Jump to content

Real robot: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
SmackBot (talk | contribs)
3,734,324 edits
m Date maintenance tags and general fixes
JJJ9 (talk | contribs)
2 edits
mNo edit summary
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Refimprove|date=November 2008}}
{{refimprove|date=November 2008}}
{{nihongo|'''Real Robot'''|リアルロボット|Riaru Robotto}} is a term first seen in the 4th [[Super Robot Wars]] game, which is used to describe robots or [[mecha]] that are treated as realistic tools/weapons rather than as heroic semi-characters, or [[Super Robot]]s. <ref>Super Robot Wars data file, Game station June 2000 2nd issue SRW alpha special.</ref>
{{Notability|date=December 2008}}
{{otheruses4|a Japanese [[anime]] Genre|the UK published magazine, that is named {{nihongo|'''Real Robot'''|リアルロボット|Riaru Robotto}} in Japan|Real Robots}}
{{nihongo|'''Real Robot'''|リアルロボット|Riaru Robotto}} is a genre of [[anime|Japanese animation]].<ref name="Hatena keyword">[http://d.hatena.ne.jp/keyword/リアルロボット Hatena keyword] Hatena</ref> The genre contains robots that are powered by conventional power sources and weapons that could be explaint by real world science, and these robots used ranged weapons(especially guns and cannons) and speed to survive battle situations.<ref name="Hatena keyword"/>


It can also refer to a genre of [[anime|Japanese animation]]. [[Tomino Yoshiyuki]]'s ''[[Gundam]]'' series is the quintessential example of the real robot genre and ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam]]'' is largely considered the first series to introduce the real robot genre. It established the concepts behind "real robots" that set it apart from previous robot anime, such as:
== History ==
''[[Mobile Suit Gundam]]'' is largely considered the first series to introduce the real robot idea, though it would still contain many trails of super robot anime, along with [[Super Dimension Fortress Macross]], would form the basis of what later people call '''real robot''' anime.<ref name="ACG">10 commandments of Real robot, Gundam Sentinel introduction, Gundam workshop, Format ACG</ref> In an interview of [[Tomino Yoshiyuki]] and other production crew members in the [[Newtype (magazine)]] April, 1989 issue, about his views on the first [[Gundam]] anime that is not directed by him, he commented on realiism of the show, in which he sees the sponsors, [[Sunrise (company)]] as imaginary enemies of Gundam, since they do not accept certain level of realism.<ref>Newtype magazine, April, 1989</ref> [[Votoms]] is viewed as the peak of real robot anime.<ref name="votom">[http://www.famitsu.com/anime/news/1220002_1558.html famitsu news] ''リアルロボットアニメの最高峰がスクリーンで蘇える！ 『装甲騎兵ボトムズ ペールゼン・ファイルズ 劇場版』'' Peak of Real Robot anime on screen, Votoms movie.</ref> In western terms, '''real robot''' could be compared to '''[[hard science fiction]]''', '''[[military sci-fi]]''' with human piloted robots.


* The robot is used as an industrial machine with arms/[[manipulator]]s and is manufactured by military and commercial enterprises of various nations.
The word could also be used to mean ''real world working robots'' per definition of Nikkei Business Publication.<ref>[http://www.bk1.jp/review/0000388986 Robot Operation DVD] Nikkei characters, Latest movies of Real Robot (actual working robots). (リアルロボット（実際に働くロボット）の最新の姿を見ることができる！)</ref>
* The concept of industrial production and commercial manufacturing processes appeared for the first time in the history of robot shows, introducing manufacturing language like "[[mass-production]] (MP)", "[[prototype]]" and "test-type".

