whatanimeshouldiwatchnext · Romance

The best mecha romance anime you can start from the beginning

34 anime that are both romance and mecha, ranked by MyAnimeList, with none of the sequels, side stories or recap editions you cannot start cold. Top of the list: Koukyoushihen Eureka Seven, Macross, Tenkuu no Escaflowne.

Filter these, or get a recommendation

The list

1. 1 Koukyoushihen Eureka Seven Eureka Seven TV · 2005 · 50 episodes · Bones · #672 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
2. 2 Macross Super Dimension Fortress Macross TV · 1982 · 36 episodes · Tatsunoko Production · #955 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
3. 3 Tenkuu no Escaflowne The Vision of Escaflowne TV · 1996 · 26 episodes · Sunrise · #1587 on MyAnimeList 82% would recommend
4. 4 Kidou Senkan Nadesico Martian Successor Nadesico TV · 1996 · 26 episodes · Xebec · #2150 on MyAnimeList 79% would recommend
5. 5 Uchuu no Kishi Tekkaman Blade Tekkaman Blade TV · 1992 · 49 episodes · Tatsunoko Production · #2261 on MyAnimeList 77% would recommend
6. 6 RahXephon TV · 2002 · 26 episodes · Bones · #2735 on MyAnimeList 75% would recommend
7. 7 Saber Marionette J TV · 1996 · 25 episodes · Studio Junio · #2836 on MyAnimeList 75% would recommend
8. 8 Uchuu no Stellvia Stellvia TV · 2003 · 26 episodes · Xebec · #2849 on MyAnimeList 75% would recommend
9. 9 Zegapain TV · 2006 · 26 episodes · Sunrise · #3067 on MyAnimeList 73% would recommend
10. 10 Otome Game Sekai wa Mob ni Kibishii Sekai desu Trapped in a Dating Sim: The World of Otome Games is Tough for Mobs TV · 2022 · 12 episodes · ENGI · #3101 on MyAnimeList 76% would recommend
11. 11 Toushou Daimos Daimos TV · 1978 · 44 episodes · Sunrise · #3474 on MyAnimeList 71% would recommend
12. 12 Darling in the FranXX DARLING in the FRANXX TV · 2018 · 24 episodes · A-1 Pictures · #3672 on MyAnimeList 69% would recommend
13. 13 Star Driver: Kagayaki no Takuto Star Driver TV · 2010 · 25 episodes · Bones · #3837 on MyAnimeList 70% would recommend
14. 14 Kenran Butou Sai: The Mars Daybreak Mars Daybreak TV · 2004 · 26 episodes · Bones · #3998 on MyAnimeList 72% would recommend
15. 15 Gekijou Tanpen Macross Frontier: Toki no Meikyuu Macross Frontier: Labyrinth of Time Film · 2021 · Satelight · #4224 on MyAnimeList 71% would recommend
16. 16 Genius Party Film · 2007 · Studio 4°C · #4340 on MyAnimeList 71% would recommend
17. 17 Sousei no Aquarion Aquarion TV · 2005 · 26 episodes · Satelight · #4380 on MyAnimeList 68% would recommend
18. 18 Hoshi no Koe Voices of a Distant Star OVA · 2002 · 1 episode · CoMix Wave Films · #4466 on MyAnimeList 68% would recommend
19. 19 Escaflowne Escaflowne: A Girl in Gaea Film · 2000 · Bones · #4553 on MyAnimeList 69% would recommend
20. 20 Sousei no Aquarion OVA OVA · 2007 · 2 episodes · Satelight · #4695 on MyAnimeList 69% would recommend
21. 21 Photon Photon: The Idiot Adventures OVA · 1997 · 6 episodes · AIC · #4825 on MyAnimeList 67% would recommend
22. 22 Z.O.E. 2167 Idolo Zone of the Enders: 2167 Idolo OVA · 2001 · 1 episode · Sunrise · #5610 on MyAnimeList 64% would recommend
23. 23 Megazone 23 OVA · 1985 · 4 episodes · Artland · #5810 on MyAnimeList 62% would recommend
24. 24 Koutetsu Tenshi Kurumi Steel Angel Kurumi TV · 1999 · 24 episodes · OLM · #6250 on MyAnimeList 59% would recommend
25. 25 Gunparade March: Arata Naru Kougunka Gunparade March: A New Song for the March TV · 2003 · 12 episodes · J.C.Staff · #6302 on MyAnimeList 60% would recommend

Why this is not a MyAnimeList search. Every entry here is one you can start from the beginning. Anything with a prequel or a parent story is left out, as are recaps and compilation editions — about half of what MyAnimeList ranks. Ordered by MyAnimeList position. The percentage is the share of MyAnimeList scorers who rated a title 7 or higher.