History Main / TransformingMecha

[[quoteright:330:[[Franchise/{{Transformers}} https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/transforming_mecha_8030.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:330:Autobots, transform and roll out!]]

* As ''Fanfic/CodePrime'' is a crossover between ''Anime/CodeGeass'' and ''Franchise/Transformers'', the Autobots and Decepticons, as usual. In ''R2'', five of the Black Knights' Knightmares -- the Shinkiro, the Guren S.E.I.T.E.N., the Lancelot Albion, the Raiden S.E.I.T.E.N., and the Gawain Nerion -- are able to transform due to being made from Cybertronian Protoforms. The Shinkiro can become a shuttle, the Lancelot and Raiden can turn into jets, the Gawain Nerion can transform to a hovertank, and the Guren can turn into a car.

If one cool vehicle can help the hero out, then more than one can certainly be better, right? But if the hero is out with one, and needs the other, he's up the creek. Not so, for he's driving a Transforming Mecha, which can mechanically rearrange itself into a variety of different machines for different roles.

* VideoGame/{{Starhawk}}, the upcoming SpiritualSuccessor to VideoGame/{{Warhawk}} has these as the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i08a0o-xpfw&feature=player_detailpage#t=49s standard, flying vehicle]].

[[folder:Urban Legends]]
* According to urban legend, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building can transform into a giant robot, and upon beng sworn in, governors of Tokyo are instructed on how to operate it in case of a national emergency. Although honestly, if any country had a building that could turn into a mecha, it would be Japan.
[[/folder]]

* In ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendofZeldaCDIGames Link: The Faces of Evil]]'', Militron after his first defeat turns into a flying tank-chariot thing with spikes all over him to escape. He is seen transforming back in a cutscene prior to his second encounter, and after he is defeated again, his armor falls off, revealing a feeble old man underneath.
** This is also true with Iron Knuckle from ''Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon'', who instead turns into a spiky jet-chariot thing to escape after his first defeat, and after he is defeated again, his armor cracks open, causing his heart to fall out.

* ''Manga/GetterRobo'' in all its incarnations was both a CombiningMecha and a Transforming Mecha.

* Franchise/{{Zoids}} were mostly monoform, but Liger Zero from ''Anime/ZoidsNewCentury'' has a modular swap-out system.

*** The Flags and Enacts are odd examples because rather than transforming mid-battle like pretty much every other example on this page, they have to be "converted" between forms while at an airbase, because an attempt mid flight would put a lot of stress on both the [[RealityEnsues suit's joints and the pilot's body]]. Graham Aker is the first pilot to attempt a mid-air transformation, and by the time of TheMovie, the Braves (successors to the Flags) are all capable of doing so.

*** A lot of the other mecha in Zeta can transform, including the Methuss, Gaplant, Asshimar, Hambrabi and the Messala. The Hyaku Shiki was designed as a transforming mecha but it didn't quite work. The ''Advance of Zeta'' side-stories add even more.

** ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamUnicorn'': continues the trend with the Loto (MS to Tank), Delta Plus (upgraded version of the Hyaku Shiki from Zeta with restored transformation) , [=ReZEL=] (a development of the [=ReGZ=], itself a development from the Zeta) and Ankusha (MS to Flight Form - a development of the abovementioned Asshimar); the latter two can carry friendly MS into battle while transformed. The titular Unicorn also transforms, from an ordinary mobile suit with a Unicorn horn to a [[TurnsRed red-glowing]] [[SuperMode Gundam of death]].

** ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamWing'': The titular Gundam (known in series as "Unit 1") can go from Bird mode to Mobile Suit mode and back, and [[SuperPrototype Wing Zero]][[note]]The prototype for ''all'' the gundams, making it a double SuperPrototype[[/note]] could transform as well. Epyon transformed into a dragon-shaped mecha. Gundam Wing Endless Waltz changed the designs, however.

** ''Anime/AfterWarGundamX'': Both of Witz Su's Airmaster Gundams have plane-shaped flight modes, as the name would imply. Olba Frost's Gundam Ashtaron also has a mobile armor mode.
** ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEED'': A large number of them, to the point that most of them transform. The Strike Gundam (the one operated by the protagonist) uses {{Mecha Expansion Pack}}s. Orb's military force mainly consist of Murasames, mass-produced transforming mobile suits, in ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEEDDestiny''. There are other examples in ZAFT and the EA as well.

