Summary
If there’s one thing viewers can rely on inanime, it’s that at some point, sooner or later, a robot will appear. These robots can take all sorts of shapes and sizes, including that of animals, and there are far more of them than some might think. They can be companions, adversaries, protagonists and even mythical. Within all these archetypes, anime fans will have seen some of the most iconic characters of all time.
Humans pilot some animal mecha; AI powers others, but all of them bring a unique fusion of agility, strength, and ferocity to the battlefield. FromZoidstoEscaflowne, these mechanical beasts incorporate incredible character designs and unique stories, making for some unforgettable set-piece battles and powerful stories. Here is a guide to the standout specimens.
Beast King GoLionwas the Japanese name for the show that would be adapted in the west asVoltron: Defender Of The Universe. The highly influential anime, which had an impact on several of the entries on this list, got its start in the early 80s and follows five young heroes who each control their own robotic lion, with the power to combine units into the mighty GoLion. As well as being a hit in its native country, for many Western viewers it was also the show that introduced them to anime.
Beast King GoLionis especially memorable as each of the component units came with its own distinct appearance, reflected in the individual personalities of each pilot, who had their own personality. One of the most instantly recognizable giant robots in all of anime, GoLion’s epic fight scenes and cosmic scale made it closer to a space opera than a standard giant robot anime. It was also a huge influence ontransforming mechain anime.
Casshern Sins
Friender is a combination of a beloved pet, a deadly weapon and a Swiss army knife. Anime heads will recognise him as the loyal companion in thedystopian animeNeo-Human Casshern(also known simply asCasshern), a flagship show made by the legendary Tatsunoko Productions, which began in the late 1970s. Friender’s titular master is a cyborg with human consciousness, who fights against the evil Black King Boss and his army of killer robots threatening to take over the world.
With a sleek design somewhere between Wolf and Great Dane, Friender is designed to provide both combat and support. He is able to transform into one of several different vehicles, including a motorcycle, a submarine, and even a jet. In his regular form, he is also a proverbial beast and more than a match for any enemy robots foolish enough to get in his way. Like many dogs, he is also not averse to pets from his master, whom he protects with his life.
Overseen by anime auteur Shoji Kawamori,The Vision Of Escaflownewas a show that took the genre rulebook and promptly flung it out of the nearest window. Its story threw together a high schooler, amagical fantasy kingdomand a bunch of giant steampunk mecha, with some romance for good measure. The show is remembered not just for its storytelling but also its banger of a theme tune, which easily ranks as one of the best anime openers ever written.
The mecha of the show are known asGuymelefs, essentially giant suits of armor built for close-range single combat. The most famous Guymelef is the fabledEscaflowne, and unlike its counterparts, it comes with the ability to transform into a dragon, which means it is a force to be reckoned with both on the ground and in the air. It combines magical and elemental aspects, in keeping with its fantasy setting, such as its powerful energy blade and mystical shield.
Zoidsoriginated as a niche model kit in Japan in the 1980s, before going on to enjoy an overseas release and eventually becoming a familiar sight in American and European toy stores. Something of a sleeper hit; it may not have had the planet-conquering might of its pop culture peerTransformers,but it was successful enough to get its own media empire via comics, an ongoing toy line which continues to this day, several video games and also an anime.
The cybernetic beasts take a multitude of animal forms, from dinosaurs and tigers all the way through to giant gorillas. The anime adaptation spanned six series, includingZoids: Chaotic CenturyandZoids: New Century, and are set in a world where warring empiresutilize these mechanical creatures as machines of war. The mecha designs, largely in keeping with their 1980s originals, still look fresh and dynamic in the present day.
2Daltanious
It Walked So Voltron Could Run
BeforeVoltron, there wasDaltanious. Known in Japan asMirai Robo Daltanious,the show first came out in 1979 and was a pioneering mecha anime that introduced the very first lion-based combining robot. It took place in the 22nd century and fit in other anime staples like precocious teenagers, a warring galactic empire and three separate mecha that could join together to form a super unit with enormous power.
Daltainous comprised the super-robot Atlaus, who was able to combine with the intelligent lion robot Beralios. The third component of the unit was the fighter robot Gunper, and it was Beralios' head that formed the chest and head piece when the titular mech took his final form. The anime was one of the very first to include an animal component in its combination sequence, and while it was overshadowed by more successful titles that followed in its wake, it still a cult favorite among mecha enthusiasts.
From Sunrise, the studio that gave the worldMobile Suit Gundam, comes this classic 90s anime which was the climax of theBravesseries. The story follows cyborg protagonist Gai Shishioh, who leads a battalion in battle against the alien race known as Zonders. It’s the giant mechGaleon, a lion-shaped mecha of mysterious origin, which is of relevance to this list, and which functions as the core of the mightyGaoGaiGar.
One of the all-time classic Super Robot anime,The King of Braves GaoGaiGarwove a powerful narrative which revolved around themes of bravery, sacrifice, and the power of human will. To this day, its superstar robot can be found in toy and hobby shops, making it a certified anime icon. The series' iconic fight scenes, including GaoGaiGar’s signature Heaven and Hell finishing move, coupled with powerful moments of human drama, make it a standout.
