An Abbreviated History of Mecha Part 1: The Mighty Atomic Prelude (The 50's and 60's)
Welcome to An Abbreviated History of Mecha anime. Today, we're starting at, as Fraulein Maria would say, at the very beginning. We're taking a quick peak at the beginning of the canon, which means that we're starting back in 1950 (specifically 1952). I should also confess right now: there are two series on here that are demonstrably NOT mecha shows. However, due to their sheer influence on Japanese media as a whole, I feel it is important to bring them up as being honorary mecha shows due to their sheer influence pop culture.
Tetsuwan Atom/Mighty Atom/Astro Boy (1952)
Starting us off is Osamu Tezuka's seminal manga series, Mighty Atom. Known over here in the west as Astro Boy, this series would be what kickstarts a lot of the modern anime and manga industry due to its sheer popularity. Astro Boy would also be one of two series that would be emblematic of how Japanese pop culture would portray the recent use of atomic energy. It should also be worth noting that realizing that Astro technically is a mecha is what got me to start using a broader definition of mecha instead of the classic giant robot definition.
Due to its fame, Mighty Atom has receive multiple adaptations throughout the years. Of note are:
The original 1963 anime.
New Mighty Atom (1980) which updates the series to 1980's animation standards.
The 2003 anime, which does the same, but to the standards of early 2000's anime.
The 2009 CGI movie.
Gojira/Godzilla (1954, honorary mecha series 1)
1954 would also give us Ishiro Honda's Godzilla, the movie that would make tokusatsu-styled live action stories in Japan. Godzilla, alongside RKO's King Kong, would play a large part in popularizing the concept of kaiju. And boy will kaiju play a big part in the history of the mecha canon. As we'll see soon enough, the history of tokusatsu heroes, kaiju, and robots are all intertwined with one another.
Godzilla has starred in numerous movies since the original, but for stories based off of the original there are:
Godzilla Raids Again (1955), a direct sequel.
Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah: All Out Monsters Attack (2001), a Heisei-era production that uses the original '54 Godzilla as a manifestation of the horrors of World War II.
Shin Godzilla (2016), a re-imagining of the original movie set in contemporary times directed by Hideakki Anno.
Godzilla Minus One (2023), the most recent outing inspired in part by GMK.
Tetsujin 28-go/Gigantor (1956)
(Oh hey, this gif again!)
Tetsujin 28-go is the creation of one Mitsuteru Yokoyama and is generally regarded as the grandfather of the giant robot style of mecha. Tetsujin is unique amongst mecha in that it is controlled not by a pilot riding inside of it, but by a little kid with a controller. Tetsujin 28, alongside Mazinger Z, would help to codify a lot of the tropes common to the classic superhero mecha anime that would be prevalent in the 70's. Like Mighty Atom, Tetsujin would receive multiple adaptations throughout the decades.
Shin Tetsujin 28-Go/The New Adventures of Gigantor (1980), which updates Tetsujin's design to look more in line with something like Mazniger Z.
Tetsujin 28-go FX (1992), sporting a radically different look that's more akin to something out of the Brave Franchise.
Tetsujin 28 (2004), a faithful adaptation of the original manga (at least I think it is) directed by Yasuhiro Imagawa.
Cyborg 009 (1964)
Created by Shotaro Ishinomori in 1964, Cyborg 009 is another classic human-sized mecha series. Cyborg 009 would be the first of many hits for Ishinomori, and he will be mentioned again later in this series.
Oh boy... I am not a Cyborg 009 nut, but in terms of adaptations, Cyborg 009 has:
The 1966 Film
The 1980 Film
009 Re:Cyborg (2012)
The Call For Justice Trilogy (2016)
The 1968 Anime
The 1979-1980 Anime
The 2001-2002 Anime (I actually remember when Toonami aired this series!)
Cyborg 009 vs Devilman (2015 OVA)
If you want to follow someone who follows a lot of Shotaro Ishinomori's works, I'd recommend checking out YouTuber Mercury Falcon for more info about Ishinomori.