They established the concepts behind "real robots" that set it apart from previous robot anime, such as:

* The robot is used as an industrial machine with arms/[[manipulator]]s and is manufactured by military and commercial enterprises of various nations.<ref name="seminar">[http://robot.watch.impress.co.jp/cda/news/2007/05/07/468.html Robot Watch] SF seminar, 29 April 2007, Interview of Ryōsuke Takahashi ''The side of Real Robot'' (SFセミナー「高橋良輔インタビュー リアルロボットの向こう側」レポート)</ref>
* The concept of industrial production and commercial manufacturing processes appeared for the first time in the history of robot shows, introducing manufacturing language like "[[mass-production]] (MP)", "[[prototype]]" and "test-type".<ref name="seminar"/>
* While classic [[super robot]]s typically use special attacks activated by voice commands, real robots more commonly make use of manually operated scaled-up/advanced versions of human weapons, such as lasers/particle beams, guns, shields, and swords.
* While classic [[super robot]]s typically use special attacks activated by voice commands, real robots more commonly make use of manually operated scaled-up/advanced versions of human weapons, such as lasers/particle beams, guns, shields, and swords.
* Real robots use mostly [[ranged weapon]]s that require ammunition.<ref name="Hatena keyword"/>
* Real robots use mostly [[ranged weapon]]s that require ammunition.
* Real robots require periodic maintenance and are often prone to malfunction and break down, like real machines.<ref name="seminar"/>
* Real robots require periodic maintenance and are often prone to malfunction and break down, like real machines.
* Real robots do not have regenerating/limitless fuel or power supplies.


Other series, such as ''[[Patlabor]]'', explore non-military uses for real robots, like law enforcement and construction.
Gundam series now still refer to itself as a real robot series.<ref>Mobile Suit Gundam, the classical real robot anime influenced various other production. Even in it, the realism of the large robot using as a military weapon scene ''Gundam rising'' created various impacts at the time. (リアルロボットアニメの古典ともいえる『機動戦士ガンダム』は後のさまざまな作品に影響を与えたといわれる。なかでも、第1話での巨大ロボットを実感をもって、兵器として扱う「ガンダム起動」の描写には、当時さまざまな反響があったそうだ。 ) [http://www.gundam.info/content/123 ガンダム国勢調査　第24回]</ref><ref>Using the '''real robot''' side of Gundam and making it more realistic by using the real world industrial methods as the new concept design for this product. (ガンダムが持つ『リアルロボット』という側面をより現実（リアル）世界の工業製品的観点から捉えた新コンセプトデザインの商品です。) [http://www.gundam.channel.or.jp/product/item/4543112366504000.html ガンダムADAPT]</ref> It is normally referred to as the first real robot anime, it turned away from the traditional ''just heroes'' beating '' evil villains'' simple story and creates an independent background world as well as science research, and builds a world where adults can enjoy in exploring.<ref name="Hiroshima animation">[http://light-novel.hac.or.jp/hab/expo/] 広島アニメーションビエンナーレ2008, 「機動戦士ガンダム」に代表されるような「リアルロボット」路線が生れました。これは、「正義の味方」が「悪いやつ」を倒す、というような、単純な勧善懲悪ストーリーを逸脱して、物語の背景に独自の世界観、科学考証を内在することにより、「群像劇」とも言うべき、大人の鑑賞に堪えうる作品世界を構築しました。</ref>


Japanese examples include ''[[Macross]]'', ''[[Genesis Climber Mospeada]]'', ''[[Front Mission]]'', ''[[Armored Trooper VOTOMS]]'', ''[[Nadesico]]'', ''[[Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross|Southern Cross]]'', ''[[Full Metal Panic]]'', the ''[[Patlabor]]'' movies and, of course, the aforementioned ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam|Gundam]]'' series. Western examples include games such as ''[[Heavy Gear]]'' and ''[[Battletech]]'', and the novel ''[[Starship Troopers]]'', which is more related to [[powered exoskeleton]] than [[giant robots]] but gave motif to the very first real robot show, ''Mobile Suit Gundam''.
Other series, such as ''[[Patlabor]]'', explore non-military uses for real robots, like law enforcement and construction, although military use robots also exist in the series.


