Colossal, majestic, and deadly! Fans of futuristic engineering and the science of the impossible have been fascinated for decades by the best exponents of technology in the anime world: robots.
Small and friendly or huge and deadly, these wonders created by anime scientists have been as vast as they are varied since their first appearances; And with years of precedent, today at Honey’s we decided that the time had come to rank the best of the best.
Without counting androids or Cyborgs, today we honor these metallic warriors in a fantastic top full of oil, steel and adrenaline; So if you’re feeling smart, get ready to meet the 10 best robots in anime!
10. KG-6 Sleipnir by Aldnoah.Zero
- Episodes: 12
- Issuance: July 2014 to September 2014
Aldnoah.Zero pleasantly surprised the anime community in 2014 with the arrival of a fresh proposal from Mechas: the Kataphraktos. Fifteen years after the terrible event known as Heaven’s Fall (in which part of the Moon was destroyed and fell to earth), Aldnoah tells a story of the war between humanity and the powerful Empire of Vers: humans who migrated to Mars and discovered an ancient technology known as Aldnoah.
With peace hanging by a thread and assuming the mission of protecting the beautiful Asseylum (the pacifist princess of the Empire of Vers ); Inaho, our protagonist, must get his hands on our first powerful member of the top: the KG-6 Sleipnir, a Test Kataphrakto. Developed as a pilot training prototype; The KG-6 Sleipnir is a gigantic basic combat robot that, in its simplicity, will allow our protagonist to execute the most incredible and risky maneuvers, being even capable of defeating much faster and more advanced weapons.
9. Escaflowne de Tenkuu no Escaflowne
English: The Vision of Escaflowne
- Episodes: 26
- Broadcast: April 1996 to September 1996
Our first top classic anime introduces us to one of anime’s most iconic metal warriors: Escaflowne. This ancient weapon will be piloted by Van, the young prince of the Kingdom of Fanelia, who must face the invaders of the evil Zaibach Empire and regain his lost homeland with the help of the knight Allen and Hitomi: a young student from Japan who was mysteriously transported to the fantastic world of Van, Gaea.
This mythical weapon is a unique Guymelef (mechanized battle suits from the world of Gaea) that has been used for generations in the Fanelia royal family during times of crisis. Considered as the protective warrior of the kingdom; Escaflowne is usually handed over to a new king after he defeats a dragon and forms a blood pact with the Guymelef. Designed by the mysterious engineer Ispano, Escaflowne took nearly 150 years to build to become Fanelia’s ultimate weapon: a powerful, conscious robot.
8. Lancelot from Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch
English: Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
- Episodes: 25
- Issuance: October 2006 to July 2007
The story of the legendary Zero in Code Geass also featured new, deadly, and opulent war robots: the Knightmare Frames. These futuristic weapons were the key for the Holy Empire of Britain to achieve victory in its war against Japan, stripping the Japanese people of their identity and their nation by naming them Area 11. But now that time has passed and the rebels are finally beginning to act; Lelouch, an exiled prince from Britain, will seek to fulfill his promise of revenge against his father by wearing Zero’s mask.
Unfortunately, the plans of our protagonist will not always go as expected due to the counterattacks of his eternal rival: the Lancelot. Featured as a seventh-generation Knightmare Frame prototype; Lancelot is the first and only Sakuradita core model. Piloted by none other than Suzaku, Lelouch’s best friend, the dangerous Lancelot will become a real nuisance for our protagonist who on more than one occasion will see his ingenious plans destroyed with the power and agility of a single robot.
7. Red Baron blu ray box
- Episodes: 49
- Broadcast: April 1994 to March 1995
Although debuting successfully for the first time in 1973, it would not be until the appearance of the ’90s Remake that the Red Baron would become an anime icon. Its story takes place in an alternative future of 2020, in which great technological advances have allowed the creation of gigantic robotic warriors who will carry out the world-famous “Metal Fight”.
It will be in this violent scenario that we meet Ken: an intrepid young man who, after rescuing the skilled programmer Shouko, ends up becoming the pilot of his greatest invention: the Red Baron. Under the commands of Ken and the guidance of Shouko; The Baron achieves victory after victory in the Metal Fighting tournament, breaking through into the world of professional combat and at the same time stopping the evil plans of the Iron Mask organization, who plan to make massive weapons from these metal gladiators.
6. Chamber of Suisei no Gargantia (English: Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet)
- Episodes: 13
- Issuance: April 2013 to June 2013
Once again we enter the distant future; in which humanity, after reaching the stars and forming the Galactic Alliance of Humanity, will soon discover that it is not alone in the universe when it goes to war with a dangerous alien race: the Hideauzes. After fighting an impossible mission; Ledo, a young Alliance lieutenant, ends up stranded on Gargantia – an unknown planet almost entirely covered by water. However; Ledo will not be alone in his adventure, because next to him will be his faithful companion: Chamber.
Chamber is the co-star of this story: an artificial intelligence housed in Ledo’s robotic weapon. Counting on the most advanced technology of humanity; Chamber is one of the most autonomous and useful robots in anime, assisting Ledo both when he pilots it and when he isn’t. Finally; Chamber’s heavy weapons together with his ability to adapt to the dangerous situation he faces and his duty to guide Ledo to a successful mission, will make this robot the ideal companion for our naive protagonist, who knows little about the wild world and its secrets.
