History Anime / ArmoredTrooperVOTOMS

* ConspicuousCG: The Pailsen Files, although not as {{egregious}} as some other CG adaptations of older anime it's still cheap looking enough to set off some fans who preferred the conventional animation of the older [=OVAs=].

Astragius Galaxy, year 7213. For one hundred years the space nations of Gilgamesh and Balarant have warred against each other for reasons long forgotten. Severly exhausted, they both agreed to a ceasefire. With peace just over the horizon, some Gilgamesh soldiers turned traitor and attacked a Gilgamesh research station to steal its contents.

* AceCustom: Considering how simply designed an average AT is, it isn't a surprise that quite a lot of individual mods exist. Most notably, there are the Turbo Custom, Red Shoulder and Burglary Dog derivatives of the regular Scopedog made and used by Chirico. Subverted in that they break as easy as normal [[AMechByAnyOtherName ATs]] and the difference is usually a bunch of extra guns strapped to it.

* LightningBruiser: The Strike Dog and Rabidlydog in TV series. They're heavy-class ATs like [[MightyGlacier Standing Tortoises]], but have better performance than [[JackOfAllStats Scopedogs]]. The Strike Dog [[AwesomeButImpractical suffers from short operational time]], but the Rabidlydog fixed that. ''The Last Red Shoulder'' added the Bloodsucker and ''Big Battle'' added the Ecrevisse to this trope. It's worthy to note that while Chirico could stand up against the Strike Dog and Bloodsuckers with just a [[WeaponOfChoice modified Scopedog]], he needed a [[FragileSpeedster Light Scopedog]] to keep up with the Ecrevisse.
* MadeOfExplodium: Polymer Ringer's Solution, the fuel that allows ATs to move in a fluid human-like way, is so volatile that a sufficiently hard impact, or even exposure to a large enough temperature difference will cause it to ignite without warning.

''Anime/{{Armored Trooper VOTOMS}}'' is a 52-episode {{anime}} series that ran on Creator/TVTokyo from April 1, 1983 to March 23, 1984, directed by Ryosuke Takahashi. It is divided up into four separate arcs, each one with their own unique mood and setting. Several additional VOTOMS {{OVA}}s have been created, such as the ''Pailsen Files'', set before the events of the main series, and the ''Heretic Saints[=/=]Shining Heresy'', set 32 years after the events of the series, as well as several other [[ShortAnimeMovie one-shot [=OVAs=]]] detailing the life of Chirico Cuvie, the series protagonist and others. A spinoff, ''Armor Hunter Mellowlink'', was also created; it is set in the same universe as VOTOMS, but involves an entirely different cast of characters.

** Each of the four arcs is similar to a film. Woodo is ''Film/FirstBlood'', Kunmen is ''Rambo'', Sunsa is ''Film/RaidersOfTheLostArk'', and Quent is ''2001''.

* SuperPrototype: Double subverted in PS1 ''Steel Force'' video games, where player can find the prototype of Scopedog, Spending Wolf. At first glance, it seem to be slower version of Scopedog. The "super" part come from fact that Gilgamesh actually ''want'' every Spending Wolf to come back from battle and collect their data. So Spending Wolf has thicker armor, and few equipments, including fire extinguisher, that got removed in Scopedog.

* ShoutOut: To ''TwoThousandOneASpaceOdyssey''. [[spoiler:The destruction of Wiseman is very obviously based on HAL-9000's death scene.]]
** Teitania is a Film/{{Terminator}}. Even the music when she is chasing some "freelance cold capsule contractors" is similar to the score of the films.
** Each of the four arcs is similar to a film. Woodo is First Blood, Kunmen is Rambo, Sunsa is Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Quent is 2001.

''Anime/{{Armored Trooper VOTOMS}}'' is a 52-episode {{anime}} series that ran from April 1, 1983 to March 23, 1984, directed by Ryosuke Takahashi. It is divided up into four separate arcs, each one with their own unique mood and setting. Several additional VOTOMS {{OVA}}s have been created, such as the ''Pailsen Files'', set before the events of the main series, and the ''Heretic Saints[=/=]Shining Heresy'', set 32 years after the events of the series, as well as several other [[ShortAnimeMovie one-shot [=OVAs=]]] detailing the life of Chirico Cuvie, the series protagonist and others. A spinoff, ''Armor Hunter Mellowlink'', was also created; it is set in the same universe as VOTOMS, but involves an entirely different cast of characters.

* NoPlansNoPrototypeNoBackup: Meta example. The fact that there's never been a remaster or blu-ray of Mellowlink is because the original masters were destroyed in a fire.

** You can usually tell how close to the end of an Act in the original series you are by the amount of explosions seen in an episode. Generally by the arc finale EVERYTHING will be blowing up, including vehicles, ATs, and random scenery.

