@@excaliburring753 Nah. Season 2s suck. We only get defined 'season 2' when there's a cour gap. Ideally, we're in a transitional phase right now where studios will eventually stop looking for projects that are still in production and start focusing on stories that are finished or wrapping up. That way we can have glorious no filler shows that start and finish without breaks.
Just a reminder that possibly the very first robot ever thought of by mankind, Talos from Greek mythology, was a giant robot. So mecha has been around for actual millennium.
It's bittersweet to watch my favorite genre fall into obscurity, because it's what the genre has always wished for. Mecha came from a world at war and has always desired a world/universe at peace. The iconic shot of the gundam overrun with wildflowers at the end of the 00 movie is iconic because it sums this all up - it was abandoned because tools of war were no longer needed, but it was not even preserved because the universe had achieved true peace so it was culturally forgotten as well. With how long it's been since we've had a real all out war between the major power countries, mecha now has wildflowers growing on it. It saddens me, but it also makes me deeply happy because I know this is what mecha always wanted - to no longer be needed.
But the problem is the world is not in peace, not in the classic war way. you know the atomic bullettin clock? is a clock that show how much humanity is close to the doom day, for ex. with the cold war the clock was close 3-2 min to midnight. now? WELL 2 MIN! not cause we are close to another world war, but for social crisis, economic and climate change. in fact i not see in 10 years a batter world, the countrys are gona make stupid decion (just watch USA) and the society are back to old hate like racism and offended poeple are the cancer of web. soooo the world have not horrible wars like years ago but we are still in deep shit, a more sophisticated shit but still shit.
Gigguk, I know how much effort you put into picking the music for each video and I have to say that you absolutely nailed it with this one. Between the Black Sabbath and Iron maiden for the early years and that absolutely flawless transition into the 90's with Nirvana, the atmosphere of each topic was perfectly represented. I've seen far too many content creators use the same music over and over because it's easy and they don't have to put as much thought into it. Keep up the good work man, love the vids.
Totally agreed, and this is especially interesting because I tend to have different taste in music than most people and Gigguk seems to pull song after song I used to listen to when I was really young.
Agreed!! The "what is it good for? Absolutely nothing" part of the song with the visuals of WWII behind it was perfect 👌 very engaging video! And I love that you mention Full Metal Panic with such enthusiasm! I can't wait for the new season!!!
Power Ranger is not totally japanese. Yes, they use almost all the fight scene of the japanese super sentai, but the scenes where the actors are unmasqued, are shots by the Power Ranger production. So it's a western adaptation, but a lazy one.
Gigguk : Gunpla appeals only to the dedicated hardcore fandom as opposed to the mass audience Pewdiepie : I think Gundam is for all ages. Small brain, big brain. You can do different sizes. Depends on how picky with the series you are. Look at how divisive the world is. Gundam builds should be what brings the Earth together. Anyone can build
@@gamergangtalk0080 there is another option. BIONICLES. You can just buy bulks of pieces at fairly low prices and create whatever tf you want from.them. Even gundams if you have enough imagination.
Yoshiyuki Tomino: ok guys we need another angry mustached man to start a world war Steve: how about we come up with some new ideas? Yoshiyuki Tomino: Steve.. Steve:yes? Yoshiyuki Tomino:shut the fuck up
The decline of mecha animes is directly tied to the decline of anime budgets. Mechas are not dying. It's the taste of animes have changed the last 20-30 years. The biggest anime series used to be scifi and mechas in the 70s-90s but now it has changed to more supernatural and fantasy than mecha. Mecha animes cost more money to produce because you need designers that have some science and engineering background in order to design vehicles, mechas, and shape the scifi world than most slice of life animes that are low budget and easy to make. Because anime studios don't have big budgets they rely on selling toys to make money so only Gundam is still making animes.
I disagree on some points. You can make fantasy mechas and these kinds do not need engineering background and the like. If you can make fantasy full armor then you can make fantasy mecha. Knights and Magic is practically this. Or heck, just something resembling fantastical human would be enough as there are fantasy mecha shows even back then. The main problem with mecha genre is that it can't escape the idea that all it could be is about battling. People that doesn't like it caught on and grow bored of it. People that do like it won't accept anything else therefore the mecha genre can't try to be something different. Do a mecha show where they play sports instead of battling and you'd lose what little mecha fanbase left. This is the main problem of the genre; people's expectations. And the producers aside from the select few know it which is why they don't want to take the risk in mecha shows anymore.
@@secondsein7749 Of course, that's why those fantasy mechas are forgetful and not gonna be as competitive as Macross and Gundam. Those 2 franchises have legendary designers. That's why you don't see many fantasy mecha animes have toys, it's usually a sculpted PVC figure and rarely a toy or model kit. Eva is a good example of both fantasy and well engineered mecha.
@@Vision33r I attribute fantasy mecha to be forgetful because the lack of marketing to keep them in the front and back of people's minds by the publishers/producers. Unconventional/fantasy mecha designs do work as evidenced by Eva, Gurren Lagann, Escaflowne and the like. Problem is that Bandai wants to play safe and typically work with franchise brands. This make smaller brands have to pick up the slack. Granted it is likely due to rights issue but if Bandai decided to say give m even one fantasy kit an RG spotlight what they did with the Eva, it would help a lot. As it is now, other brands have to do it such as Good Smile with mechas from other shows. They are willing to push for fantasy designs as evidenced with their SD kits, but again they are playing safe and only 'fantasy-fy' their own brand.
@@secondsein7749 Bandai would only play safe by constantly using Gundam designs and morph them with some outrageous new look. I'm ok with new mecha designs but don't need to keep using Gundam look mechas with crazy fantasy designs. Do competely non-gundam mechas right. In Japan from the 70-90s, I estimated there are probably about 40-50 mecha franchises that could've succeeded up to today if they wrote good stories and not add kiddie themes to them such as making them all so similar to Power Rangers. Macross is a good example of mature audience that doesn't die. Kawamori if he wanted to, could've made 10+ Macross series and rival Gundam.
Then anime adapted first from manga and now light novels, will be slaughtered by anime adapted from video games (most of 'em from Nintendo platformers, except for Studio Trigger's Super Smash Bros. anime adaptation, because that is a crossover fighting game), even if most of 'em are gonna be the best, especially the Smash Bros. one.
