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Mecha may refer to a science fiction genre that centers on robots or machines controlled by people. These machines vary greatly in size and shape, but are distinguished from vehicles by their humanoid or biomorphic appearance. Different subgenres exist, with varying connotations of realism. The concept of Super Robot and Real Robot are two such examples found in Japanese anime. The term may also refer to real world piloted humanoid robots / non-humanoid robotic platforms, either currently in existence or still on the drawing board (i.e. at the planning or design stage). Alternatively, in the original Japanese context of the word (see ''Characteristics''), 'mecha' may refer to mobile machinery/vehicles (including aircraft) in general, manned or otherwise. ==Characteristics== The word is an abbreviation first used in Japanese of the word "mechanical". In Japanese, mecha encompasses all mechanical objects, including cars, guns, computers, and other devices, and the term or "giant robot" to distinguish limbed vehicles from other mechanical devices.〔 〕 Outside of this usage, it has become associated with large robots with limbs or other biological characteristics. While the distinction is often hazy, mecha typically does not refer to form-fitting powered armor such as Iron Man's suit. They are usually much larger than the wearer, like Iron Man's enemy the Iron Monger, and possess a cockpit from which they are operated. In most fiction in which they appear, mecha are fighting machines: essentially armored fighting vehicles with a body instead of a vehicular frame. Some stories, such as the manga/anime series ''Patlabor'' and the American wargame BattleTech universe, also encompass mecha used for civilian purposes such as heavy construction work, police functions or firefighting. Mecha also see roles as transporters, recreation, advanced hazmat suits and other R and D applications. Some science fiction universes posit that mecha are the primary means of combat, with conflicts sometimes being decided through gladiatorial matches. Others represent mecha as one component of an integrated military force, supported by and fighting alongside tanks, fighter aircraft, and infantry, functioning as a mechanical cavalry. The applications often highlight the theoretical usefulness of such a device, combining a tank's resilience and firepower with infantry's ability to cross unstable terrain. The ''Tactical Armors'' from Tactical Armor Custom Gasaraki (better known as Gasaraki) are a good example of this. In other cases they are demonstrated with a greater versatility in armament, such as in the ''Armored Core'' series of video games where mecha carry a wide range of armament spread across 4 "hard points" (both hands and 2 backpack sockets) albeit on a much larger scale. Another example is the anime ''Mobile Suit Gundam'' in which military forces have mecha known as "Mobile Suits", the series signature mecha being the RX-78 Gundam. In some continuities, special scenarios are constructed to make Mecha more viable than current-day status. For example, in Gundam the fictional Minovsky particle inhibits the use of radar, making long-range ballistic strikes impractical, thus favouring relatively close range warfare of Mobile Suits. Mecha have been used in fantasy settings, for example in the anime series ''Aura Battler Dunbine'', ''The Vision of Escaflowne'', ''Panzer World Galient'' and ''Maze''. In those cases, the mecha designs are usually based on some alternative or 'lost' science-fiction technology from ancient times. In case of anime series ''Zoids'', the machines resemble dinosaurs and animals, and have been shown to evolve from native metallic organisms. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Mecha」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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