Ultra Q and Ultraman (1966, honorary mecha series 2)
(The urge to use a gif of Ingraman is strong)
Ultra Q and Ultraman are the first two entries of Tsuburaya's legendary Ultra franchise, with the latter in particular being one of the most famous pop culture icons of all time. Ultraman's influence on Japanese media is so large, that I'll be mentioning it at least once in relation to other series later on.
Ultraman, like Godzilla before him, would get the Hideaki Anno treatment with Shin Ultraman in 2022.
Giant Robo/Johnny Sokko and His Flying Robot (1967)
Another one of Mitsuteru Yokoyama's classic manga series, Giant Robo deserves a mention due to its influence on tokusatsu. Giant Robo would usher in an era of tokusatsu that would rely on using giant robots as the main protagonist.
In terms of adaptations, there are two animated adaptations, but only one will be listed here:
GR: Giant Robo (2007)
If you want to learn a little bit more about the history behind Giant Robo, I'd recommend checking out blunova's video on Giant Robo for more info on this important series.
Conclusion
As the 60's would lead way into the 70's, we would see a lot more live action tokusatsu series involving giant robots. Of course, this would be untenable due to how expensive it was to do tokusatsu effects for television. However, one robot would appear in animation that would change everything.
(Read in the voice of Tessho Genda) AND ITS NAME IS...!!!!
I didn't want to do this because I already have one fanchild I created and don't really do anything with that I didn't want to make another one, but I did for shellshocked and I'm gonna make it everyone's problem.
If you all remember one of the AUs I talked about where Miles and Mikey were roommates, this would take place in that world.
Prepare yourselves for a bunch of incomplete ideas that are subject to change.
Okay to start off, this yokai mad scientist managed to steal DNA from Mikey and Miles (don't ask me how) in order to create an army of mutant super-soldiers with the abilities of the web-slinging hero and one of the most powerful mystic users for some reason. I specifically had it be a yokai to justify how they were able know of Mikey and steal his DNA. (I had the Dark Turtles from TMNT 2003 on my mind when thinking of the concept)
Once they get tipped off about what's happening, the two subdue the scientist and destroy any traces of their genetic material when they come across a baby clone already in development. They make the quick decision to free him from his containment and bring him back to their place.
**Unnecessary side note: The kid isn't a newborn. He's at least a few months old, old enough to be able to sit up on his own. I just wanted to clarify that.**
They wait at least a week before they introduce AJ (shellshocked kid) to their families.
They wanted to make sure he was okay and that he would be y'know stable, so they went to the Spider Society (in my opinion they owe Miles) to see if he was healthy and what abilities they could expect he would develop.
They also went to Draxum since he is like the go-to person for all things mystics.
Outside of all those people, Miles' parents are the first to meet AJ.
So officially, his full name is AJ Dario Hamato-Morales.
Originally, I wanted AJ to be short for Aaron Jefferson, but then I thought about it some more and liked the names Amari Jasper (or Jackson) better.
August was also considered a name because I thought it would be cute for his other nickname to be Auggie, but since I've seen August used as a name mainly for April's parents in fics I thought not to.
I guess I should talk about Mikey and Miles relationship. They're in their mid-20s and are roommates (in Brooklyn, NY), but they're also in this weird pre-dating stage where they're practically together but are (not so) oblivious to how they feel and act with each other. I'm just gonna say this all happens before they officially have a first date.
Now to get into my headcanons for AJ:
** Has a Mothra plushie.
** Looks human but possesses some of the traits of both a spider and turtle.
Able to wall-crawl. (Hadn't decided if he has spider-sense)
Able to secrete venom which can temporarily immobilize a person when bitten. Mikey and Miles are the only ones immune to it.
Gets a bit sluggish when really cold.
Does not have shell to retract into but instead bundles up in blankets or hoodies to feel safe.
** Was able to float a lot when younger. When older, has to relearn how to do that whenever he wants to.
** Has a Spider-Bot like the ones from the Disney Junior show Spidey and His Amazing Friends. Gifted one when he was 6 or 7 years old.
I want to say that Miles made the bot but had help from Lunella (yes I'm still on about that rottmntxmarvel crossover).