"Because robots are fucking awesome" *cut to Hiroyuki Sawano's awesome score over an awesome Gundam Unicorn sequence* YES *claps* Yesssss Edit: Hey there, thanks for the likes, everyone 😳
@Ron Swanson - yeah, saw it too :D And NGE was the title which made me anime fan 18 years ago... It may not be the best start title, but hell world was never the same after that weekend I watched it whole at once... ;)
"To boil down EVA's influence to just a few points would entirely undersell the impacts of this series had. I could go on for hours about exatly what it did for anime but that's the topic for another video." We are never going to get this right?
It's a pretty bad video imo. First of all they pronounce "Evangelion" wrong throughout, and then they devote a lot of the video to concepts already explained thoroughly enough in the show itself (e.g. Hedgehog's Dilemma). It never got really into what makes Eva special if you ask me.
Please don't believe the lies this Gigguk is spreading. The giant robot genre is more alive and kicking ass than ever before. He seems to miss one tiny white elephant in the room - The Transformers franchise along side Gundam are bigger than anyone could imagine today.
@@OtakuNerd94 So I guess you missed the fact that this video is over a year old? Of course it's not going to be entirely accurate today. Time passes. Things change.
I'm happy rewatching this video in 2023, especially given the recent popularity of Gundam: The Witch From Mercury showing mecha can still shine brightly in the modern anime landscape.
I wrote the article "“Believe in Getter!” or “Believe in humanity!”? Getter Robo Saga as a parable of technology" in which I explore Getter and mecha in general and how it can be used as a way to apply concepts of economic history and philosophy of technology. Your video on mecha was an inspiration and was duly cited, so I wanna say thank you!
I think someone needs to make a story about a family man who used to be a mecha pilot, who now lives in a world that rejects mechas. You know, a visual representation of the genre slowly fading into obscurity
I guess you could say that don't know about the Unforgiven, but as far as i know the watchmen are a more dark vision of super heroes I want to focus on the aspect that the Mecha are just not needed anymore, In light of recent, more efficient tech, they are either scrapped, or shipped to undeveloped countries for use in labor or war. You dig?
saba agniashvili in the show Active Raid there was an episode where the designer of a "super robot" went into retirement because of the inefficiencies that they provide (i.e.: too much gas is used and too much money was spent into maintenance). The main characters use a light weight metallic body that makes them only about 3 feet (1meter) taller, but we're unable to stop the "super robot", so the designer and original pilot of the "unfinished super robot" team up to fight off the rouge pilot showing that even though "super robots" lost their charm they will always have a place in people's hearts.
Many of my favorite things in life in one video. Anime and Rock n roll. Black Sabbath- Iron Man Nirvana- Smells Like Teen Spirit Alice Cooper- Feed My Frankenstein Daft Punk- Robot Rock
I know Pacific Rim 2 is doing a pretty good job with the pre-built figures. I bought the Gypsy Avenger figure for 20 bucks and it's a really nice pre-built figure given the cost!
Dongus.inc I guess nobody here have watched Macross. Go watch every Macross except 7 & Delta. Idols don't have to die. But in the case of Macross Delta, *they have to.*
I love the editing of this video! When I build my gunpla, I always have to listen to Black Sabbath. Nothing scream “massive hulking death machines that will crush you with a smile on its face” more than the album Paranoid. I also feel mecha as a genre has been saved by quarantine. Many people, including me have gotten into building gunpla out of boredom during lockdown and are now addicted to both the kits and the shows
I don't know how I've managed it, but in all my years watching anime I've never actually watched any Gundam. Your video has inspired me to binge some 90s and early 2000s greatness. Thanks Gigguk. Great vid.
I wish you the best soldier! *Gundam Salute* 0079, Zeta, 0083, 08th MS team and War in the Pocket, are some of my favorites. Hope you get to see them all.
The year is 2022. Armored Core VI has been revealed and perhaps mecha anime will pick up more views from new and old players, possibly sparking the "big break" in our decade for mecha.
I wonder if our current geopolitical landscape and the announcement of Armored Core 6 would revitalize the mecha genre in spite of it being far less lucrative for a mass audience.
Trend of anime back then: Colossal Mechas hitting each other with big guns, lasers and drills. Trend of anime now: Edgy teen boys with multiple bitches, and magics.
Gigguk, your video production quality keeps me coming back to rewatch your vídeos. This one is special, though. A beautifully paced, edited, soundtracked and writed essay about this awesome subject, filled with thought and information. Sir, this is a perfect grade masterpiece of a video!
Great video! Editing, music choice, narration, were all fantastic. Very much enjoyed watching it and now want to hunt down and watch most of the shows you mentioned in the 2000s and earlier.
Gigguk forgot to mention Mamoru Oiishi's Mobile Police: Patlabor. The TV series is very solid still holding up to this day and the OVAs and first 2 movies sky rocket the story. Rumor has it that Oiishi was instantly given rein over the 94 GitS movie solely because of the Patlabor 2 movies. Watching Patlabor you can clearly see the seeds being sowed for the GitS movies.
Mecha has become so underrated in the anime community, it's nice to see someone who understands it explain it well. Also >Not mentioning Shin Getter Robo Sad I seriously hope Gridman gets super popular, it's such a cool Toku/Mecha blend.
Cruz Gonzalez Yeah, it just kinda sucks that there's not that much interest. I hope Gridman can get kids more interested in Mecha because, let's face it, it's the kids who are gonna buy the merch.
Iron man - Black Sabbath, War - Edwin Starr, Feed My Frankenstein - Alice Cooper, Fly, Gundam - Andrew W.K. cover, NOT SURE, Smells like Teen Spirit - Nirvana, Something from the Eva OST, Robot Rock - Daft Punk. That's the limit of my knowledge
Man, I wish Gigguk did more videos like this. This video literally got me back into anime after taking a 15 year break--well-written, brisk, based in solid research without getting bogged down. I love these big genre retrospectives, especially as anime experiences an unprecedented explosion in global popularity owing to streaming. I remember, a few years ago, watching this video, and feeling validated, that the goofy mecha anime from my adolescence which always seemed to have so much meaning and significance might actually be as smart and emotionally mature as I'd always sort of felt they were. I'm not a huge Gigguk fan, but I watch pretty much all of his videos, just in case he puts out something as good and perceptive as this.
