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Ok, R2 is cute, and the Iron Giant was cool, but Japanese anime robots rule. What other mechanical beings split into different forms, fire weapons that destroy planets, and are piloted by petite women? Hurray for anime robots!!!!!! By the way, I realize there is a ton of older stuff that I have also seen that's missing from this list; Reideen, UFO Daiopolon, Getta-Robo G, among an army of others. However, these are all still available on DVD/VHS, and aren't colored by the mists of nostalgia.
1. Gunbuster-Aim for the Top; Gunbuster! THE heavy-weight champion from the three-tape OVA. 200 meters tall and enough weapons to make the Death Star cower in terror. Bwahahahahahahahahahahaha. ...sorry, couldn't resist. You gotta be awesome to warrant a toy review AND a New Yankee Toyshop write-up. All the elements of a super-robot are here; giant size, transformations, ass-kicking weapons, hottie pilots, and bad-guy aliens the size of Nebraska to kick around.
2. All seven mechs, Hades Project; Zeorymer. Most anime pieces concentrate on one, maybe two amazing mechs, then a legion of grunt mechs. Think Darth Vader surrounded by Stormtroopers. However, in this one, there are SEVEN mechs created to conquor the world. On top of that, each one isn't just a giant robot with tons o' weapons. All seven are build upon themes from nature, such as Landstar of the Wind and the title mech Zeorymer of the Heavens. .
3. Cyclone transforming cycle, Robotech/Mospedea. One of my fondest anime memories is being a senior in high school, watching Robotech for the first time, and seeing Scott Bernard launch his cool looking cycle over a cliff and transform in mid-air into battle-armor. Yeah, transforming monsters are neat, changing planes are passe', but turning into BATTLE-ARMOR??!?!?!??!?!?! Oh yeah, babe!
4. Mighty Orbots. Ok, so this was produced in America. Still, check out the credits and you will see an army of Japanese animators. Yes, the Three Stooges schtick could get on your nerves, but come on, you watched this for the final fight at the end with Mighty Orbots in it's full, humongous, monster-slapping glory. Saddest part is this show could have lead to a wonderful toy line. Such is life.