History Main / SuperRobotGenre

* ''GanbareGoemon'' has quite possibly the weirdest example by far, in the form of Goemon Impact. It's a giant clockwork robot that resembles Goemon himself, built by the Wise Man ([[MultipleChoicePast or hailing from a planet inhabited by people similar to it]]), that must be summoned using a conch shell, and happens to be entirely sentient. Oh, and is a movie star, as well.

* ''GanbareGoemon'' has quite possibly the weirdest example by far, in the form of Goemon Impact. It's a giant clockwork robot that resembles Goemon himself, built by the Wise Man ([[MultipleChoicePast or hails from a planet inhabited by people similar to it]]), that must be summoned using a conch shell, and happens to be entirely sentient. Oh, and is a movie star, as well.

* The [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin titular]] ''SuperRobotRedBaron'' is one of the earlier examples, in {{Toku}}. Naturally, it covers a fair amount of the criteria (rocket punch, chest missiles, can only be activated by the designated pilot's thumbprints, referred to by name by said pilot, etc). However, in this case, it's built by the lead character's ''brother'', rather than any other parental figure (for [[ParentalAbandonment good reason]]).

* The titular CombiningMecha in ''GenesisOfAquarion'' and its sequel ''AquarionEvol''.

* The titular CombiningMecha in ''GenesisOfAquarion''.

* In ''IlivaisX'', the titular mech and its fellow A-Z prototypes are varying ranges of this. While they're all several dozen meters tall, the Specialized Weapon Units only really have that going for them. The GEKICOM Team's units have implausible elemental powers, and while the individual STRUQ units are useless, they're a massive pastiche of CombiningMecha tropes anyway. The Phonos Weapons are full-stop super robots, X even more so. If it actually had a face and if the pilot wasn't the antithesis of nearly all mecha protagonists, there'd be little separating it from other examples, but with the odd uncertainty as to what its limits exactly are, and the delusional nature of pretty much everything, and it's more of a {{Deconstruction}}.

* In ''{{Xenosaga}}'', the ES units are clearly super robots, whereas standard AWMS units are closer to the real robot scale. The AWGS units in Xenosaga ep 1 would actually be Real Robots if not for the fact that they can materialize out of thin air using the UMN.

** Likewise, the Omnigears of ''{{Xenogears}}'' are definitely super robots, along with several other Gears that fight on an Omnigear level (such as Weltall, Crescens, Seibzehn and the titular Xenogears). Many of the regular [[MechaMooks mook Gears]] are real robots, but anything a PC uses will be an AceCustom at the least.

[[quoteright:350:[[SuperRobotWars http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/super_robot.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350: [-From left to right: {{Combattler V}}, {{Getter Robo}}, {{Mazinger Z}}, {{Great Mazinger}}, {{Daimos}}, and {{Voltes V}}. [[{{Gaiking}} Daiku-Maryu]] pictured at the background. One of these does not belong. Can you guess which?-] ]]

A super robot is a robot that performs the function of a superhero. Nothing else matters.

* [[{{Shapeshifter}} Change shape]] in [[TelescopingRobot a way]] that is clearly impossible. Or even [[http://www3.telus.net/kendrakirai/1143816884848.gif Unpossible.]]
* [[ShapeshifterBaggage Gain or lose mass]], including (especially) in the form of [[HammerSpace summoning weapons from nowhere]].
* Gain power the more [[HotBlooded fired up]] the pilot becomes.

Can all be explained away with technobabble. Just about every single mecha featured in anime is physically impossible, and the ones that aren't usually have far too prominent a role to count.

[[caption-width-right:350: [-From left to right: {{Combattler V}}, {{Getter Robo}}, {{Mazinger Z}}, {{Great Mazinger}}, {{Daimos}}, and {{Voltes V}}. [[{{Gaiking}} Daiku-Maryu]] pictured at the background. All designed to defend the Earth 24 hours a day. Just like any other weapon.-] ]]
->''"So much for the laws of physics!"''
-->--''GetterRobo Armageddon''

The counterpoint to a {{Real Robot|Genre}} series (Or rather, Real Robots are the counterpoint to ''this''), a fantastic SuperHero-like form of HumongousMecha series.