Thedude3rd Only songs I know are The Trooper by Iron Maiden at about 7:40 and Komm Süsser Todd from the End of Evangelion soundtrack near the end of the video
5Xeno woah! Me too! Super exited for the movie though. Little worried it won't hold up to the first though. But i mean I thought the first was a masterpiece so...
I think the mecha genre has kind of been over taken by more futuristic/dystopian genres. In the past, big machines were the biggest and coolest things out there, partially due to the advancements that had recently occurred regarding this technology. Now, technology involving easy, immediate results (ie telecommunication, etc.) is definitely more popular, as that’s what our technology has started to do.
Let’s see how Mechagodzilla City (Godzilla Planet of the Monsters Part 2: Mobile Breeding City Mechagodzilla) is going to fare as an anime mecha in July 2018.
I love how Gigguk sound so optimistic and excited to talk about this topic. You can tell when he starts blasting cool music as the background and speaking so excitingly. Well done Gigguk
The good thing about this comment is that you can see who has shit taste, or not 🌚 Then again, Try was Destiny 2.0 and Super Robot fest from start to finish.
My fucking God Gundam, can't believe how a 24-years old formula is getting likes. What we need is Space Pirate robots that are fucking midgets next to the fucking Sazabi
'Darling in the Franxxx' it's a real competitor (technically and specific) for 'Neon Genesis Evangelion'. However, it was much better if there are no suchlike Season 2 from this sh*t anime (subjectively)!
It’s really interesting seeing how popular the original Mecha genre became, it even spread somewhat to the UK where I live: I used to wake up on weekends and watch the original Transformers, which shares a lot of similarities with some of the early colourful Mecha shows destined for mechanising. Honestly that show was really good, or at least that’s how I remember it. It definitely got successful enough to have merchandise.
ErebosGR Well, in that case, Love Live saved Sunrise. Love Live brings the money that Sunrise needs to do the shows that they really like to do. But in the whole, idol shows making way more money then mecha shows really weakened the influence mecha anime once had in the past.
I’m not a fan of the mecha genre but I really enjoyed the format Gigguk used for this video. We need more of this in future videos for other genres. Thank you Gigguk and Patreons.
At least it helped me see why I couldn't fall in love with the genre after loving Code Geass so much, newer than that the only one I have liked is IBO.
I was told an issue with modern Mecha Anime is the a lot of the 80-90s stuff was made by WWII and Cold War Veterans. Since then no one really has any actual military experience and a phrase I've heard used is, "Military Science Fiction is kinda like background radiation. It's there but unseen and just the back drop of the narrative instead of the focus." In 0080 War in a Pocket the Zeon must destroy the Alex Prototype for the war efforts. Everything is based on it and around. To the two love interests ends with Karen killing Bernie to protect the Prototype. In Modern Anime the plot would be around High School and love interests with the War and Mechs only being there to push these teens together etc.
Go Nagai created the mecha genre as we know it. Devilman and the mecha genre inspired Evangelion. Devilman inspired Berserk. Oh, and he also kickstarted hentai as a genre So, Go Nagai is directly responsible for everything great about anime and manga. He is basically manga-Jesus.
@Detective X: What are you so angry about matey boy ? I stated "kickstarted", not "created". Japan in this era was one of the (if not *THE*) most puritan society on this planet, and all it needed to devolve (or evolve, I would say) into this clusterfuck of weirdness was one guy wanting to write a manga about highscool teens wanting to fuck each other. He "created" ecchi, but hentai was born from ecchi, therefore he kickstarted it. I see nothing wrong about what I said.
It is not dying, it is actually attacking mainstream cinema and western cartoons. Gundam was in Ready Player One, there are now two Pacific Rim movies, Transformers are ever popular and Voltron returned.
Let’s see how Mechagodzilla City (Godzilla Planet of the Monsters Part 2: Mobile Breeding City Mechagodzilla) is going to fare as an anime mecha in July 2018.
Every time I see videos and pics of the Unicorn statue, I get the feeling I'd probably cry tears of joy, even though I have no attachment to the series. There's just something about it that makes me feel like I'm seeing my childhood in reality and I love it
Giant robots are the lightsaber of anime. Impossible, impractical, and fucking awesome at a glance.
Gundam the origin shows just how strong the realistic and "weak" mechs can be.
Fittingly enough, Gundams have giant lightsabers.
don't know dude. I always thought lightsabers were lame.
Fuck you then...
I kid...
Mostly.
And the Pope is catholic. So, *NO SHIT SHERLOCK!*
Also, Really nice connection.
2050
gigguk:
isekai : the rise and fall of "no season2 "
Sivabalan J Please let it have a fall, I want my Season 2s.
Totally agreeing with your prediction of Gigguk still doing videos in 31 years.
@@excaliburring753 Nah. Season 2s suck.
We only get defined 'season 2' when there's a cour gap. Ideally, we're in a transitional phase right now where studios will eventually stop looking for projects that are still in production and start focusing on stories that are finished or wrapping up. That way we can have glorious no filler shows that start and finish without breaks.
It's the opposite of Hollywood. There everything gets endless sequels/reboots whether the audience wants it or not.
majority of "good" isekai do get multiple seasons. really its only NGNL thats makes me wet my pillow with tears each night
Only No Game No Life😔
So what you're saying is... We need to start another World War to get more mecha.
In this political landscape? Give it time my guy. Mecha will arise.
Let's do it
World war 2.0 + 1.0 is gonna happen before Evangelion 3.0 + 1.0
😂 holy fuck man...holy fuck 😂
Massacre millions of Mongolians using Napalm. That should jumpstart the comeback of gundam
One could argue that Attack on Titan is just a flesh mecha...
Hmmm maybe
Maybe
Maybe, plus he he's a power to connect with each other in a spiritual way and this says Eren is a new type (science 100)
My favorite mecha is optimus prime
@@blitz4561 Transformas cames from Japan and has an Anime also Optimas Prime is legit a Mecha
My favorite Mecha movie is Ratatouille
Makes sense
A young rat tries to hide his giant human from his family while trying to fight a restaurant war
The rat actually pilots the french"man".
Genius!
Fuck you’re right
*Takes breath*
SHINJI, GET IN THE DAMN ROBOT
Y e s y e s
AMURO! GET IN THE FUCKING GUNDAM!
Evangelion isnt Mecha ... technically ...
