Space Opera Fans discussion

So let me start with the story. I walked into my local bookstore that I visit a lot to pick up a new book. When the manager sees me come in they run over with a new author they want me to try for free to see if they are good. I shrug and go sure, I see the first cover space marines, okay sure. Next book giant robot crab spider thing and time on the cover, looks better. Last book has a Giant Robot with energy swords, I flip to the back and it says Giant Robot Sci-fi. This is when I knew that I had to get this book. I have read most of it and the writing still needs some work, characters are well described and good but you can't really feel them, action scenes are awesome...but they just aren't there yet if you know what I mean. So far what this has exceeded my expectations on is actually really solid world-building, and actually doing Super Robots (not Reals). It's on track for a 4/5 star right now, but I feel it covers a unique itch that hasn't been scratched in a while for me.

Wasn't 'Pacific Rim' basically giant robot sci-fi with kaiju-monsters which were really part of an alien invasion through a deep-sea wormhole? Or all of the Transformers movies?

Yay, giant robot sci-fi! Who can't forget Sigorney Weaver in Aliens using the giant robot-lift thingy and saying "Get away from her, you b!tc#!!!"

The Robots in here lean closer to the super side then Pacific Rim or Transformers did for me.

Generally
Real Robot = It's technology that makes sense, more military like.
Super Robot = Filled with signature moves...normally gets more powerful the more emotional the pilot is. Henshin sequences are very common.

That being said no Henshin sequences so far :(.

I don't know. Too much Robot, turns me off. I've read some great books that have them in the story and I've enjoyed them, but 'too many' robots seem to be a story-trick. It is too easy to get into the 'my robot is bigger that your robot' story. I like conflict that is solved through other means instead of just building a bigger machine. But that's just my opinion, I'm still reading two books with huge robots in them, so I guess my opinion doesn't mean much. :>

I'm currently working on writing a sci-fi series with giant robots or mechs. Other than Pacific Rim, Gundam, and Transformers I am not really aware of any big name mech franchises or successful novels.

Anyone happen to know any, other than those mentioned above?

When I was a kid I read the Battletech books. I can recommend books 2-15 with a clear conscience.

Wesley,

Knights of Sidonia both seasons are currently on Netflix. There's also a manga which I believe is the source material for the show.

Wesley,

Knights of Sidonia both seasons are currently on Netflix. There's also a manga which I believe is the source material for the show.

There was an interesting story on escape pod last year "Into the Breach" by Malon Edwards that had a really interesting world with Haitian flying mecha pilots defending Chicago I really liked a lot.

This probably qualifies as a "real robot" story, I consider "super robot" stories pretty silly. They strike me as so unrealistic I just can't find any emotional resonance in them.

You can read/listen to it here.
http://escapepod.org/2014/02/22/ep436...

Not completely sure but didn't giant robots feature in the Robotech series.

Wesley wrote: "I'm currently working on writing a sci-fi series with giant robots or mechs. Other than Pacific Rim, Gundam, and Transformers I am not really aware of any big name mech franchises or successful nov..."

Here are few other series that had robots...

Cyborgs
https://www.goodreads.com/series/4223...

Robot Tanks
https://www.goodreads.com/series/4923...

Mechs
https://www.goodreads.com/series/5753...

Wesley wrote: "I'm currently working on writing a sci-fi series with giant robots or mechs. Other than Pacific Rim, Gundam, and Transformers I am not really aware of any big name mech franchises or successful nov..."

Good reference material incoming.

Mazinger Z
Getter Robo

Both are extremely classic giant robos that really show where the genre started and they have formed many of the continuing tropes that prevail thoughout the genre.

Gundam, the result of trying to make a warfilm and sell toys at the same time, originally a huge disaster financially which resulted in it being canceled only 50ish episodes in but did really well on the back end and really started what is known as real robots.

Macross(Robotech is the butchered western version of it) is the other big real franchise start out watching the older ones if you want to.

Evangelion is a deconstruction of the super robot genre, that was formed out of an extremely depressed and suicidal mind it's very much the darker/edgier side of giant robot stuff. A problem I had with Pacific Rim is I feel like they took Evangelion as too much of an inspiration when Evangelion is a deconstruction...not the genre itself. Watch the original series and the movie End of Evangelion instead of the last 2-3 episodes. RahXephon is the other big deconstruction in the genre.

GunBuster 1/2, Tengen Toppa, GaoGaiGar(starting really on the 2nd half): Are more modern examples of the more classic Super Robot examples that are quite popular and well known in the genre.

There are plenty of other good mecha series out there...but these are either more formative ones and/or cover lots of bases.

Thanks everyone,

It looks like the bulk of the mech franchises are Japanese anime and manga (shocker). I know a couple you mentioned and definitely will take a look at the others.

There are two or three that I loved as a kid and am kind of drawing on the most as of now: Battletech, Transformers, and later Ghost in the Shell.

As far as Transformers, I like the layout of the robots in the movies but am not interested in creating autonomous alien robots that can transform into vehicles. So... transformers without the transformer part.

The problem with mechs in general is they aren't really practical from a military standpoint unless they are very heavy. They are big, easy targets and would have to absorb a lot of hits. Bipedal mechs also have the obvious problem with balance and would need some mechanism to keep them upright after a direct hit, or a lot of weight to absorb it.

Aircraft, small tanks or powered-suits (human size), seem to be more practical.

Anyway, still working on it.

You asked about giant robots. However if you are looking at more human sized robots a couple of things you might check out. One is the 'Professor Jameson' series by Neil R. Jones. Not sure if they are still available but Ace put out five collections of the stories in the 60s (the stories themselves are from the 40s). The other is Jack Williamson's "Humanoids" series, again from the 40s. Below is the information as sound in Wikipedia

Humanoids Series
With Folded Hands (1947; in Astounding)
The Humanoids (1949; three-part serial as "...And Searching Mind" in Astounding, 1949)
The Humanoid Touch (1980)
The Humanoids / With Folded Hands (1996; omnibus)

In the Gundam Universe, Mecha were originally built to help construct the mega human habitat structures and mining elements. I agree the Big Robot concept doesn't work very well in a gravity well and with current material science levels. I'm not even sure if it makes sense to use giant Mecha in space for a construction situation. Seems like other robotics, like ones used in current car manufacturing would be better suited. Who knows really. They are just big, and big is better right? laughs*

Giant Robots!!!

Hahahahahaha!!!

[*sorry ... my kids are Transformers fans ... think we watched that movie a hundred gazillion times...*]