The chances of the series being a SuperRobot series rises exponentially with each item present. This, of course, doesn't apply to total parody or gag series, such as ''SD Gundam''.

Note that in general the longer a RealRobot series runs, the higher the chance that the protagonist's mecha will start to display Super Robot traits. If this is the GrandFinale the odds are doubled.

Super Robot shows are typically personified by "Love/Courage/Compassion/Friendship/Righteous-Anger/Insert-Positive-Emotion-Here Conquers All", and almost always have at least one character that is HotBlooded, though there are certain notable exceptions... mostly those directed by [[YoshiyukiTomino Yoshiyuki "Kill 'em All" Tomino]], to whom {{anyone can die}} is less a possibility than a life philosophy (...or at least [[OvermanKingGainer it used to be]]). Take a look at the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Runaway_Ideon Wikipedia entry]] for ''SpaceRunawayIdeon'' sometime if you doubt this. They also typically follow the MonsterOfTheWeek format, especially in older shows, though as always there are exceptions. Super Robots tend towards idealism on the SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism.

[[AC: A handy checklist to see if a mecha is a {{Super Robot|Genre}} as opposed to a {{Real Robot|Genre}}:]]

[[folder:Checklist]]
* It performs the function of a super hero.
* The robot is easily capable of [[WeirdScience breaking the laws of physics]].
** The robot has highly improbable or outright impossible {{Transformation Sequence}}s.
** The robot can [[TelescopingRobot grow in size and creates and dismisses weapons]] more or less at will.
* The robot is [[WhatMeasureIsANonHuman sentient.]]
** The pilot regularly addresses or refers to the robot by [[ICallItVera name]] as if it were a person, even if it is ''not'' (obviously) sentient.
*** The robot has never been successfully activated until its pilot [[EmpathicWeapon begs/orders]] it to.
** If it can be operated remotely, the robot responds to voice commands rather than, say, radio transmissions.
*** The robot is capable of acting independently to attack enemies or protect its pilot, ''especially'' if it should not be capable of doing so (eg. no on-board AI, or one which wasn't programmed to act that way).
** The theme song is almost exclusively a BraggingThemeTune; if not, it will exhort the robot and its pilot to fight for 'us/justice/good/the Earth'. Either way, the theme will treat the robot as the show's real hero. Heck, the show being named for the robot means you're halfway there.
** The robot is directly compared to a {{god}} [[YinYangBomb and]]/or a [[{{Satan}} devil]].
* The robot uses two or more of the following weapons. Bonus points if a weapon is used only for a FinishingMove, especially if such a restriction can't be explained by limited power reserves (eg. a sword).
** RocketPunch
** EyeBeams
** ChestBlaster
** A normal melee weapon (such as a sword) scaled for the robot, particularly one capable of a CleanCut. Most {{Laser Blade}}s are less Super than physical swords, partly because the former are associated with {{Gundam}}, partly because they make the robot look less like a [[KnightInShiningArmor knight]]/{{samurai}} and partly because KineticWeaponsAreJustBetter. Of course, if it's not Super enough you can just [[{{BFS}} make it bigger...]]
** A [[TheArcher Bow]]
** A [[PrecisionGuidedBoomerang Boomerang]]
** A [[ThisIsADrill Drill]]
** A [[ImprobableWeaponUser weaponized tool of some sort]], beyond the common drill: Screwdrivers, wrenches, hammer and nail, pliers, [[ImprovisedWeapon anything that you can find at a hardware store]].
** [[RammingAlwaysWorks Ramming into an opponent]] while [[TransformingMecha transformed]] and/or surrounded by a BattleAura.
** Double points if the weapon is disguised as/transforms from a part of the robot (such as a detachable pair of wings which can be thrown as a boomerang) or another robot transforms into the weapon.
* Three or more separately piloted vehicles [[CombiningMecha combine]] to form the robot.
** Especially if there's no particular reason they should ever un-combine except to allow for the next episode's transformation sequence. e.g. {{Voltron}}, [[PowerRangers Megazord]], GaoGaiGar...
** Two robots in the series have the ability to [[CombiningMecha combine]], despite the robots' creators being enemies or unaware of each other (eg. many {{Sixth Ranger}}s' zords in PowerRangers).
* The pilot is HotBlooded. Bonus points if he directly affects the robot by being so. Triple points if he also sports GoNagaiSideburns.