*** The Flags and Enacts are odd examples because rather than transforming mid-battle like pretty much every other example on this page, they have to be "converted" between forms while at an airbase. Graham Akre is the first pilot to attempt a mid-air transformation, and by the time of TheMovie, the Braves (successors to the Flags) are all capable of doing so.

** ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamAGE'': The Gundam AGE 1 has two MechaExpansionPack that actually replace the arms and legs. The AGE 2 fits the more traditional transformation meaning by transforming into a plane mode, in addition to using removable parts like the AGE 1. By the time the AGE 2 is constructed, it appears that the RedShirt mecha for the Earth faction can use similar designs to the AGE 1. The RedShirt mecha that accompany AGE 3 are the traditional plane[=/=]mech model. The UE [[spoiler: also known as [[HumanAllAlong Vagan]]]] has several mecha which can [[OurDragonsAreDifferent transform into dragons]].

* ''VideoGame/BattleEngineAquila'' has the battle engines, which can turn change between jet mode and walker mode. However, in flight mode the battle engine must divert its DeflectorShields to propulsion, and even then it can only remain airborne for relatively short periods. In a world flooded by ClimateChange, the battle engine must make use of [[ImprovisedPlatform any land, debris, or enemy airship or watercraft]] to land on to recharge lest it lose power, fall into the water [[SuperDrowningSkills and start to flood]].

* ''Animation/CubixRobotsForEveryone'': The eponymous character is a robot who can assume the forms of a jet, a drill tank, a hoverbike, a laser cannon and a helicopter chair.

''[[Anime/CrossAnge Cross Ange: Rondo of Angels and Dragons]]:'' Para-mails and [[spoiler: Ragna-mails]] can switch between two forms, the flying motorcycle-/plane-like 'Flight Mode' and humanoid 'Assault' or 'Destroyer Mode.'

** ''Series/KikaiSentaiZenkaiger'' is a special case; most of the Rangers in the team are a race of robots from another dimension and their Ranger forms are based on mecha from previous shows. As such, the mecha of the team are the Rangers themselves enlarged and transformed into other forms (a tyrannosaurus, a lion, a dragon and a dump truck) and two of them combine to form the collectively known ZenkaiOh, which has four configurations depending on the Rangers that form it and two of it can around at the same time. [[SixthRanger Twokaizer]] has a more traditional mecha formed by his crocodile-shaped aircraft turning humanoid with the head being formed by one of his mechanical younger twin brothers.

** ''Series/TokumeiSentaiGoBusters'' sees the mecha of the Rangers having more independent action than in other seasons, this is partially due to the fact that that their mecha all have vehicle and animal modes they can transform to, with Red Buster's mecha having an additional humanoid mode. Its adaptation as ''Series/PowerRangersBeastMorphers'' keeps this, albeit to a slightly lesser degree.[[note]]Amusingly this turns the Gold and Silver Rangers mechas into TheArtifact, in ''Go-Busters'' Masato and Beet are respectively themed after a rhinoceros beetle and a stag beetle, with their mecha corresponding to that. Their ''Beast Morpher'' counterparts Nate and Steel instead have the infused DNA of a mantis and a scarab... While having the same equipment and Zords as their ''Go-Busters'' counterparts.[[/note]]

** ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamAGE'': The Gundam AGE 1 has two MechaExpansionPack that actually replace the arms and legs. The AGE 2 fits the more traditional transformation meaning by transforming into a plane mode, in addition to using removable parts like the AGE 1. By the time the AGE 2 is constructed, it appears that the RedShirt mecha for the Earth faction can use similar designs to the AGE 1. The RedShirt mecha that accompany AGE 3 are the traditional plane[=/=]mech model. The UE [[spoiler: also known as [[HumanAllAlong Vagan]]]] has several mecha which can [[InstantAwesomeJustAddDragons transform into]] [[OurDragonsAreDifferent dragons]].