Everyone in the world Shinji get in the robot
Shinji no I don’t think I will
Lmao I hate this meme so much
HE GETS IN THE ROBOT EVERY TIME
Granted sometimes he needs a slap or a wank first
🤣🤣🤣
Just a reminder that possibly the very first robot ever thought of by mankind, Talos from Greek mythology, was a giant robot. So mecha has been around for actual millennium.
That makes sense the power that you could command in a giant mechanical titan you could feel like a god or a devil
"Mecha: the former king of anime" is a more appropriate title.
It's bittersweet to watch my favorite genre fall into obscurity, because it's what the genre has always wished for. Mecha came from a world at war and has always desired a world/universe at peace.
The iconic shot of the gundam overrun with wildflowers at the end of the 00 movie is iconic because it sums this all up - it was abandoned because tools of war were no longer needed, but it was not even preserved because the universe had achieved true peace so it was culturally forgotten as well.
With how long it's been since we've had a real all out war between the major power countries, mecha now has wildflowers growing on it. It saddens me, but it also makes me deeply happy because I know this is what mecha always wanted - to no longer be needed.
But the problem is the world is not in peace, not in the classic war way.
you know the atomic bullettin clock? is a clock that show how much humanity is close to the doom day, for ex. with the cold war the clock was close 3-2 min to midnight.
now? WELL 2 MIN!
not cause we are close to another world war, but for social crisis, economic and climate change.
in fact i not see in 10 years a batter world, the countrys are gona make stupid decion (just watch USA) and the society are back to old hate like racism and offended poeple are the cancer of web.
soooo the world have not horrible wars like years ago but we are still in deep shit, a more sophisticated shit but still shit.
"a more sophisticated shit" Dude! I fucking love you!
here, have all my respect!
well said brother
Clearly we need a giant robot to go around vacuuming air pollution
Gigguk, I know how much effort you put into picking the music for each video and I have to say that you absolutely nailed it with this one. Between the Black Sabbath and Iron maiden for the early years and that absolutely flawless transition into the 90's with Nirvana, the atmosphere of each topic was perfectly represented. I've seen far too many content creators use the same music over and over because it's easy and they don't have to put as much thought into it. Keep up the good work man, love the vids.
You forgot ROBOT ROCK
Totally agreed, and this is especially interesting because I tend to have different taste in music than most people and Gigguk seems to pull song after song I used to listen to when I was really young.
Agreed!! The "what is it good for? Absolutely nothing" part of the song with the visuals of WWII behind it was perfect 👌 very engaging video! And I love that you mention Full Metal Panic with such enthusiasm! I can't wait for the new season!!!
I just wondered how the hell he handled the copyright strikes!? That's why you don't hear this type of music in the average CZcams video!
Does anybody know the name of the song he uses last in the video?
It's also important to note the impact mecha has had on Western media as well, from Transformers to Power Rangers.
Don’t forget that toy sales of mecha shows are important too. Whether their for kids or adult collectors.
And the more recent example, Pacific Rim. The first movie was a masterpiece, the sequel was unnecessary.
I know this was 3 years ago. But just to point out Power rangers is Japanese.
@@EdgytheHedgy In a similar way, Transformers is too.
Power Ranger is not totally japanese.
Yes, they use almost all the fight scene of the japanese super sentai, but the scenes where the actors are unmasqued, are shots by the Power Ranger production.
So it's a western adaptation, but a lazy one.
Gigguk : Gunpla appeals only to the dedicated hardcore fandom as opposed to the mass audience
Pewdiepie : I think Gundam is for all ages. Small brain, big brain. You can do different sizes. Depends on how picky with the series you are. Look at how divisive the world is. Gundam builds should be what brings the Earth together. Anyone can build
I only purchase perfect grades
@@ReignofStorms nice flex bro
The prices don't help either. 25 dollars for a 10 cm figures? FUCK OFF GUNDAM!
@@returnedtomonkey8886 better than 144 dollars waifu figures or 64 dollars figma action figures that you can't do nothing except photo them
@@gamergangtalk0080 there is another option. BIONICLES. You can just buy bulks of pieces at fairly low prices and create whatever tf you want from.them. Even gundams if you have enough imagination.
20:46 “considering its _instrumentality_ “
*cuts to Evangelion*
LOL
Stellvia Heonheim shut the fuck up boomer
-OkuyasuIsTheBestJoJo - wooosh ever heard of another persons opinion
Mini Keanu Reeves ever heard of a bad joke
kaworu best waifu tho
LongXp lol
Very glad someone else noticed this, I immediately looked in the comments for it!
Journalist: so why did you start a world war?
Me: I wanted more gundam
Journalist: seems legit
That sounds reasonable. -_-
Damn it
Thanks for the laugh
Yoshiyuki Tomino: ok guys we need another angry mustached man to start a world war
Steve: how about we come up with some new ideas?
Yoshiyuki Tomino: Steve..
Steve:yes?
Yoshiyuki Tomino:shut the fuck up
@@giovannisantantonio3053 What Steve should've said was, "We got an orange wrinkly bigot on the verge of starting one. Why not use him as an example?"
Ha,I love politics
The Witch From Mercury is absolutely killing it at the moment
"right now, war isn't at the forefront of the general consensus" - gigguk
"That one didn't age quite so well"- JohnTron
The tittle of this video should be "Gigguk bringing grown men to tears by talking about Giant robots"
In the great words of the Iron Giant "Superman". Watched that movie...right? No? Never Mind, I'll go back to playing War of the Monsters...
2REAL
As a grown man in tears, I can confirm
25 years ago, got a boner for giant robots watching Gundam. To this day, its still raging.
You aren't wrong.
Brilliant Documentary
Shiny Certification
you look like a mexican gigguk btw
Blaze it boys
Fandom: Mecha is dying...
Japan: Hold my sake...
BUILDS ACTUAL "MOBILE" SUIT GUNDAM
Glad mecha is on the rise again
20:47 "considering its instrumentality..."
Gendo on screen. A+ would Tang again.
"Giant robots are fucking awesome."
-Gigguk and every single mecha fan 2018
Megas XLR theme song should have played in the background when he said that, would have fit so well
The decline of mecha animes is directly tied to the decline of anime budgets.