** Miles remained in contact with Miles 42/Miles G, so AJ knows him as "Uncle Milo."
Also, the closer I get to Drury’s appearances post-2000, I find more and more issue with people who call TT Killer Moth “barely Killer Moth” when… man. Look. Drury’s appearances up until Underworld Unleashed were pretty flat, with the exception of like, Shadow of the Bat.
I think some of the only comics where he REALLY stood out before those were the Batman Family comics, where we see them really lean into the moth theming. I could be wrong, but between Underworld Unleashed and Batgirl Year One, I don’t… think there were any non-Charaxes appearances between that super stood out? Aside from Robin Year One, but that was brief.
I did say Batgirl Year One came before his TT debut (February 14th, 2004), but the comic was being published throughout 2003, and with the episode airing early 2004 they were probably being worked on at about the same time, without much knowledge of the other.
What I’m trying to get at is, it feels weird to call him barely Killer Moth when there wasn’t much Killer Moth established to begin with at the time of the episode being made, and it was during the Charaxes period.
I dunno I guess it bothers me since I love that take on him and it combines a lot of my favorite elements of his canon appearances. Plus Derrick basing him directly on Mothra + Kamen Rider now that I’m aware of that. 😭 It was the most being done with him in a while alongside Batgirl Year One.
He’s not like other more popular characters who had way more to work with at the time, I dunno!!
Some time ago i posted on my personal/league rambling account that it would be cool if Mothra and Pyke were fused concepts. Im not good at designing skins nor making clothes be sensical but i wanted to give it a try anyway <3 A Mothra Pyke. Mostly inspired by Heisei Mothra and the 2019 GKOTM Mothra, with a bit of the 2003 Mothra.
In this context Pyke, instead of being a revengeful undead (keeping it quite too short for my liking), is a guardian of nature and life, able to rebirth and to sacrifice himself when needed.
I guess this can work as faire court aswell? Summer fairy? Anyway <3
watched mothra vs. godzilla (1964), gidorah, the three-headed monster (1964) and started the matrix reloaded (2003)
had a lunch with my family ♡
a little diary entry, or, oh my god, i accidentally saw my favourite polish band:
sooo now that it's over a day after, it's not that exciting to explain how it happened but !! It's a time of the year when different universities in my country host a two-day kind of festivals and there was one with some really iconic bands from my childhood. So, obviously, I wanted to go. But I didn't really have anyone to go with. So I didn't. Anddd yesterday some smallest, most unimportant decisions led me to the park where said festival took place?? I had no idea it was there bdhxb And, above all, I was there literally 5 minutes before said favourite band. I was with my brother and we didn't go in, but we could hear everything from outside and we could see the screens too. When we were standing, we could even see the stage~ Sooo that was super fun🩷 I must've been a really good person in my previous life lol
Compiled all the ratings for that godzilla movie review montage I watched the other week, here's the list (also includes the average for each era (long, so under a readmore):
[Godzilla vs Kong (2021) review here. The rest of the reviews were from this video]
Shōwa Era (1954-1975) - 3.2/5
Godzilla (1954) - 5/5
Godzilla Raids Again (1955) - 1/5
King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962) - 4/5
Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964) - 4/5
Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster (1964) - 3/5
Invasion of Astro-Monster (1965) - 4/5
Ebirah, Horror of the Deep (1966) - 2/5
Son of Godzilla (1967) - 4/5
Destroy All Monsters (1968) - 3/5
All Monsters Attack (1969) - 2/5
Godzilla vs. Hedorah (1971) - 3/5
Godzilla vs. Gigan (1972) - 3/5
Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973) - 3/5
Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974) - 4/5
Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975) - 3/5
Heisei Era (1984-1995) - 3.5/5
The Return of Godzilla (1984) - 4/5
Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989) - 4/5
Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991) - 4/5
Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992) - 3/5
Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II (1993) - 4/5
Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla (1994) - 3/5
Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995) - 4/5
Godzilla (1998) - 2/5
Millennium Era (1999-2004) - 3.167/5
Godzilla 2000 (1999) - 3/5
Godzilla vs. Megaguirus (2000) - 2/5
Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (2001) - 4/5
Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla (2002) - 3/5
Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. (2003) - 3/5
Godzilla: Final Wars (2004) - 4/5
Reiwa Era (2014-present) - 3.43/5
Godzilla (2014) - 4/5
Shin Godzilla (2016) - 5/5
Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters (2017) - 2/5
Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle (2018) - 3/5
Godzilla: The Planet Eater (2018) - 3/5
Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019) - 4/5
Godzilla vs Kong (2021) - 3/5
Additionally, here's the movies reordered based on rating (year release is the secondary order within each rating):
5 stars:
4 stars:
Godzilla (1954)
Shin Godzilla (2016)
3 stars:
King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962)
Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964)
Invasion of Astro-Monster (1965)
Son of Godzilla (1967)
Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974)
The Return of Godzilla (1984)
Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989)
Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991)
Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II (1993)
Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995)
Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (2001)
1. Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) I have recently gained a new appreciation for this one for obvious reasons, and along with ANH and ROTJ it is one of the only movies I have downloaded for on the go viewing. It has become somewhat of a tradition that I watch ESB whenever I’m flying home, bc there’s something about General Veers’ wrists and Piett’s tiny hops that give me the strength to deal with the last leg of bullshit before I can finally sleep in my own bed again
2. The Avengers (2012) aka the movie I used to watch all the time in uni. Back before Marvel movies were… like that, and there were all those “everyone comes and lives in avengers tower” fics… I haven’t watched it recently, but I bought a blu-ray player specifically for the special features and to this day it’s probably the movie I’ve seen the most
3. Superman (1978) it has the right balance of cheese and heart that just makes it a good fucking movie, and while I love all of Reeves’ superman movies (yes even the bad ones) the original is still my favourite
4. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) I love all the original IJ movies, but the last crusade was my favourite even before I realized Julian Glover was in it (and looks fucking incredible in a suit)
5. Thunderball (1965) don’t @ me I love the old bond movies and thunderball is just So Insane with the wetsuits™️ and the weird spa
6. The Lego Movie (2014) I fucking love Lego games, and this movie has all the Lego game vibes rolled up into one ridiculous movie with the catchiest song known to man
7. Godzilla vs Mothra (1992) this was my first kaiju movie, and although I have since seen many others, the tiny singing women and the giant space moth will always be my favourite. The dub is horrendous but that somehow only adds to the magic
8. Sherlock Holmes: a game of shadows (2011) I’m sure it surprises absolutely no one to learn that I enjoy a good (subjectively) Holmes adaptation, and RDJ has the right sort of insane energy I like in my Holmes
9. Star Trek IV: the Voyage Home (1986). This was my introduction to Trek - I remember sitting at my grandparents house and my mom suggesting I watch “the one with the whales”. (As a byproduct, I would not associate the Enterprise with Star Trek until years later)
10. LOTR: Extended edition (2001-2003) One does not simply watch only one LOTR movie
Honestly, if James Horner composed it, I probably adore it.
Titanic by James Horner (specifically "Take Her to Sea, Mr. Murdoch", 'Southampton', 'Hymn to the Sea', 'Rose', 'My Heart Will Go On', 'Titanic Suite')
Here I Am by No Authority (from The Little Vampire)
Perfect Day- Haku (Legally Blonde)
Watch Me Shine- Joanna Pacitti (Legally Blonde)
Godzilla (Godzilla: King of the Monsters)
Mothra (Godzilla: King of the Monsters)
Ghidorah (Godzilla: King of the Monsters
Jake's First Flight (Avatar (James Horner))
Balto's Theme (Balto (James Horner))
Merry Go Round of Life- Joe Hisaishi (Howl's Moving Castle)
Lumos! (HP (John Williams))
Leaving Hogwarts (HP(John Williams))
Hoist the Colors (Hans Zimmer (POTC))
He's a Pirate from POTC
Edelweis ( The Sound of Music)
Alice's Theme - Danny Elfman (Alice in Wonderland (2010))
Joyful Noise Suite (Joyful Noise)
'Flying' and 'Fairy Dance' by James Newton Howard from Peter Pan (2003)
Climbing Up Iknimaya (Avatar (James Horner))
Sharktale
A Narnia Lullaby (Chronicles of Narnia TLW&W; Harry Gregson Williams)