''{{Armored Trooper VOTOMS}}'' is a 52-episode {{anime}} series that ran from April 1, 1983 to March 23, 1984, directed by Ryosuke Takahashi. It is divided up into four separate arcs, each one with their own unique mood and setting. Several additional VOTOMS {{OVA}}s have been created, such as the ''Pailsen Files'', set before the events of the main series, and the ''Heretic Saints[=/=]Shining Heresy'', set 32 years after the events of the series, as well as several other [[ShortAnimeMovie one-shot [=OVAs=]]] detailing the life of Chirico Cuvie, the series protagonist and others. A spinoff, ''Armor Hunter Mellowlink'', was also created; it is set in the same universe as VOTOMS, but involves an entirely different cast of characters.

The [[Characters.ArmoredTrooperVOTOMS character sheet]] is practically complete now.

* BornLucky: Mellowlink. Although he has some pretty cunning tactics [[BatmanGambit and prepares]] [[CrazyPrepared for the worst]] when he can, many times he survives his fights simply because fortune favors him. [[spoiler:Also, one of the more important factors for Red Shoulders and Abnormal Survivors is luck, or at least Pailsen believes so.]]

** The first scene of the Pailsen Files is D-Day, plain and simple. The show doesn't even ''try'' to be subtle with it. Lampshaded by the fansubbers by having inserting on-screen during the eyecatch "was it me, or was that whole scene just D-Day with robots?"

* MadeOfExplodium: Polymer Ringer's Solution. The fuel that allows the AT to move in a fluid human-like motion, but it's so volatile that a sufficiently hard impact and even exposure to a large enough temeprature difference will cause it to ignite without a warning.

* AbsentAliens - Although we do see some subspecies of humans, like the Quentmen and the purple-skinned Nor Barcoff from Pailsen Files.
* AceCustom - Considering how simply designed an average AT is, it isn't a surprise that quite a lot of individual mods exist. Most notably, there are the Turbo Custom, Red Shoulder and Burglary Dog derivatives of the regular Scopedog made and used by Chirico. Subverted in that they break as easy as normal [[AMechByAnyOtherName ATs]] and the difference is usually a bunch of extra guns strapped to it.
* AlienSky - The planet Sunsa
* AntiHero - Chirico, to Byronic levels. Also, Mellowlink, powered by [[ThePowerOfHate hatred]] and [[{{Revenge}} revenge]].
* ArcBreak

* BadassNormal - Chirico [[spoiler:Subverted, because the last story arc reveals Chirico to be superhuman]]

* BavarianFireDrill - Subverted. Captain Rochina tries to do one near the end of the series: [[spoiler: telling the soldiers from the Society that he has to enter the Wiseman Chamber as an order from Killy. He fails.]]
* BerserkButton - It's probably not a good idea to play the Red Shoulder march anywhere within the earshot of Chirico.
* BigBrotherMentor - To some extent, Gotho
* BloodSport - Battling on Planet Uoodoo.

* BornLucky - Mellowlink. Although he has some pretty cunning tactics [[BatmanGambit and prepares]] [[CrazyPrepared for the worst]] when he can, many times he survives his fights simply because fortune favors him. [[spoiler:Also, one of the more important factors for Red Shoulders and Abnormal Survivors is luck, or at least Pailsen believes so.]]
* ClingyJealousGirl - Coconna
* ConspicuousCG- The Pailsen Files, although not as {{egregious}} as some other CG adaptations of older anime it's still cheap looking enough to set off some fans who preferred the conventional animation of the older [=OVAs=].

* CoolOldGuy - Gotho, in spades.
* CrapsackWorld - Melkia seems to have deteriorated into this following the Gilgamesh-Balarant conflict, if Uoodo and the Kunmen region are anything to go by.
* {{Determinator}} - Chirico, Yipsilon and multiple other characters. Though Mellowlink tops all of them.
* DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything - The [[spoiler:entire Kunmen arc is more than a little reminiscent of the Vietnam War, complete with the jungle villages, the harsh conflict between the stubborn natives and the brutal mercenaries, the moral ambiguity...and the fact that it takes the form of a proxy war between the Melkians and the Secret Society]].
** The first scene of the Pailsen Files is D-Day, plain and simple. The show doesn't even ''try'' to be subtle with it.
*** Lampshaded by the fansubbers by having inserting on-screen during the eyecatch "was it me, or was that whole scene just D-Day with robots?"
* EarnYourHappyEnding - Arguably subverted, in that [[spoiler:while Gotho, Vanilla, and Coconna go on to live happy and peaceful lives, the galaxy is plunged back into war, this time without Wiseman guiding them, and an entire planet has been destroyed, displacing all its inhabitants.]]

* FunWithAcronyms - The titular VOTOMS stands for '''V'''ertical '''O'''ne-man '''T'''ank for '''O'''ffense and '''M'''anuever'''S'''.
* GambitPileup - Much of the series, but the [[spoiler:final showdown of the Kummen arc in particular]].

