Tag Archives: Mecha

We all love a good LEGO Gundam or Macross mecha, but LEGO builders everywhere are also creating excellent models of their own designs. Have a look at them here.

This massive mech is ready to do some serious damage

LEGO builder Blair Archer has created this fantastic model, armed with a mixture of cannons, missile launchers, Gatling guns and more. The build has an aggressive, militaristic appearance which is reminiscent of the mechs featured in the Metal Gear franchise. The huge missile launchers at the shoulders appear to be using red projectiles, from the Bionicle Mahri sets, as rockets. In order to create the Gatling guns at the centre of the model, Blair has cleverly used tyres stretched around bar parts. The central laser or camera is represented by the reverse side of a lipstick piece, creating a fearsome retical.

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When it comes to armored mechs, two is better than one

If one pilot is good, then two must be better, according to Alvaro Gunawan, or maybe this mech is so hard to control, it requires two pilots, like the Jaegers from Pacific Rim. In any case, this hulking black mech sports a heavy-hitting rifle, and two shoulder-mounted rail guns. The model looks like it is fairly pose-able, as well.

Seen from the back, there are some nice details, like two thruster engines, two fuel pods, and those two little thruster flaps above each knee.

This isn’t just your average cube, it’s a mech!

It’s incredible to think that Moko has built 10 of these fantastic cube mechs. This model marks the way as number 10, even using the celebration tile from Lego minifigures series 20. Built in a metallic colour scheme, it’s fascinating to see the static cube mode transform into a sleek looking mech. Angled tiles are put to great use in the box mode as they meet at just the right positions to create the square faces of the cube. The purple pentagonal part acts as a visor and snuggles in comfortably in the box mode.

The robot’s ability to transform is ultimately down to ball joints and clips. In the transformation, sections of the cube are stretched out and often twisted round to create the mech form. The long legs and disproportionate form of the robot mode are reminiscent of designs from mecha shows.

Check out a video showing how the mech is posed!

Imagine how a mechanical cicada would sound...

As you may already know, cicadas are the loudest insect on the planet. When they “sing” together (more like radio static, clicking, and rattling) they are one of the most deafening animals in the world in general. Pretty cool for such a small creature! But what would a giant mecha cicada, like this LEGO one by Mitsuru Nikaido, sound like? I’m guessing a helicopter mixed with a chainsaw. But enough about that. Just look at this awesome build!

It’s all sorts of awesome in terms of techniques and body shaping. The segmentation is excellent, and I’m particularly fond of the batarang shields on the abdomen. The eyes, wings, and legs are spot-on too!

Fun fact: cicadas are basically living musical instruments (even if we don’t think of it the same way). Yep, that’s right! They use muscles in their sides to squeeze and accordion “ribs” surrounding two membranes known as tymbals to create different chirps. And their abdomens are hollow so that they can amplify those sounds. Why? That’s how they find a lady-friend! Ahhh, the song of love.

Another fun fact: Mitsuru Nikaido is the epic master of mecha animals. You’re not going to want to miss some of his other incredible works of art. My favorite might be the mecha snail!

Gundam adversary is ready for a fight

The Zaku mech is an iconic staple in the Gundam franchise. Here, we can see builder Two Rabbits has created an advanced version, inspired by the Gundam Thunderbolt series. Enveloped in two shades of green with hints of orange and dark grey, the model has a colour scheme accurate to the original mech design. While the broad spiked shoulders provide the build with an aggressive look, the mech also has defensive options with arm shields attached to its backpack. The large amount of orange cones, scattered across the model, represent thrusters used for rapid maneuvers in space. The 1×1 connectors placed on flexible axles is a perfect technique for creating the piping details.

The model has great shaping overall, making its form easily recognisable to mech fans. You can check out more of our articles on mecha related builds here.

Efforts continue in cataloging the mechanical tree of life

The fantastic mechanical creatures of Mitsuru Nikaido have long fascinated me. As I was emerging from the dark ages of my LEGO obsession, the robotic structures of Mitsuru’s models opened my eyes to just what was possible within the LEGO system. While each creature is a dead ringer for their biological inspirations, they also stand separately from them. Their form and selective color-blocking create eye-catching robotic designs. Mitsuru mostly sticks to a light or dark bluish grey contrasting with white and a pop of bright light orange. This simple palette gives a builder plenty of parts to play with though and Mitsuru certainly takes advantage of his options. Let’s take a moment to check out his latest models of a Water bear and a Snail.

