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 Building / Mecha / 6915
6914  |  6916
Subject: 
Re: Mech grammar
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.build.mecha
Date: 
Mon, 15 Jul 2002 19:16:01 GMT
Viewed: 
2366 times
  
For the best answer, look at Geordan's and Eric's replies.

The two terms really describe two different robot "camps".

MECH is almost always used to describe robots from U.S. games such as
Mechwarrior, and Battletech (made  by FASA http://www.fasastudio.com/). The
singular form is MECH, and the plural form is MECHS.
LEGO example of MECH: http://www.legomc.com/madcat.htm (by Burkhard Schloemer)
non-LEGO equivalent: http://198.144.2.125/3DGraphics/Full/madcat.jpg

MECHA however is a much broader term used to describe Japanese robots (and
vehicles) from anime (animation) and manga (comics). The singular and plural
form is both MECHA.
LEGO example of MECHA: http://www.foundrydx.com/vf1s.html (by Sun Yun)
non-LEGO equivalent: http://www.3dgamedev.com/robotech/Veritech/Valkyrie.html

So to sum it up:
MECH - western, American, boxy, large, slow, dirty
MECHA - eastern, Japanese, curvy, small, quick, shiny

That's a generalization, but it'll help you remember better... ;-)

Oh, and don't feel the need to use either of the two terms. A lot of times, in
anime and manga (and games inspired by them), the creators don't even use the
word mecha. Here are the alternatives:
- SUIT (Gundam)
- TACTICAL ARMOR (Gasaraki)
- GYMELEF (Visions of Escaflowne)
- VERITECH (Macross/Robotech)
- ARMORED TROOPER (VOTOMS which is itself an acronym for Vertical One-man Tank
for Offense and Maneuvers)
- LABOR (Patlabor)
- GEAR (Heavy Gear)
- WANZER (Front Mission 3)
- EVA (Evangelion)
- ARMORED CORE (Armored Core II)
- MOBILE PLATFORM (Appleseed)
- FUCHIKOMA (Ghost in the Shell)
- MORTAR HEADD (Five Star Stories)
- AESTIVALIS (Martian Successor Nadesico)
- LANDMATE (Appleseed)

Note however, that the above exclusively describe MECHA from that
anime/manga/game.

As you can see, you can make up your own terms to describe robots. The
possibilities are endless.

There are also general terms to describe small robots "worn" by soldiers:
HARDSUIT
POWERSUIT

Hope this post helps.

Mladen Pejic, over and out!
http://www3.sympatico.ca/mladenpejic/

In lugnet.build.mecha, Ross Crawford writes:
OK, you builders of mecha. I'm the first to admit I know nothing about them,
but I was just wanting to appease my enquiring mind. After reading quite a
few posts here, I've seen "mech" and "mecha" used almost interchangeably. I
always thought "mech" was singular, and "mecha" plural. Can someone please
enlighten me about the correct usage?

Thanks

ROSCO

(Just call me hoarder of useless grammar info)



Message has 3 Replies:
  Re: Mech grammar
 
In lugnet.build.mecha, Mladen Pejic writes: Hmmm, Mladen must have posted just as I was hiting the reply button. Anyways, I think that this information is very good, makes a great reference, and puts my post to shame. Egad Mladen, where do you get (...) (22 years ago, 15-Jul-02, to lugnet.build.mecha)
  Re: Mech grammar
 
There ya go, that is the best answer you could ask for. -Geordan- snips (22 years ago, 15-Jul-02, to lugnet.build.mecha)
  Re: Mech grammar
 
Of course there is also the term Herc. Refering to a design concept found in the Earth Siege/Star Siege Universe. They are more closely related to the Mech of Mechwarrior fame than to the Mecha designs of the Japanese Anime series. I specialize in (...) (22 years ago, 16-Jul-02, to lugnet.build.mecha)

Message is in Reply To:
  Mech grammar
 
OK, you builders of mecha. I'm the first to admit I know nothing about them, but I was just wanting to appease my enquiring mind. After reading quite a few posts here, I've seen "mech" and "mecha" used almost interchangeably. I always thought "mech" (...) (22 years ago, 15-Jul-02, to lugnet.build.mecha)

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