What’s that again? Mecha is dead?

The wait for the next big mecha show might soon come to an end as we are getting a good amount of shows next year. Featuring a mix of both new shows and sequels, the  hopes are up that one of these shows would make its mark in history and help usher in the next mecha golden age.

So what shows are we looking at (Also by Mecha, we’re talking the ones with human/humanoid pilots)?

Mobile Suit Gundam – Hathaway’s Flash
Film, Sunrise
Late 2020

First revealed back in April 2018, Mobile Stui Gundam – Hathaway’s Flash is the anime film adaptation of the 1989 novel by Gundam’s own creator, Yoshiyuki Tomino. The story follows Hathaway Noa, son of Bright Noa, a former hero turned rebel to fight against the rampant corruption by the Earth Federation. Originally set for release this early this year, development for Hathaway’s Flash was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and is moved to later this year, possibly by December.

Neon Genesis Evangelion 3.0+1.0: Thrice Upon a Time
Film, Khara
Jan 23, 2021

The long-awaited conclusion to Hideaki Anno’s Rebuild of Evangelion film series is almost here!  Originally set for release this year, Evangelion 3.0+1.0 had its release pushed back to early next 2021 following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. What are we in for? It’s Evangelion, who knows, it’s Evangelion. Hust basing on the reaction of the fans from the 10-minute preview, Evangelion 3.0+1.0 might just be able to deliver on its promise of providing a proper conclusion..before Anno decides to recreate a new variation of the plot that is. We’re getting more Mari Megane Goodness regardless so we’re not totally complaining.

Back Arrow
Series, Studio VOLN
Jan 2021

Trailer-wise, Back Arrow doesn’t really feel like a mecha show but once more photos came out then we became hopeful. A possible blend of Mecha and Fantasy, Back Arrow will be in the care of Gorō Taniguchi, whose involvement includes Mobile Suit G Gundam, Mobile Suit Gundam W, After War Gundam X, and just recently Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;ssurection. Gorō Taniguchi, is also involved in both of the main series seasons of Code Geass as a director and in other mecha classics such as Zettai Muteki Raijin-Oh and The King of Braves: Gao Gai Gar. There’s not a lot to say about this series in the present time, but we’re really hoping that this turns out to be good.

Muv Luv Alternative
Series
Oct 2021

Big Mechas, Cute Girls, what more can you ask for right? MuvLuv Alternative is the official anime adaptation to the sequel of the Japanese Visual Novel title. Muv Luv. Not to be confused by Muv Luv Alternative: Total Eclipse, this one directly follows the events of the first Muv Luv. The first non-game adaptations of Muv Luv Alternative came out in 2003 by way of a Light Novel with the manga adaptation to come out in 2007. Both adaptations are well received by fans so we could be in for something here.

Getter Robo Arc
Bee Media
2021

JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT THERE’S NOT MUCH TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2021, BAM ANIME PULLS OUT THE BIG GUNS. THAT’S RIGHT WE’RE GETTING A NEW GETTER ROBO ANIME IN 2021 FROM STUDIO BEE WHICH ALSO WORKED ON SHIN GETTER ROBO, SHIN GETTER ROBO TAI NEO GETTER ROBO, AND MAZINKAISER. Anyway,  if you’re not familiar, the Getter Robo franchise is one of the most iconic works of the ‘creator of super robots’ himself, Go Nagai together with Ken Ishikawa. Getter Robo’s influences can be strongly felt with another mecha hit, Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann so calling this one a potentially wild ride might just be an understatement.

Koukyoushihen Eureka Seven Hi-Evolution 3: Eureka
Film, Bones
2021

The final installment to the Eureka Hi-Evolution film trilogy, and the final chapter in the ‘remake’ of the Eureka 7 anime series. Eureka 7, also known as Psalms of Planets Eureka seveN in Japan, first came out in 2005 and follows the story of Renton Thurston, a young protagonist which was suddenly handed the fate of the world, as with other Mecha Protagonists, and Eureka, the mysterious pilot of the Nirvash. While initially dismissed as an “Evangelion clone” Eureka 7 went on to win multiple recognitions in Japan and proving doubters wrong simply because, well in contrast to Shinji, Renton always wanted to get in the mech.