When it comes to genres within the medium of anime, easily one of the most famous has to be “Mecha” where characters go into battle in giant mechanical suits. However, it’s interesting to note that this genre is, itself, typically divided into two subgenres, “Real Robot” and “Super Robot”. While Real Robot is probably the best-known at this point, due in part to the massively successful Gundam franchise, Super Robot actually has a longer history and so I thought it might be interesting to take a look at what exactly this subgenre of mecha is.
We should first start off by explaining the difference between Real Robot and Super Robot. Real Robot refers to a subgenre of mecha where the mechanical suits are treated in a comparatively realistic manner such as having these suits be mass-produced, requiring maintenance and repair, running out of ammo and fuel etc. In contrast, Super Robot tends to have the mechs be produced uniquely, perhaps being a prototype developed by a military or a being developed by an ancient civilisation, that are operated simply and are able to move in a manner that almost feels life-like.
The first mecha anime to be released was Tetsujin-28, released in America as Gigantor, which was an adaptation of the Mitsuteru Yokoyama manga of the same name. In contrast to many mecha series since, Tetsujin-28 was not piloted internally, rather, a young boy called Shotaro Kaneda controlled him externally using a remote control. Despite being developed by scientists, Tetsujin-28 himself is clearly a Super Robot with human-like movement, a lack of energy requirements and special techniques like Hammer Punch and Flying Kick.
By the 1970s, Super Robot anime had become increasingly more and more popular with Mazinger Z, created by legendary mangaka Go Nagai, proving to be a particularly notable entry which saw, for the first time, a pilot controlling the mech from within the suit. Other particularly noteworthy Super Robot series from this time were Getter Robo, Raideen and Gaiking. However, the release of Mobile Suit Gundam with its greater focus on realism heralded the rise of Real Robot anime, once it became popular which took a few years to happen, and a decline of Super Robot anime.
However, this was not the death of Super Robot as Hideaki Anno ended up producing several such as Gunbuster and, most noticeably, Neon Genesis Evangelion. The mecha in Neon Genesis Evangelion move with striking fluidity and grace, bleed when they’re hurt and are operated by their pilots via a neural link. The enormous success of Neon Genesis Evangelion led to more Super Robot anime being produced such as RahXephon, Eureka Seven and Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann.
I’ve always loved the stories that come out of mecha anime and Super Robot serves as a wonderful foil to Real Robot. Let me know your thoughts on what the subgenre of mecha called Super Robot is exactly, some of your favourite examples, what you think of mecha anime in general and any additional information you might have on the topic.
Hopefully you have found this article interesting and informative and, if you wish to seek any of the works I mentioned, don’t hesitate to use amazon.co.uk or amazon.com for all of your needs!