* ''VideoGame/BattleEngineAquila'' has the battle engines, which can turn change between jet mode and walker mode. However, in flight mode the battle engine must divert its DeflectorShields to propulsion, and even then it can only remain airborne for relatively short periods. In a world flooded by GlobalWarming, the battle engine must make use of [[ImprovisedPlatform any land, debris, or enemy airship or watercraft]] to land on to recharge lest it lose power, fall into the water [[SuperDrowningSkills and start to flood]].

** ''Anime/MobileSuitVictoryGundam'': Victory 1 & 2 Gundams which transform ''and'' combine. Some Zanscare mobile suits, such as the Zolo line (top helicopter module and bottom jet module combine and transform into MS Mode) and the Tomliat (attack helicopter to Mobile Suit) also transform.

*** The Taurus as both mobile suit and mobile doll had a "fighter" mode capable of atmospheric flight and higher speeds.

** ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamCharsCounterattack'' has the ReGZ, which transforms by attaching it's shield as the plane nosecone.
** ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamUnicorn'': continues the trend with the Loto (MS to Tank), Delta Plus (upgraded version of the Hyaku Shiki from Zeta with restored transformation) , [=ReZEL=] (a development of the ReGZ, itself a development from the Zeta) and Ankusha (MS to Flight Form - a development pf the abovementioned Asshimar); the latter two can carry friendly MS into battle while transformed. The titular Unicorn also transforms, from an ordinary mobile suit with a Unicorn horn to a [[TurnsRed red-glowing]] [[SuperMode Gundam of death]].
** ''Anime/MobileSuitVictoryGundam'': Victory 1 & 2 Gundams which transform ''and'' combine.

** While not the UrExample of this trope, ''Macross'' may be responsible for popularizing it, not just because it was brought over to the west as part of ''Anime/{{Robotech}}'', but also because the success of Takatoku's ''Macross'' toy line led to Takara releasing their ''Diaclone'' line which became the basis for ''Franchise/{{Transformers}}''. In fact, the Autobot Jetfire was made from the same mold as the VF-1 Valkyrie from Macross.

** ''Anime/MobileSuitZetaGundam'': The Zeta Gundam which transforms into a plane design for greater speed.
*** A lot of the other mecha in Zeta can transform, including the Methuss, Gaplant and Asshimar. The Hyaku Shiki was designed as a transforming mecha but it didn't quite work. The ''Advance of Zeta'' side-stories add even more.
** ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamZZ'': The ZZ Gundam's G-Fortress mode.
** ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamUnicorn'': continues the trend with the Loto (MS to Tank), Delta Plus, [=ReZEL=] and Ankusha (MS to Flight Form); the latter two can carry friendly MS into battle while transformed. The titular Unicorn also transforms, from an ordinary mobile suit with a Unicorn horn to a [[TurnsRed red-glowing]] [[SuperMode Gundam of death]].

** ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam'': The original (titular) RX-78-2 Gundam is a partial example, with its core-fighter and G-Fighter components. Unlike many, it's a single suit with one mode, and straddles this trope and CombiningMecha.

* The Manga/RideBack vehicles from the anime of the same name can switch between a Segway-like standing mode where they have wheels instead of feet for better agility; and a bike like form equivalent to a human doing the splits-which has higher speed.
* Phoron of ''VisualNovel/ShinkyokuSoukaiPolyphonica'' has a bike that can transform into some sort of piano-based music center. Since MagicMusic is fundamental in the world of ''Polyphonica'', this is definitely a good thing.
* ''RinneNoLagrange'' has the Vox units, which transform from a plane into a mecha.

* ''BulkSlash'' has you piloting a mech with an alternate jet form.
* ''GunMetal'' also has you piloting a mech with an alternate jet form.

* The VideoGame/CustomRobo series has the Lightning Sky class of robos, which transform into fighter jets.

* VideoGame/ArmoredCore features quite a few of these.

* VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiDreamTeam has the Giant Luigi opponents Earthwake and Robo Drilldigger. The former is a mecha made of buildings that can transform into a flying swarm of them and a gigantic hammer, the latter a robot made of drill pieces that can become a tank or a flying vehicle in order to use different attacks.