The Better to See You with My Dear

by Ben

March 25, 2005

One of the fundamental truths about people is that when we look at
something we find powerful or exceptional, we usually have to personify it. Planes, tanks, hell even PCs are referred to as you would a person. It isn't surprising then that in a post-modern world, we would want the things we use to actually have those personalities, or the display of personification that we already expect in things we like. It seems rather natural to want something to have more "life" than it already does, but at what point do we start drawing on our own design flaws and making mistakes?

How many Mecha out there have heads? And In those heads, possibly the
most exposed and easily severable part of the Mecha, is the most
important and powerful optic systems. I have always wondered why you
would choose to put a head on a robot. I suppose, the imposing factor
of a giant humanoid about to squish you is as good a reason as any, but there has to be more.  In our technology today, we have the pilots at the front of planes for a simple reason, because they need to be able to see, but in the Mecha age, everything is run via panoramic or 360 degree viewable monitor systems. I suppose the fact that the pilot is usually in the chest is at least a smart improvement, but let's dwell on this for a few shall we?

How many people think leaving blatant vulnerabilities open is silly, raise your hand! <Looks around the room> I'm so proud of you!

Now given, there are a few advantages to having those sensors at the
top. For one, it allows for easy rotation. Now why in a 360 degree view cockpit the head would need to turn….okay, you got me on that one.
Another advantage is that its easily replaceable should the sensors need an upgrade…. I suppose that's reasonable, but at the common rate of mobile suit output and such, I don't see upgrades as being all that
common, so much as replacements.

Ok… let's see… what else….. oh yes, we cant forget the fact that without a head, every robot looks the same from the torso down! I mean, look at the Gundams… if you took the Strike Gundam and put it side by side next to the Impulse Gundam, looking them square in the eye you immediately know which is which, strictly by the color of their eyes. As I mentioned earlier, identifying marks are important to people. There is absolutely no reason for a robot to have green or yellow or purple eyes, yet there they are.

One thing some anime series have been horrible about is the need for a
molded mouth on robots. All I have to say on this is…. WHY??? It doesn't eat, doesn't breath, sure as hell doesn't talk (sentient robots excluded of course). So why does it need a mouth? Is it going to kiss its opponents to death?

So I go back to my original question…why do Mechas have heads? I
conclude that it is for no other reason that to individualize them from their competitors.  It is a trademark like any other. I can find no legitimate reason for a Mecha to have a humanoid head whatsoever. And I mean come on….a Gundam without the V-fin is like no Gundam at all… unless you're a crazy outcast like Victory Gundam Hexa.

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