Mechas are not dying. It's the taste of animes have changed the last 20-30 years. The biggest anime series used to be scifi and mechas in the 70s-90s but now it has changed to more supernatural and fantasy than mecha. Mecha animes cost more money to produce because you need designers that have some science and engineering background in order to design vehicles, mechas, and shape the scifi world than most slice of life animes that are low budget and easy to make. Because anime studios don't have big budgets they rely on selling toys to make money so only Gundam is still making animes.
I disagree on some points. You can make fantasy mechas and these kinds do not need engineering background and the like. If you can make fantasy full armor then you can make fantasy mecha. Knights and Magic is practically this.
Or heck, just something resembling fantastical human would be enough as there are fantasy mecha shows even back then.
The main problem with mecha genre is that it can't escape the idea that all it could be is about battling. People that doesn't like it caught on and grow bored of it. People that do like it won't accept anything else therefore the mecha genre can't try to be something different. Do a mecha show where they play sports instead of battling and you'd lose what little mecha fanbase left.
This is the main problem of the genre; people's expectations. And the producers aside from the select few know it which is why they don't want to take the risk in mecha shows anymore.
When you say that, it makes me wonder if the legacy of the 2008 financial crisis is still being felt in anime.
@@secondsein7749 Of course, that's why those fantasy mechas are forgetful and not gonna be as competitive as Macross and Gundam. Those 2 franchises have legendary designers. That's why you don't see many fantasy mecha animes have toys, it's usually a sculpted PVC figure and rarely a toy or model kit. Eva is a good example of both fantasy and well engineered mecha.
@@Vision33r I attribute fantasy mecha to be forgetful because the lack of marketing to keep them in the front and back of people's minds by the publishers/producers. Unconventional/fantasy mecha designs do work as evidenced by Eva, Gurren Lagann, Escaflowne and the like.
Problem is that Bandai wants to play safe and typically work with franchise brands. This make smaller brands have to pick up the slack. Granted it is likely due to rights issue but if Bandai decided to say give m even one fantasy kit an RG spotlight what they did with the Eva, it would help a lot. As it is now, other brands have to do it such as Good Smile with mechas from other shows.
They are willing to push for fantasy designs as evidenced with their SD kits, but again they are playing safe and only 'fantasy-fy' their own brand.
@@secondsein7749 Bandai would only play safe by constantly using Gundam designs and morph them with some outrageous new look. I'm ok with new mecha designs but don't need to keep using Gundam look mechas with crazy fantasy designs. Do competely non-gundam mechas right. In Japan from the 70-90s, I estimated there are probably about 40-50 mecha franchises that could've succeeded up to today if they wrote good stories and not add kiddie themes to them such as making them all so similar to Power Rangers. Macross is a good example of mature audience that doesn't die. Kawamori if he wanted to, could've made 10+ Macross series and rival Gundam.
If I don’t see you make a dedicated Gurren Lagann video in my lifetime,I will haunt you.
I've checked he didnt.
Waiting XD. If you are hungry for great ones tho i'd check BestGuyEver's and one called "TTGL'S underappreciated maturity"
Breadsword made a good one.
Just who the hell do you think he is
Ill join you! We can combine to haunt him!
So mecha is waning, and in return, we get Isekai and Imotou?
Dark days, friends. Dark days.
Then anime adapted first from manga and now light novels, will be slaughtered by anime adapted from video games (most of 'em from Nintendo platformers, except for Studio Trigger's Super Smash Bros. anime adaptation, because that is a crossover fighting game), even if most of 'em are gonna be the best, especially the Smash Bros. one.
mecha has been better Gundam & Transformers rank on the top 20 global media franchise of all time. both are estimated at around $60 billion net worth.
YOU Dig Giant Robots
I Dig Giant Robots
WE Dig Giant Robots
CHICKS Dig Giant Robots
*_nice_*
JaxBlade YOU GOTTA FIND FIRST GEAR IN YOUR GIANT ROBOT CAR!!
Megas XLR was fucking glorious
JaxBlade A classic.
Did he ever pay those 2 bucks?
JaxBlade i can assure you that if chicks digged giant robots I would have a very different life.
Love the soundtrack to this video. So iconic.
Also when is the dedicated evangelion video coming?
2030: Isekai: The Rise and Fall of Truck-kun
We can only hope...
"Because robots are fucking awesome" *cut to Hiroyuki Sawano's awesome score over an awesome Gundam Unicorn sequence*
YES *claps* Yesssss
Edit: Hey there, thanks for the likes, everyone 😳
And chicks dig giant robots.
20:48
"Instrumentality"
*shows picture of gendo pose*
Good one, Gigguk.
Once I noticed it, I paused the video to see who in the comments got it too :D.
@Ron Swanson - yeah, saw it too :D
And NGE was the title which made me anime fan 18 years ago... It may not be the best start title, but hell world was never the same after that weekend I watched it whole at once... ;)
Ron Swanson AHHH I SAW THIS!!!
Good one, BakaShift*
He's the one editing afaik
Here from the future reporting and Gundam is back in the spotlight baby!!!!
"A pretty big war that the entire world got involved in"
Switzerland: **Laughs in neutral**
"To boil down EVA's influence to just a few points would entirely undersell the impacts of this series had. I could go on for hours about exatly what it did for anime but that's the topic for another video."
We are never going to get this right?
Wisecrack just did a fantastic vid on it.
We'll probably get it sometime around when we get the next episode of EVA Abridged
Just like we haven't got the last bloody REBUILD OVA episode yet!
wisecrack did an episode on eva not about eva influence in anime.
It's a pretty bad video imo. First of all they pronounce "Evangelion" wrong throughout, and then they devote a lot of the video to concepts already explained thoroughly enough in the show itself (e.g. Hedgehog's Dilemma). It never got really into what makes Eva special if you ask me.
"Giant robots are fucking awesome."
Speaking real truths here.
Watching this now with Gundam Witch From Mercury blowing the hell up on TV and revitalizing interest in the mecha genre is really quite interesting
This video is Netflix worthy, my dude. The transitions were spot-on, it's very detailed and the production value feels really nice.
Please don't believe the lies this Gigguk is spreading.
The giant robot genre is more alive and kicking ass than ever before. He seems to miss one tiny white elephant in the room - The Transformers franchise along side Gundam are bigger than anyone could imagine today.
@@OtakuNerd94 So I guess you missed the fact that this video is over a year old? Of course it's not going to be entirely accurate today. Time passes. Things change.
