Mind map of Research

The arguments between 'real robots' & 'super robots'

The genre is broken down into two subcategories; "super robot", featuring super-sized, implausible robots, and "real robot", where robots are governed by realistic physics and technological limitations.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mecha_anime_and_manga

The distinction between Super Robot and Real Robots is wonky, to say the least. There are mechas that are more or less clear examples of both, like Mazinger Z being a Super Robot just as the show’s opening lyrics say, and then we have Votoms that is pretty damn realistic in portraying Scopedogs on their given role and environment. The further we go in time after the 60’s, we see more and more shows that break this kind of distinction. For example, I can’t categorize Balatack into either category as its showcases both sides of the argument. That’s why some people use the Hybrid nomenclature to describe mechas that waver between the two. Full Metal Panic is a generic and good example of this.

From the design point of view, these don’t really fit. The thing you’re designing is automatically something fantastic, something over there with its form and function, that it doesn’t really matter whether or not its Super or Real. What matters is how the mecha is designed in the description before its put into shape. That’s where designers start thinking how to adapt the description properly; how to approach the mecha.

https://aaltomies.wordpress.com/2013/05/23/observable-rules-in-tsf-design/