After the success of Code Geass: Lelouch of Rebellion, Sunrise, Mainichi Broadcasting System, and Project Geass continued offering the second and final season of the Code Geass anime series, called Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2, a year after the events of the first series. Not inferior to season 1, R2 also won "The Best TV Animation" award and "The Most Popular Anime" award, which the first season gained. Therefore, this anime is worth receiving a position in the list of the best mecha animes of all time.

The story continues with the coup of Lelouch vi Britannia in the first season. After failing to oppose the Hely Britannian Empire, Lelouch was caught and brainwashed. He comes back to his peaceful life alongside his friends as a high school student at Ashford Academy. Unable to accept this turn of events, his former partner C.C., helped Lelouch regain his memory and his power. Once again, he rebuilt his army and continued the struggles and great battles with the purpose of creating an independent nation and recreating the order within the Chinese Federation.

Despite themes of death and terrorism, justice, patriotism, and heroes are still drawn in this season, even more than in the first one. Plus, with the beautiful 2D animation and the bold and unique soundtrack, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 is a big hit for fans of the mecha genre.

Aired: Spring 2008

Produced by: Sunrise

Episodes: 25

MAL score: 8.91

Watch here: https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/code-geass-lelouch-of-the-rebellion/season-2

Ended 86 Eighty-Six season 1 with the freedom of the “86” squad, Season 2 came back with The Republic of San Magnolia, The Federal Republic of Giad, and the continuous wars against The Legion.

On the Western Front, Shin and his squad are granted full citizenship and freedom. They are housed by President Ernst Zimmerman himself, who met his adoptive daughter and the last Empress, Augusta Frederica Adel-Adler. However, they cannot forget them on the battlefield in order to adapt to a peaceful life. So they decide to join Giad’s army as a part of the Federacy's Nordlicht Squadron, accompanied by Augusta Frederica.

With fighting ability no one can keep up with, they are sent to the front lines once again. They realize that no matter where they are, fighting, pain, and then death on the front lines are the ending they have to accept because nobody cares about their existence except Major Lena.

After all, they won the last great campaign and returned to the Russian Federation to continue a normal life. Lena also begins a new journey when she is invited by the Federation to command an elite army. Ultimately, the “86” squad and their major meet and fight together once again. A happy ending for fates enduring much suffering and injustice, which put an end to 86 Eighty-Sis Season 2.

Aired: Fall 2021

Produced by: A-1 Pictures

Episodes: 12

MAL score: 8.71

Watch here: https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/86-eighty-six/season-2

Produced by Sunrise, Mainichi Broadcasting System, and Project Geass, the first season of the Code Geass anime series, titled Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion, was broadcast in 2006 and finished in 2007. The anime won many famous awards at the 2007 Tokyo International Anime Fair, at the twelfth Animation Kobe, and at the Animage 's 29th Annual Anime Grand Prix. Code Geass: Lelouch of Rebellion deserves to be one of the best mecha animes of all time.

Set in the Holy Empire of Britannia in 2010, the anime follows Lelouch Lamperouge, the exiled Prince of the Holy Britannian Empire and a Britannian student. At that time, the Holy Britannian Empire was becoming a military nation, and the first goal of beginning its domination was invading Japan. With the power of Geass, Lelouch leads a merciless onslaught against Britannia to find out the truth about his mother’s death, get revenge on his father, who had banished him, and create a better world for his sister.

In addition, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion also mentions the themes of mortality, genocide, racism, and terrorism reasonably and coherently, which makes you ponder morality and justice in the world today.

Aired: Fall 2006
Produced by: Sunrise
Episodes: 25
MAL score: 8.70
Watch here: https://www.netflix.com/jp-en/title/80065146

After two years, Production I.G continued to release the second season of the Koukaku Kidoutai series called Koukaku Kidoutai: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG. Aired on Animax from January 2004 to January 2005, the series also received positive reactions no less than the first season.

Following the conclusion of the “Laughing Man” case, cyborgs known as Section 9 were re-established by the new Japanese Prime Minister, Youko Kayabuki, to tackle controversial issues at that time. When the Third and Fourth World Wars happened, almost three million Asian people became refugees. They came to Japan as a source of cheap labor, which resulted in social unrest on the island of Dejima and potential dangers.

A group calling themselves "The Individual Eleven" has begun committing acts of terror across Japan. Also, leaking the social virus that created the Individual Eleven ideology and creating a new Stand Alone Complex were thorny problems that needed to be addressed as soon as possible.

