Mecha Portal & Franchises pages

The world of mecha anime can feel overwhelming for newcomers. With dozens of franchises spanning over five decades, where do you even begin? Should you start with the foundational classics or jump into modern masterpieces? What’s the difference between Real Robot and Super Robot series?

Today, I’m excited to introduce two major additions to MechaBay that address these challenges: the Mecha Portal and the Mecha Franchises page.

The Mecha Portal

The new mecha portal serves as the perfect starting point for anyone looking to explore the genre. Rather than throwing you into the deep end with different franchise portals, the portal provides a curated overview of the most important and accessible series in mecha anime.

The portal is designed to be genuinely useful for beginners by highlighting the most popular and notable series that define the genre. You’ll find featured franchises like Gundam, Evangelion, Macross, Code Geass, Mazinger, Gurren Lagann, and Full Metal Panic! presented with concise descriptions that explain what makes each series special.

Each franchise section includes carefully chosen entry points:

• Overview – an introduction to each franchise
• Portal – a comprehensive hub for the franchise
• Mecha – a curated list of the notable mecha
• Characters – a featured list of prominent characters

For those new to the genre entirely, the portal connects seamlessly to our existing resources. Check out our primer for the genre to understand the fundamentals, and learn what mecha is to grasp the core concepts that define giant robot anime.

Mecha Franchises page

While the portal focuses on curation, some of you want to explore everything the genre has to offer. That’s where the Mecha Franchises page comes in. It is a comprehensive catalogue displaying every mecha franchise with powerful filtering options.

Two ways to explore

The page offers two viewing modes:

Guided View presents carefully curated collections like “Perfect Starting Points,” “Genre Classics,” and “Modern Masterpieces.” These collections take the guesswork out of discovery by grouping series that work well together thematically.

Complete Catalog gives you full control with advanced filtering options. You can filter by:

• Era: From classic 1970s series to contemporary 2020s releases
• Type: Real Robot, Super Robot, Psychological, or Hybrid approaches
• Tone: Action, Military, Political, Comedy, Romance, Dark, or Coming-of-Age themes
• Setting: Space, Earth, Post-Apocalyptic, Fantasy, or Alternate Reality worlds
• Accessibility: Gateway series for newcomers, Mainstream hits, Hardcore fan favourites, or Niche gems

Powerful search & discovery

The filtering system includes quick filter buttons for instant browsing—find Gateway series perfect for newcomers, Popular mainstream hits, Classic foundational works, or Modern contemporary series with a single click.

You can search for specific franchises, view results in both grid and list formats, and see exactly how many series match your current filters. The system is designed to help you discover exactly what you’re looking for, whether that’s “space-based Real Robot series with political themes” or “gateway-friendly Super Robot shows with comedy elements.”

Educational framework

Beyond just listing series, the page helps users understand the genre’s structure. Each franchise includes detailed metadata showing its era, accessibility level, recommended starting points, and thematic elements. This educational approach helps users grasp the relationships between different series and sub-genres.

The clear categorisation helps demystify concepts like Real Robot versus Super Robot, showing how series like Gundam pioneered realistic military mecha while franchises like Mazinger established the super-powered robot template.

Comprehensive coverage

Both pages span the complete history of mecha anime, from the foundational classics of the 1970s that created the genre template to contemporary masterpieces pushing new boundaries today.

You’ll find coverage of major franchises alongside hidden gems, ensuring that whether you’re looking for the obvious classics or seeking something off the beaten path, you’ll find what you need. The database includes everything from Mazinger Z’s genre-defining super robot action to Evangelion’s psychological deconstruction, from Gundam’s military realism to Gurren Lagann’s inspirational excess.

The series are organised thematically to show the evolution of mecha anime. You can trace how Real Robot series developed from Gundam’s innovations, see how psychological mecha emerged from Evangelion’s influence, or discover how modern series blend classic elements in new ways.

Community-driven growth

This launch represents the current state of our mecha coverage, but it’s designed to grow. Missing a series you think deserves inclusion? Pop by our Discord server and let us know.

The community-driven approach ensures that as the genre continues to evolve and as we discover series that deserve recognition, the database will expand accordingly. Your suggestions and feedback help shape what gets added next.

Start your mecha journey

Whether you’re a complete newcomer wondering where to begin or a seasoned fan looking to discover something new, these new tools provide the framework for exploration.

Head to the mecha portal for curated recommendations, or dive into the complete series catalogue for comprehensive filtering power. Both approaches will help you find your next great mecha experience.

The genre of giant robot anime offers incredible diversity—from intimate character studies to galaxy-spanning adventures, from grounded military drama to physics-defying spectacle. With these new tools, that diversity becomes approachable rather than overwhelming.

Welcome to your gateway into the legendary world of mecha anime.