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.
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10
Shinkalion’s Train Form Can Briefly Surpass the Speed of Sound
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.
9
EVA Unit-01 Uses Its Outstanding Speed to Destroy Angels
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.
8
Gundam Stargazer Has the Potential to Become Unstoppable
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.
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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.
7
YF-19 Can Reach Mach 25 Without Any Issues
A prototype designed to become the new dominant force in space battles inside the universe of Macross Plus, the YF-19 is an amazingly designed and striking robot, capable of outstanding feats. This robot was created because of the need for a significantly lighter, more maneuverable, and agile mecha, resulting in a machine that goes beyond anything else seen in the series.
In its jet form, used exclusively to travel and avoid battle, YF-19 could reach speeds of Mach 2 without any complications, an already impressive achievement. In robot form, this machine could outperform itself tenfold, going as fast as to reach Mach 25, and slightly beyond if pushed to its absolute limits. Nonetheless, due to it being a mecha designed for Earth-based combat, it could not reach the capabilities of mechs made for space travel.
6
Nirvash Type Zero Spec-V Is Almost as Fast as Light Itself
Arguably one of the most unique and memorable mechas in anime, Nirvash Type Zero is an ancient machine that is capable of generating a deep bond with its pilots, allowing it to awaken impressive skills. Besides its iconic ‘surfboard’, which it used to travel across the skies, this machine could awaken a mode known as Spec-V, which greatly increased its strength and agility in Eureka Seven.
While utilizing the powerful propulsors granted by this form, Nirvash Type Zero could reach speeds close to that of light. Spec-V gave this impressive mecha the ability to not only match the speed of a laser beam, but surpass it slightly, giving its pilots enough time to deflect the attack. Nonetheless, Earth’s atmosphere and gravity prevented this beam from truly reaching the speed of light, meaning Nirvash Type Zero is still slightly slower than other significant mecha.
5
Turn A Gundam Can Instantly Teleport Within a Limited Range
Introduced in a fantastical world that blends the epicness of space battles with a rural atmosphere, Turn A Gundam, the series’ titular robot, is a perfect combination of charming aesthetics and god-like power. Powered by a generator with the capabilities of a black hole, this imposing weapon was capable of remarkable feats and memorable battles that fans remember fondly.
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While the machine was designed to maintain a steady and refined pace while in ground combat, its true capabilities were revealed when it breached the barrier of space. Its powerful generator allowed Turn A Gundam to teleport instantly across significant distances, making it capable of reaching or avoiding an enemy in the blink of an eye. What makes this machine slightly less powerful than others is its limited reach, as its maximum distance was shown to be between the surface of Earth and the Moon.
4
Gunbuster Can Travel Throughout Galaxies in a Matter of Seconds
Piloted by a determined girl whose only goal in life is to prove herself as a capable fighter, Gunbuster is one of the most emblematic mechs in history, as well as the titular star of one of Hideaki Anno’s best anime. This fierce and terrifying-looking robot was powered by Dual Degeneracy motors, each harnessing the energy released by an artificial black hole placed inside. Other than impressive feats of strength and durability, this machine was also popular due to its overwhelming speed.
The energy source inside its shell gave Gunbuster the ability to transcend the speed of light and cross significant portions of the galaxy in mere seconds. Although incapable of teleportation, this mecha was more than capable of finding and disposing of enemies in swift attacks, imperceptible to the human eye. It could also generate portals to move between large distances, but these were not useful during battle.
3
Unicorn Gundam: Luminous Crystal Body Can Bend Time and Space to Its Pilot’s Will
A machine designed to harness power and abilities from its pilot’s will and thoughts, Unicorn Gundam is by far one of the most recognizable mechas in the franchise. This awe-inspiring model was built around the concept of a Psycho-Frame, a highly advanced control system that allowed the user to manipulate the robot with their mind, immediately translating their desires into action.
When piloted by a human with outstanding willpower, this machine could easily defy the laws of physics, reaching speeds that humans can barely comprehend. During the climax of the series, the Psycho-Frame system crystallized into a source of unlimited energy, making the model capable of completely rewriting the laws of time and space. This meant that, as long as the pilot could harness the desire, Unicorn Gundam could immediately teleport across galaxies.
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2
Gundam 00 Qan[T] Can Traverse the Universe In Its Entirety
Considered by many as one of the most broken Gundams in the franchise, 00 Qan[T] is a machine that breaks the laws of nature and reality by simply existing. This machine was the culmination of decades of research into an infinite energy source, provided by two powerful drives. Due to this alteration, the 00 Qan[T] was not only mightier and more durable than previous models, but it was also capable of completely altering reality.
When bonded with the right pilot, this machine could harness its infinite power to bend time and space to its will, making it impossible for humans to determine its true speed. As far as the series reveals, there is no real limit to this ability, meaning that a skilled enough pilot could traverse entire galaxies instantaneously.
1
Super Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann Is Larger and Faster Than Humans Can Imagine
Fueled by a fervent desire for freedom and peace, and piloted by a hero with a noble and brave heart, Super Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann is much more than the largest mecha in anime. This machine was created with the sole purpose of defeating the Anti-Spiral, a cosmic being trying to destroy existence itself. To accomplish this goal, Simon’s ultimate weapon took the form of a robot bigger than 52.8 billion light-years.
Despite this massive size, Super Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann could still move at impressive speeds, traveling through the cosmos without problems in less than a second. Its reaction time and agility in combat seem to have no equal, as they were more than enough to defeat a god-like being and save the universe. Ultimately, there is no other mecha in anime history capable of matching the feats demonstrated by Simon’s signature mecha.