It's even older than that
@@hostiledodo1150 even if its a year old giant mecha has not fallen yet and still thriving better than ever.
@@OtakuNerd94 Sure but at the time of the video it was on the decline. Again, time passes. Things change.
1% Another Studios
99% SUNRISE OH YEAH
Bro. STELLAR choice of music. Hats off.
12:33 song name? It's bothering me. Too much nostalgia
Robot rock
Black Sabbath, Edwin Starr, Iron Maiden, Nirvana, Daft Punk, etc. Great rock classics, tbh
KiddKoalaz, Robot Rock by Daft Punk
I came here to say the same thing
I'm happy rewatching this video in 2023, especially given the recent popularity of Gundam: The Witch From Mercury showing mecha can still shine brightly in the modern anime landscape.
Mecha also made a huge comeback in video Games in 2023 with Armored Core 6 and many more announcements
I wrote the article "“Believe in Getter!” or “Believe in humanity!”? Getter Robo Saga as a parable of technology" in which I explore Getter and mecha in general and how it can be used as a way to apply concepts of economic history and philosophy of technology. Your video on mecha was an inspiration and was duly cited, so I wanna say thank you!
I think someone needs to make a story about a family man who used to be a mecha pilot, who now lives in a world that rejects mechas.
You know, a visual representation of the genre slowly fading into obscurity
saba agniashvili so something like Unforgiven or Watchmen comic how they reject their genre.
I guess you could say that
don't know about the Unforgiven, but as far as i know the watchmen are a more dark vision of super heroes
I want to focus on the aspect that the Mecha are just not needed anymore, In light of recent, more efficient tech, they are either scrapped, or shipped to undeveloped countries for use in labor or war. You dig?
saba agniashvili I might be a little late on this, but didn't Active Raid have an entire episode dedicated to that?
i don't follow
saba agniashvili in the show Active Raid there was an episode where the designer of a "super robot" went into retirement because of the inefficiencies that they provide (i.e.: too much gas is used and too much money was spent into maintenance). The main characters use a light weight metallic body that makes them only about 3 feet (1meter) taller, but we're unable to stop the "super robot", so the designer and original pilot of the "unfinished super robot" team up to fight off the rouge pilot showing that even though "super robots" lost their charm they will always have a place in people's hearts.
Many of my favorite things in life in one video. Anime and Rock n roll.
Black Sabbath- Iron Man
Nirvana- Smells Like Teen Spirit
Alice Cooper- Feed My Frankenstein
Daft Punk- Robot Rock
What about Radiohead my guy
@@HumansFreshlyBorn and Iron Maidens The Trooper
Gundam 00 is my favorite anime ever.
"idols kill the mecha anime"
Gigguk,2018
konohamaru77 bloody murders
They didn't do it directly. But goodness be damned for the case of Macross Delta.
I'm not the only one that would actually watch an "idols vs mecha" series, right?
Jotham Smith again, that has already happened with the Macross franchise.
What if your waifu was killing mecha? 0_0
So basically:
- we need a new war
- idols have to die
- pre-built mecha figures instead of model kits
I know Pacific Rim 2 is doing a pretty good job with the pre-built figures. I bought the Gypsy Avenger figure for 20 bucks and it's a really nice pre-built figure given the cost!
An anime where Idols go to war with Mecha you think im dumb but just you wait
Dongus.inc subplot for recreators season 2 confirmed
Dongus.inc I guess nobody here have watched Macross. Go watch every Macross except 7 & Delta.
Idols don't have to die. But in the case of Macross Delta, *they have to.*
emm.. thats what Macross delta have been doing ... except idol dying.. but close enough
Giant Bender: “Bite my colossal metal ass”!
I love the editing of this video!
When I build my gunpla, I always have to listen to Black Sabbath. Nothing scream “massive hulking death machines that will crush you with a smile on its face” more than the album Paranoid.
I also feel mecha as a genre has been saved by quarantine. Many people, including me have gotten into building gunpla out of boredom during lockdown and are now addicted to both the kits and the shows
I don't know how I've managed it, but in all my years watching anime I've never actually watched any Gundam. Your video has inspired me to binge some 90s and early 2000s greatness. Thanks Gigguk. Great vid.
take your time, good luck and have some fun with it.
I recommend the original Gundam compilation movies, G Gundam, and 0080 as good entry points to the franchise.
I wish you the best soldier! *Gundam Salute* 0079, Zeta, 0083, 08th MS team and War in the Pocket, are some of my favorites. Hope you get to see them all.
I agree with everyone pointing you towards the Compilation Movies of Gundam 79 and the rest of the Universal Century Timeline. They are awesome!
Anything with the UC timeline is excellent, MS Igloo saw the one year war through the Zeon eyes
20:47 "Considering its instrumentality" -- Video shows Gendo, *that* song in the background. Nice touch
Its going to have that same impact on the whole of anime
Adam awakening in the background.
Superbly edited.
And the background song lel
what is the song in the background
hitmon126 komm susser tod, it’s played in the end of evangelion
The year is 2022. Armored Core VI has been revealed and perhaps mecha anime will pick up more views from new and old players, possibly sparking the "big break" in our decade for mecha.
I wonder if our current geopolitical landscape and the announcement of Armored Core 6 would revitalize the mecha genre in spite of it being far less lucrative for a mass audience.
But Love Live is mecha, did you see how robotic their dance moves are?
You get a like for giving that brutal burn.
Damn man. That was such a brutal burn there was just a squad of Salamanders looking impressed.
"...considering its instrumentality in the evolution of the medium of anime's concerns..." Shows an Eva clip while saying "instrumentality." I see you
HEHEHEHEHEEEEEEE...
Trend of anime back then: Colossal Mechas hitting each other with big guns, lasers and drills.
Trend of anime now: Edgy teen boys with multiple bitches, and magics.
So true. Blame modern society for liking the degenerative shit
Gigguk, your video production quality keeps me coming back to rewatch your vídeos. This one is special, though. A beautifully paced, edited, soundtracked and writed essay about this awesome subject, filled with thought and information. Sir, this is a perfect grade masterpiece of a video!
I'm a simple man. I see Gundam, I click on the video.
I hear 1970's Hard Rock, I stay watching this video.
Then you here Daft Punk, which makes you stay longer
I saw TTGL. I'm interested
So anyone collect gunpla
@@IvanAndreiRRada i wish I had the money and time
Can you tell me the name of the song at the beginning? Thank you.