** The pilot ''always'' screams [[CallingYourAttacks the name of the attacks]].
** [[HelmetsAreHardlyHeroic The pilot never wears a helmet]] while operating the robot, unless a helmet is part of his normal attire.
*** If he does wear a helmet, it includes a clear visor and does not cover his mouth (unless it's used to [[MaskPower conceal his identity]]). It will usually be a CoolHelmet in any case.
** The pilot's "pilot suit" is [[ImpossiblyCoolClothes implausible]] or even {{Stripperific}} (more common among female pilots due to the target audience).
* The robot's power source/energy exhaust are green-cyan (e.g. getter rays, g-stone, spiral energy etc)
* The robot is summoned by its pilot (usually with shouting involved) rather than the pilot heading to a hangar.
** The robot appears from an implausible location when summoned, such as a hollow skyscraper or the inside of a volcano. Bonus points if it has to break its way out.
* The robot is one-of-a-kind and/or is the only line of defense between the earth (or other place to be defended) and the invading hordes.
** If someone tries to copy the design of the unique robot, no matter how hard they try to improve on it, it will suck.
* The robot (or part of the robot) can only be piloted by [[TheKidWithTheRemoteControl one specific person]], due either to a "[[LoyalPhlebotinum brain-scan security system]]", a "unique and special power", or "[[BecauseDestinySaysSo destiny]]".
* The robot was designed and built by a scientist or lab independent of the government and military.
** The robot was created by the pilot's father, grandfather, or uncle.
* The robot was built using technology far in advance of what is available to the general public or military.
** The robot was [[LostTechnology created by an ancient civilization]] to battle the series's antagonists.
** The robot uses a newly-discovered type of energy [[ReedRichardsIsUseless which will be used in few places, if any, apart from the robot]].
** The robot is powered by {{magic}}.
* The robot's name begins with or features the letter G, and/or ends with "-er"
** Exception: "{{Gundam}}" does not count as a usage of the letter G ([[GGundam on its own at least]]).
** The name of the show ends in "-ger", even if the robot's name does not.
** The name of the robot incorporates a [[ThemeInitials badass letter/initial]]. [[strike: Weird]] "Futuristic"-sounding consonants are the norm, like Z, V, X, and of course, G.
** At least one robot in the series has "[[GratuitousGerman Kaiser]]" in its name, or some variant such as [[GratuitousEnglish "King", "Emperor"]] or "Oh"[[hottip:*:Japanese for lord/king]].
* The robot features one or more of the following design elements:
** [[ColourCodedForYourConvenience Red and blue colour scheme]], with white underarmor and gold details.
** {{Power Crystal}}s.
** Improbable size, being either so large that it should [[SquareCubeLaw collapse under its own weight]], or so small that [[HyperspaceArsenal it could not possibly hold and/or power its weapons]]. Extreme examples include PoweredArmor capable of destroying cities and humanoid mecha with enough interior space to transport entire civilisations.
** Winglike protrusions from the sides of its helmet.
** A chestplate in the shape of an inverted triangle or an animal's head, possibly also with winglike protrusions to the side.
** A retractable [[MaskPower mask]] which covers its mouth (usually deployed when forming a CombiningMecha or entering a SuperMode).
** A [[CapedMecha cape]], especialy if it is [[BadassCape badass]].
** All of the robots in the show, whether or not they're mass-manufactured, are unique designs based on some common theme (usually different kinds of animals).
** The robot's face is [[ExpressiveMask flexible]] and capable of things such as opening and closing its mouth.
*** For that matter, having a face (nose and mouth etc...) ''period'' is probably a good indicator in itself.
** The joints are covered by what seems to be solid metal, yet are still capable of the full range of human mobility.
* The show's title has ''"Muteki"'' ("Invincible") in it somewhere.
* You (or maybe your parents) recognize the robot from a ''Shogun Warrior'' toy.
* Ichirou Mizuki or [[JAMProject JAM Project]] does the theme song. MEGA extra points if it's done by BOTH.
[[/folder]]

The chances of the series being a SuperRobot series rises exponentially with each item present. This, of course, doesn't apply to total parody or gag series, such as ''SD Gundam''.

