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#1 DGaius

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Posted 01 August 2015 - 03:13 PM

Welcome to Mecha general, the new place to discuss anything related to this subgenre of Science Fiction after the great off-topic purge of 2015. In this post I’ll be taking you through the what, how and why, including a very extensive list of animated shows and a couple of rules.

 

What
Mecha is short for Mechanical. The Mecha genre therefor consists of anything that is mechanical. In its broadest definition, this includes both mechanical and biological engineering (examples being Iron Man and Guyver: The bioboosted Armor). In a somewhat smaller definition, Mecha refers to media that focusses on ‘Giant Robots’. The origin of the genre lays in the use of robots (or rather mechs) as either protagonists or plot devices in story to be told. Due to the nature of these robots, Mecha can be considered a subgenre of Science Fiction. The best way to demonstrate this is by looking at the question: can a mech like this be real? The obvious answer (for now) is no. Another way to demonstrate the 'subgenre' status of the Mecha Genre is via the example of Mecha elements in Star Wars (Imperial Walkers and the use of droids). While Star Wars is considered one of the prime examples of science fiction (specifically as an example of a space opera), it is also considered part of the Mecha genre thanks to the Imperial Walkers and droids.  One could argue that since Starships and Starfighters are also mechanical/engineered, they too belong in the Mecha genre (especially when the focus is on the mechanics of the craft and even more so if it transforms into a mecha. Think Macross). In short, while the Mecha genre is very specific (use of giant robots) its elements are all over Science Fiction.

                I’d like to point out I used the term ‘robots’ loosely. Robots are autonomous entities. C3P0 and R2-D2 are robots and so are the Transformers. Anything that is being piloted by one or more pilots (often humans) is a Mecha. This distinction is however mostly used in English based communities. The Japanese are known to devide the Mecha genre in ‘Real Robot’ and ‘Super Robot’ shows, a devide most prominently featured in a game called Super Robot Wars. In this case real robot refers to the use of mechs as military equipment or weapons. Their height is limited and the use of weapons is determined by what the mech carries and or is supplied with. Most famous in this category is Mobile Suit Gundam (1979), which is considered the reason people started to use the term ‘real robot’.  Super Robot is referring to mechs about the size of a skyscraper, with build in attacks/weapons. Most famous in this category is Mazinger Z (1974), often considered the grandfather of the entire genre. The typical super Robot is in a sense, more akin to a super hero than an actual fighting machine. Over the years however this distinction has gotten deluded with various shows crossing the boundary or using elements of both in the same show. Upon discussing these features it also became clear that the distinction is hard to justify in the first place. While Gundam is supposed to be Real Robot, how 'real' is having a samurai head to begin with? A lot of English communities have therefor disbanded (or are trying to disband) this distinction of categories.

                Lastly, I’d like to discuss the types of media the genre is featured in. The Mecha Genre is and has been flourishing in Japanese Animation (anime) and Comics (manga). Considering the history of the genre this is not a strange thing. However western TV shows (including cartoons) and comics have often featured mecha too. Most famously now is Iron Man. And while the developers of Titanfall don’t want to hear it, their Titans are Mechs too. The Mecha genre therefor has found its way to most modern forms of (mainstream) entertainment (TV/Film/Games/Comics).

 

Why
Firstly the Halo franchise is another prime example of science fiction with Mecha plastered all over it. Power Armor/Exosuits everywhere, tanks, jeeps, Spaceships, Starfighters and in some cases: actual mechs. I find it a safe assumption that some of you love the genre, without even knowing it. It is afterall, science fiction.

                Secondly, despite its elements being everywhere, the Mecha genre has very few places on the internet to be discussed. This is my effort to spread the love a little more and discuss the genre with both likeminded people and people who are interested.

                Thirdly, we already had a small fanbase going here and we were in the middle of a discussion.

 

How
Pick a show and start watching (see below)! The majority of Mecha related stuff pre-2000 is hard to get hold off. Sometimes we get lucky, like with the new Bluray deals Sunrise made with American Companies (who will be releasing Mobile Suit Gundam and Turn – A Gundam). Other times you’ll have to get creative, especially with old manga/comics.  The newer shows can be seen on Youtube, Crunchyroll (via Funimation) and/or on DVD/Bluray. Most of the new (well selling) manga get US releases (which means they are also available in Europe). Good examples of these are Gundam: The Origin and Knights of Sidonia.

