AnimeSuki Forums

Register Forum Rules FAQ Members List Social Groups Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Go Back   AnimeSuki Forum > Anime Related Topics > General Anime

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 2012-09-11, 02:42   Link #1
Mr.Inferno
Member
 
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: with the wind
How do people feel about mecha anime?

I was wondering how does everyone feel about mecha anime? I asked a few people and they said they hated mecha. I was wondering, none of them could or would explain why.

So I would like to know, how do you guys feel about mechas?
Mr.Inferno is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2012-09-11, 03:24   Link #2
xBakaChanx
Kotori!Kotori!Kotori!
 
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: 2D world
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr.Inferno View Post
I was wondering how does everyone feel about mecha anime? I asked a few people and they said they hated mecha. I was wondering, none of them could or would explain why.

So I would like to know, how do you guys feel about mechas?
I guess it all depends on what kind of mecha anime? I mean I quite liked the gundam series but then something like Gurren Lagann would give off a completely different feel. Generally though I don't hate on mecha nor do I "love" it~
__________________
xBakaChanx is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2012-09-11, 03:31   Link #3
NoemiChan
Banned
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Philippines
Age: 36
Send a message via Yahoo to NoemiChan
It depends... Watch Gundam Wing or Vision of Escaflowne... balance of mecha and romance is very appreciable.. pure mecha battle will bore you... sometimes..
NoemiChan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2012-09-11, 11:13   Link #4
stormtrooper
Senior Member
 
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Saimoe Planet
I don't hate mecha anime it's just that I haven't been following on it.
stormtrooper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2012-09-11, 11:17   Link #5
zeonchar
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: America and wish's he could be in space and fly as soldier under char azanable
Mecha is great to watch and enjoy to be honest! I love the fact of "Giant robot figures beating each other to death with a some what of military plot line" is my kind of thing and my preference. I love Mecha anime and manga, I don't like it when somebody bashes it and have no information on it, but the most famous and most common "Gundam wing."
zeonchar is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2012-09-11, 12:04   Link #6
Lord of Fire
The Voice of Reason
 
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: The Netherlands
Age: 47
Mechas in anime bore me. They're pretty much the only type of shows I absolutely refuse to watch, knowing that chances are high I won't (fully) enjoy them.
__________________
Lord of Fire is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2012-09-11, 12:31   Link #7
Tempester
Japanese Culture Fan
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Planet Earth
Age: 33
There are a lot of mecha anime with various genres and moods. Hell, it's possible to consider AKB0048 and Last Exile to be mecha. I don't think "mecha" is really a genre, just a specific story tool.

I don't normally have a problem with the use of mecha as long as it's either in a fantastic setting or is given a remotely plausible excuse. But I do think that Japanese writers have been over-reliant on them, because it seems that every other anime about the military or alien invasions uses mecha. I'm sure there's the "cool" factor at work, but I also get the impression that most Japanese writers don't know how to write something exciting and politically intriguing without throwing giant humanoid robots into the mix. There's plenty of room for innovation, but the concept itself is tired and overused.

It would be great to have more of a focus on tanks and planes.
Tempester is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2012-09-11, 12:39   Link #8
Sheba
I Miss NEET Life
 
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Formerly Iwakawa base and Chaldea. Now Teyvat, the Astral Express & the Outpost
Age: 44
UFO Grendizer, Macross and Evangelion hold a sentimental value to me. I thoroughly enjoyed Full Metal Panic series and the Muv Luv visual novels. And I can't bring myself to care about anything in the whole Gundam franchise, maybe it's the mech designs, the characters, the universe or the fans (I am especially looking at Zeon supporters) that rubs me the wrong way. Overall it's a case by case thing for me as far as the genre is concerned.
Sheba is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2012-09-11, 18:03   Link #9
Infinite Zenith
Operation sneaky sneaks
*IT Support
 
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Hic et ubique
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sheba View Post
Overall it's a case by case thing for me as far as the genre is concerned.
I concur, and (perhaps sadly), I do happen to be a fan of Gundam 00 and Gundam Unicorn. From my end, I think the character interaction and portrayal within the setting is the primary attribute in determining whether or not a mecha series is worthwhile, so while stuff like Break Blade and Rinne no Lagrange is excellent in my books, Gurran Lagan isn't because the characters don't seem to work with me. They seem too over-the-top and so, seem to detract from the show's concepts.

