| “ | Mecha is a visual and emotional triumph, setting a new standard for live-action adaptations of beloved anime. | ” |
— Variety
| ||
Mecha is a 2023 action film, adapted from an anime of the same name.
Synopsis[]
In a dystopian future, humanity’s last hope against a relentless alien invasion lies in the hands of giant piloted robots, known as Mechas. Dr Aika Tanaka, a brilliant scientist and former Mecha pilot, must overcome her past and lead a new team of pilots to defend Earth. As the battle intensifies, she discovers hidden secrets about the alien invaders and the true purpose of the Mechas.
Plot[]
In 2157, Earth faces annihilation from the Chodai, a powerful alien race. Humanity's last hope lies in Mechas, giant piloted robots. Dr Aika Tanaka (Natalie Keaton, last film/show), a former ace Mecha pilot, is to lead a new team of pilots, including Captain Kenji Rook (Quincy, Spectrum), Lt. Daisy/Derek Hayashi (name, film), and Lt. Yvonne/Yuri Sakamoto (name, film).
As they prepare for battle, Aika uncovers a hidden message from her late mentor, revealing why and how the Mechas were originally created. Aika and her team embark on a dangerous mission to the alien mothership to activate a dormant Mecha AI that could turn the tide of the war. Facing overwhelming odds and making great sacrifices, will the team manage to deploy the AI and cause chaos among the Chodai forces, forcing them into retreat. The movie concludes with a hint of a new challenge from deep space, setting the stage for potential future conflicts.
Cast and Characters[]
- Natalie Keaton as Dr Aika Tanaka: A young girl whose dreams hold the key to saving the city.
- Quincy as Captain Kenji Rook: One of the pilots in Aika's team
- (name) as Daisy/Derek Hayashi: One of the pilots in Aika's team
- (name) as Lt. Yvonne/Yuri Sakamoto: One of the pilots in Aika's team
- (name) as Alien General Vox (voice): A Chodai leader
- (name) as Alien Scientist Zura (voice): A Chodai scientist
Reception[]
Critical[]
Mecha received widespread acclaim from critics and audiences alike for its stunning visual effects and epically-told story. Reviewers praised Natalie Keaton’s portrayal of Dr Aika Tanaka, highlighting her compelling screen presence. The film was particularly celebrated for its realistic depiction of giant robot battles, seamlessly blending CGI with live-action.
Awards[]
- Best Visual Effects - Academy Award
- Best Sound Editing - Academy Award
- Best Special Visual Effects - BAFTA Award
- Best Science Fiction Film - Saturn Award
- Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photo-real Feature - Visual Effects Society Award
Mecha was also featured in numerous film festivals, including the Cannes Film Festival, where it received a standing ovation and was praised for its innovative approach to blending anime with live-action filmmaking.
Trivia[]
- The design of the Mechas took over a year to finalise, with input from both Western and Japanese designers to ensure they paid homage to the original anime while appealing to a global audience.
- The film is filled with Easter eggs referencing the original anime, including subtle nods in character names, background posters, and even some of the Mecha designs.
- The original Japanese voice actors of the anime series made cameo appearances in the film as scientists and military personnel.
- To prepare for her role, Natalie Keaton watched the entire original anime series and read the manga to fully understand her character’s backstory and motivations.
- The language spoken by the Chodai aliens was entirely created for the film, complete with its own grammar and vocabulary, developed by a linguist hired specifically for the project.
- On set, the cast and crew were served snacks by mini remote-controlled robots modelled after the Mechas in the film. These "Snack-bots" became a favourite among everyone and were often caught on camera sneaking into scenes as unplanned cameos.
- During a break in filming, Quincy entertained the crew by performing an impromptu dance routine while wearing hir motion-capture suit. The footage was so funny that the director included a snippet of it as a post-credits scene, showing Captain Kenji Rook doing a silly dance in hir Mecha.