Mecha
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Mecha |
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Part of System? |
N/A | ||
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Theme colors |
N/A | Fan theme with no specific colors | |
| Release Year | 1992 ?? | ||
| Fan Developed? | yes | ||
| Part of theme: |
Some say space some say none |
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| Subthemes: | ? | ||
| Related themes | ? | ||
Mecha, also known as meka, mechs or giant robots, are walking robotic vehicles controlled by a pilot. Mecha are generally, though not necessarily, bipedal. The term "mecha" is derived from the Japanese abbreviation メカ meka for the English word mechanical. In Japanese, "mecha" encompasses all mechanical objects, including cars, guns and computers. The Japanese use the term ロボット robots or "giant robots" to distinguish limbed vehicles from other mechanical devices. English speakers have repurposed the term "mecha" to mean only these vehicles. In most science fiction stories in which they appear, mecha are war machines: essentially armored fighting vehicles with legs instead of treads or wheels. Some stories also encompass mecha used for civilian purposes such as heavy construction work, police functions, or firefighting. The Hollywood movie Aliens featured a cargoloader as a civilian mecha, and Matrix Reloaded featured heavy artilery as a military mecha. The distinction between true mecha and their smaller cousins (and likely progenitors), the powered armor suits, is blurred; according to one definition, a mecha is piloted while a powered armor is worn. Anything large enough to have a cockpit where the pilot is seated is generally considered a mecha.
In LEGO, Mecha began as a fan created theme.
Much of the source matter for mecha is taken from Japanese anime and manga. The building style revolves around articulation via LEGO. Techniques range from simple stud friction to Technic worm gearing. Sizes range from several inches to several feet. Over time the genre has included any larger articulated LEGO model as a "Lego Mecha".
LEGO Roboforce was billed as Space, but all four sets were robots, so it could be called the first official mecha theme. The Designer line of sets also contains several robots. However, most builders consider the Titan XP 4508 set to be the first real mecha produced by LEGO. Finally, in 2006, LEGO released Exo-Force, a theme officially devoted to mecha and based in anime and manga styling.
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External Links
- Mecha group on LUGNET
- MechaHub.com Many builders from all over the World are on MechaHub
- including the Apocalyptic Mecha City Project (AMCP) specifications