What Japanese speakers refer to as real robots are popularly referred to by English-speaking fans as [[mecha]], a re-borrowing of a Japanese abbreviation for the English term "[[wikt:mechanical|mechanical]]". In Japanese, "mecha" refers to all robotic and non-robotic mechanical objects, including real robots, super robots, and everyday objects such as cars and toasters.
Japanese examples include ''[[Macross]]'', ''[[Genesis Climber Mospeada]]'', ''[[Front Mission]]'', ''[[Armored Trooper VOTOMS]]'', ''[[Nadesico]]'', ''[[Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross|Southern Cross]]'', ''[[Full Metal Panic]]'', the ''[[Patlabor]]'' movies and, of course, the aforementioned ''[[Gundam]]'' series. <!-- Western examples include games such as ''[[Heavy Gear]]'' and ''[[Battletech]]'', and the novel ''[[Starship Troopers]]'', which is more related to [[powered exoskeleton]] than [[giant robots]] but gave motif to the very first real robot show, ''Mobile Suit Gundam''. (This is really controversial and original research, before source is provided, it will be hidden)-->


Inevitably, there are some types of mecha that are difficult to classify as either a real robot or a super robot. Some of these include the Aura Battlers from ''[[Aura Battler Dunbine]]'' or the [[Evangelion (mecha)|Evangelion units]] from ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise|Neon Genesis Evangelion]]'', which follow the general motif of real robots, but their origin and abilities are more like the typical super robot. The Mortar Heads from ''[[Five Star Stories]]'' are unique artifacts, treated like individual works of art by the fictional society present in the story, and their power often borderlines on super robot. However, their intricate engineering and the motif of their weaponry is often scientifically explained by series creator Mamoru Nagano which makes them very real robot-esque in other ways.{{Fact|date=November 2008}} <!--The FSS MH also contains mass production units, with none humanoid fatimas. MH are more like machines used for activities like [[Jousting]], where multiple knights joust in a combat-like situation, in real battles, they serve as units like knights instead of troopers.-->
Inevitably, there are some types of mecha that are difficult to classify as either a real robot or a super robot. Some of these include the Aura Battlers from ''[[Aura Battler Dunbine]]'' or the [[Evangelion (mecha)|Evangelion units]] from ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise|Neon Genesis Evangelion]]'', which follow the general motif of real robots, but their origin and abilities are more like the typical super robot. The Mortar Heads from ''[[Five Star Stories]]'' are unique artifacts, treated like individual works of art by the fictional society present in the story, and their power often borderlines on super robot. However, their intricate engineering and the motif of their weaponry is often scientifically explained by series creator Mamoru Nagano which makes them very real robot-esque in other ways.


As this mixing of both genres is becoming increasingly popular in [[anime]], it is often difficult to classify mecha as either real or super, although they often tend to lean more in one direction than the other. Even Gundam shows this tendency; while the mecha designs are based in the real robot genre, the characters in the show typically have unique robots designed specifically for them, and the shows often feature characters with psychic powers or superhuman abilities; the latter are both common in super robot anime, though the degree to which Gundam leans to either side of the spectrum varies considerably between installments.
As this mixing of both genres is becoming increasingly popular in [[anime]], it is often difficult to classify mecha as either real or super, although they often tend to lean more in one direction than the other. Even Gundam shows this tendency; while the mecha designs are based in the real robot genre, the characters in the show typically have unique robots designed specifically for them, and the shows often feature characters with psychic powers or superhuman abilities; the latter are both common in super robot anime, though the degree to which Gundam leans to either side of the spectrum varies considerably between installments.