Note that in general the longer a RealRobot series runs, the higher the chance that the protagonist's mecha will start to display Super Robot traits. If this is the GrandFinale the odds are doubled.

Super Robot shows are typically personified by "Love/Courage/Compassion/Friendship/Righteous-Anger/Insert-Positive-Emotion-Here Conquers All", and almost always have at least one character that is HotBlooded, though there are certain notable exceptions... mostly those directed by [[YoshiyukiTomino Yoshiyuki "Kill 'em All" Tomino]], to whom {{anyone can die}} is less a possibility than a life philosophy (...or at least [[OvermanKingGainer it used to be]]). Take a look at the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Runaway_Ideon Wikipedia entry]] for ''SpaceRunawayIdeon'' sometime if you doubt this. They also typically follow the MonsterOfTheWeek format, especially in older shows, though as always there are exceptions. Super Robots tend towards idealism on the SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism.

[[AC: A handy checklist to see if a mecha is a {{Super Robot|Genre}} as opposed to a {{Real Robot|Genre}}:]]

* The Robot performs the function of a super hero. That's it. Absolutely nothing else matters because no mech in fiction is physically possible.

A super robot is a robot that performs the function of a superhero. Nothing else matters.

* [[{{Shapeshifter}} Change shape]] in [[TelescopingRobot a way]] that is clearly impossible. Or even [[http://www3.telus.net/kendrakirai/1143816884848.gif Unpossible.]]
* [[ShapeshifterBaggage Gain or lose mass]], including (especially) in the form of [[HammerSpace summoning weapons from nowhere]].
* Gain power the more [[HotBlooded fired up]] the pilot becomes.

Can all be explained away with technobabble. Just about every single mecha featured in anime is physically impossible, and the ones that aren't usually have far too prominent a role to count.