 

Index of Mecha Shows [credits to anonymous]

Spoiler

 

Comprehensive guide to the Gundam Franchise [credits to anonymous]

Spoiler

 

I included the comprehensive guide to the Gundam Franchise since A: I had it and B: it’s one of the more famous franchises. There are more franchise guides out there, including various recommendation guides. Of course Bakelit/Redacted/Whateveraliashehasnow, other members and I will gladly recommend shows/books/games. If theres need for more guides to franchises I’ll post them here.

 

List of Anime for Starters (contributed by Bakelit/Mobious)

Spoiler

The majority of Mecha fiction is animated. For this reason, this list is relevant.

 

Rules

  1. No Shitposting!;
  2. This topic can be used to discuss anything related to the Mecha Subgenre, including: movies, tv shows (animated and live action), games, comics(manga) and various hobbies related to the genre (like building specific model kits);
  3. When discussing the content of a show, use spoilers!;
  4. When discussing actual science related to the genre, use as many sources as you can;
  5. This topic can be used to ask for recommendations;
  6. You are allowed to give recommendations and discuss how and why this recommendation applies to the demand of the person asking for it;
  7. Power level debates between franchises are useless in this subgenre and therefor forbidden. You are allowed to discuss the strengths and weakness of mechs within the setting of its franchise; 

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#2 Aunt Gruntie

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Posted 01 August 2015 - 08:33 PM

I finished watching Big-O recently, the ending was completely outta left field. All in all I quite enjoyed it.

 

Also, every time one of the Mech's showed up and a character would say, "oh no a Mega Deuce", I couldn't help but to think of a giant turd.


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#3 베이클라이트

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Posted 03 August 2015 - 09:38 AM

Bakelit's Mech themed game news

[this looks] so cool




Fucking Japan .. [give us] good mech games goddammit.

This Gundam game is awesome [I] played it myself.





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFiDVTW6obc


[In other news] Anyone watched Macross Frontier ?
I certainly loved it at least the series. The movie was pretty confusing if you haven't realised that its basicly a recap of the series with certain plot points changed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyxOgud3VP4

also macross game
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3gTXzsDRBg


Wow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeouA0XVr7Y

 

[admin] Merged the three different posts, try to make your comments a little more informative by adding a description and news related item. [/admin]


Edited by DGaius, 30 September 2015 - 01:24 PM.
Redacted to fit admin guidelines

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#4 DGaius

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Posted 04 August 2015 - 07:43 AM

Anyone watched Macross Frontier ?
I certainly loved it at least the series. The movie was pretty confusing if you haven't realised that its basicly a recap of the series with certain plot points changed.
 

I did and I liked it for the most part. I have never really cared for the love triangle in all of Macross, but it IS a corner stone of the franchise and it certainly works (read sells) well. What makes Frontier stand out a little more however, is the fact you don't really need prior knowledge of the franchise to understand it. It is certainly nice to get all the small refferences, but it works without. 

The soundtrack is also gorgeous and very well composed. I've never cared for Jpop/Jrock/Jcore or whatever J or K variation on western EDM/rock so I'll admit I skipped through those parts most of the time if there wasn't fighting going on :P

 

About the movie:

Spoiler

 

Wow.

 

Obligatory: The manga is better. But I admit they did a really good job adapting this, except for the CGI mobile suit fight in the beginning. It looks flashy and all that yes, but it's a poor representation of space war before the One Year War. Hell a lot of the mobile suits +- 20 year later don't even move this agile in the regular UC timeline (I am making a distinction here, because the Origin is a 'retelling', with various aspects being altered to suit the story better). 


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#5 베이클라이트

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Posted 06 August 2015 - 02:59 PM

 

Bandai Namco Entertainment has a follow up to the popular and profitable free to play Gundam game, Gundam Battle Operation. Gundam Battle Operation Next is in development for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4.
The game will officially launch sometime in 2015, but you can try it out now. A beta test for Gundam Battle Operation Next is live and will run until May 3. If you have a Japan region PSN account you can get the PS4 beta.
Spoiler
 
 
 
 
Looks pretty good and cool... too bad it probably won't see a western release........

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#6 DGaius

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Posted 07 August 2015 - 04:55 AM

Somehow all those Gundam games just look so chaotic and random. As if they took a Dragon Ball Z Budokai game, threw all playable characters in one match and just hoped for the best. I've never been excited for any Gundam game I've heard off and it's a shame, because I really do want one. No matter how 'old' the Battlefield gameplay is getting (or the Star Wars Battlefront spin off), I would really like to see a more grunt focussed version of a Gundam Game like that. Or a proper (not turn based) RTS game, like the Gundam RTS indie. That's the only Gundam game I really like. And I would highly suggest it to anyone who wants to play a Gundam RTS. 