==Shows==
What Japanese speakers refer to as real robots are popularly referred to by English-speaking fans as [[mecha]]{{Fact|date=November 2008}}<!--It seems to me that mecha in English still refers to both real and super robots, please provide a source saying it is real robot specific-->, a re-borrowing of a Japanese abbreviation for the English term "[[wikt:mechanical|mechanical]]". In Japanese, "mecha" refers to all robotic and non-robotic mechanical objects, including real robots, super robots, and everyday objects such as cars and toasters.

== Etymology ==
The word Real Robot is normally linked to the [[Super Robot Wars]] game, the term might have been used occasionally in separate anime, yet it is first used as a general term in the famicom, ''4th Super Robot Wars'', which is used to describe robots or [[mecha]] that are treated as realistic tools/weapons rather than as heroic semi-characters, or [[Super Robot]]s. The user can choose at the beginning of the game which genre the player character is, and the story would alter accordingly to let different anime genre robots to join the team.<ref>Super Robot Wars data file, Game station June 2000 2nd issue SRW alpha special.</ref>

== Famous Producers of the Genre ==
The top producer of real robot anime is [[Ryosuke Takahashi]] (高橋 良輔), who created [[Fang of the Sun Dougram]], [[Votoms]], [[Blue Comet SPT Layzner]] and [[Gasaraki]], etc.<ref name="TR">[http://www.b-ch.com/contents/feat_r_takahashi/index.html Bandai Channel]</ref> His method of making the anime more realistic normally includes smaller and weaker robots as compared to giant robots. Also, he used trucks to transport the robots in his show instead of having them walk far distances. He commented on the size of the robot that 4 metres is the limit in size where you can still call it something that is piloted by the pilot instead of the pilot wearing a mechanical suit.<ref name="seminar"/>

== Shows ==

* [[Gundam]] series <ref name="ACG"/><ref name="Hatena keyword"/><ref name="Hiroshima animation"/>
** [[Mobile Suit Gundam]] (1979)
** [[Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam]] (1985)
** [[Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ]] (1986)
** [[Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack]] (1988)
** [[Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket]] (1989)
** [[Mobile Suit Gundam F91]] (1991)
** [[Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory]] (1992)
** [[Mobile Suit Victory Gundam]] (1993)
** [[Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team]] (1996)
** [[G-Saviour]] (2000) Gundam live action movie
** [[Gundam Neo Experience 0087: Green Divers]] (2001)
** [[Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO]]
*** The Hidden One Year War(2004)
*** Apocalypse 0079 (2006)

* [[Fang of the Sun Dougram]] (1981) <ref name="TR"/>

* [[Macross]] series <ref name="ACG"/><ref name="Hatena keyword"/>
** [[The Super Dimension Fortress Macross]] (1982)
*** [[The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love?]] (1984)
*** [[The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Flash Back 2012]] OVA (1987)
** [[The Super Dimension Fortress Macross II: Lovers, Again]] OVA (1992)
** [[Macross Plus]] (1994)
*** [[Macross Plus: Movie Edition]] (1995)
** [[Macross Frontier]] (2008)

* [[Armored Trooper VOTOMS]] (1983) <ref name="votom"/><ref name="TR"/><ref name="Hatena keyword"/>
** [[Armor Hunter Mellowlink]] (1988) Armored Trooper Votoms Spinoff.

* [[Panzer World Galient]] (1984) <ref name="TR"/>

* [[Blue Comet SPT Layzner]] (1986) <ref name="TR"/><ref name="Hatena keyword"/>

* [[Patlabor]] series <ref name="Hatena keyword"/>
** [[Mobile Police Patlabor]] OVA (1988)
** [[Patlabor: The Movie]] (1989)
** [[Patlabor: The TV Series]] (1989)
** [[Mobile Police Patlabor]] OVA 2 (1990)
** [[Patlabor: The Movie 2]] (1993)
** [[WXIII: Patlabor the Movie 3]] (2001)

* [[Fafner of the Azure]] (2004) <ref>[http://www.rbbtoday.com/news/20070423/41120.html RBB] Navi, Excellent work of Real Robot Anime (リアル系ロボットアニメの傑作)</ref>

* [[Code Geass]] (2006) <ref name="Hatena keyword"/>

<!--This list could be very controversial, each of them need a source saying they are of the real robot genre(if a source showing real robot is indeed a genre could be given) It will stay hidden until sources are given independently. Gundam(only the universal century is sourced) and Macross source is given in the beginning since they form the basis of real robot. Armoured trooper votoms and Patlabour is also listed above since a source could be found in Dengeki Hobby magazine. I know some are really obvious, but I am sure those could be sourced as well.