This is purely opinion, of course, although I imagine that I will get some funny stares for my mecha preferences
__________________
Infinite Zenith is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2012-09-11, 18:46   Link #10
Kaoru Chujo
Yuuki Aoi
 
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
I really just don't get mecha. Not that I reject anything because there are mecha in it. Good science fiction is good science fiction. But the appeal of giant mecha is lost on me. I think of them as representing a ten-year-old boy's dreams of being a man. Not that there's anything wrong with that, since just about all anime is based on genres for children (I love Yumeiro Patissiere).
__________________
YUUKI Aoi 悠木碧. b92.03.27 (age 29). 2008 Kurenai (Murasaki). 2009 Yumeiro Pâtissière (Ichigo), Kiruminzuu (Riko), Yutori-chan (Yutori-chan). 2010 Vampire Bund (Mina Tepeş), Shiki (Sunako), Samurai Girls (Juubee), Pokémon: Black and White (Iris). 2011 Madoka Magica (Madoka), Gosick (Victorique), A-Channel (Tooru). 2012 Symphogear (Hibiki). 2014 Pilot's Love Song (Claire/Nina), Nanatsu no Taizai (Diane). 2015 Owari no Seraph (Krul Tepes), Rokka no Yuusha (Fremy). 2016 Boku no Hero Academia (Tsuyu, Froppy). 2017 Kino no Tabi (Kino). 2021 Kumo desu ga (watashi), Kaizoku Oujo (Karin), Heike Monogatari (Biwa), etc., etc. Total of 513 roles in anime and games.

Last edited by Kaoru Chujo; 2012-09-11 at 19:53.
Kaoru Chujo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2012-09-11, 19:28   Link #11
Midnight2352
Midnight
*Author
 
 
Join Date: May 2012
I don't really like mecha in animes. The only exception i would make is if the animes is really good but doesn't focus too much on the mecha. Like Code Geass, Escaflowne or Dragonaut. A full on mecha battle seems boring and too used and childish since kids love robots.
__________________
Midnight2352 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2012-09-11, 20:34   Link #12
stormtrooper
Senior Member
 
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Saimoe Planet
Quote:
Originally Posted by Midnight2352 View Post
I don't really like mecha in animes. The only exception i would make is if the animes is really good but doesn't focus too much on the mecha. Like Code Geass, Escaflowne or Dragonaut. A full on mecha battle seems boring and too used and childish since kids love robots.
That's what I feel for these kinds of shows. It doesn't need to be full of battles but if it has a nice story, then I might watch it. I did watch Gundam Wing and Escaflowne but the others, I don't think I'll appreciate as much.
stormtrooper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2012-09-11, 20:40   Link #13
Flawfinder
Loves the Experience
 
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Earth...hopefully
I don't give a crap about mecha. That's not my genre. There are some I've seen that I've liked, like Bokurano, Code Geass, and Evangelion. Stuff like Gurren Lagann and Gundam bore me to tears.
__________________

My Awesome Anime Blog: Standing On My Neck

Last edited by Flawfinder; 2012-09-12 at 08:14.
Flawfinder is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2012-09-11, 21:15   Link #14
Vexx
Obey the Darkly Cute ...
*Author
 
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: On the whole, I'd rather be in Kyoto ...
Age: 66
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr.Inferno View Post
I was wondering how does everyone feel about mecha anime? I asked a few people and they said they hated mecha. I was wondering, none of them could or would explain why.

So I would like to know, how do you guys feel about mechas?
I don't *object* to mecha, I just don't watch a series simply because it has mecha. If there's a storyline I find interesting that happens to occur in a mecha setting, I'll happily watch that. If the primary purpose of the series is power moves, shouting, and heroic power ups... then I don't watch it for the same reason I don't watch Pokemon. Its really designed for young boys.

I enjoyed Martian Nadesico Successor, I like the majority of Gurren Lagann but more because of the characters and story. They just happened to pilot mecha. For the same reason I rather liked the Nanoha series and I'm not really a "magical girl series" fan per se. ---> storyline.
__________________
Vexx is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2012-09-12, 06:24   Link #15
Obelisk ze Tormentor
Black Steel Knight
 
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Indonesia
I agree with Sheba who said that “Mecha Animes” (if that really is a genre) are a case-by-case thing. There are abysmal ones, there are great ones, and there are more in between. I think how they execute the story told in the anime itself is more important than whether or not there’s mecha in it. Btw, In a lot of animes, mechas are just tools for the characters to use like swords or any other weapons. The mechas are not necessarily the focus of the story. Imo, the only mecha-animes who put great emphasis on their mechas are only from the Super-Robot sub-genre like Gaiking, Voltus, Grendizer, Go-Lion, etc which are indeed designed for children-audiences in mind.

Just like many others, I like mecha animes in which the focus is on the characters and not the mechas themselves. That’s perfectly reflected by some of my favorite titles like Gundam 0080, Patlabor, The 08th Mobile Suit Team, Broken Blade, Full Metal Panic, Gunbuster, Sakura, SDF Macross, Ghost in the Shell, Gundam Unicorn, Escaflowne, and more. And for those who believe that all mecha-animes are for children: watch the titles that I mentioned above. Surely it will change your opinion.

All in all, I’m so glad that I’m not someone who immediately/easily brush off a show because there’s a mecha element in it. If I was, I would surely miss a lot of great animes out there.
__________________
Obelisk ze Tormentor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2012-09-12, 07:30   Link #16
Coldlight
Sayaka★Magica
 
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Under the piercing blue sky
Mecha anime? I don't mind. Long before I became serious with watching anime as a hobby, back when I was still a casual anime watcher - I was a fan of mecha anime. Gundam Wing and NGE have places as among the mecha anime I liked from my later childhood days. Even now, Full Metal Panic! still retains a special, unranked place among my favorite shows (I'm also still waiting for the sequel(s) to TSR... ).