Thanks to great cybernetic bodies and intelligent human brains, Section 9 ultimately discovered the one who caused these events was Kazundo Gouda, the head of the Cabinet Intelligence Service. However, what was the cost of this finding? Access the link and explore the anime Koukaku Kidoutai: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG.

Aired: Winter 2004

Produced by: Production I.G

Episodes: 26

MAL score: 8.52

Watch here: https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/ghost-in-the-shell-stand-alone-complex/season-2

Koukaku Kidoutai: Stand Alone Complex (Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex in English) is a Japanese anime television series based on Masamune Shirow's manga Ghost in the Shell. The anime was aired over a one-year period from October 2002 and received positive responses from critics.

The plot was constructed in a not-to-distant future when humans evolved to a perfect state by transplanting complete bodies from flesh to machine. This increased physical and cybernetic power dramatically and blurred the lines between the two worlds. Plus, with the purpose of preventing criminals from utilizing these highly technological methods, the Japanese government established an independently operating police, known as Section 9, including individuals owning a cybernetic body and a human brain.

Due to the leaders Daisuke Aramaki and Motoko Kusanagi, Section 9 investigated cybercrime and terrorism cases, particularly pursuing an A-level hacker known only as "The Laughing Man." His actions eventually led to the series' titular "Stand Alone Complex."

In conclusion, Koukaku Kidoutai: Stand Alone Complex won an Excellence Prize at the 2002 Japan Media Arts Festival and a Notable Entry Award at the 2003 Tokyo International Anime Fair. With these successes of Stand Alone Complex, the series is worth being one of the best mecha anime of all time.

Aired: Fall 2002

Produced by: Production I.G

Episodes: 26

MAL score: 8.42

Watch here: https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/ghost-in-the-shell-stand-alone-complex/season-1

Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, shortened Gurren Lagann, is considered one of the leading mecha anime of all time, with several prestigious awards at the Tokyo International Anime Fair, the 12th Animation Kobe Festival, and the 2007 Japan Media Arts Festival. This child of the director Imaishi Hiroyuki ran for 27 episodes on TV Tokyo for six months from April 2007.

Set in a future where Earth is ruled by the Spiral King, Lordgenome, the story follows Simon, Kamina and their journey exploring the wastelands of the surface. Simon, a shy young boy with no real aspirations, found solace in his best friend, a free-spirited loose cannon bent on making a name for himself, Kamina.

One day, Simon excavated a drill-shaped key called a Core Drill, followed by a small mecha resembling a face called a Lagann. Due to his new weapon, Simon and Kamina, with the help of Yoko Littner, a hot-blooded red-haired girl, destroyed the other Gunmen and broke through the ceiling to bring them to the surface world.

Gurren Lagann continues with the trio of Simon, Kamina, and Yoko set off on a journey that they had always dreamed of before. With his great ability, Kamina hijacked a Gunmen and named it Gurren, combining it with Lagann to form the mecha Gurren Lagann. After that, other humans followed Kamina’s action, stole their own Gunmen, and joined Team Gurren, now renamed Team Dai-Gurren. Then Team Dai-Gurren, with the lead of Kamina step by step fought against the Lordgenome and his army.

Whether the ensuing battle will bring a heavy price or not, click the link below and continue following this great anime.

Aired: Spring 2007

Produced by: Gainax

Episodes: 27

MAL score: 8.63

Watch here: https://www.crunchyroll.com/series/GR097JN7R/gurren-lagann

Neon Genesis Evangelion, also known as Evangelion or simply Eva, is a Japanese mecha anime series broadcast on TV Tokyo in the fall of 1995. This anime was produced by Gainax, directed by Hideaki Anno, and animated by Tatsunoko Production.

Evangelion is set in the futuristic city of Tokyo-3 in the following fifteen years after a cataclysmic event known as the Second Impact. The main character is Shinji Ikari, a fourteenth-year-old boy abandoned by his father. He was recruited by his father, Gendo Ikari, to the mysterious organization Nerv. His task is to operate a giant mecha called an Evangelion and combat the Angels. On his journey, Shinji met many good friends and also had to separate from many people, along with the truths that were gradually revealed. Ultimately, he broke his own psychological barrier and reunited with everyone.

After the success of Neon Genesis Evangelion, the director and producer released the movie Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion, which served as an alternate ending to the final two episodes. Also, there was a series of four films titled Rebuild of Evangelion, released to retell the events of the original series with different plot elements and a new ending.

With the substantial revenue this mecha anime brought, Neon Genesis Evangelion deserves a position in the list of the best mech anime of all time.