===1970s===
* [[Mobile Suit Gundam]] (1979)


===1980s===
* [[Fang of the Sun Dougram]] (1981)
* [[The Super Dimension Fortress Macross]] (1982)
* [[Combat Mecha Xabungle]] (1982)
* [[Combat Mecha Xabungle]] (1982)
* [[Armored Trooper VOTOMS]] (1983)
* [[Galactic Drifter Vifam]] (1983)
* [[Galactic Drifter Vifam]] (1983)
* [[Genesis Climber Mospeada]] (1983)
* [[Genesis Climber Mospeada]] (1983)
Line 95: Line 39:
* [[Heavy Metal L-Gaim]] (1984)
* [[Heavy Metal L-Gaim]] (1984)
* [[The Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross]] (1984)
* [[The Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross]] (1984)
* [[Panzer World Galient]] (1984)
* [[The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love?]] (1984)
* [[Robotech (TV series)]] (1985)
* [[Robotech (TV series)]] (1985)
* [[Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam]] (1985)
* [[Megazone 23]] (1985, 1987, 1989)
* [[Megazone 23]] (1985, 1987, 1989)
* [[Genesis Climber Mospeada OVA: Love Live Alive]] (1985)
* [[Genesis Climber Mospeada OVA: Love Live Alive]] (1985)
* [[Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ]] (1986)
* [[Blue Comet SPT Layzner]] (1986)
* [[Robotech: The Movie]] (1986)
* [[Robotech: The Movie]] (1986)
* [[The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Flash Back 2012]] OVA (1987)
* [[MADOX-01]] (1987)
* [[MADOX-01]] (1987)
* [[Bubblegum Crisis]] (1987)
* [[Bubblegum Crisis]] (1987)
* [[Robotech II: The Sentinels]] (1987)
* [[Robotech II: The Sentinels]] (1987)
* [[Metal Armor Dragonar]] (1987)
* [[Metal Armor Dragonar]] (1987)
* [[Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack]] (1988)
* [[Mobile Police Patlabor]] OVA (1988)
* [[Appleseed (OVA)]] (1988)
* [[Appleseed (OVA)]] (1988)
* [[Armor Hunter Mellowlink]] (1988) Armored Trooper Votoms Spinoff.
* [[Aura Battler Dunbine: The Tale of Neo Byston Well]] OVA (1988)
* [[Aura Battler Dunbine: The Tale of Neo Byston Well]] OVA (1988)
* [[Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket]] (1989)
* [[A.D. Police]] (1989)
* [[A.D. Police]] (1989)
* [[Guyver (OVA)]] (1989)
* [[Guyver (OVA)]] (1989)
* [[Patlabor: The Movie]] (1989)
* [[Patlabor: The TV Series]] (1989)


===1990s===
===1990s===
* [[Mobile Police Patlabor]] OVA 2 (1990)