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#7 베이클라이트

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Posted 07 August 2015 - 04:59 AM

Somehow all those Gundam games just look so chaotic and random. As if they took a Dragon Ball Z Budokai game, threw all playable characters in one match and just hoped for the best. I've never been excited for any Gundam game I've heard off and it's a shame, because I really do want one. No matter how 'old' the Battlefield gameplay is getting (or the Star Wars Battlefront spin off), I would really like to see a more grunt focussed version of a Gundam Game like that. Or a proper (not turn based) RTS game, like the Gundam RTS indie. That's the only Gundam game I really like. And I would highly suggest it to anyone who wants to play a Gundam RTS. 

There is a good "grunt" gundam game for the ps2 you would just need a the ps2 emulator. Worked perfectly when I tried it out.

 

the game was Mobile Suit Gundam: Zeonic Front

 

http://gundam.wikia....m:_Zeonic_Front

 

 

 

isn't the Gundam RTS like removed since the guy who worked on it quitted?

(if you mean Gundam RTS for the SPring engine would love to get my hands onto it again)

Oh and what i can also suggest is the Gundam mod for homeworld remasterd got some screens of it in the non mod screenshot thread.


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#8 DGaius

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Posted 08 August 2015 - 05:45 AM

the game was Mobile Suit Gundam: Zeonic Front

 

Not so impressed with the game (it's still a little to linear for me), but the dude narrating it seems to know what he's talking about. Which makes it fun. I still have a PS2, so might check it out.

 

 

isn't the Gundam RTS like removed since the guy who worked on it quitted?

(if you mean Gundam RTS for the SPring engine would love to get my hands onto it again)

 

That is correct. I still wonder why he quit, it was a great game. You may want to check google again, because while Smoth took it down on Moddb there are still working links out there. 


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#9 Zero

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Posted 08 August 2015 - 05:21 PM

Robotech is the best mecha of all time I don't care what you say.


Edited by DGaius, 30 September 2015 - 01:19 PM.
Objections to topic being pinned removed. Topic is no longer pinned.

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Spoiler

Spoiler


#10 베이클라이트

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Posted 09 August 2015 - 01:26 AM

Not so impressed with the game (it's still a little to linear for me), but the dude narrating it seems to know what he's talking about. Which makes it fun. I still have a PS2, so might check it out.

 

That is correct. I still wonder why he quit, it was a great game. You may want to check google again, because while Smoth took it down on Moddb there are still working links out there. 

Later on the game gets bit "open worlded" basicly that you can just run around the whole map. And find your own way to achieve the objective.

And yea on Smoths website you can actually download the thing but I cant get it to work with the latest spring release.


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#11 DGaius

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Posted 09 August 2015 - 05:07 AM

Idk why this thread deserves to be pinned when its full of weebs, but Robotech Macross is the best mecha of all time I don't care what you say.

Truth be told I've never seen Robotech (I have seen various Macross shows and Genesis Climber Mospeada, 2/3 of Robotech), but I feel it deserves the criticism it gets. Similarly how Saban keeps buying Super Sentai shows and add in generic american cut scenes to create the power rangers. Additionally the owners of Robotech (Harmony Gold) apparently registered the Macross trademark (without being the creators) and now prevent any US release of Macross, meaning I am sure as hell not getting it anytime soon in the EU. This really rubs me the wrong way. 


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#12 베이클라이트

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Posted 12 August 2015 - 09:13 AM

Bakelits Mech themed game news

 

I'm pretty surprised I neve rposted this but here is a private server for the Gundam mmo that went down.

http://ucgoserver.com/about/

Its pretty cool and definitly worth to tryout. If someone is playing contact me I would be up for starting playing it again.

 

Beginner Guide

http://gundamonline....Beginners Guide

 

look at my glorious RX-79[G]

Spoiler

 

And for Zeon my Zaku 2

Spoiler

 

 

also I found a fullinstall for Gundam RTS on the spring engine. Currently downlaoding it. So no clue if it works. I edit the post later on.

http://www.playeratt...ring-Free-Game/

 

http://www.moddb.com/games/gundam-rts

 

EDIT: It worked // welp cant get multiplayer to work.

771.jpg


Edited by DGaius, 30 September 2015 - 01:24 PM.

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#13 베이클라이트

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Posted 14 August 2015 - 10:26 AM

Neon Genesis Evangelion SPOILER
Spoiler


well that mech fight wasnt ... well... yeah..

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#14 DGaius

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Posted 25 August 2015 - 03:13 PM

It'll turn out fine. The moment in the manga was superb, especially knowing it was the first mech combat in all of UC. That should excite you as a Gundam fan Bakelit. 


