Hey you pilot that giant robot like a girl! Once considered a “man’s job”, like several other jobs, the occupation of being a mecha pilot has over the years shown that skill and finesse are not confined to one’s gender. “Anything you can do I can do better, I can do anything better than you, No you can’t… oh hell yes I CAN!”
Let us now pay tribute to a selection of ladies who are some of the best giant robot pilots EVER! And yeah, it’s an all 80s cast… as usual… you know me, no matter what year it is, to me it can still be 1987, or 1982, or 85, 89, 86… etc. etc. A small note, this will be a listing of pilots I know from shows I have seen. This means in the future I can create additional entries once I become aware of even more talented pilots. For this fourth round I pick…
Rosee (Roze)
Godmars
Once a sworn enemy towards hero Takeru Myojiin (Mars), Rosee would eventually change face and realize an immense attraction toward the Godmars hero. Realizing that he and Marg, a Gishin officer she was tasked to keep her eye on, were in fact brothers would be the pivotal game changer.
Moya Kirigas/Cinda
Armored Fleet Diarugger XV/Voltron
As a member of the Walter/Land Team, Moya/Cinda pilots the Rotating Personnel Carrier, one of the two tight fisted glove-like car (maybe tank) like mechs that becomes Dairugger’s/Voltron’s right forearm and hand.
Minerva
The Transformers: Super-God Masterforce
Part of the Headmaster Junior team for the Autobots, Minerva would serve as the medic for the overall Autobot campaign… fitting as this mirrors with her gentle and kind nature. Imagine being an average 15 year old school girl who discovers a white Porsche that turns into the body of a robot?
Eriko ‘Ellie’ Kusomoto
Metal Skin Panic Madox-01
An ace test pilot and quite the expert on technology, we see Ellie initially with the MADOX-01. Her rivalry with a particular Lt. Kilgore is ever apparent when she shows the press how outdated his tank unit is compared to this state of the art machine.
Solzie/Sera
Genesis Climber Mospeada/Robotech
Solzie/Sera is one of three Inbit/Invid characters to take a humanoid form. On her first mission she meets the resistance fighter Yellow Belmont, which causes much confusion in her. She develops an attraction toward him awakening a more human need for compassion and love.
Rag Uralo
Combat Mecha Xabungle/Xabungle Graffiti
Rag could be seen piloting or co-piloting a number of the Walker Machines aboard the Iron Gear. Before joining up with the crew of the Iron Gear, this tough acting, but also kind, girl was the leader of a rag tag (I made a pun!) gang called the Sand Rats who also enlisted up as well.
Lamba Nom
Dangaioh
Every team needs a crybaby and Lamba fills that roll … just don’t scare her or else you will be shot by a bolt of energy from her finger. And no she is not a crybaby, just very sweet and gentle and as the youngest of the Dangioah quartet, the most immature. She was originally a former princess.
Jeryll Coochibie
Aura Battler Dunbine
Jeryll is part of a latter select trio picked out by Drake Luft to assist in his conquest of Byston Well. Despite being a close match in terms of power to series lead Sho Zama, Jeryll’s attitude would be her biggest downfall. Her personality is rebellious and unapologetic.
Maki Rowel (Lowell)
Galactice Drifter Vifam
Yes, she loves that red hat! Its trademarked… and yes, she is the tomboy of the group of Vifam’s cast of 13 children heading home to Earth. Mechanically skilled, she would join later in the series with fellow mech pilots Roddy Shuffle and Barts Lyan by becoming the Torunfam pilot.
Kasha Imhof
Space Runaway Ideon/The Ideon: A Contact/Be Invoked
As a part of the team that assists with the ginormous and powerful Ideon, Kasha provided support as the main pilot of the Ideo-Buster for a time. She also is a strong presence on the Solo Ship as well. Now if only she can spend just a little more time with protagonist Cosmo Yuki… alone 😉
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to be continued…
If one is a fan of mecha, machinery, or action with the inclusion of a machine of some sort, then Metal Skin Panic MADOX-01 would be considered as close to porn for fans. Watch the opening scene with all the mechanics and electronics… it’s total mecha hentai, second to perhaps the credits of Patlabor 2. Only a mechanical designer would have created something like this OVA and in the case of MADOX-01 that is the truth. The name of Shinji Aramaki is all over the place… director, story creation and mechanical designer. I bet he was the caterer too? … Funny thing about MADOX-01, it reminds me of another OVA, I wonder what it could be? Though it’s not exactly the same it does remind me of… umm? Hmm? Let me think on this one…
The year, 1987. The place, Japan. The man, Shinji Aramaki. The rise of the OVA format gave opportunities for many younger and/or junior rank members of the anime industry to take on the big role of directing a project. Names like Ichiro Itano, Koichi Ohata and Toshihiro Hirano went from special effects artists, mechanical designers, or character designers and moved into the realm of the director’s chair. Aramaki’s portfolio was filled with many mechanical designs ranging from anime including: Genesis Climber Mospeada, Megazone 23 (wait a minute!… oh never mind) and Bubblegum Crisis and western based shows like Pole Position, M.A.S.K. and even the original Transformers. Quite a nice lineup there so yes, he can draw machines very well… very well, but what about directing? I suppose its true to stick with your strengths and that is what Aramaki did with MADOX-01. A mechanical designer directing an anime all about mecha… what a surprise.
The Japanese government has a new fancy weapon, wearable armor in fact. Codenamed the MADOX-01 it showcases quite the firepower and agility. It’s pilot even defeats an old stalwart in more traditional equipment, much to his chagrin. Yeah old man, you lost to a girl! I always thought women were better mecha pilots anyway! 🙂 Later the machine needs to be transported to a new location and somehow becomes lost after an accident (shakes head). Can’t the government afford a decent security transport? Almost like in Black Magic M-66… keep track of your toys kids! Then this fancy device ends up in the hands of some nerdy engineering student who seems to understand how it works (hello Amuro Ray?) and then becomes connected with it literally. Now Mr. Smarty Student has to evade the feds, including that angry guy from before who wants revenge so bad for being beaten before (chuckles). Again a little like Megazone 23 with Shogo with the Garland and being chased by the military and gaining a rival with B.D. …
… Ah ha, it was Megazone 23 after all? Though I am stretching it a little, there are similarities if you take both OVAs from a certain point of view. Both stories want our protagonists to get back to their respective girlfriends at the end, but they have a minor issue of being wanted, as well as chased, from a larger authority. MADOX-01 is a far simpler story and is more based around the action than the unfolding mystery and drama of Megazone 23 (first installment to be specific). MADOX-01 is fun and has some unique character designs as well , but it is really a one and done sort of viewing. If you love mecha and action you will more than likely rewatch, while if you are more into shojo, or romance, I doubt you would consider it in the first place. I would highly recommend Megazone 23 in either case, just because it is a personal favorite and a far more superior production (my opinion). Either way they are both products of action powerhouse studio AIC!
The Classic Anime Museum 
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