Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans is an amazing anime that is difficult to summarize briefly.
Its story is intricate and captivating, blending mecha battles with political intrigue and a rebellion theme.
If you were impressed and hooked after watching it, don’t worry because we have compiled a list of the best anime like Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans.
All you need to do is spare 5 minutes of your time to read this list and choose which anime to watch tonight to experience the same fantastic vibes.
Table of Contents
10. Guilty Crown
Guilty Crown is a fairly popular mecha anime, which might be a great series to watch after Iron-Blooded Orphans.
Japan, 2029. The country falls into chaos due to the spreading of the Apocalypse Virus, causing the UN to intervene by removing every political authority and replacing them with the GHQ.
But a decade later, the country is still controlled by this organization with force, and this causes the birth of the Funeral Parlor, a group determined to liberate Japan.
And between the hustle, we’ll follow the events of Inori Yuzuriha Shuu Ouma, the two MCs.
Guilty Crown can be regarded as a more shonen-style version of Iron-Blooded Orphans, to use an improper definition.
The themes are pretty much the same, with politics, riots, and mecha, but everything is treated in a lighter way, with room for romance and more delicate moments as well.
9. Darling in the FranXX
Darling in the FranXX is a recent mecha anime that has garnered both positive and negative reviews, with many similarities compared to Iron-Blooded Orphans.
It’s set in a distant future where humanity is on the brink of extinction due to giant beasts called Klaxosaurs. Humans live in fortified cities called Plantations and children are raised solely to pilot the FranXX, giant mechas which require a boy-girl pair to operate and fight the Klaxosaurs.
And in this story the protagonist, Hiro, is a boy without a partner who meets a mysterious girl named Zero Two, known as the Partner Killer.
The anime has a more lighthearted and youthful tone than Iron-Blooded Orphans, with romance and comedic scenes, but still shares similarities such as the exploitation of children as soldiers and mechas.
But coming to the differences, in Darling in the FranXX the enemies are more sci-fi in nature with the Klaxosaurs, and not humans like in Iron-Blooded Orphans.
8. Knights of Sidonia
Knights of Sidonia is a niche mecha anime, but it offers a complex and intricate story that shares many similarities with Gundam Iron-Blooded Orphans.
The alien race Gauna is a terrible and warlike force that has brought destruction to the universe, wiping out the entire solar system. Humanity is reduced to wandering the remains aboard the Cydonia, the last viable ark in search of hope.
The protagonist, Tanigaze Nagate, is a reluctant recruit to the Knights of Cydonia, a team of mecha pilots tasked with defending what remains.
Like Iron-Blooded Orphans, Knights of Sidonia offers an intense and at times suffocating plot that is sure to give you the same vibes.
However, Knights of Sidonia relies more on Sci-Fi and almost horror themes than Iron-Blooded Orphans, which as you know focuses on politics and revolutions.
7. Super Dimensional Fortress Macross
This time, with Macross, we deviate a little from the themes and vibes of Iron-Blooded Orphans, but hear us out.
Macross is an iconic mecha anime that has made history in the genre. Although it has a completely different atmosphere and themes from Iron-Blooded Orphans, we still feel that it is a must-watch for fans of the mecha genre.
The plot starts when a massive alien ship crashes on Earth. In fear of an alien invasion, the ship is quickly dismantled and used to construct a powerful spacecraft called Macross, just in case of a future war.
However, confirming the suspects, on the day of Macross’ unveiling, the alien race known as Zentradi attacks Earth, sparking a thrilling space battle.
But romance will take center stage, with the iconic love triangle between pilot Hikaru Ichijo, Macross officer Misa Hayase, and idol singer Lynn Minmay, who plays a significant role in the war effort.
Macross is a truly unique and incomparable mecha anime, and it’s unlikely that any others like it will ever be made again. This fact alone is enough to make it a highly recommended series for fans of the mecha genre.
6. Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
Anyone making a list about mecha anime must not leave out Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, one of the greatest mecha anime ever created, without exaggeration.
The story follows Simon and Kamina, who are tired of living underground and dream of seeing the sky. One day, they discover the head of a robot called Lagann while digging underground.
After activating the mecha, they reach the surface and take possession of its body, leading them to war against mysterious enemies.
