There’s always a point in a boy’s life where he gets to adore robots. And the most exciting ones are probably the towering, human-piloted mechas or vehicular robots. Here are the ten of such that I got to love through the years, and even once daydreamed of piloting.
10.) LEOPORDON
Okay. This is a goofy pick. And it’s probably only here because of its relation
to Supaidāman a.k.a. the Japanese version of Spider-Man in the 70’s (for I love
everything Spider-Man, and I enjoyed its participation during Spider-Verse).
Supaidāman and Leopardon would be the
inspiration for the Super Sentai franchise
and its iconic “giant robots”, which in turn would be the basis for Power Rangers and its Zords. So, yeah, in a sense, we can say that we owe
the existence of the Power Rangers to Spider-Man.
9.) VF-1 VALKYRIE
In Robotech, the Veritech (Variable Engineering and Robotics
Integration Technology), particularly the VF-1 Valkyrie, were the main mechas
the humans used in their war against the giant aliens called Zentraedi.
A Veritech unit has three
transformations: 1.) a fighter jet that can also travel in outer space (Fighter
mode); 2.) a standard human-shaped mecha (Battloid mode); and 3.) a strange
hybrid version of both that looked like a VTOL (Guardian mode) with limbs. I’m not really sure what the third shape is
for. Probably some attempt to infuse some
sense of “versatility” to the concept design.
8.) SDF-1 MACROSS
The VF-1s are probably the
standard mechas of Robotech, but the
SDF-1 Macross is its most badass. Technically, it’s an interstellar space
fortress. But it also can transform into
a massively gigantic robot.
Think of a
very long aircraft carrier (if my estimate is right, about four times longer
than a normal carrier) that can travel in outer space and transform into a
mecha. That’s how badass Macross is.
Another interesting detail: it has a civilian and business sector built in its aft
section hull. Hence, the populace have
to evacuate into a certain part of the ship when it’s transforming, or else
they will be thrown into space. Yeah,
yeah, that sounds weird and stupid, but it’s actually a pretty cool aspect. Go watch Robotech
or The Super Dimension Fortress Macross for the context;
it’s a fantastic, classic anime.
7.) GIPSY DANGER
2013’s Pacific Rim isn’t a perfect movie, but I think it’s underappreciated. It’s Hollywood’s first “mecha” venture, and
it’s very rewarding in terms of epic mecha action – a huge part due to the distinctively
badass Jaegers, the best of which is the Gipsy Danger.
6.) VOLTES V
Among all combining mecha anime, with its iconic theme and catchphrases, Voltes V is probably the one that became most popular here in the Philippines.
The titular Voltes V is built in order to
fight the horned alien invaders called Boazanians. It’s made up of five Volt Machines – each one
a formidable weapon in its own right – which are piloted by a quintet (which is
a standard number for many mecha-assembling teams) of youngsters chosen and
trained for the purpose.
5.) ALEXANDER
Code Geass is one of the greatest anime ever made. But it’s mostly praised for its intelligent,
unpredictable political thriller storylines and character arcs; its “mecha” aspect
is often overlooked. It actually has
excitingly-executed mecha action scenes, and its Knightmare Frames, the name of the mechas in the Code Geass universe, are terrific-looking.
But my most favorite Knightmare
Frame is the Alexander, featured in the spin-off movie Akito the Exiled. What makes
the Alexanders more unique than other Knightframes is they have an “insect-mode”, in which they can move on four limbs, increasing the extent
of their dexterity and mobility.
4.) VOLTRON (LION FORCE)
“Form feet and legs! Form arms and body! And I form the head!”
Whenever the Lion Force team transforms
into Voltron, team leader Keith’s yell is so stirring that it prevents everyone from considering that a giant robot covered with lion heads might look hokey. Instead, the lasting impression is that it’s awesome.
Along with Power Rangers and Super
Sentai, it’s with Voltron: Defender
of the Universe where I first encountered the “transforming/combining mecha”
trope.
3.) VOLTRON (VEHICLE FORCE)
The Lion Force Voltron is the most
iconic version of Voltron. But, as a
kid, I personally preferred the Vehicle Force, a preference that is somehow
retained up until now.
I enjoyed the
fact that, instead of five, the team is made up of fifteen members and distributed
into three specialized subgroups: Land, Sea, and Air Teams – as if they’re like the
friggin’ Army, Navy, and Air Force!
2.) MEGAZORD
The Power Rangers have undergone
plenty of versions through the years.
Hence, it has featured dozens of different giant, ultimate Zords. But the best is still the
first – the Dino Megazord. Or just
Megazord for short. For though the subsequent
ones have the word “Megazord” attached to their names, there’s only one memorably striking enough to be identified as just “Megazord” and that’s the first one.
Assembled from five prehistoric animal Zords –
in accordance to the original themes of the original quintet – the Megazord remains
one of the best-designed, most badass-looking giant robots ever portrayed on
live-action, even to this day (heck, it’s even tremendously superior than what the recent Power Rangers film adaptation had).
1.) GUNDAM
A list like this will always have
Gundam on top. Heck, “Gundam” is almost synonymous
to mecha. And it’s the one giant robot
that I still daydream of piloting.
1 comment:
Wha good wit it boii
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