* [[Mobile Suit Gundam F91]] (1991)
* [[Bubblegum Crash]] (1991)
* [[Bubblegum Crash]] (1991)
* [[Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory]] (1992)
* [[The Super Dimension Fortress Macross II: Lovers, Again]] OVA (1992)
* [[Mobile Suit Victory Gundam]] (1993)
* [[Patlabor: The Movie 2]] (1993)
* [[Kishin Corps: Alien Defender Geo-Armor]] (1993)
* [[Kishin Corps: Alien Defender Geo-Armor]] (1993)
* [[Mobile Fighter G Gundam]] (1994)
* [[Mobile Fighter G Gundam]] (1994)
* [[Macross Plus]] (1994)
* [[Macross 7]] (1994)
* [[Macross 7]] (1994)
* [[Macross Plus: Movie Edition]] (1995)
* [[Battle Skipper]] (1995)
* [[Battle Skipper]] (1995)
* [[Macross 7 the Movie: The Galaxy Is Calling Me!]] (1995)
* [[Macross 7 the Movie: The Galaxy Is Calling Me!]] (1995)
Line 119: Line 82:
* [[Neon Genesis Evangelion]] (1995)
* [[Neon Genesis Evangelion]] (1995)
* [[Mobile Suit Gundam Wing]] (1995)
* [[Mobile Suit Gundam Wing]] (1995)
* [[Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team]] (1996)
* [[After War Gundam X]] (1996)
* [[After War Gundam X]] (1996)
* [[Macross 7 (special episode)]] (1996)
* [[Macross 7 (special episode)]] (1996)
* [[Power DoLLS: Detachment of Limited Line Service]] OVA (1996, 1998)
* [[Power DoLLS: Detachment of Limited Line Service]] OVA (1996, 1998)
* [[Martian Successor Nadesico]] (1996)
* [[Martian Successor Nadesico]] (1996)
* [[Escaflowne]] (1996) <--highly super robot type style, don't know why it is here.
* [[Escaflowne]] (1996)
* [[New Mobile Report Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz]] (1997)
* [[New Mobile Report Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz]] (1997)
* [[Macross Dynamite 7]] (1997)
* [[Macross Dynamite 7]] (1997)
Line 145: Line 109:
* [[Escaflowne (Film)]] (2000)
* [[Escaflowne (Film)]] (2000)
* [[Sakura Taisen: The Television Series]] (2000)
* [[Sakura Taisen: The Television Series]] (2000)
* [[G-Saviour]] (2000) Gundam live action movie
* [[Gundam Neo Experience 0087: Green Divers]] (2001)
* [[WXIII: Patlabor the Movie 3]] (2001)
* [[Geneshaft]] (2001)
* [[Geneshaft]] (2001)
* [[Zoids: New Century Zero]] (2001)
* [[Zoids: New Century Zero]] (2001)
Line 164: Line 131:
* [[Sakura Taisen: Ecole de Paris]] (2003)
* [[Sakura Taisen: Ecole de Paris]] (2003)
* [[Sakura Taisen: Le Nouveau Paris]] (2003)
* [[Sakura Taisen: Le Nouveau Paris]] (2003)
* [[Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO]]: The Hidden One Year War(2004)
* [[Appleseed (film)]] (2004)
* [[Appleseed (film)]] (2004)
* [[Fafner of the Azure]] (2004)
* [[Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny]] (2004)
* [[Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny]] (2004)
* [[Mars Daybreak]] (2004)
* [[Mars Daybreak]] (2004)
Line 172: Line 141:
* [[Super Robot Wars Original Generation: The Animation]] (2005)
* [[Super Robot Wars Original Generation: The Animation]] (2005)
* [[Heavy Metal L-Gaim OVA]] (2005)
* [[Heavy Metal L-Gaim OVA]] (2005)
* [[Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO]]: Apocalypse 0079 (2006)
* [[Innocent Venus]] (2006)
* [[Innocent Venus]] (2006)
* [[Flag (anime)]] (2006)
* [[Flag (anime)]] (2006)
* [[Code Geass]] (2006)
* [[Mobile Suit Gundam SEED C.E. 73: Stargazer]] (2006)
* [[Mobile Suit Gundam SEED C.E. 73: Stargazer]] (2006)
* [[Soko no Strain]] (2006)
* [[Soko no Strain]] (2006)
Line 184: Line 155:
* [[Sakura Taisen: Sakura Taisen New York NY]] (2007)
* [[Sakura Taisen: Sakura Taisen New York NY]] (2007)
* [[Rebuild of Evangelion]] (2007–2008)
* [[Rebuild of Evangelion]] (2007–2008)
* [[Macross Frontier]] (2008)
* [[Code Geass R2]] (2008)
* [[Code Geass R2]] (2008)


