(Mecha March) Five-ish Great Romances in Mecha Anime

What is the first thing that you think about when it comes to Mecha Anime? Probably the robots, right? I mean, that one is kind of obvious. Romance is probably last on the list of popular mecha things to most people. The plot usually takes more precedence. Still, if a romance plot is one of the focuses, it’s usually really good. That’s why I am writing this post. I know that it’s probably not possible to cover all mech series ever, because I haven’t watched all of them yet, but here are five that I think those romance lovers should watch at some point. I haven’t written a list post in a while, so I hope I remember how to do this.

Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08^th MS Team

This is the show that I think about first when it comes to romance in a mecha anime? Why you might ask, because that’s the plot’s purpose. 08^th MS Team is a heavily grounded mech series that is also a Romeo and Juliet story in the University Century timeline. The difference between a standard Romeo and Juliet thing and this is that each faction is actually at war with each other and not just having a disagreement and the ending for our main couple is happy. Ok, that last one is a spoiler, but I had to say it. Shirou and Aina are an adorable couple and I think that you should watch them get together. The Federation and Zeon will never fully get along with each other, but that doesn’t mean that these two won’t.

The Macross Franchise

Ok, I admit that I am cheating a little bit here. Hear me out first before you call me out on it. A Macross series needs three things before it can be fully considered apart of that franchise: singing, transforming mechs, and a love triangle. When I say love triangle, I mean the best sort of love triangle that you ever see in anime. A lot of these aren’t love triangles for a love triangles sake, though I don’t know about Delta, but love triangles that make complete sense because each character involved in them is treated like a human being and the two love interests have a reason for falling in love with their object of affection. Many series wish they could do what Macross can do. If you need a specific series in this slot, let’s go with the original. You know, Super Dimensional Fortress Macross. Hikaru and Misa for life

The Vision of Escaflowne

Shouji Kawamori was the one behind the original Macross, but do you know what anime he was also behind? I’ll give you three guesses. Ok fine, you probably know because of the subheading. Two things connect the SDF Macross and Escaflowne are transforming mechs and a love triangle. Except this time, since Escaflowne is more female focused then Macross, we have a heroine and two guys. Just like Macross, the love triangle between HItomi, Van, and Allen is incredibly well developed. I still am very Hitomi and Van focused though, but I have no hate for those who prefer the Hitomi and Allen ship thing.

Eureka Seven

As large as Eureka Seven’s scope is, because it’s a fifty-episode series centered around a war and world building, it’s a love story. Well, it has a lot of love stories in it, but the main one is between Renton Thurston and Eureka. Since Eureka Seven is so long, we see the many stages of Renton and Eureka’s relationship. From the beginning stage of “this girl isn’t paying attention to me”, to “ok, I think we are friends now”, to finally “I will love you forever”. As much problems as I have with Eureka 7, I still recommend those anime, flaws and all, for this relationship’s growth and other things attached to it.

Fullmetal Panic!

And finally we are here, the romance between Sousuke Sagara and Kaname Chidori. The relationship between a teenage soldier who fought in many wars since he was very young and a mostly normal teenager with blue hair. As strange as it sounds, this relationship feels completely natural and grows in a lot of directions that you wouldn’t expect. Especially at the end of Second Raid to where the relationship between them was completely confirmed for me. I am not going to go any further on this right now, because this is a major part of my review that will appear at the end of the month. Seriously, that is my last post of Mecha March.

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I know that these are only five out of many mecha anime that romance in them, but these are the ones that speak out to me the most. If you can think of a mech series that has a fantastic romance to it, please share it in the comments below. Especially if it’s something that I haven’t heard of it. I would love to watch more! I’m a big mech fan after all. Expanding my knowledge on this genre is something I am always looking forward to doing.

(All of these photos come from google searches and do not belong to me)