Top 10 Weirdest Mechs In Anime

#10: MA-08 Big Zam

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Top 10 Mechs in Anime

“Mobile Suit Gundam” (1979-80) Piloted by the fearsome Dozle Zabi during the Battle of Solomon, this bipedal behemoth is a unique force to be reckoned with. For this mobile suit, designers threw out the rulebook prioritizing speed and mobility in favour of defence and power, which perhaps explains its peculiar design. Standing at a giant 60 meters high and weighing close to 2000 tons, Big Zam is more like a battleship than a traditional mobile suit…which really makes you question the cute, dainty little legs poking out of it…

#9: Ero Robots

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Top 10 Robots in Anime

“Panty & Stocking With Garterbelt” (2010-11) Straddling the line between ‘robot’ and ‘mech’, these tongue-in-cheek parodies of the Transformers franchise certainly left an impression on fans. In an episode crudely entitled, “Trans-homers”, feuding sisters Panty and Stocking eat the hearts of two alien robots - ‘Femitron’ and ‘Masculimus’ - and are turned into robots themselves. Things quickly escalate and before we know it we’ve seen everything from transforming sex-toys to….Transformers sex. Ugh.

“Star Driver” (2010-11) While the more traditional looking mechs tend to be on the bulky, robotic side, the Cybodies of the Star Driver world are pretty unorthodox. Only becoming animated in “zero time”, these bizarre looking mechs are hidden deep within the Southern Cross High School and have oddly human designs. The most humanoid of all is the 22nd Cybody, “Tauburn”, which has the unique ability of turning its pilot, Takuto, into the GALACTIC PRETTY BOY. This, combined with its noble theme, makes it easily one of the most elegant mechs around.

“Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet” (2013-14) This mech isn’t considered to be anything special compared to its peers, but to the comparatively primitive people of Gargantia, it’s a technological god. Formally known as “Chamber K6821”, this bot has a more streamline appearance than a standard mech, looking especially out-of-place against Gargantia’s clunky “Yunboro”. Even more unusual is Chamber’s biological connection with its pilot, Ledo, capable of stabilizing and healing him through cryogenics in an emergency. Stranger still is its sophisticated AI also allows it to talk to Ledo, and even make decisions for itself, including operating without a pilot if necessary.

“Samurai Flamenco” (2013-14) Centered around a wannabe superhero who becomes part of a multi-colored team of crime fighters, Samurai Flamenco is best described as the bizarre homage to Kamen Rider. But there’s another huge reference in the show in the form of Flamen Robo, the team’s humongous mech. Flamen Robo is an obvious parody of the Super Sentai’s Megazords, and is even formed in the same way through the assembly of the Flamenger’s individual vehicles. The weirdest feature of Flamen Robo, though, is undoubtedly the ray-beam device that extends from… its crotch.

“Space Dandy” (2013-14) Putting a new spin on ‘robots in disguise’, Hawaii Yankee is the secret battle mode of the Aloha Oe’s escape pod, ‘Little Aloha’. Though Little Aloha is predominantly used to make quick getaways if the mothership takes damage, it can transform from its classic car design to a combat-ready mech in a pinch. Because this is Space Dandy we’re talking about, this no ordinary looking mech, either. Similar to its pilot, Hawaii Yankee sports a pompadour as well as a pattern on its torso mimicking that of a Hawaiian shirt.

#4: Dix-Neuf

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“Diebuster” (2004-06) In this far out of left field sequel to the classic Gunbuster series, its not just the character designs that are dramatically different. Dix-Neuf is one of the oldest Buster machines still in use by The Fraternity, piloted by Topless pilot, Lal'c Melk Mark. Visually, the most strikingly odd thing about Dix-Neuf is its close resemblance to a Japanese “Yankii” Delinquent - Complete with its scowling expression and armoured trench coat. But without a doubt, its weirdest quirk is its ability to throw entire planets.

“Gurren Lagann” (2007) This is the Gunman mech of Adiane “the elegant”, the second of the Spiral King’s ‘Four Supreme Generals’. What makes it a particular oddity is that it has two unique forms. One is humanoid and distinctively feminine looking with its high-heeled feet and curvaceous figure. And the second second form unmistakably mirrors the look of a scorpion. But let’s not beat around the bush, this mech ranks highly for one reason alone – talking crotch.

“Kill La Kill” (2013-15) These unusually small battle mechs are used by Nudist Beach, a rebel group who exist to control the world using the power of the parasitic ‘Life Fibers’. The Dotonbori Robos likely take their name from an infamous district in real-world Osaka, which is where Nudist Beach is based. These bipedal mechs don’t look like anything out of the ordinary - until they’re piloted that is. While most mechs conceal their pilots fully, Nudist Beach members’ bodies dangle from either side of their DTR when inside them. But considering their lack of clothing, we’re glad for the coverage. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honourable mentions. The Villkiss “Cross Ange: Rondo of Angels and Dragons” (2014) Z-001 “Roujin-Z” (1991) Daimidaler “Daimidaler: Prince vs Penguin Empire” (2014)

“Mobile Fighter G Gundam” (1994-95) This entry in the iconic mech franchise is possibly the most infamous when it comes to strange designs, and Nether Gundam, or “Hurricane Gundam”, is no exception. During the Gundam fight tournament we saw every sort of stereotype represented from the sombrero wearing Tequila gundam to the bull-bodied Matador gundam. Unsurprisingly, Nether’s outlandish look is meant to represent the space colony of Neo Holland, a country synonymous with windmills. Those propellers aren’t just for show though. Nether Gundam can use them to create its signature ‘Nether Typhoon’! Teeerrifying.