Now that I've broadened my horizons on anime considerably after becoming a... more passionate anime fan, I also won't watch a show simply because it has mecha in it. Plots and characters interest me a lot more now than just good-looking mecha designs. In a way, my current position on this is quite similar to Vexx's. I don't mind mecha anime, but there has to be something interesting from the story or the characters more than just good looking mecha and flashy battles to get me to watch it.
__________________
Coldlight is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2012-09-12, 14:05   Link #17
Ithekro
Gamilas Falls
 
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Republic of California
Age: 46
Full Metal Panic has a benefit of being good even when there are no mechs to be seen. Fumoffu didn't even feature the regular mechs at all.
__________________
Dessler Soto, Banzai!
Ithekro is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2012-09-12, 14:20   Link #18
Archon_Wing
On a mission
*Author
 
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Not here
Age: 40
Send a message via MSN to Archon_Wing
Mecha is too large of a genre to be generalized effectively. There's also too many to say something that covers all of them. Then again, there's very few genres that encourage or discourage me.

But to generalize, mechas are really cool vehicles and thus serve as vehicles of the souls of the characters that pilot them. It is through these tools that characters can enact their will. Thus, the quality of a mecha series is going to be about the quality of said pilot. Without a quality character in there, the mecha would just be an empty shell, and that really just leads on to the mecha series I've enjoyed. Those are typically ones with very strong interpersonal and intrapersonal conflicts that create amazing clashes that I care about.

It's also for this reason that mecha often has a strong relation to the shounen genre, and it's no surprise that shounen haters will rip on mecha too.

Mecha is also a part of the sci-fi genre. At its best, it can explore certain societal issues in a context that is limited only by the imagination. It also takes a great deal of imagination for the viewer to be able to appreciate the best works in this area so I feel it is harder to do so. In general, I feel that anime with more fantastical settings tend to be criticized more harshly for "plot holes" because people are trying to use to judge characters and events in a modern, realistic context. But applying to conventional logic to a world where 500 feet tall robots are practical weapons just isn't going to work.

So yea, I've leaned more towards mecha series like Evangelion and UC Gundam which I consider to have such soul reaching premises and conflicts which reach far deeper than the surface. The opposite for me is Guilty Crown, which is really just nothing but a soulless shell. Pretty, but still hollow-- I have to be reminded it's a mecha series. But it did make good use of those skintight mecha suits that are popular throughout mecha. I guess that might be an appeal of the genre?
__________________
It doesn't sound like my love is getting to you.
I will not lose anymore; I will not give up.
More passion than hope, much deeper than despair.... Love!

Avatar/Sig courtesy of TheEroKing
Guild Wars 2 SN: ArchonWing.9480
MyAnimeList || Reviews

Last edited by Archon_Wing; 2012-09-12 at 14:44.
Archon_Wing is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2012-09-13, 00:41   Link #19
cardcaptorkitty
Clow Card Master
 
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Maryland, USA
Age: 35
Mecha isn't really my thing because I'm more of a magic and fantasy girl than a sci-fi one. That's not to say I won't give it a try, because I am trying to become more open minded about my watching habits and exposing myself to different genres, but for the most part, mecha just hasn't been my cup of tea.

I just think if the series is so hyped up on nothing but the mecha, it's boring. Mecha can look cool and be badass, but if that's all the show has going for it, it's a bore and a chore to go through. At least for me, anyway. I know some people would probably love it. What makes the story for me, though, is if it's got a good story and characters attached. Now, the pilot behind the mecha, and their story, and the drama they have with others and within themselves - that always makes something worth watching. Flashy effects and cool things are nice, but they're only worthwhile and add more if there's a good amount of substance to begin with.

Magical girls have always been my thing. I just don't really care to see giant robots (and their pilots) fighting; I just don't see the appeal. I'd rather see pretty, flashy tricks with cute mascots, adorable outfits, and magic weapons. ...I'm such a girl.

Archon_Wing did make some good points about mecha, though. It's an element that can occur and appear in many different genres, like shounen and sci-fi, along with being a subgenre too.
__________________
cardcaptorkitty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2012-09-13, 02:56   Link #20
aohige
( ಠ_ಠ)
 
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Somewhere, between the sacred silence and sleep
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lord of Fire View Post
Mechas in anime bore me. They're pretty much the only type of shows I absolutely refuse to watch, knowing that chances are high I won't (fully) enjoy them.
And you call yourself a voice of reason? Blasphemy!

I know many friends who have no interest in mecha, yet love robot anime for OTHER reasons.
Such as Macross, Gundam, Gurren Lagann, etc.

As long as you harbor "I don't like it and I don't try it" attitude, you're not a voice of reason.
__________________
aohige is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 15:58.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
We use Silk.