Aired: Fall 1995

Produced by: Gainax

Episodes: 26

MAL score: 8.35

Watch here: https://www.netflix.com/vn-en/title/81033445

An adaptation of the Eighty-Six light novel series, 86 Eighty-Six is the story of two ends in a fictional war between The Republic of San Magnolia and The Legions, unmanned war vehicles of the neighboring Empire. From the audio and the animation to the content and the meaning, this child of A-1 Pictures has won a certain position in the leading mecha animes of all time.

The story of 86 Eighty-Six takes on the theme of war, where The Republic of San Magnolia was invaded by the Empire's autonomous Legion. In turn, The Republicans also successfully invented similar technology to fight the enemy’s attack without causing injuries. However, this is all a lie, and there are still casualties day by day. Outside the protective walls for the peace of the Republic’s 85 districts, where The Alba (a race of silver-eyed and silver-haired people) live, another district called "The 86th District does not exist". This is where the teenagers who weren’t Alba fight on "unmanned" machines to protect the country.

Major Lena and Captain Shinei come from the same country but live in different worlds. Lena is an Alba who lives within the safety of the Republic. Conversely, Captain Shin is the infamous Reaper of the battlefield and leader of the Spearhead Unit. He and other members of the 86 squad are non-Alba, even not considered to be citizens. When Lena is put in charge of the Spearhead Unit as their Handler, the fates of these young souls from two different worlds collide. Whether or not they could light their path to salvation, let’s access the below link to find out the answer.

Aired: Spring 2021

Produced by: A-1 Pictures

Episodes: 11

MAL score: 8.29

Watch here: https://www.crunchyroll.com/series/GVDHX8DM5/86-eighty-six

Kidou Senshi Gundam 00, known as Mobile Suit Gundam 00 in English, is the eleventh installment of Sunrise’s long-run Gundam franchise. Directed by Seiji Mizushima and written by Yōsuke Kuroda, the Kidou Senshi Gundam 00 comprised two 25-episode seasons and a movie titled Mobile Suit Gundam 00 the Movie: A Wakening of the Trailblazer. The first season was aired from October 2007 to March 2008 and received many compliments from audiences.

The series is set in 2037 AD, when mankind’s dependence on fossil fuels caused their complete depletion, and humanity had to seek a new source of power. Different nations have united together to form three major factions: the Union of Solar Energy and Free Nations, the Advanced European Union, and the Human Reform League. Each had access to a solar power system which benefited them and their allies. That was also the reason that warfare erupted around the globe among minor countries for fuels and energy.

In this chaos, a military organization was born and called themselves “Celestial Being.” Their intention is to eliminate war and unite humanity through the use of the advanced machines Mobile Suits known as Gundams.

Kidou Senshi Gundam 00 follows four mobile suit pilots termed Gundam Meisters, including Setsuna F. Seiei, Lockon Stratos, Tieria Erde, and Allelujah Haptism. They must face a devastating battle with three superpowers to achieve their ultimate goal of changing the world, no matter the cost.

Aired: Fall 2007

Produced by: Sunrise

Episodes: 25

MAL score: 8.11

Watch here: https://www.crunchyroll.com/series/G6MGQ0976/mobile-suit-gundam-00

Koukyoushihen Eureka Seven, known by the shorter name Eureka Seven, is a mecha-themed anime series made by Bones and began broadcasting in Japan in April 2005 with 50 episodes. The series won various awards, including “Best Television Series,” “Best Character Designs,” “Domestic Digital Contents Category” and so on.

The plot revolves around Renton Thurston, a 14-year-old boy living in the backwater town of Bellforest. He dreamed of joining the group Gekkostate with the leader Holland Novak. This dream became reality when a large mechanical robot, the Nirvash type ZERO, crashed into Renton’s room with its pilot, a member of Gekkostate called Eureka. She is a Coralian mecha pilot created in human form by Scub Coral to explore people on the planet.

Particularly, this meeting sparked the beginning of Renton's involvement with the Gekkostate as well as the combination between Renton and Eureka. Together with the presence of Eureka, Renton seemed to be empowered to continue the adventure that would shape not only their future but the world’s.

Overall, with the unique plot and well-designed animation, Eureka Seven spawned six manga adaptations, a light novel, three video games, and a feature-length anime film. Therefore, this mecha anime series deserves to be one of the leading robot anime of all time.

Aired: Spring 2005

Produced by: Bones

Episodes: 50

MAL score: 8.05

Watch here: https://www.amazon.com/Psalms-Planets-Eureka-Koukyoushihen-Blu-ray/dp/B003AUS0RW