out there like it, but what are generally considered the best? I've been looking at Gao-Gai-Gar and it looks promising.

It would help if I can buy it on R1 DVD/Blu ray

And...would would you say the difference is between a "super robot" versus a "mecha" show?

[tenshi_a]

GaoGaiGar is very cool. :D

A "super robot" is a kind of "mecha".

A "real robot" is a kind of mecha too.

Super robot shows tend to be full of impossible awesome and epic things, real robot shows are full of really detailed fictional military details and strategies, scientific explanations for things, and long boring debates about morality.

There are hybrid shows too. Best of both worlds.

Have you seen Gunbuster?

[Jon]

^I have, I didn't enjoy it as much as a lot of other users here on AN did. I liked it, but I didn't think it was extraordinary. Perhaps it was because by the time things start to get good, it ended. Not much character development.

Here's some super robot/mecha shows I've watched and thoroughly enjoyed:
Gurren Lagann
Giant Robo
Gundam franchise (except for G Gundam, which I've heard is awesome).
Orguss 02

[Daishikaze]

Giant Robo
Shin Mazinger Z
New Getter Robo
Getter Robo Armageddon
Shin Getter Robo Vs. Neo Getter Robo
Kotetsushin Jeeg
Tetsujin 28 (2004)

[Soluzar]

GaoGaiGar is very slow paced, at first. It takes a while for the story to get anywhere, but it is always enoyable. I feel like you have to tap into your inner child to really love Super Robot anime.

My top picks for entertaining stuff that you haven't seen are Gaiking: Legend of Daikyu-Maryu, GaoGaiGar and Godannar. I have a feeling any older stuff will just be unpalatable for someone who isn't already a dyed-in-the-wool robot fan. RahXephon also deserves honorable mention, as does Dunbine. Shin Mazinger is a bit... eh... well it throws you in at the deep end, I suspect it was made with existing fans in mind.

[Daishikaze]

I didn't think Shin Mazinger just dropped you into things with no previous knowledge. I admit the first ep threw me off but it was more of "This is where the series is going, now let us see how it all started". From then on it was a steady progression. the only problem I have with it is that it leaves wondering what is going to happen next, since I doubt they will get a second season no matter how much we want to know what's going to happen.

As for your other recommendations, Spot on. some great shows there

[Caster13]

Jon, G Gundam is Mecha + DBZ. You're not missing anything good, trust me.

[tenshi_a]

^I have, I didn't enjoy it as much as a lot of other users here on AN did. I liked it, but I didn't think it was extraordinary. Perhaps it was because by the time things start to get good, it ended. Not much character development.

I thought I'd throw it in 'cos, well, I haven't seen Gurren Lagann (nor do I particularly want to), but it's the first super robot show I saw and I really like it, plus it's Gainax as is TTGL.

Gunbuster was supposed to be a full series, like, 26 eps or whatever, but they had no money so it got shortened to a 6 ep OVA. There's a Gunbuster PS2 game that goes through the story as though it were that full series.

If I was going to watch a mecha show tomorrow it would probably be:
a) Made by SUNRISE
b) Not have anything to do with Tomino
c) Goes without saying after a) but, would have nothing to do with Go Nagai.

But that's just me. It doesn't help you at all! -_-;

[KT Kore]

Don't trust Kenpachi. Don't trust me, either. Trust seeing it for yourself. I personally think G Gundam is, indeed, awesome. Lots of fun to watch and it was nice to see Gundam do something different and go super robot. I would recommend checking it out.

[Jon]

Don't trust Kenpachi. Don't trust me, either. Trust seeing it for yourself. I personally think G Gundam is, indeed, awesome. Lots of fun to watch and it was nice to see Gundam do something different and go super robot. I would recommend checking it out.
Well, to be fair, Gundam + DBZ sounds kind of awesome :lol: The only thing I remember from G Gundam is shiiiiiiiiining fingerrrrrrrrrrrr!

Looks like the G Gundam boxsets are disappearing from retailers. Oh Bandai, I hope they aren't having financial trouble. :(

[Caster13]

The ending is lame.

[Jon]

Alright, I'm gonna try out Gaiking (what order should I watch them in?) and GaoGaiGar.