There are many similarities to Iron-Blooded Orphans, such as the two male MCs with different personalities just like Mikazuki and Olga, and a war fought with mecha for revenge and territory.
But despite some differences, like the setting or the political themes, Gurren Lagann is a must-watch due to its status as one of the best mecha anime ever created. If you enjoy the genre, you simply can’t miss it.
5. Aldnoah.Zero
Aldnoah.Zero is a mecha anime based entirely on deep political and war themes, just like Iron-Blooded Orphans, so no doubt you’ll love it.
Humanity, due to misunderstandings and various sparks, ended up in a terrible war with the Bars empire from the planet Mars.
The conflict ended in tragedy, with huge losses on both sides and 15 long years have passed. But old sparks and hatred are ready to start another painful fire.
Except for the Sci-Fi setting of Aldnoah.Zero, the similarities are striking. Both anime are based on mecha and a deep and well-structured political aspect, although Aldnoah.Zero lacks the key figure of the child soldier.
But removing these differences, you’ll enjoy it if you watch it after Iron-Blooded Orphans.
4. 86 Eighty Six
86 is a recent mecha anime that has quickly gained a lot of fans thanks to its qualities. And with its focus on mecha, politics, war, and uprisings, it is an excellent choice for fans of Iron Blooded Orphans, no doubt of that.
The story takes place in the fictional republic of San Magnolia, a country oppressed by unmanned machines known as Legion. To counter these attacks, the republic deploys similar machines, seemingly eliminating the need for human involvement.
However, the truth is that these mecha are piloted by the secret unit known as 86, of which the main characters are members.
If you’re in search of a fantastic anime that captures the qualities of Iron Blooded Orphans, all with modern animation, this is probably our best recommendation today.
3. Code Geass
Code Geass is a must-watch anime in general, but if you watch it after Iron-Blooded Orphans, you might appreciate it even more.
Japan has become a colony of the British Empire and is now known as Area 11. The main character is Lelouch, a guy who gets caught in the crossfire and manages to escape after receiving the Geass from C.C., a mysterious girl.
This power enables him to have absolute power over others simply by direct eye contact, allowing him to control their minds. This is where his revenge against the British Empire begins, sparking a terrible war between the two factions.
Iron-Blooded Orphans and Code Geass are similar in terms of the theme of war fought due to political reasons and entanglements, revolts, and revenge. However, Code Geass has a superpowers component, which is absent in Iron-Blooded Orphans, but it adds an extra edge to the story at the expense of realism.
But if you’re looking for something like that, we bet you’ll love it madly.
2. Neon Genesis Evangelion
Evangelion is considered one of the cornerstones of the mecha genre, so it’s mandatory to include it in any list about mecha anime.
Created by Hideaki Anno and the Gainax studio, the anime portrays a world under attack by mysterious cybernetic entities known as Angels that threaten the peace of humanity.
To fight them, the Special Agency Nerv uses special mechas called EVAs. The protagonist, Shinji Ikari, is hired by this group to pilot one of the robots, EVA 01, and attempt to end these attacks.
But despite the similarities with Iron-Blooded Orphans in the exploitation of child soldiers to fight a mecha war, Evangelion is much more than that, so don’t be fooled by appearances.
It’s a story that heavily relies on the psychology of its characters and their traumas, which seamlessly blend with the mecha theme in a unique and unmissable anime.
1. Mobile Suit Gundam
Yes, we’re recommending the good old original Gundam series. If you enjoyed the themes of mecha, war, and its aftermath portrayed in Iron Blooded Orphans, why not explore the series that started the entire franchise?
It has been half a century since humanity, due to overpopulation, began relocating to space colonies.
In the year 0079 of the Universal Century, Side 3, the farthest group of colonies from Earth declared themselves the Principality of Zeon and fought for independence, seeking to subdue all other space colonies.
That’s the beginning of a devastating war, that will forever alter the course of history in the universe.
The first Gundam series dates back to 1979, and it goes without saying that its animation has aged over time and is just the beginning of a vast fictional universe.
However, if you are not deterred by this and wish to delve into the origins that led to Iron Blooded Orphans, we encourage you to immerse yourself in it.