5. Haro from Mobile Suit Gundam
- Episodes: 43
- Broadcast: April 1979 to January 1980
Haro, the smallest robot on this top, is probably the most famous Mecha from the legendary Gundam saga. Appearing in multiple installments of the story, Haro is first introduced in Mobile Suit Gundam: an intergalactic war story between the Principality of Zeon and the Federation of Earth, who fight an intense battle thanks to the most powerful tactical weapon in the galaxy. : the Mobile Suit.
Together with Amuro Ray, our protagonist, we will soon meet the small and friendly robot Haro: a peculiar spherical robot built by Amuro himself, who designs the Mecha with incredible capabilities such as being able to move in extremely dangerous environments, master speech, and even be able to read brain waves. Precisely, it will be this ability that will provide our protagonist with the necessary support to anticipate the attack of his enemies and achieve victories that seemed impossible.
4. ARX-7 Arbalest from Full Metal Panic
- Episodes: 24
- Issuance: January 2002 to June 2002
Sagara Sosuke is a young and talented soldier, who since childhood has known nothing but war. However; Things are about to change for the Sergeant, as he has been assigned for an infiltration and protection mission: he must pass himself off as a student at the school of his protégé, Chidori. Unable to behave like a normal boy, Sosuke must learn little by little about life while protecting the indomitable Chidori aboard one of the deadliest robots in anime: ARX-7 Arbalest.
Belonging to the Arm Slave family, the ARX-7 Arbalest is a powerful third-generation war machine under the possession of the Mithril organization. Based on the previous Sosuke unit, the Arbalest also features the mysterious Lambda Driver technology: a mysterious Black Technology device, capable of converting the pilot’s will into energy. But this incredible Mecha couldn’t be complete without Al – an incredible artificial intelligence supporting Sosuke and helping his pilot face the most dangerous challenges.
3. Gurren-Lagann by Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
- Episodes: 27
- Issuance: April 2007 to September 2007
Fans of the genre knew that the legendary robot of freedom could not be missing: the Gurren-Lagann of Tengen Toppa. Set in a dystopian future, in which humanity lives relegated underground; Simon, a young excavator, will discover with his self-proclaimed brother Kamina the artifact that will change their lives forever: a Gunmen, a gigantic mechanical face that will lead them to start the revolution against the savage Beastmen, and that years later will lead them to battle for the very fate of the universe.
The Gurren Lagann is the only robot composed of our top: being Lagann the Gunmen discovered by Simon, and Gurren to Kamina managed to wrest a man-beast. Joined by Spiral energy, this powerful combat robot that defies natural laws was designed to battle Anti-Spiral: entities that repel Spiral Beings and seek their destruction. It will be in the middle of this amazing cosmic combat that this brave robot will reach its maximum form to stop his enemies: the Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann.
2. Evangelion Unit 01 of Neon Genesis Evangelion
- Episodes: 26
- Issuance: October 1995 to March 1996
Our number two spot narrowly missed reaching first place by introducing us to a true genre revolutionary: the Evangelion 01. Challenging the traditional aesthetics and composition of the Mechas of yesteryear, the EVA will be featured in a post-apocalyptic story; in which, fifteen years after the catastrophic event known as Second Impact (which extinguished much of humanity), the young student Shinji Ikari will be summoned by his father to be part of the top-secret organization NERV.
Shinji will soon discover his destiny as he is chosen as the pivot of humanity’s last defense: Evangelion Unit 01, a hulking combat robot designed to take on the Angels, the dangerous creatures that threaten global extinction. But this robot is much more than meets the eye; because in reality, the EVA is nothing more than a being created from the first Angel, who has the key to the Human Instrumentalization Project and who keeps the soul of Shinji’s mother trapped inside.
1. Mazinger Z from Mazinger Z
- Episodes: 92
- Broadcast: December 1972 to September 1974
And we got to first place! We have seen all kinds of gladiators of steel and warriors with the blood of oil, but only one will always remain an eternal legend of anime: the Mazinger Z. Created by master Go Nagai, this anime will narrate the adventures of Kouji Kabuto: a brave young man who, after deciding to avenge the death of his grandfather at the hands of the evil Dr. Hell, will pilot his most daring creation: the Mazinger Z, a deadly combat robot created to face the swarm of Mechanical Beasts that the evil Doctor has created.
Being one of the most famous robots since its first appearance, the Mazinger Z managed to win the hearts of fans around the world with its lethal Koushiryoku Ray and its iconic Rocket Punch, which together with its alloy of the strongest metal in the world (Super-Alloy Z) made this robot an unstoppable machine of destruction. As an icon of hope and courage, the Mazinger Z battled Dr. Hell’s most diabolical creations for years, only to enshrine himself in a series of epic battles as the undisputed best robot in all of anime.
Final words
The screeching of metal, the explosions of oil, and the fire of battle are just a few of the things that make the Mecha genre so exciting. It is not surprising that anime, in its wide catalog of curiosities, brought us for decades many of the best exponents of the robotic world. And with the arrival of new proposals like the FranXX from Darling in the FranXX and some old reunions like the new Mazinger Z movie, we trust that fans will not have any respite from these incredible mechanical beings.
And it’s over, so far our top! Do not forget to share the legend of these 10 metal warriors on all your networks and comment below which was your favorite! And let the adrenaline of their fights flow through your veins. Until next time!