And another question to anyone who has seen Orguss 02 OVA, would you suggest me watching the original series? I know they are hard to find now since ImaginAsian stopped producing them, but how is it?

[Soluzar]

Alright, I'm gonna try out Gaiking (what order should I watch them in?) and GaoGaiGar.
There are two anime called Gaiking, one from way back and one from 2005. You won't find the older anime anywhere, and the new one stands alone. The only thing they share in common is the main robot, there's no real story connection. The 2005 anime is not so much a remake more a re-imagining of the original series with younger characters and somewhat different themes. Just watch that one, it's straightforward, there is just a TV series to watch.

GaoGaiGar, you watch the original TV series then GaoGaiGar Final. There are two versions of GaoGaiGar final, one is an OVA the other a TV series, I strongly suggest you watch the OVA. They both do basically the same stuff. If you don't like either of those two, super robots just aren't your thing.

[mooseegg1982]

G Gundam is an awesome series. So much better than the "we are war with everyone and the other people must die immediately" type of Gundam we all know.

I would also say Big O. I liked it because it was made after Batman the animated series art style.

[Sharp-kun]

Gunbuster
G Gundam
Godannar
Shin Mazinger Z
Gaogaigar + FINAL
Tekkaman Blade
Gravion + Zwei
Hades Project Zeorymer
Gun X Sword
Nanoha (watch it and you'll see what I mean)

To name a few favourites.

[Ridley-X4]

Personally, I liked Gunbuster, Godannar, Gurren-Lagann, and GaoGaiGar the most.

[Arch-Defender]

Godannar

I second that.

[Zerotaku]

You can't go wrong with any of the works of Go Nagai when it comes to mecha(well, aside from Groizer X). Mazinger Z, Grendizer, Kotetsu Jeeg, Mazinkaiser... They're all awesome.

[OnePixelJumpMan]

Second to all Go Nagai, especially in the case of the Mazinkaiser OVAs. Just make sure to brace yourself for the boobs in the beach episode because you can't escape them.

Also, Getter Robo. Just all of it, except Getter Robo Go. If you're looking for something outstandingly awesome, I would go with either Getter Robo: Armageddon or New Getter Robo. Shin Getter Robo vs. Neo Getter Robo was good overall, but not the best for robot action.

If you want a crazy karate man beating the ever loving crap out of dinosaurs with guns, that's different and Ryouma Nagare has something to tell you. With his fists.

[Sharp-kun]

Just make sure to brace yourself for the boobs in the beach episode because you can't escape them.
You need bracing?

[Jon]

Old thread...is getting older. Ordered the first box set of G Gundam, should be getting it in the next couple of days.

[Sharp-kun]

You have chosen wisely.

[Mickeymac92]

I just noticed no one recommended the sequel to Giant Robo...I take it it's not very good?

EDIT: I guess for clarification I should note that GR: Giant Robo isn't a sequel, but a reimagining of the original manga.

[Ryvius]

I just noticed no one recommended the sequel to Giant Robo...I take it it's not very good?

EDIT: I guess for clarification I should note that GR: Giant Robo isn't a sequel, but a reimagining of the original manga.
Isn't that one not subbed or something? No idea. I know one of the installments of GGG isn't subbed so maybe I'm mixing it up with that.

[Mickeymac92]

Isn't that one not subbed or something? No idea. I know one of the installments of GGG isn't subbed so maybe I'm mixing it up with that.

After looking around, I see that you're right. I thought it was officially subbed and everything since I found an english trailer and the website is in english, too. Well this sucks, I was really planning on watching that one sometime soon.

[Sushikins]

Gunbuster and GaoGaiGar are godly. This has probably already been established, but it people always need reminding. Other great super robot shows are Chouju Kishin Dancouga and Mazinkaiser. Anything from Go Nagai, really.

[Mickeymac92]

Other great super robot shows are Chouju Kishin Dancouga and Mazinkaiser. Anything from Go Nagai, really.

I second these. Dancougar is really deep and interesting for a super robot show, while Mazinkaiser was just really fun to watch.

[Ryvius]

Dancougar's a bit like Ideon to me in terms of genre bending... definitely kind of mixes in both super/real robot elements so that's pretty awesome. I need to pick it back up myself and finish it, what I've seen so far is definitely pretty solid.