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#15 베이클라이트

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Posted 25 August 2015 - 03:18 PM

It'll turn out fine. The moment in the manga was superb, especially knowing it was the first mech combat in all of UC. That should excite you as a Gundam fan Bakelit. 

I am excited.


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#16 SternuS

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Posted 17 September 2015 - 03:20 AM

NNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

 


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Peter Jackson, 27/07/2013: 1.08 am. A 20 hour day ... 15 years of Tolkien ... 771 days of shooting ...

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#17 DGaius

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Posted 30 September 2015 - 01:48 PM

So this topic is deffinately not doing what I was hoping it would do (discussion and promotion of Mecha/Science Fiction related media). Let's fix that with some cleaning and news reports.

 

Pacific Rim 2 Delayed

Sternus already mentioned the news, but it has now been confirmed Del Toro will first direct a different movie before PR 2. An official press release stated:

 

 

The filmmakers, Legendary and Universal Pictures are committed to having [PACIFIC RIM 2] be the vanguard, fully-immersive experience that the franchise deserves. To this end, the decision was made to delay the production and release of PACIFIC RIM 2 so that the creative team can continue in its efforts to exceed the amazing experience of the first film.

It seems they are not cancelling this movie, as they did the apocalypse. Having said that: PR2 being made is awesome, but not entirely necessary. The idea of exploring a world after PR1 is interesting, a lot of cool ideas could be explored (smaller Mechs, Newt becomming a bad guy, Neural Drift used for psychological counseling). However you would expect the movie to be somewhat similar, why else make a sequel?

 

Sources: 

 

Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin

Last week the 11th volume of MSG: The Origin was released, with it's title being  A cosmic Glow. We're almost there now (12th volume will be the last). The majority of the original MSG story has been retold, with some great additions to beef up the story and some masterfully done refining to make the story stand out even more. The 11th volume was a great addition. Perhaps to some it'll be a controversial story, not to mention heresy to some. 

Spoiler
While slightly taken aback, I do feel it's logical to add it. It particularly adds a dimension to the characters of Char and Amuro. Particularly Char and his "she could've been a mother to me". It makes the phrase even more awkward. 

 

One thing I did feel I should complain about is the size. This volume is 376 pages, including artwork and guest contribution. While the hardcover and printpages are as good as in all the other volumes, the size makes me cranky about the price (which is still 30 dollars). It's missing a 100 pages compared to volume 8 (which was 472) and even more compared to volume 3 (which was 490! pages long). The guest contribution, while nice, wasn't as impressive as some others, though very well written. 

 

Having the famous 'final shooting' on the back of the volume isn't a bad thing either.

Spoiler

 

Macross Delta

We've discussed Macross, Robotech and Macross Frontier already (albeit not very indepth). So fun times ahead for Bakelit and me, because there will be a new macross series called Delta. One which will focus on VF vs VF combat (VF = variable fighter. The 'jets'). I very much enjoyed Macross Plus, which had a similar set up. If it is: yay. 

 

source: http://www.animenews...derbirds/.93436


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#18 베이클라이트

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Posted 30 September 2015 - 01:57 PM

Macross Delta
We've discussed Macross, Robotech and Macross Frontier already (albeit not very indepth). So fun times ahead for Bakelit and me, because there will be a new macross series called Delta. One which will focus on VF vs VF combat (VF = variable fighter. The 'jets'). I very much enjoyed Macross Plus, which had a similar set up. If it is: yay. 
 
source: http://www.animenews...derbirds/.93436


Oh my god. This is gonna be awesome I already loved the VF vs VF scenes in Frontier.

 

Spoiler

 

also in general loved the battles

 

Spoiler

 

also a great scene from macross zero

 


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#19 DGaius

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Posted 01 October 2015 - 02:30 AM

Compared to the final battle in Macross Plus, Macross' Frontiers VF vs. VF was very tame. Not to mention that since Plus is an OVA, it's budget was higher too. The final fight looks and sounds great. While a central part of Macross lore, I don't like space battles with singing in the background. It doesn't 'feel' right. Or atleast not as heroic as when they start singing when Super Robots appear. I feel similar about Zero. I liked the opening fighting sequence a lot. Seemed very true to modern dogfighting...

Spoiler

 

I wish I could post the final battle of Macross Plus, but that would be a huge as hell spoiler. 


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#20 베이클라이트

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Posted 02 October 2015 - 05:09 AM

I wish I could post the final battle of Macross Plus, but that would be a huge as hell spoiler. 

DO IT.

just put it into spoiler tags.


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