"Giant robots are fucking awesome."
I lost it lmao
Great video! Editing, music choice, narration, were all fantastic. Very much enjoyed watching it and now want to hunt down and watch most of the shows you mentioned in the 2000s and earlier.
Gigguk forgot to mention Mamoru Oiishi's Mobile Police: Patlabor. The TV series is very solid still holding up to this day and the OVAs and first 2 movies sky rocket the story. Rumor has it that Oiishi was instantly given rein over the 94 GitS movie solely because of the Patlabor 2 movies. Watching Patlabor you can clearly see the seeds being sowed for the GitS movies.
Mecha has become so underrated in the anime community, it's nice to see someone who understands it explain it well.
Also
>Not mentioning Shin Getter Robo
Sad
I seriously hope Gridman gets super popular, it's such a cool Toku/Mecha blend.
End Of Century Not in Japan, it's still pretty big over there.
Cruz Gonzalez Even then, Japanese kids don't like Mecha anymore. They think it's old fashioned.
End Of Century Sure, they're not interested in mecha like before. But it still has its fair share of Japanese kids.
Cruz Gonzalez Yeah, it just kinda sucks that there's not that much interest. I hope Gridman can get kids more interested in Mecha because, let's face it, it's the kids who are gonna buy the merch.
End Of Century m8 even ultraman is still running I doubt kids will ever stop loving them.
Awesome break down man. I'm a huge mecha fan so seeing this pop up I had to watch it.
don't you mean breakdown breakdown?
Is that a Jojo reference? :p
Snow Bird that's a Killer queen reference
Gundam: Witch from Mercury has been bringing people back
Holy crap, Love Live actually did something good other than cause cancer! It helped Sunrise pay for more Gundam!
You mean cause diabetes, because it's too sweet for our own good.
Mecha is (not) dying
ZDY there's just more casual anime watchers
You are (not) alone
ZDY 4.0 will (not) see a release
You obviously haven't watched Captain Earth then.
Lia Kh Do (not) say that
The music selection in your videos is pure gold.
Lp Amlong YES
Iron man - Black Sabbath, War - Edwin Starr, Feed My Frankenstein - Alice Cooper, Fly, Gundam - Andrew W.K. cover, NOT SURE, Smells like Teen Spirit - Nirvana, Something from the Eva OST, Robot Rock - Daft Punk. That's the limit of my knowledge
Man, I wish Gigguk did more videos like this. This video literally got me back into anime after taking a 15 year break--well-written, brisk, based in solid research without getting bogged down. I love these big genre retrospectives, especially as anime experiences an unprecedented explosion in global popularity owing to streaming. I remember, a few years ago, watching this video, and feeling validated, that the goofy mecha anime from my adolescence which always seemed to have so much meaning and significance might actually be as smart and emotionally mature as I'd always sort of felt they were. I'm not a huge Gigguk fan, but I watch pretty much all of his videos, just in case he puts out something as good and perceptive as this.
yeah his video essays are top notch. I also would love to see more
Yeah definitely
wow this has not aged well oh how you could be so wrong now that mecha is back and coming with a vengeance
The music in this video is great.
Agreed, love all the choices... his reviews have their own awesome soundtracks
MrKodachii what's the title
Wish there was a list of names *wink wonk*
Thedude3rd Only songs I know are The Trooper by Iron Maiden at about 7:40 and Komm Süsser Todd from the End of Evangelion soundtrack near the end of the video
Cyril Gigee yeah, just wish the names were in the description
Well then, I just got hit by a Pacific Rim ad while watching a vid about GIANT ROBOTS. What are the chances?
5Xeno woah! Me too! Super exited for the movie though. Little worried it won't hold up to the first though. But i mean I thought the first was a masterpiece so...
Matt N There's no way it will hold up to the first to be honest I don't want to go see it because it looks so disappointing.
Higher than you think. Googly algorithms get more advanced by the day.
5Xeno Let's hope that and it's predecessor can get people into Mecha anime.
could casual western audiences be the (money) saviour for the mecha genre?
HEY, GIGGUK!!! SRW 30 IS GONNA BE RELEASED GLOBALLY!!! WHO SAYS MECHA IS DEAD??? MECHA RISES ONCE AGAIN!!!
*Mentions Gridman and Darling in the Franxx with optimism*
Something horrible happened here.
boi gridman was awesome
Dezha Vhu gridman isn’t really a mecha show it’s more an anime tokusatsu
Iron blooded orphan
@@vintageproductions3197 but tokusatsu can still be mecha, both genres often intersect
How dare you compare Gridman to DITF!, Gridman is a good show, that didn't ruined itself like DITF
I appreciate your music choices.
Poison Bang i appreciate his existence
Amuro teaches us to embrace the light within the Human Heart. Gundam will only die when the light within the Human heart has died.
Firstname Lastname well that's sad
yes, after being slapped of course
When Gundam dies... Anime will also die
That’s why Amuro is no.1 in top 10 Gundam pilots in Watchmojo.
Though Code Geass was made by Sunrise who also made the Gundam Franchise so technically Code Geass is Gundam's Brother Thrice Removed
2018 - Peaceful
2022 - War is back
Gundam Fans: Shut up and take our money
I think the mecha genre has kind of been over taken by more futuristic/dystopian genres.
In the past, big machines were the biggest and coolest things out there, partially due to the advancements that had recently occurred regarding this technology. Now, technology involving easy, immediate results (ie telecommunication, etc.) is definitely more popular, as that’s what our technology has started to do.
Minty Bliss This is what most don't take into account when they wonder about the decline of mecha.
Minty Bliss Imo what is holding mecha animes nowadays is the fact that they are tring to be TTGL and evangelion att the same time.
I'd say it's the "other world"/adventure genre that's getting in the way of mecha/gondom animes
juan Gallegos you’re correct. Fantasy genres has brought up more money from today’s generation.
Let’s see how Mechagodzilla City (Godzilla Planet of the Monsters Part 2: Mobile Breeding City Mechagodzilla) is going to fare as an anime mecha in July 2018.
I actually wanna see a series or just a movie about the Calamity War from Iron Blooded Orphans...
Yes! Holy shit. Why haven't we gotten this?