[[folder:Checklist]]
* It performs the function of a super hero.
* The robot is easily capable of [[WeirdScience breaking the laws of physics]].
** The robot has highly improbable or outright impossible {{Transformation Sequence}}s.
** The robot can [[TelescopingRobot grow in size and creates and dismisses weapons]] more or less at will.
* The robot is [[WhatMeasureIsANonHuman sentient.]]
** The pilot regularly addresses or refers to the robot by [[ICallItVera name]] as if it were a person, even if it is ''not'' (obviously) sentient.
*** The robot has never been successfully activated until its pilot [[EmpathicWeapon begs/orders]] it to.
** If it can be operated remotely, the robot responds to voice commands rather than, say, radio transmissions.
*** The robot is capable of acting independently to attack enemies or protect its pilot, ''especially'' if it should not be capable of doing so (eg. no on-board AI, or one which wasn't programmed to act that way).
** The theme song is almost exclusively a BraggingThemeTune; if not, it will exhort the robot and its pilot to fight for 'us/justice/good/the Earth'. Either way, the theme will treat the robot as the show's real hero. Heck, the show being named for the robot means you're halfway there.
** The robot is directly compared to a {{god}} [[YinYangBomb and]]/or a [[{{Satan}} devil]].
* The robot uses two or more of the following weapons. Bonus points if a weapon is used only for a FinishingMove, especially if such a restriction can't be explained by limited power reserves (eg. a sword).
** RocketPunch
** EyeBeams
** ChestBlaster
** A normal melee weapon (such as a sword) scaled for the robot, particularly one capable of a CleanCut. Most {{Laser Blade}}s are less Super than physical swords, partly because the former are associated with {{Gundam}}, partly because they make the robot look less like a [[KnightInShiningArmor knight]]/{{samurai}} and partly because KineticWeaponsAreJustBetter. Of course, if it's not Super enough you can just [[{{BFS}} make it bigger...]]
** A [[TheArcher Bow]]
** A [[PrecisionGuidedBoomerang Boomerang]]
** A [[ThisIsADrill Drill]]
** A [[ImprobableWeaponUser weaponized tool of some sort]], beyond the common drill: Screwdrivers, wrenches, hammer and nail, pliers, [[ImprovisedWeapon anything that you can find at a hardware store]].
** [[RammingAlwaysWorks Ramming into an opponent]] while [[TransformingMecha transformed]] and/or surrounded by a BattleAura.
** Double points if the weapon is disguised as/transforms from a part of the robot (such as a detachable pair of wings which can be thrown as a boomerang) or another robot transforms into the weapon.
* Three or more separately piloted vehicles [[CombiningMecha combine]] to form the robot.
** Especially if there's no particular reason they should ever un-combine except to allow for the next episode's transformation sequence. e.g. {{Voltron}}, [[PowerRangers Megazord]], GaoGaiGar...
** Two robots in the series have the ability to [[CombiningMecha combine]], despite the robots' creators being enemies or unaware of each other (eg. many {{Sixth Ranger}}s' zords in PowerRangers).
* The pilot is HotBlooded. Bonus points if he directly affects the robot by being so. Triple points if he also sports GoNagaiSideburns.
** The pilot ''always'' screams [[CallingYourAttacks the name of the attacks]].
** [[HelmetsAreHardlyHeroic The pilot never wears a helmet]] while operating the robot, unless a helmet is part of his normal attire.
*** If he does wear a helmet, it includes a clear visor and does not cover his mouth (unless it's used to [[MaskPower conceal his identity]]). It will usually be a CoolHelmet in any case.
** The pilot's "pilot suit" is [[ImpossiblyCoolClothes implausible]] or even {{Stripperific}} (more common among female pilots due to the target audience).
* The robot's power source/energy exhaust are green-cyan (e.g. getter rays, g-stone, spiral energy etc)
* The robot is summoned by its pilot (usually with shouting involved) rather than the pilot heading to a hangar.
** The robot appears from an implausible location when summoned, such as a hollow skyscraper or the inside of a volcano. Bonus points if it has to break its way out.
* The robot is one-of-a-kind and/or is the only line of defense between the earth (or other place to be defended) and the invading hordes.
** If someone tries to copy the design of the unique robot, no matter how hard they try to improve on it, it will suck.
* The robot (or part of the robot) can only be piloted by [[TheKidWithTheRemoteControl one specific person]], due either to a "[[LoyalPhlebotinum brain-scan security system]]", a "unique and special power", or "[[BecauseDestinySaysSo destiny]]".
* The robot was designed and built by a scientist or lab independent of the government and military.
** The robot was created by the pilot's father, grandfather, or uncle.
* The robot was built using technology far in advance of what is available to the general public or military.
** The robot was [[LostTechnology created by an ancient civilization]] to battle the series's antagonists.
** The robot uses a newly-discovered type of energy [[ReedRichardsIsUseless which will be used in few places, if any, apart from the robot]].
** The robot is powered by {{magic}}.
* The robot's name begins with or features the letter G, and/or ends with "-er"
** Exception: "{{Gundam}}" does not count as a usage of the letter G ([[GGundam on its own at least]]).
** The name of the show ends in "-ger", even if the robot's name does not.
** The name of the robot incorporates a [[ThemeInitials badass letter/initial]]. [[strike: Weird]] "Futuristic"-sounding consonants are the norm, like Z, V, X, and of course, G.
** At least one robot in the series has "[[GratuitousGerman Kaiser]]" in its name, or some variant such as [[GratuitousEnglish "King", "Emperor"]] or "Oh"[[hottip:*:Japanese for lord/king]].
* The robot features one or more of the following design elements:
** [[ColourCodedForYourConvenience Red and blue colour scheme]], with white underarmor and gold details.
** {{Power Crystal}}s.
** Improbable size, being either so large that it should [[SquareCubeLaw collapse under its own weight]], or so small that [[HyperspaceArsenal it could not possibly hold and/or power its weapons]]. Extreme examples include PoweredArmor capable of destroying cities and humanoid mecha with enough interior space to transport entire civilisations.
** Winglike protrusions from the sides of its helmet.
** A chestplate in the shape of an inverted triangle or an animal's head, possibly also with winglike protrusions to the side.
** A retractable [[MaskPower mask]] which covers its mouth (usually deployed when forming a CombiningMecha or entering a SuperMode).
** A [[CapedMecha cape]], especialy if it is [[BadassCape badass]].
** All of the robots in the show, whether or not they're mass-manufactured, are unique designs based on some common theme (usually different kinds of animals).
** The robot's face is [[ExpressiveMask flexible]] and capable of things such as opening and closing its mouth.
*** For that matter, having a face (nose and mouth etc...) ''period'' is probably a good indicator in itself.
** The joints are covered by what seems to be solid metal, yet are still capable of the full range of human mobility.
* The show's title has ''"Muteki"'' ("Invincible") in it somewhere.
* You (or maybe your parents) recognize the robot from a ''Shogun Warrior'' toy.
* Ichirou Mizuki or [[JAMProject JAM Project]] does the theme song. MEGA extra points if it's done by BOTH.
[[/folder]]
The chances of the series being a SuperRobot series rises exponentially with each item present. This, of course, doesn't apply to total parody or gag series, such as ''SD Gundam''.

