mecha

thumb| Kuratas, a mecha made by [[Suidobashi Heavy Industry at the Maker Faire Tokyo (2012)]] In science fiction, or mechs are giant robots or machines, either depicted as piloted or sentient and are typically humanoid walking vehicles. The term was first used in Japanese after shortening the English loanword or , but the meaning in Japanese is more inclusive, meaning any mechanism in general, and or 'giant robot' is the narrower term referring to robots.

Mechs vary greatly in size and shape, but are distinguished from vehicles by their biomorphic appearance, and are often much larger than human beings. Different subgenres exist, with varying connotations of realism. The concept of Super Robot and Real Robot are two such examples found in Japanese anime and manga.