The Energon Pub

[Towline]

There are two things that I've noticed when comparing Transformers to other robot anime. Gurren Laggan, Aquarion, Gaogaigar. Transformers is the only franchise where the robots are their own characters, they dont need humans to pilot them. Transformers is one of the few franchises which the characters use guns as a proper weapon. Where as in other post transformer robot anime the robots use swords, hammers, fists, drills, but no guns. By having robots who need human pilots and melee weapons Japan is going 30 years backwards in giant robot anime. Not the forward steps of self piloting robots and guns that the Transformers have taken the robot genre to.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

There are two things that I've noticed when comparing Transformers to other robot anime. Gurren Laggan, Aquarion, Gaogaigar. Transformers is the only franchise where the robots are their own characters, they dont need humans to pilot them. Transformers is one of the few franchises which the characters use guns as a proper weapon. Where as in other post transformer robot anime the robots use swords, hammers, fists, drills, but no guns. By having robots who need human pilots and melee weapons Japan is going 30 years backwards in giant robot anime. Not the forward steps of self piloting robots and guns that the Transformers have taken the robot genre to.

I'll say only this: Japan does not mess with tradition. If it ain't broke don't fix it. Mind you, Japan did have sentient mechs in some series other than Transformers:

- most of the Yuusha or Brave series, including GaoGaiGar
- some of the Super Sentai series, upon which Power Rangers is based. Notable examples include DaiZyuJin (Megazord), Power Animals from Wild Force, and the Engines from Go-onger (RPM)

May I add that while the toys are Japanese in origin, the Transformers concept is 100% American?

[Teelerb]

WE need like Mothra, Chinese style

[Tekka]

There's a reason why melee weapons are used so much more than guns, and this is because combat becomes much more highly personal and dramatic as opposed to foes standing at a distance, doling out the shots with stormtrooper like inaccuracy.

This is why the beam saber (lightsaber if you must) was invented. You get the best of your pseudo-future world and your close-combat drama all rolled into one.

[bvzxa]

There are two things that I've noticed when comparing Transformers to other robot anime. Gurren Laggan, Aquarion, Gaogaigar. Transformers is the only franchise where the robots are their own characters, they dont need humans to pilot them. Transformers is one of the few franchises which the characters use guns as a proper weapon. Where as in other post transformer robot anime the robots use swords, hammers, fists, drills, but no guns. By having robots who need human pilots and melee weapons Japan is going 30 years backwards in giant robot anime. Not the forward steps of self piloting robots and guns that the Transformers have taken the robot genre to.

The concpet of the show Transformers was American. However Diaclone and the other lines they came with little pilots. Prime which I think was known as Battle Convoy had little pilots, and so did Powered Convoy. In fact most of the line that the vehicles came from came with little men.

The origins of the toys and concept were from Japan, which uses the tried and true standard of people controlling the machines.

I am sure I am missing a few shows that may have had a similar concept before Transformers, but I can't remember right now

The standard of Super Sentai, the true origin of Power Rangers themselves is now 35 years old and counting. 34 years since the first sentai show to have a Megazord was Battle Fever J. If you look at Japan they are the inventor and we adapted from their inventions a show, which became a craze. However, people controlling mecha is a Japanese staple in their shows.