* HandCannon - Chirico's handgun resembles a sawed-off shotgun more than your average pistol, and he can take out an AT with it, shooting the pilot straight through the armor.
* HistoryRepeats: ''Phantom Arc''.
* HonorBeforeReason - Chirico trying to save Fyana even though he could easily walk away and in doing so would probably escape from those who are after him. Coconna also, when she tries to save him, forcing Gotho and Vanilla to come along with her early on in the series--when the three of them could just as easily escape and leave Chirico behind, especially considering Chirico doesn't always ''want'' their help.

* MadeOfExplodium - Polymer Ringer's Solution. The fuel that allows the AT to move in a fluid human-like motion, but it's so volatile that a sufficiently hard impact and even exposure to a large enough temeprature difference will cause it to ignite without a warning.
* MightyGlacier - Technically, the Standing Tortoise is this to the [[JackOfAllStats Scopedog]]. It has thicker armor and can carry more missiles. But it isn't as fast and also is harder to control, notable for fact that it can't turn its head camera independent of the body; the pilot's only sideview option is by sliding a shutter on the cockpit's side and looking with his own eyes.
* MiniMecha - The four-meter tall Armored Troopers, expendable to the extent that they are usually deployed in thousands or perhaps hundreds of thousands. Of which it is unlikely for even a tenth to survive. While sufficiently equipped to wage war anywhere, from difficult terrain to open space, they are still quite vulnerable and easily destroyed.

* MoralityChain - Coconna, to Chirico and company.
* TheNeidermeyer - Capt. Kan Yu of the Assemble EX-10 mercenaries. [[spoiler: While he actually is a fairly proficient soldier and AT pilot, he sucks as a team leader. He is short-tempered, refuses to listen to anything his subordinates say that isn't obsequious agreement, guns down civilians at the slightest provocation (real or imagined - half the time, the civvies die simply for breathing), and has compromised at least one covert op simply to show what big balls he has. Then, there's the little fact that he despises Chirico yet keeps getting his ass saved by him, which just adds fuel to the fire of his hate...]]

* PimpedOutDress - Coconna wears a dress with [[FluffyFashionFeathers feathers on the sleeves]] in the Kunmen arc.

* ThePowerOfHate - What drives Mellowlink in his quest for {{Revenge}}.

* RealityWarper - Abnormal Survivors. [[spoiler:several are speculated to be these, but only Chirico seems to truly incarnate the often insane survival skills seen mainly in Roots of Ambition, Pailsen Files and the last episode of Shining Heresy]].

* RealRobot - One of the early pioneers of this genre. Armored Troopers are mass-produced, have a very basic design, have limited ammunition, require refueling, and are basically bipedal tanks.
* ScrewDestiny - In the finale, [[spoiler:Chirico is offered godhood by Wiseman, an ancient computer system that has been manipulating civilization for millennia. He has been groomed by Wiseman for this fate his entire life.]] Naturally, [[spoiler:he [[DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu destroys Wiseman]], [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSONA-fwT4c first by shooting it, and then by dismantling it piece by piece]].]]

* ShortAnimeMovie - Over the years many {{OVA}}s have been released, expanding the storyline and character details and filling in some of the loose threads of the series.
* ShoutOut - To ''TwoThousandOneASpaceOdyssey''. [[spoiler:The destruction of Wiseman is very obviously based on HAL-9000's death scene.]]

* SinisterMinister - Borough. While the nature of religion in the Votoms universe is largely unexplained (until Shining Heresy), his garb is unmistakably that of a high religious official.
* StuffBlowingUp - Everything, from a lowly Scopedog to a mighty space battleship blows up ''very'' easily. And in droves. Taken to the limits in Pailsen Files where an entire armada and a fortress planet with garrison is destroyed.

* VideoGame/SuperRobotWars: Z II: Hakai-hen, Sasei-hen, and Z III: Jigoku-hen

* UsedFuture

* YouGottaHaveBlueHair - Chirico has blue hair, along with a few other minor characters. Most of the other major characters have normal hair colors.

* VideoGame/SuperRobotWars: Z II: Hakai-hen

* ShortAnimeMovie - Over the years many {{OVA}}s have been released, expanding the storyline and character details and filling in some of the loose threads of the series. With no lack in efforts to sub the latest releases, the series holy grail that is Shining Heresy finally had subtitles released via a combined effort of the /m/ board in 2010.

-->-- '''Chirico Cuvie''', the end of episode 1.

* SuperRobotWars: Z II: Hakai-hen

-->'''Chirico Cuvie''', the end of episode 1.

* {{BFG}} - Chirico's handgun resembles a sawed-off shotgun more than your average pistol, and he can take out an AT with it, shooting the pilot straight through the armor.

** Taken a step further in episode 33 where a Standing Tortoise Mk-2 blows up just by having the side of a bazooka round collide with it.