Military Mecha TV Classics Showdown Throwdown

[The Adventurer]

When I think classic 'Military Mecha', three series come to mind; Mobile Suit Gundam (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_Suit_Gundam), Super Dimension Fortress Macross (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Super_Dimension_Fortress_Macross), and Armored Trooper Votoms (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Votoms)(They sure don't title shows like that any more, do they!).

Say what you will, but these three late 70s/early 80s series firmly defined practically all aspects of the 'Military Mecha' genre we see today. Gundam is the modern franchise hit in America, Macross is the one with the most public nostalgia from being butchered as Robotech, and Votoms is for the cult classic for the anime connoisseur.

So, I pose the question; on writing, art direction, production values, and general enjoyment. Which of these three classic shows reigns supreme for you? Remember, you are voting on the original shows, not any spin offs or sequels that might make up the franchises.

[joelgundam01]

I think my user name says it all. :catgirl:

[TalonG4]

As I've never seen Votoms (does anyone recommend it? I've heard good things.) and I haven't seen all of Gundam yet, I went with Macross. (I know, I probably should have just abstained but...)

[Vicserr]

As I've never seen Votoms (does anyone recommend it? I've heard good things.) and I haven't seen all of Gundam yet, I went with Macross. (I know, I probably should have just abstained but...)

I will abstain, and explain it in a future post. as for Votoms, You should drop everything and get it, because with CPM gone, Armored Trooper VOTOMS will be more difficult to find, but it is a firm part of the Real Robot Holy Trilogy with Mobile Suit Gundam and Super Dimension Fortress Macross.

[Konoha]

We're just getting Votoms in in the mail. If this poll doesn't have a close date, I'll give an opinion after I watch some. Choice #4 made me laugh :)

[Vicserr]

Won't vote because I believe that all 3 are part of a Holy Trinity that must be watched to understand the greatness that the Real Robot genre brought to Anime.

I normally see them as evolutionary steps; we got MS Gundam, the originator of the Real Robot genre, although still having some ties to Super Robots (super powerful prototype, garish colors for a military mech, enemy robot of the week - this is less obvious if you see the movies instead of the tv series). From there you get the 2 branches of the evolutionary tree one that starts with Macross with an emphasis with character interactions and culture and flashier combat sequences (considering that most of them are in space or in the air). Votoms goes more into politics and the grittier route with the grindage of ground combat and the quest of one man to find his identity with mecha that's more utilitarian (and smaller) than a Gundam or a Valkyrie (but we all know GMs and brown VF-1As aren't worth crap).

All other shows like Armored Trooper Dorvack (this one adds power armor alongside the mecha), Super Dimension Calvary Southern Cross, Super Dimension Century Orguss, Genesis Climber Mospeada, Fang of the Sun Dougram, SPT Layzner, Metal Armor Dragonar, Gasaraki, Blue Gender and most recently Flag and Code Geass stand between those branches. Real Robots is almost a dying breed because this is been kept alive with basically any new Gundam/Macross show that pops up with very little new properties popping up.

IMHO everybody that want the full spectrum of real robot anime should watch and embrace MS Gundam, SDF Macross and AT Votoms.

[Keith Palmer]

It's a difficult question for me to answer. Of course, Macross is rooted deep for me, but when "military" goes right in the thread title I start wondering if it's quite "gritty" enough, as fine as I am with its lighter tone... and, of course, its art quality is wildly wobbly. VOTOMS, on the other hand, I'd certainly call "military," and yet perhaps its "mecha" are so utilitarian that I don't find them particularly exciting. (I'm afraid that any mecha with wheels in its feet seems "cheating" to me, which comes from having seen Blue Gender first...) I was almost tempted to vote for Gundam as a balance between the two and as "the one that started it all"... but that only makes me wish I could have bought a Japanese-language release of the TV series itself.

[Njr Scrawl]

Gasaraki. Better than Votoms, made by many of the Patlabor people. In a near-future contemporary setting (mad middle eastern dictators armed by superpowers), & a global crisis only a genius Japanese fanatic can halt.

Also has mystical druggy pilots with obscure pasts, stressed soldiers, & multi-national industries fighting it out.

[Garasharp K7]

You forgot the near omnipotent alien hivemind/computer thing.

I'd diasgree with it being better that Votoms, though. For one thing, Votoms' ending didn't go to pieces like Gasaraki's did. And it had a near omnipotent alien computer thing too. Despite their similarities, I thought Wiseman's introduction in Votoms was handled better than the revelation of what Gasaraki's mysterious force actually was.

[vanfanel]

Gasaraki was a show I really wanted to like, but the main characters were such ciphers that I couldn't get behind them. The show only got going for me near the end when the economic sabotage plot kicked in. Much of what came before was a chore to watch, and I'd just omit the last episode altogether.

As for the poll:

* I've only seen MS Gundam (original) in movie form. Very coincidentally, I rewatched the third movie today -- and man, does that animation in the A Boa Qu assault still look great!

* Macross I've seen all of multiple times. Fan since the Robotech days.

* Votoms I've seen all but the final Quent arc. I own the old VHS tapes, but have never gotten around to watching them.

I guess I should hold back on voting in the poll since I've not seen everything, but FWIW, Macross is nearest to my heart overall. Gundam is good, but I think it's gotten better over time by way of elaboration -- embellishments made by way of novelizations, the MS Era artbook, and Yasuhiko's "Gundam the Origin" manga, to name a few. Votoms was a bit repetitive for me in the early eps, but the Kummen Jungle Wars arc was flat-out terrific. Sunsa was good too, especially the part where they were in the mysteriously-empty spaceship.

Off the top of my head, I can't think of military/war mecha shows that really compare with these three, aside from certain sequels.

[Westlo]

Macross, easily.