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Who knew that a shark needs a mech?

Land sharks have become a reality, thanks to this fantastic model by Moko. Presented in a sand blue colour scheme, the mech reflects the body of a shark with its aggressive angles and muscular proportions. Turntable tops represent joint coverings across the mech, adding to the mechanical aesthetic of the model. The heavy cannon has some wonderful details, with the Hero Factory covering adding texture to the weapon. When facing this shark, its bite is the least of your worries.

The mech is also able to split down the middle of its upper frame to allow access for placing the shark or an optional cockpit for a minifigure. Check out Moko’s video to see how the model was built.

Mobile Suit Gundam: Cardboard’s Counterattack

It’s the day before a convention and you’ve got no costume. What do you do? All that’s in your room is cardboard boxes, filled with this year’s wave of new LEGO sets. Hmmm, if only there was some way to utilise the cardboard to make a costume…

Perhaps you need some inspiration from the Cardboard Gundam! This fun build by Tino Poutiainen is presented in a tan colour scheme that works perfectly for the model. The eyes are represented by Technic hole bricks and provides the model with a gormless expression. Even the floppy shield is great as the bend represents a fold in the cardboard. The application of stickers prevents the build from looking too plain and with an interesting selection used, see if you can recognise what sets the stickers are from. Armed with what appears to be a NERF gun and cardboard tube beam saber on its back, this must truly be the most powerful Gundam.

So, there you have it. How’s your costume looking now? What’s that? You spent all night building those LEGO sets instead? Good choice.

Initiate happiness protocols or face termination…

Your smile is your most valuable asset. That’s why Bob Droid, by Simon Liu, is going to make sure it stays on your face by eliminating anything that might make you frown. Bob Droid is a prototype Ansui VIP protective drone unit, which no doubt costs a bundle. But it’s worth it to keep away any would-be assassins. By adding a printed emoji tile to a futuristic mech, Simon’s made something that’s greater than the sum of its parts. With a super-articulated frame and a smile as bright as the explosions from his rocket launcher, you’ll never feel happier than you do with Bob Droid at your side.

This build really gets my goat

One of my favorite creatures of folklore is the Chupacabra, an animal known for draining the blood of goats and other livestock. Builder Joss Woodyard has created a post-apocalyptic take on this cryptid with the Gamma Sucker. No doubt livestock is harder to come by in the wasteland, so this nuclear-powered techno-beast drinks the radiation from whatever it can.

The use of color here creates the sense of a mechanical creature that’s coursing with energy and life, despite its dirty and rusted frame. And I love the implied function of the “digestive system.” It’s so easy to imagine the absorbed radiation flowing through the trans-clear/lime hoses, into those processing tanks on the side, and then getting fed into the rear-mounted engine to drive those giant treads, which just push the monster forward in search of more radiation. It’s a vicious cycle, but a guy’s gotta eat.

LEGO can’t really hurt me, right?

Is it a kaiju? A demon? Something from another planet? Whatever the answer, the Protoweapon XV1 – “Nightcrawler” – by Andrew Steele is certainly a threat to us all. With a form that’s an unholy fusion of mech and organic, this spikey beast is coming for us, and there’s nothing we can do about it. Personally, I hope I get done in by the clawed hands and not the yellowing clown grin.

Click here to see the monster up close.

How to train your Robot

We’ve been seeing some fantastic builds from this year’s Biocup recently, and here’s another one by Djokson. The model takes inspiration from comic book artist Ashley Woods and his Pet Metal paintings. The muscular robot has a military aesthetic and looks to have been repurposed by its new master. Kylo Ren’s mask is used backwards to create the helmet of the robot. There’s a great use of circles on this build; mainly in the form of tyre parts which really encourages you to stare into the robot’s glaring eye created by a golden ring piece. The hair piece for the woman is a really old part first featured back in the 70’s. It’s quite easy to imagine this pair trundling through the wastelands, maybe looking for a better pair of legs for the robot. You can see some more great articles about Biocup entries here.