"Mecha" (JP) is a term for a mechanical robot character.
Etymology
Meaning of the Term
Mecha (メカ) is a shortened version of the English word "mechanism" (メカニズム), meaning "a system of working parts in a machine".[1]
Origin
The first mecha series was the 1956 manga Tetsujin 28-go (JP).[2]
Characteristics
Mecha are entirely mechanical beings. They are often capable of transforming and will usually have rockets or other projectile weapons that can detach from their body.
Personality
Since mecha are not human (with the exception of cyborgs), they are not capable of displaying real human emotion and can only try to mimic it. Because of this, mecha characters often have a hard time relating to or understanding real humans. They will take the most logical mathematical solution to everyday tasks instead of letting human emotion decide.
Mecha characters are usually monotone and emotionless, similar to kuudere, though there are many exceptions.
Sub-Types of Mecha
There are three main types of mecha, each differing in how human the machine is:
Robot | ロボット
Robot mechas are machines that mimick the behavior of humans. They are entirely mechanical in appearance and do not resemble humans at all, other than often being "human-shaped".[3]
Giant robots are referred to as Kyodai Robots.[4]
Android | アンドロイド
Androids are realistic human-like mecha. Unlike robots which are completely mechanical in appearance, androids are often completely identical to regular humans from the outside and are only distinguishable when their interworkings are exposed. They have a skin-like exterior and a mechanical interior.[5]
Female androids are referred to as Gynoids.[6]
Cyborg | サイボーグ
Cyborg mechas are part-human, part machine. They were born as normal biological humans and were later experimented on and given cybernetic upgrades. This may be as little as only having mechanical limbs, or as existive as being entirely robotic except for their vital organs.[7]
Cyborgs differ from all other mecha characters in that because they were born as normal humans, they still possess emotions.
List of Characters
Gallery
 Lucyna Kushinada from Cyberpunk: Edgerunners  Lucyna Kushinada from Cyberpunk: Edgerunners  David Martinez from Cyberpunk: Edgerunners  Android 18 from Dragon Ball Z  2B from NieR:Automata  K1-B0 from New Danganronpa V3: Minna no Koroshiai Shingakki |
References
- ↑ What is Mecha?. Pixiv Encyclopedia (2021/04/03).
- ↑ The Evolution of Mecha Anime. Medium (2023/04/04). Archived on 2025/10/24.
- ↑ What is a Robot?. Pixiv Encyclopedia (2023/01/03).
- ↑ What is a Giant Robot?. Pixiv Encyclopedia (2023/11/26).
- ↑ What is Android?. Pixiv Encyclopedia (2023/11/26).
- ↑ What is Gynoid?. Pixiv Encyclopedia (2022/10/09).
- ↑ What is a Cyborg?. Pixiv Encyclopedia (2023/11/28).
| v • eHybrid Archetypes | ||
|---|---|---|
| Animal |
Juujin ♡ Kemono ♡ Kemonomimi ♡ Tsuno Musume | |
| Machine |
Mecha | |
| Monster | ||
| Other | ||