History Main / VerticalMechaFins

* The Megas in ''MegasXLR'' has a pair of massive Cadillac-fins on either side of the head unit, courtesy of Coop.

* Lex Luthor's giant mech in an episode of ''JusticeLeague'' (Season 1). In fact, the mech itself looks like a thinly disguised [[Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion Evangelion Unit 02]]. Possibly a ShoutOut, since the series' creator Bruce Timm is a bit of an ''Evangelion'' fan (he's done a few TimmStyle drawings of Evangelion characters).

* ''{{Gunbuster}}'', another series by Gainax, has this too in the eponymous mecha. in this case, they house rocket boosters and storage containers for Buster Shield, Buster Tomahawk and Buster Homerun.

* [=GaiGar=] from ''GaoGaiGar'' has these. It's not clear in-show what they're supposed to be - extra maneuvering thrusters or guide rails for combining, maybe? In addition, [=GaiGar=] seems to have been designed with an EVA sensibility - humanoid and agile - which GaoGaiGar throws out the window.

* The Raiden and Shinden mechs in ''{{Gasaraki}}'' have these; ostensibly they're the battery packs that provide the "Tactical Armors" with power. This hasn't helped [[FollowTheLeader certain accusations]] one bit.

* Sometimes shows up in ''TabletopGame/BattleTech'', especially on mechs like the ''Awesome'', which varies between [[http://www.sarna.net/wiki/images/a/a4/XTROM_Awesome.jpg little stubs above the arms]] to [[http://www.sarna.net/wiki/images/thumb/d/d1/3050_Awesome.jpg/462px-3050_Awesome.jpg giant metal sheets extending above the mech's cockpit]]. Notably, the Awesome's Vertical Mecha Fins predate Evangelion by over a decade. The Mauler and it's [[ArmoredCoffins death-trap predecessor]], the Daboku, likewise have large metal fins sprouting from their arms. The [[http://www.sarna.net/wiki/File:3025phawk.jpg Phoenix Hawk]] also falls under this trope in the 'from the back' variety, and the [[http://www.sarna.net/wiki/File:Mechshiro-p.jpg Shiro]] boasts Vertical Mecha Fins in the form of ''flags''. The 'protrusions from the shoulders' category have representatives such as the [[http://www.sarna.net/wiki/File:3025_Charger1.jpg Charger]], the [[http://www.sarna.net/wiki/File:Griffin.jpg Griffin]], and the [[http://www.sarna.net/wiki/File:Tiburon.jpg Tiburon]], all of whom boast added but not substantial vertical height.

* Zone Raiders in ''CommandAndConquer 3: Kane's Wrath'' sport Vertical Mecha Fins ''on their PowerArmor''. [[MundaneUtility They hold rockets]].

** Taomon's attire from ''DigimonTamers'' also has Vertical Mecha Fin projections. They are only taller than Taomon if she removes her hat, though.

* Sometimes shows up in ''BattleTech'', especially on mechs like the ''Awesome'', which varies between [[http://www.sarna.net/wiki/images/a/a4/XTROM_Awesome.jpg little stubs above the arms]] to [[http://www.sarna.net/wiki/images/thumb/d/d1/3050_Awesome.jpg/462px-3050_Awesome.jpg giant metal sheets extending above the mech's cockpit]]. Notably, the Awesome's Vertical Mecha Fins predate Evangelion by over a decade. The Mauler and it's [[ArmoredCoffins death-trap predecessor]], the Daboku, likewise have large metal fins sprouting from their arms. The [[http://www.sarna.net/wiki/File:3025phawk.jpg Phoenix Hawk]] also falls under this trope in the 'from the back' variety, and the [[http://www.sarna.net/wiki/File:Mechshiro-p.jpg Shiro]] boasts Vertical Mecha Fins in the form of ''flags''. The 'protrusions from the shoulders' category have representatives such as the [[http://www.sarna.net/wiki/File:3025_Charger1.jpg Charger]], the [[http://www.sarna.net/wiki/File:Griffin.jpg Griffin]], and the [[http://www.sarna.net/wiki/File:Tiburon.jpg Tiburon]], all of whom boast added but not substantial vertical height.

* The ''VideoGame/MechWarrior'' series, set in the ''BattleTech'' universe, features VerticalMechaFins on most of the mechs that have them in the boardgame, such as the [[http://wiki.mechlivinglegends.net/images/e/e9/Mauler.jpg Mauler.]]

* The [[http://www.mahq.net/mecha/macross/macross.htm SDF-1 Macross]] from ''SuperDimensionFortressMacross''. It has fins that turn into a WaveMotionGun.

