Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: 5. Mecha God Chronicle (2)
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Mecha genre, or giant robot genre.
To explain briefly, it's the genre where giant robots appear in anime and take center stage in some form or fashion.
Honestly, I wrestled tremendously with whether it was really okay to make this world's first TVA anime a straight-up mecha show.
Even on 21st-century Earth, mecha is a niche genre that really divides audiences. And for people in a fantasy world totally unfamiliar with animation culture? They might outright reject it.
If I just wanted something safe and crowd-pleasing, I could've gone with a slice-of-life or one of those ability-battler stories—basically documentaries to the locals here.
But the reason I stuck with mecha anyway? Dead simple.
'Fuck yeah, giant robots are badass.'
Let's be real: name one guy who hasn't fantasized about hopping into a massive robot or captaining a starship, blasting lasers across the galaxy in some epic space war.
And now I've got full say on what anime to make. Pass on mecha for some other genre?
You think that's what a man's supposed to do?
People might hear "mecha" and just picture insane robot-on-robot brawls.
But surprisingly, most mecha stories pack in a ton of social commentary.
Take the wildly popular Gundam series back in Korea—nearly every entry hammers home anti-war themes and the goodness in humanity.
Or the Macross series, famous worldwide for its message that song can end wars and bring peace.
So hey, even if I slap together a half-assed anime and bail, I could always spin it later: "That ending? Yeah, it was critiquing this-and-that in the current Empire."
Anyway, ulterior motives tucked away, I dove headfirst into production.
First up: character designs for the protagonist and key pilots.
No need to explain now, but designs for protagonists and mains in anime? Make or break.
No matter how fun the show or gripping the plot—if the leads aren't visually appealing, who's gonna care?
I pulled out all the stops for the protagonist and his four main pilots, at least.
Basically, I cherry-picked the best traits from characters I loved in my past life and mashed 'em together. Total anabada remix.
And just like that, they were done.
The design for "Kai," my anime's leading man, and the three other female pilots.
I presented the character sheets to the staff with total confidence, and they let out gasps of awe.
"Whoa, so this is the protagonist's look, straight from the director himself."
"Super sleek and handsome. Age, gender—anyone who sees Kai is gonna like him right off the bat."
"But he looks way softer than I pictured. Setting-wise, isn't Kai a soldier piloting a Mecha God? This design screams ordinary untrained kid, though."
I answered that one with pure swagger.
"Spot on. Because in the story, Kai's no soldier—he's your everyday high schooler. Nah, just a regular boy."
"...Pardon?"
"The other pilots are all proper military. But Kai? Ordinary kid who enlists one day. That's the vibe."
"...I don't get it. Why bother with that setup?"
Why? 'Cause in mecha, the protag laying eyes on his ride for the first time in episode one is the golden rule.
It's like a social contract—red light means don't cross, you know?
"And get this: every Mecha God pilot besides Kai? Girls."
"Uh-huh."
"Any special reason for skewing the pilot gender ratio like that?"
Reason? Nah, not really.
If I had to scrape one up, it's just that the hero deserves three heroines, minimum.
"...So why no other guys at all?"
Simple: I'm the type who loses his shit over NTR.
Side characters hooking up? Fine, whatever.
But a heroine catching feelings for some other dude? Over my dead body.
No way these fantasy rubes would get that deep lore, though.
They've never even heard of NTR or BSS—total innocents in the abyss.
I clamped my mouth shut, saying nothing.
Then Kaya, peering intently at the sheets beside me, suddenly went wide-eyed like she'd cracked the code.
"...Ah, I see! So that's it, Director!"
"Kaya, what's up?"
"I think I've got why you set it up this way."
She shot me this look of pure admiration.
"Today's society discriminates over everything—status, nationality, race, experience, beliefs. You name it."
"Yeah... true."
"But you wanted to smash those biases to bits. And not stop there—you're sounding the alarm for society."
"...?"
The hell? What alarm? What biases?
But Kaya barreled on, oblivious to my confusion.
"Proof right here. Everyone, check the female pilots' designs."
All eyes locked on the sheets.
"Look at the settings: super diverse hair colors. Redhead, blonde, black-haired. Why do you suppose the director went that route?"
...Because rainbow-haired heroines are anime canon, duh.
"He deliberately varied their hair colors. And these diverse girls? They're piloting Mecha Gods—top-tier duty."
"Point is, hair color's irrelevant to the job. Same as judging people by career, status, or ideology. You're saying discrimination's wrong, right, Director?"
"....."
"Am I close?"
She beamed at me. I nodded mutely.
"...Yeah, sure."
Averted my eyes—couldn't stare her down. Last shred of conscience.
Next: Mecha God designs for the mains. Zero worries there.
I'd fused countless mecha from my past life into perfection.
"Ooh, these Mecha God designs are sleek as hell. Military models look so clunky, but yours? Sharp, flashy—next level."
"Gasp, a lightsaber! Director, how'd you dream this up? It screams advanced human tech to the audience while cranking the action spectacle. Genius setup!"
"Beam rifle, laser cannon, anti-grav weapons... I'm a top mage myself, but applying magic theory like this? Never crossed my mind. You're the real deal—a once-in-a-century prodigy."
"Humanity's never conceived this before, and you built a flawless world in days. Incredible!"
"What'd I tell you? Director's genius makes this a breeze. Right?"
(P.S.: Last two were Serika and Kaya.)
"...Thanks for the kind words."
Hearing all that, I felt like dropping to my knees right there, begging forgiveness from Tomino-sensei, George Lucas-sensei, and every SF trailblazer and anime creator who'd paved the way.
'Hmm... but wait. Actually, maybe no apology needed?'
This world has no copyright laws. Legally? Not plagiarism.
More like missionary work, spreading Earth culture far and wide.
Heck, I'm doing it for free—a volunteer ambassador.
'No way. Am I the good guy here?'
Back on 21st-century Earth, creators pull every promo stunt imaginable.
Me? Zero pay, just hyping their masterpieces to a new world.
By that logic, they owe me thanks.
But I'm a classy guy. Call it even.
From here on? Double down on the "borrowing" and rip-offs.
That was my final verdict.