Note that in general the longer a RealRobot series runs, the higher the chance that the protagonist's mecha will start to display Super Robot traits. If this is the GrandFinale the odds are doubled.

* The megadeuses of ''TheBigO'' are all super robots.

[[caption-width-right:350: [-From left to right: {{Combattler V}}, {{Getter Robo}}, {{Mazinger Z}}, {{Great Mazinger}}, {{Daimos}}, and {{Voltes V}}. [[{{Gaiking}} Daiku-Maryu]] pictured at the background. All designed to defend the Earth 24 hours a day.-] ]]

Super Robots make up the "[[WeirdScience rubber science]]" aspect of giant robots. Powered by some variety of AppliedPhlebotinum, the Super Robot can do anything that is required of it, including:

...among other abilities.

* The robot is easily capable of [[WeirdScience breaking the laws of physics]].
** The robot has highly improbable or outright impossible {{Transformation Sequence}}s.
** The robot can [[TelescopingRobot grow in size and creates and dismisses weapons]] more or less at will.
* The robot is [[WhatMeasureIsANonHuman sentient.]]
** The pilot regularly addresses or refers to the robot by [[ICallItVera name]] as if it were a person, even if it is ''not'' (obviously) sentient.
*** The robot has never been successfully activated until its pilot [[EmpathicWeapon begs/orders]] it to.
** If it can be operated remotely, the robot responds to voice commands rather than, say, radio transmissions.
*** The robot is capable of acting independently to attack enemies or protect its pilot, ''especially'' if it should not be capable of doing so (eg. no on-board AI, or one which wasn't programmed to act that way).
** The theme song is almost exclusively a BraggingThemeTune; if not, it will exhort the robot and its pilot to fight for 'us/justice/good/the Earth'. Either way, the theme will treat the robot as the show's real hero. Heck, the show being named for the robot means you're halfway there.
** The robot is directly compared to a {{god}} [[YinYangBomb and]]/or a [[{{Satan}} devil]].
* The robot uses two or more of the following weapons. Bonus points if a weapon is used only for a FinishingMove, especially if such a restriction can't be explained by limited power reserves (eg. a sword).
** RocketPunch
** EyeBeams
** ChestBlaster
** A normal melee weapon (such as a sword) scaled for the robot, particularly one capable of a CleanCut. Most {{Laser Blade}}s are less Super than physical swords, partly because the former are associated with {{Gundam}}, partly because they make the robot look less like a [[KnightInShiningArmor knight]]/{{samurai}} and partly because KineticWeaponsAreJustBetter. Of course, if it's not Super enough you can just [[{{BFS}} make it bigger...]]
** A [[TheArcher Bow]]
** A [[PrecisionGuidedBoomerang Boomerang]]
** A [[ThisIsADrill Drill]]
** A [[ImprobableWeaponUser weaponized tool of some sort]], beyond the common drill: Screwdrivers, wrenches, hammer and nail, pliers, [[ImprovisedWeapon anything that you can find at a hardware store]].
** [[RammingAlwaysWorks Ramming into an opponent]] while [[TransformingMecha transformed]] and/or surrounded by a BattleAura.
** Double points if the weapon is disguised as/transforms from a part of the robot (such as a detachable pair of wings which can be thrown as a boomerang) or another robot transforms into the weapon.
* Three or more separately piloted vehicles [[CombiningMecha combine]] to form the robot.
** Especially if there's no particular reason they should ever un-combine except to allow for the next episode's transformation sequence. e.g. {{Voltron}}, [[PowerRangers Megazord]], GaoGaiGar...
** Two robots in the series have the ability to [[CombiningMecha combine]], despite the robots' creators being enemies or unaware of each other (eg. many {{Sixth Ranger}}s' zords in PowerRangers).
* The pilot is HotBlooded. Bonus points if he directly affects the robot by being so. Triple points if he also sports GoNagaiSideburns.
