End part of title isn't necessarily needed, but I doubt everyone realizes what I am.

All you Haruhi/slice of life/Naruto lovers need to be schooled in the awesomeness that is mecha.
Therefore, I compiled this list for the lulz because it would be an interesting thing to think about.

First of all, before I get into this, this is opinionated.
Just because I suggest it and I thought it was good doesn't mean you have to agree.
Also no Baldios as you'll all BAW about it.

Mobile Suit Gundam
0080: War in the Pocket & 0083: Stardust Memory
Before you all whine that I put two Gundam shows at the beginning of the list, I have my reasons.
First of all: they're short, sweet, and don't drag out for 50 episode spasms. (Admitted, as much as a masterpiece the shows are, 50 episode series can get tiring over time) They've been noted as some of the best in the entire series.
Both 0080 and 0083 are side stories to the main series; 0080 happening near the end of the One Year War, and 0083 taking place a couple years before Zeta.

0080 is actually my favorite Gundam series. It strayed from the fighting to show how war can effect civilians and it hits deep home with the subject of a young boy befriending a pilot. Also, it has one of the greatest fight scenes between a Zaku and a Gundam.

0083 was a different story in the UC era, casting the main role to an Oldtype, Kou Uraki, instead of a Newtype, showing that it doesn't take special abilities to pilot a Gundam and become an ace. Compared to 0080, it has a s*** of action shoved into it, and sports crazy awesome mechanical designs.
It also sheds some important light on the reason for the Titans to come into being.

GaoGaiGar & GaoGaiGar FINAL
In my opinion, if you haven't seen the GaoGaiGar series yet, you're missing out on pure gold.
on the outside, GaoGaiGar seems like your basic Super Robot show; flashy moves, combining mechs, and other obvious reasons. However, you should never judge a book by it's cover.
Basing itself upon the core values of COURAGE and SOUL, some strange force drags you in, and throws you out as a man who uses GAR in the correct way.
And if that doesn't pull you in, the opening theme will.

GunXSword
While relatively new compared to the shows placed here, GunXSword is a must watch in it's own right. It's interesting to note that the main character, Van, was inspired by Spike from Cowboy Bebop. GunXSword takes the relatively old concept of bloody vengeance, and churns out a story which only gets even more sinister as it progresses. As it continues on, the battles even become more intense.
Also to note, GunXSword is one of the few shows which /m/ states is perfect and unanimously likes.

The many works of Go Nagai
Mazinger Z, Getter Robo series, JEEG series, Grendizer, etc.
I would never compile a list about mecha unless I knew I was to add Go Nagai's works. This is the guy that started the (piloted) mecha craze, WAAAYYY back in the 70s with Mazinger Z.
Without this man's contribution, a handful of mecha would never have been created.
He shouldn't be respected because he is Japano, and apparently Japanese people are cooler than everyone else. He should be respected because he was one of the few trailblazers for this genre.
So go watch Mazinger or Getter Robo...do it.


That's just about my two cents, go ahead an post opinions or whatever on my choices.

SDF Macross
A revolution in mecha anime, plot-wise.

ARRRGG

You know I haven't seen it yet!

[/smug_bastard]

I'm pulling shows out of my a** choosing shows I've seen.


Kinda hard to recommend something which I only saw the beginning of the first episode.
Oh god that was written horribly.

I heard of one called X Ephon or something?
I saw a trailer for it and it scared the crap outta me.
All these massive mecha buddha statues destroying cities and whatnot

Rah Xephon? I wouldn't call it a must watch. Good quality animation, but it was trying way too hard to be a NGE clone.

NGE is also a must watch, but I didn't really like it that much so I dropped it once I got bored of how they just kept pounding trauma after trauma in to Shinji. Very formulaic and boring. Of course, that is open to debate.

Rebuild of Evangelion gogogog
The first one was great, and that final scenes with Rei's smile brought a tear to my eye

Great, now you spoiled it for me. I hope you're happy.

How is it spoiling? It's just an enhanced remake of the first eight episodes or something.

I'd rather discover that myself because Rei is the Emotionless Girl poster child.

Well, the second movie is entirely different apparently.It has some chick named Mari piloting 04 and Kaoru (Kaworu?) piloting 05

Shouldn't Magic Knight Rayearth be there? I mean it technically is Mecha (which has been spiced up with shojo).

I haven't seen it.

Neither have I. =P
But from what I read it seems like it. I think I've seen a bit of it on Youtube though.