Highlights
- Mecha anime existed before Mobile Suit Gundam, but many of these early works were not recognized as such and didn't spawn franchises.
- These early mecha tales explored various themes, from post-World War 2 weapons to ancient civilizations and space invasions, and paved the way for the genre's future success.
When people picture mecha anime, they typically think of Mobile Suit Gundam. Dating back to 1979, this franchise did help popularize the genre, featuring robotic warriors locked in combat amid an epic space opera. Even today, it continues to be the prototypical example of mecha tales. It's not the first, though.
Several mecha works released before Gundam. Granted, many came before mecha established itself as an anime genre. As a result, audiences didn't recognize them as such. In turn, this may have been the reason that few of these properties spawned franchises. In hindsight, though, fans should commend these tales for their contributions.
6 Tetsujin 28-Go
The 1950s were fascinated with the mechanized "World of Tomorrow." A product of that fascination is Tetsujin 28-go. This early work centers on the eponymous robot, which was created as a weapon against the Allies in World War 2. The lead scientist, Dr. Kaneda, later bequeaths the colossal companion to his son, who uses it to fight similarly metal menaces.
This series began as a manga in 1956 and ran until 1966. In that time, it saw an anime adaptation, albeit with a name change. The result was the Gigantor show in 1963. Several more manga volumes and TV shows would come in the subsequent years, such as The New Adventures of Gigantor and Tetsujin 28-go FX. The franchise even saw a live-action rendition in 2005.
5 Mazinger
Mecha tales usually deal with the future, but Mazinger ties into the past through archaeology. Here, Professor Kabuto discovers a new element in Mt. Fuji. He then molds it into a guardian robot with the goal of thwarting his former colleague, Dr. Hell. They previously discovered the remains of a lost civilization using titans as its army. The mad doctor plans to use that civilization's research to launch his own conquest. It falls to Kabuto and his grandson, Koji, to master their own robot and save the world.
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The Mazinger manga debuted in 1972. It ended in 1973: the same year that the anime began. Fast-forward a few decades, and the property has seen various spin-offs and sequels. Great Mazinger, UFO Robot Grendizer, and Mazinkaiser are a few of these. The most recent entry--Mazinger Z: Infinity--was a theatrical film in 2018.
4 Getter Robo
Equally intriguing as Earth's past are the far reaches of space. That's why Professor Saotome builds his bots in Getter Robo. To facilitate interplanetary travel, he constructs the Getters as animal-themed fighter jets which can combine into one of three mechanized warriors. However, he soon fashions them into a defense force against extraterrestrial enemies. Their main foe is the Dinosaur Empire: a race of reptilian aliens descended from dinosaurs. As these lizards loom, it's up to three teenagers to pilot the Getters and protect their planet.
Getter Robo's manga and anime both began in 1974 and ended in 1975. Since then, the IP has seen several sequels, remakes, and other additions. Examples include Getter Robo G, Shin Getter Robo, and Getter Robo Armageddon. There was even a crossover with the Mazinger franchise. Of course, the latest chapter is an anime rendition of the Getter Robo Arc manga. This aired in 2021.
3 Astro Boy
Who would have thought that a mecha anime would take cues from Pinocchio? The story of Astro Boy begins when Dr. Tenma loses his son in a car accident. Desperate with grief, he invents Astro in the boy's image. The kid has the same memories and emotions as the doctor's son, but he also sports a plethora of high-tech enhancements, such as internal machine guns, flight capability, and super strength.
Through various unfortunate circumstances and seemingly endless cruelty, Astro is discovered by Professor Ochanomizu, who recognizes his capacity for emotion and raises him with love. Because of that kind guidance, Astro decides to use his advanced assets to fight crime. These efforts often result in combatting other robots.
Astro Boy got its start as a manga in 1952. It ran for well over a decade before wrapping up in 1968. The popularity led to three animated adaptations, standing as pioneers of both mechas and anime in general. This success culminated in a 2009 CG-animated film.
2 Raideen The Brave
Once again, it takes futuristic mechs to combat the past. Raideen the Brave refers to a friendly robot hidden on the island of Mu. On top of typical toys like missiles, electrical attacks, and transformations, he also draws on the magical power of his pyramid home to enhance his attack and defense. He emerges from that home when the ancient Demon Empire awakens to conquer the Earth. Raideen then aids a boy named Akira in repelling the invasion.
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The anime lasted from 1975 to 1976. No manga preceded it, but the show proved popular enough without any source material. It later spawned two more anime shows--both remakes--in 1996 and 2007. No official movie has emerged, but a Korean flick named Space Thunder Kids uses a robot design eerily similar to Raideen's.
1 Astroganger
This time, both the heroes and villains hail from space. Astroganger begins with Maya--an alien refugee--landing on Earth. She recently escaped her planet's destruction at the hands of the Blasters: a hostile people who mine worlds for resources. Ironically, those resources prove their undoing. That undoing comes in the form of Astroganger, a sentient robot forged from living metal. Maya's son, Kantaro, eventually joins forces with this mech to prevent Earth from suffering the same fate as countless planets before.
Another example with no manga, Astroganger, first came to screens as an anime in 1972. It concluded the following year and has sadly remained dormant ever since. No remakes or other additions ever materialized. That said, never say never.