* Shockwave and Megatron in ''TransformersAnimated'' have this going on, as do [[TheStarscream Starscream]] and the rest of the [[TransformersGenerationOne G1]] Seekers.

* {{Transformers}} toys - ''TransformersArmada'' and ''TransformersAnimated'' Megatron, to name a couple. [[TransformersGeneration1 G1]] Optimus Prime had smokestacks to give this effect.

* Eldar Wraith units and Titans in ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}}'' have wing-like protrusions sprouting from their upper backs that [[AwesomeYetPractical apparently serve as force-field generators]].

* The Terran Thor assault mech from ''VideoGame/StarCraftII'' boasts a set of four giant stacks coming off its back - they look useless until you order it to use its Strike Cannon ability - the whole mech hunches forward and the fins turn out to house [[AwesomeButPractical 250mm cannon]]. There's also a special addition Thor that adds on several decorative fins.

* The flashback episode of ''GeneratorRex'' chronicling Rex joining Providence. Turns out he's got a SuperpoweredEvilSide that turns him into a HumongousMecha with [[AllYourPowersCombined All His]] [[ShapeshifterWeapon Shapeshifter Weapons]] [[AllYourPowersCombined Combined]], including ''two'' [[{{BFG}} Slam Cannons]], [[ShoulderCannon shoulder-mounted]] in {{Vertical Mecha Fin}}s position.

** Both the Modified and Armored Valkyries feature auxiliary boosters that increase the vertical stature of their battroid modes. In "Do You Remember Love", the Modified Valkyrie's right booster has the fuel tank replaced with a "strike cannon" that is even taller (when it's not folded forward).

* The Rick Dias mobile suits in ''Anime/MobileSuitZetaGundam'' have large fins on their backs as well. For that matter, quite a few mobile suits in ''Zeta'' (including the Gundam Mark II) have similar back-mounted fins or protrusions, although the only suit with similarly large fins is the Hyaku Shiki. In this case, they function as either extra "limbs" for zero-G maneuvering, or thruster mounts.

* [=TimeRobo=] Beta/Time Force Megazord, mode blue from ''MiraiSentaiTimeranger'' and ''Series/PowerRangersTimeForce'' has very high shoulders, especially on the toy. It should be noted that the shoulders/arms of this formation are ''legs'' in an alternate configuration.

* [[EliteMook Geth Primes]] in ''VideoGame/MassEffect'' have a fairly large set of these, which serve to draw attention to them. [[GiantMook as if you needed any help figuring out which one was the Prime]]. Though in universe, these fins are apparently radio transmitters.

* Sometimes shows up in ''BattleTech'', especially on mechs like the ''Awesome'', which varies between [[http://www.sarna.net/wiki/images/a/a4/XTROM_Awesome.jpg little stubs above the arms]] to [[http://www.sarna.net/wiki/images/thumb/d/d1/3050_Awesome.jpg/462px-3050_Awesome.jpg giant metal sheets extending above the mech's cockpit]]. Notably, the Awesome's Vertical Mecha Fins predate Evangelion by over a decade. The Mauler and it's [[ArmoredCoffins death-trap predecessor]], the Daboku, likewise have large metal fins sprouting from their arms.

* The [[http://wiki.mechlivinglegends.net/images/thumb/e/e9/Mauler.jpg/300px-Mauler.jpg Mauler]] assault 'Mech from BattleTech has two vertical missile launchers on its shoulders. The [[http://www.sarna.net/wiki/File:3025phawk.jpg Phoenix Hawk]] also falls under this trope in the 'from the back' variety, and the [[http://www.sarna.net/wiki/File:Mechshiro-p.jpg Shiro]] boasts Vertical Mecha Fins in the form of ''flags''. The 'protrusions from the shoulders' category have representatives such as the [[http://www.sarna.net/wiki/File:3025_Charger1.jpg Charger]], the [[http://www.sarna.net/wiki/File:Griffin.jpg Griffin]], and the [[http://www.sarna.net/wiki/File:Tiburon.jpg Tiburon]], all of whom boast added but not substantial vertical height.

* ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'', being the TropeNamer, has this in spades. All of the Eva units in the series, except Unit 00 before being refitted and [[spoiler:the Mass-Production units in ''End of Evangelion'']] have these. They serve a few different purposes, as they work as: knife holders, jump jets, spike cannons, mounting racks for additional batteries and other equipment, an anchoring point for connecting to the rails of the vertical launch tubes, [[spoiler:and, like the rest of their armor, restraints to keep the Evas from acting under their own will or gaining too much power]].