** The pilot ''always'' screams [[CallingYourAttacks the name of the attacks]].
** [[HelmetsAreHardlyHeroic The pilot never wears a helmet]] while operating the robot, unless a helmet is part of his normal attire.
*** If he does wear a helmet, it includes a clear visor and does not cover his mouth (unless it's used to [[MaskPower conceal his identity]]). It will usually be a CoolHelmet in any case.
** The pilot's "pilot suit" is [[ImpossiblyCoolClothes implausible]] or even {{Stripperific}} (more common among female pilots due to the target audience).
* The robot's power source/energy exhaust are green-cyan (e.g. getter rays, g-stone, spiral energy etc)
* The robot is summoned by its pilot (usually with shouting involved) rather than the pilot heading to a hangar.
** The robot appears from an implausible location when summoned, such as a hollow skyscraper or the inside of a volcano. Bonus points if it has to break its way out.
* The robot is one-of-a-kind and/or is the only line of defense between the earth (or other place to be defended) and the invading hordes.
** If someone tries to copy the design of the unique robot, no matter how hard they try to improve on it, it will suck.
* The robot (or part of the robot) can only be piloted by [[TheKidWithTheRemoteControl one specific person]], due either to a "[[LoyalPhlebotinum brain-scan security system]]", a "unique and special power", or "[[BecauseDestinySaysSo destiny]]".
* The robot was designed and built by a scientist or lab independent of the government and military.
** The robot was created by the pilot's father, grandfather, or uncle.
* The robot was built using technology far in advance of what is available to the general public or military.
** The robot was [[LostTechnology created by an ancient civilization]] to battle the series's antagonists.
** The robot uses a newly-discovered type of energy [[ReedRichardsIsUseless which will be used in few places, if any, apart from the robot]].
** The robot is powered by {{magic}}.
* The robot's name begins with or features the letter G, and/or ends with "-er"
** Exception: "{{Gundam}}" does not count as a usage of the letter G ([[GGundam on its own at least]]).
** The name of the show ends in "-ger", even if the robot's name does not.
** The name of the robot incorporates a [[ThemeInitials badass letter/initial]]. [[strike: Weird]] "Futuristic"-sounding consonants are the norm, like Z, V, X, and of course, G.
** At least one robot in the series has "[[GratuitousGerman Kaiser]]" in its name, or some variant such as [[GratuitousEnglish "King", "Emperor"]] or "Oh"[[hottip:*:Japanese for lord/king]].
* The robot features one or more of the following design elements:
** [[ColourCodedForYourConvenience Red and blue colour scheme]], with white underarmor and gold details.
** {{Power Crystal}}s.
** Improbable size, being either so large that it should [[SquareCubeLaw collapse under its own weight]], or so small that [[HyperspaceArsenal it could not possibly hold and/or power its weapons]]. Extreme examples include PoweredArmor capable of destroying cities and humanoid mecha with enough interior space to transport entire civilisations.
** Winglike protrusions from the sides of its helmet.
** A chestplate in the shape of an inverted triangle or an animal's head, possibly also with winglike protrusions to the side.
** A retractable [[MaskPower mask]] which covers its mouth (usually deployed when forming a CombiningMecha or entering a SuperMode).
** A [[CapedMecha cape]], especialy if it is [[BadassCape badass]].
** All of the robots in the show, whether or not they're mass-manufactured, are unique designs based on some common theme (usually different kinds of animals).
** The robot's face is [[ExpressiveMask flexible]] and capable of things such as opening and closing its mouth.
*** For that matter, having a face (nose and mouth etc...) ''period'' is probably a good indicator in itself.
** The joints are covered by what seems to be solid metal, yet are still capable of the full range of human mobility.
* The show's title has ''"Muteki"'' ("Invincible") in it somewhere.
* You (or maybe your parents) recognize the robot from a ''Shogun Warrior'' toy.
* Ichirou Mizuki or [[JAMProject JAM Project]] does the theme song. MEGA extra points if it's done by BOTH.