Line 200: Line 172:
*[[Xenosaga]]
*[[Xenosaga]]
*[[Zone of the Enders]]
*[[Zone of the Enders]]
-->

==References==
{{reflist}}


[[Category:Anime and manga terminology]]
[[Category:Anime and manga terminology]]

Revision as of 22:11, 7 December 2008

Real Robot (リアルロボット, Riaru Robotto) is a term first seen in the 4th Super Robot Wars game, which is used to describe robots or mecha that are treated as realistic tools/weapons rather than as heroic semi-characters, or Super Robots. [1]

It can also refer to a genre of Japanese animation. Tomino Yoshiyuki's Gundam series is the quintessential example of the real robot genre and Mobile Suit Gundam is largely considered the first series to introduce the real robot genre. It established the concepts behind "real robots" that set it apart from previous robot anime, such as:

  • The robot is used as an industrial machine with arms/manipulators and is manufactured by military and commercial enterprises of various nations.
  • The concept of industrial production and commercial manufacturing processes appeared for the first time in the history of robot shows, introducing manufacturing language like "mass-production (MP)", "prototype" and "test-type".
  • While classic super robots typically use special attacks activated by voice commands, real robots more commonly make use of manually operated scaled-up/advanced versions of human weapons, such as lasers/particle beams, guns, shields, and swords.
  • Real robots use mostly ranged weapons that require ammunition.
  • Real robots require periodic maintenance and are often prone to malfunction and break down, like real machines.
  • Real robots do not have regenerating/limitless fuel or power supplies.

Other series, such as Patlabor, explore non-military uses for real robots, like law enforcement and construction.

Japanese examples include Macross, Genesis Climber Mospeada, Front Mission, Armored Trooper VOTOMS, Nadesico, Southern Cross, Full Metal Panic, the Patlabor movies and, of course, the aforementioned Gundam series. Western examples include games such as Heavy Gear and Battletech, and the novel Starship Troopers, which is more related to powered exoskeleton than giant robots but gave motif to the very first real robot show, Mobile Suit Gundam.

What Japanese speakers refer to as real robots are popularly referred to by English-speaking fans as mecha, a re-borrowing of a Japanese abbreviation for the English term "mechanical". In Japanese, "mecha" refers to all robotic and non-robotic mechanical objects, including real robots, super robots, and everyday objects such as cars and toasters.

Inevitably, there are some types of mecha that are difficult to classify as either a real robot or a super robot. Some of these include the Aura Battlers from Aura Battler Dunbine or the Evangelion units from Neon Genesis Evangelion, which follow the general motif of real robots, but their origin and abilities are more like the typical super robot. The Mortar Heads from Five Star Stories are unique artifacts, treated like individual works of art by the fictional society present in the story, and their power often borderlines on super robot. However, their intricate engineering and the motif of their weaponry is often scientifically explained by series creator Mamoru Nagano which makes them very real robot-esque in other ways.

As this mixing of both genres is becoming increasingly popular in anime, it is often difficult to classify mecha as either real or super, although they often tend to lean more in one direction than the other. Even Gundam shows this tendency; while the mecha designs are based in the real robot genre, the characters in the show typically have unique robots designed specifically for them, and the shows often feature characters with psychic powers or superhuman abilities; the latter are both common in super robot anime, though the degree to which Gundam leans to either side of the spectrum varies considerably between installments.

Shows

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

Games

  1. ^ Super Robot Wars data file, Game station June 2000 2nd issue SRW alpha special.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Real_robot&oldid=256496313"