Why do American cartoons about giant mechs never succeed?

[ElSquibbonator]

Gundam has always relied on adult collectors as its bread and butter.

But that still raises more questions than it answers. Transformers does really well with toys aimed adult collectors, so why couldn't another American mecha series do the same thing?

 

[Neo Ultra Mike]

But that still raises more questions than it answers. Transformers does really well with toys aimed adult collectors, so why couldn't another American mecha series do the same thing?

Again though Transformers aren't mecha shows in the same way since the giant robots ARE the characters not just units other characters operates. If you wanted a series that did do really well selling giant mechs to kids as well as adults (and yeah Transformers was a big seller for both kids AND adults like even now) that would be Power Rangers since again Megazords sold really well in addition to just ranger toys so it's clear those sold. Thus again it's likely the appeal of these specific figures and looks weren't enough to grab kids attention. I feel the design of some of them especially like say Megas may have been the issue as though Megas is a really good design I think that's more appealing if you're into cars which yeah kids can be really on and off on so didn't transfer enough to appease them.

 

[Vuxovich]

The fact that the planned Megas XLR reboot was initially greenlit and later shelved for unknown reasons doesn't sit well with me. What do you think?

 

[SpecialColorfull]

The fact that the planned Megas XLR reboot was initially greenlit and later shelved for unknown reasons doesn't sit well with me. What do you think?

Great question and it REALLY doesnt sit well with me either.

 

[Scofisticated]

The fact that the planned Megas XLR reboot was initially greenlit and later shelved for unknown reasons doesn't sit well with me. What do you think?

Excuse et moi! When was this?

 

[Neo Ultra Mike]

Cartoon Network Animator Talks Megas XLR Revival

Throughout the history of Cartoon Network, the cable network has given animation fans quite a few gems that failed to have lasting longevity, despite many fans’ desire for the stories to continue. A prime example of this was with Megas XLR, a 2004 series that focused on two New Jersey burn-outs...

comicbook.com

Pretty much Jody Schaffer talking about how there were actual plans of a Megas revival before yeah Zaslav went all cut crazy. This was probably when Warner Brothers was encouraging various creators to comb through libraries of artist interested in pitching projects based on popular/known IPs they could potentially make streaming series for in that "we want as much content for our streaming site as possible" era in the late 2010s/early 2020s. But yeah Zaslav was litearlly so cut happy he was taking out even super popular network shows just to cut costs no way was he going to let them go through producing a show based on a cult hit that had been written off... this is why I really wish that guy wasn't in charge of Warner Brothers and all his assets were given to those in need or artists whose projects were passed over because of his choices.

 

[Zorak Masaki]

A lot of the casual fans enjoy the fighting, but less so the stuff that deals with the characters piloting the mechs. Power Rangers and the other Super Sentai shows (live action, but stick with me here) at least had enough fight scenes before they used the mechs (ie, Megazord) to keep people interested