Okay, so I have a confession to make… I am not a fan of mecha anime! In fact I can count the number of mecha anime series I’ve seen on one hand and I don’t even need all five fingers either. So, there weren’t very many choices to choose from for this prompt… and let me warn you in advanced, it’s not one of the Gundam anime series.
Yeah, this choice was a game of Eeny, meeny, miny, moe… Mecha just isn’t my thing, so I apologize to the mecha fans in advance since this isn’t one of those prolific classic mecha series. Instead I picked a rather recent, much more lighthearted (at least in the beginning) series. So my favorite mecha anime series is…
I first saw this series on Sci Fi’s Ani-Mondays, I guess I was drawn in by how loud this show was… maybe it was all the bright colors, could have been all the yelling, or maybe it was how utterly absurd the whole thing was. I think the real reason I watched this series until the end, was to see just how far the crazy train would go and I can honestly say I was surprised by the result. I did not expect to fall in love with this quirky hodge-poge anime series, but I did and I enjoyed every minute of it!
Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, released in 2007, is a 27 episode mecha anime series, from the studio that brought us the delightful Neon Genesis Evangelion. So forgive me for expecting something… I dunno… deep… The series follows two guys, Simon and Kamina, who along with the rest of humanity were forced to live underground in subterranean cities by the Spiral King. Despite spending their entire lives underground, Kamina dreams of one day seeing the surface world often roping poor Simon into his schemes. It isn’t until Simon uncovers a strange key and a small mecha, that their impossible dream becomes a reality. With the help of their mecha and a band of surface humans, Simon and Kamina fight against the Spiral King’s henchmen in a war that will change the fate of humanity forever.
So, you guys must be wondering, why this series? What makes Gurren Lagann so special? Well to be completely honest it’s because this show was so much fun, from the premise to the characters themselves. Underneath all the shenanigans was a truly inspirational story, I mean the characters practically cram the motivational speeches down your throat. But they do it in such a self mocking and slapstick way that you just eat it up, no matter how cheesy the line. Of course Gurren Lagann isn’t all fun and games, the show had it’s fair share of serious moments too. Some truly devastating moments that really tugged at the heartstrings, but nothing that would put you off of the series.
I guess since this is a mecha series I should maybe say something about the mecha of the series, the Gunman… So I’ll say this, they only get more over the top and ridiculous as the story goes on, believability (as if that were possible in this series) gets chucked right out the window with those things towards the end. But hey, that’s just a part of Gurren Lagann’s charm… In the end I really enjoyed this series, because it never really took itself too seriously.
Well, that’s my pick for my favorite mecha series. What did you think of my pick? What anime series would you pick for your favorite mecha series? Let me know in the comments section. As always THANK YOU for reading!!!
Yes! That’s my pick as well! I also don’t like mecha anime, but I love Gurren Lagann for the same reasons as you. The unique hot-blooded visual style made me a fan of the animators as well as the studio they formed, Studio Trigger (who made Kill La Kill, one of my favorites). I had the honor of meeting Studio Trigger animators this weekend at an anime convention, and they drew awesome pictures on my Gurren Lagann wall scroll, drawstring bag, and DVD slip covers. It was amazing meeting them. They’re very down-to-earth.
Oh my gosh that is so cool!
Hell yeah! Great choice. I was re-watching this before starting my Summer and it still retains the high-octane energy I loved seeing from it the first time around.
Yup! This show is one of the few shounen series I can still tolerate now that I’m older. Plus it’s just a really fun series!
Gurren Lagann is so funny. I love that it can deliver a serious story while making your laugh.
Laughter made alot of the more serious moments easier to swallow! Definitely a solid anime series
Gurren Lagann is one of those shows that I need to give a second chance one of these days. In theory I should like it, as I am a fan of mechs and Kill La Kill style wackiness. My fave anime that features giant bots would have to be Code Geass.
How far did you get the first time? If you can make it to episode 8, you’ll be over the hump.
Code Geass is a great show too! I watched it forever ago on CN…
I stopped Gurren Lagann at episode 8, but I really should pick it up again! For my best mecha pick, I’d definitely say Gundam: Iron Blooded Orphans. I haven’t seen too much mecha, and this stood out as a show in general. The characterization was really good and the themes were well executed. Won’t get too deep into why, since I recently wrote a whole review on it. But it’s definitely worth checking out. (Although it’s quite serious in contrast to Gurren Lagann!)
I’ve never seen that series maybe I should look it up sometime lol! I’m always willing to watch a good anime series regardless of the genre
IBO has a second season coming in the fall too, now’s the time to watch~
I don’t like mecha animes at all XD but if I have to choose I’d choose Macross series
Me either lol. I saw maybe one or two episodes of that series a long time ago. Is it any good?
I like it 🙂 Macross is a classic. Especially the old version.
Watch the movie “Macross: Do you remember love?”
It’s an old anime but super cool 🙂
Alright will do!!
Balls to the walls action and shenanigans. What great animes are made of.
Yup absolutely!
Yahoo Gurren Lagann! I love this anime. This anime and the music gets me pumped up every time. 🙂