* ''TengenToppaGurrenLagann'' is based on the mecha being like this [[{{Troperiffic}} in as many ways as possible]]: Let's see... Sentient: check. TransformationSequence: check. Creates weapons at will: check. [[CallingYourAttacks High-volume attack screaming]]: check. [[ExpressiveMask Flexible face]]: check. CombiningMecha: check. One-of-a-kind: Kinda check; Lagann is one-of-a-kind, but Gurren is just a Ganmen that Kamina jacked during a battle. Powered by [[HotBlooded Hot Blood]]: Check. Drills: Oh, so very checked. [[spoiler:Becoming large enough to literally throw galaxies as projectiles: not in the list, but it ''should be'', and absolute check.]]

** If someone tries to copy the design of the unique robot, no matter how hard they try to improve on it, it will suck.

** [[TransformersEnergon "Optimus Prime, Super Mode! Powerlink!]] [[TransformationSequence Fire One, combine! Copter Two, combine! Digger Three, combine! Submarine Four!]] [[hottip:*:For whatever reason, he almost never says "combine!" with Submarine Four.]] [[IAmHeroHearMeRoar Optimus Prime Super Mode, Powerlink complete!"]]

* The pilot is HotBlooded. Bonus points if he directly affects the robot by being so.

** Evangelion is much more of a {{Kaiju}} show than a SuperRobot anime, in the vein of {{Ultraman}}. The SuperRobot elements only appear to be there because {{Kaiju}} movies and shows are very similar.

*** Which doesn't stop [[TheUnFunny Sousuke]] from playing the straight man ''[[CrowningMomentOfFunny to his own robot]]'' in the final episode of ''The Second Raid''.

*** Just in case you didn't catch that, that's a Super Robot being piloted by ''another'' Super Robot. And by the end of the series there's a Super Robot piloting a Super Robot, [[BeyondTheImpossible PILOTING YET ANOTHER SUPER ROBOT.]]

** A normal melee weapon (such as a sword) scaled for the robot. Most {{Laser Blade}}s are less Super than physical swords, partly because the former are associated with {{Gundam}}, partly because they make the robot look less like a [[KnightInShiningArmor knight]]/{{samurai}} and partly because KineticWeaponsAreJustBetter. Of course, if it's not Super enough you can just [[{{BFS}} make it bigger...]]

* The robot uses two or more of the following weapons:

** A normal melee weapon (such as a sword) scaled for the robot. {{Laser Blade}}s are less Super than physical swords, partly because the former are associated with {{Gundam}}, partly because they make the robot look less like a [[KnightInShiningArmor knight]]/{{samurai}} and partly because KineticWeaponsAreJustBetter. Of course, if it's not Super enough you can just [[{{BFS}} make it bigger...]]
*** Especially if this weapon is used only for a FinishingMove.