When pondering the most powerful and expertly designed robots in mecha anime, fans likely picture epic demonstrations of might and skill. Yet, while raw power and top-tier equipment are pivotal for success in battle, there is still a key component to a mecha’s performance that most viewers overlook: speed.
It's important for a pilot not only to have the reflexes needed to avoid their opponent’s attacks, but also for their mecha to possess the velocity and agility needed to react accordingly. Moreover, due to most of these anime taking place in space, the robots used as vessels by the main heroes need to be speedy enough to arrive promptly at the battlefield, and these mechas more than fulfill these important conditions.
Hidden in plain sight as regular trains, the Shinkalion from one of the most underrated mecha anime in history, Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion. These robots are incredibly agile and powerful machines, and while most of the time they are kept in their original vehicle form, when needed, these mechs can transform into mighty weapons that can easily overcome any obstacle.
To achieve this transformation, they need to first reach the speed of sound, granting them access to their robotic forms. Lamentably, this version of the Shinkalion line rarely ever achieves these speeds in combat, as their battle style relies heavily on weapons or unique gimmicks. As such, while still an impressive speed, it is a major shame that it cannot be utilized fully in combat.
Created as the ultimate weapon against the Angels and their crusade to eliminate humanity, EVA Unit-01 is undoubtedly one of the most iconic mechas of all time. Appearing in the Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise, this bio-machine was constructed to be agile and destructive, as anything of lesser quality would have easily been destroyed by its monstrous opponents.
As such, it is no surprise to anime fans worldwide that Unit-01 is capable of reaching speeds that transcend sound itself. Unlike other mechas that can only reach these great velocities while traveling, Shinji’s signature weapon was able to fully utilize this speed in combat, outpacing opponents and devastating them with rapid and consecutive attacks. Still, due to EVA Unit-01 being designed for ground combat, it fails to reach the stellar velocities of other similar machines.
Hailing from a lesser-known but still thrilling ONA, Stargazer is perhaps one of the most unique and innovative mechas in history. This particular mech does not stand out for its combat capabilities, which are quite inferior to those of the strongest Gundam in the franchise, but it does possess an outstandingly useful trait: its Voiture Lumiere propulsion system.
Thanks to this highly advanced technological marvel, Stargazer was capable of endlessly absorbing the energy of solar winds or rays of light as it traveled across the galaxy. The propulsion on its back could use this fuel to accelerate continuously, meaning that, after a significant period, this machine could surpass light speed, with its only drawback being the time needed to reach this velocity.
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