We need to know all 72 gundam frame
@@senriamabuki29 fax man we desperately need it. it's such a big mystery that I'm sure newer generation gundam fans would love it.
Witch of mercury recruited new mecha enjoyers
I love how Gigguk sound so optimistic and excited to talk about this topic. You can tell when he starts blasting cool music as the background and speaking so excitingly. Well done Gigguk
The Eva end card as the last frame.
I like that.
You already had a fan a few videos ago, but you got me with that.
;-;
What we really need to revitalize the genre is a Mecha TOURNAMEEEEEEEENT ARRRRRC!
thatrandomderp so G Gundam rerun?
so Build Fighters?
The good thing about this comment is that you can see who has shit taste, or not 🌚
Then again, Try was Destiny 2.0 and Super Robot fest from start to finish.
The Anarchist Otaku wait when. During SBS vs X Maoh or Build Burning period?
My fucking God Gundam, can't believe how a 24-years old formula is getting likes.
What we need is Space Pirate robots that are fucking midgets next to the fucking Sazabi
20:00 "Darling in the Franx"
That didn't hold up well...
I'm still pissed off about that finale
Bunnyman999 same. The beginning was gold though.
'Darling in the Franxxx' it's a real competitor (technically and specific) for 'Neon Genesis Evangelion'. However, it was much better if there are no suchlike Season 2 from this sh*t anime (subjectively)!
It’s really interesting seeing how popular the original Mecha genre became, it even spread somewhat to the UK where I live: I used to wake up on weekends and watch the original Transformers, which shares a lot of similarities with some of the early colourful Mecha shows destined for mechanising. Honestly that show was really good, or at least that’s how I remember it. It definitely got successful enough to have merchandise.
"Idols killed mecha anime"
why is that so funny to me
Mr. Tempestilence I honestly hope someone saw or thought of this and plans to make a series based on that concept. XD
It's funny because it's true.
Hal B. Noire Macross Delta is about that. Gigguk put it in the video. Besides Macross is always about idols and pilots of mechas...
Actually idols saved mecha anime.
Love Live has helped Sunrise stay afloat and not go bankrupt, so they can still produce Gundam anime.
ErebosGR
Well, in that case, Love Live saved Sunrise. Love Live brings the money that Sunrise needs to do the shows that they really like to do.
But in the whole, idol shows making way more money then mecha shows really weakened the influence mecha anime once had in the past.
I’m not a fan of the mecha genre but I really enjoyed the format Gigguk used for this video. We need more of this in future videos for other genres. Thank you Gigguk and Patreons.
At least it helped me see why I couldn't fall in love with the genre after loving Code Geass so much, newer than that the only one I have liked is IBO.
I don't think there can be another video like this one considering that close to no other genre in anime is or was as integral as mecha
I was told an issue with modern Mecha Anime is the a lot of the 80-90s stuff was made by WWII and Cold War Veterans.
Since then no one really has any actual military experience and a phrase I've heard used is,
"Military Science Fiction is kinda like background radiation. It's there but unseen and just the back drop of the narrative instead of the focus."
In 0080 War in a Pocket the Zeon must destroy the Alex Prototype for the war efforts.
Everything is based on it and around.
To the two love interests ends with Karen killing Bernie to protect the Prototype.
In Modern Anime the plot would be around High School and love interests with the War and Mechs only being there to push these teens together etc.
The mecha nation lived in peace. but that all changed when the idol nation attacked
To be fair, the Idol nation was founded by people from Macross city...
Go Nagai created the mecha genre as we know it.
Devilman and the mecha genre inspired Evangelion.
Devilman inspired Berserk.
Oh, and he also kickstarted hentai as a genre
So, Go Nagai is directly responsible for everything great about anime and manga.
He is basically manga-Jesus.
@Detective X: What are you so angry about matey boy ?
I stated "kickstarted", not "created".
Japan in this era was one of the (if not *THE*) most puritan society on this planet, and all it needed to devolve (or evolve, I would say) into this clusterfuck of weirdness was one guy wanting to write a manga about highscool teens wanting to fuck each other.
He "created" ecchi, but hentai was born from ecchi, therefore he kickstarted it.
I see nothing wrong about what I said.
when i think kentaro and araki is jesus of manga i kinnda forgot him you are goodanm right
arenkai finnaly someone acknowledges the lord and saviour of weebs
Nah. He's the devil of manga/anime. But I still I can praise the Devil....
Don't forget the MAHO SHOUJO. He also created magical girls.
Your choice of music in this episode is on point! I love Radiohead.
You don't need skill to build gunpla. All you need is
1. A gunpla kit.
2. A pair of cutters/nippers
3. And a little patience.
Gundam to Evangelion to Attack on titan... I understand the journey
Gurren lagann>>
It is not dying, it is actually attacking mainstream cinema and western cartoons. Gundam was in Ready Player One, there are now two Pacific Rim movies, Transformers are ever popular and Voltron returned.
How was the second Pacific Rim movie? The reviews seemed mixed, and I didn’t want to spoil the experience I had with the first one.
It was interesting. I liked it. I recommend giving it a shot.
Transformers aren't mechas though
They're robots in disguise
@@Thedude3rd made by the same guy who did brave express might gaine and gaogaigar
Heard gundam is going to have a live action movie, macross meanwhile idk but I’ve heard some
Team Mecha!
Team Mecha
Team Mcha
Team Mha
TEAM MHA! PLUS ULTRA!!!
Chicks dig giant robots I dig giant robots you dig giant robots nice
Let’s see how Mechagodzilla City (Godzilla Planet of the Monsters Part 2: Mobile Breeding City Mechagodzilla) is going to fare as an anime mecha in July 2018.
I respect mecha fans they chill af
Every time I see videos and pics of the Unicorn statue, I get the feeling I'd probably cry tears of joy, even though I have no attachment to the series. There's just something about it that makes me feel like I'm seeing my childhood in reality and I love it
The future : plays Komm Susser Todd
Waiting for Evangelion 4.0 I can [not] Wait for Ever!
Have they ever indicated when it might come out? I also can't wait for it!
Evangelion: 3.0+1.0: It Will (Never) Come Out
True
There are already a bunch of NGE weird spin-offs
*applause at the "instrumentality" reference*
i love the fact that when he starts talking about another decade another rock song from that decade place. A very nice detail.
"War isnt a thing that much anymore" well that line of thinking hasnt aged well