Mecha!

Mecha! is a tabletop miniature wargame published by American game publisher Seventh Street Games (now Flagship Games) in 1993. As its name implies, Mecha! is a game featuring gigantic mecha (towering war machines piloted by humans) that allows players to simulate raging battles on land, air, sea and space. The game is currently out of print.

Game Description

The ruleset is based on six-sided and ten-sided dice and uses inches for movement and range measurements. Energy points are renewed every game turn based on the structural integrity (i.e. energy) and allocated to actions such as: movement, attack, and defense. Structural integrity is tied to the energy point supply, and damaged vehicles find themselves able to do less and less. Critical damage is also possible, leading to an immediate (and messy) destruction.

Another interesting and unique feature of the system is the use of "Battlepoles", these were rods segmented into six 5 inch parts which were used to position the Mechas! at their relative altitudes and added a unique 3D feature to the game. These items could be built by the players or bought from Seventh Street Games as a deluxe set made of clear plastic which greatly enhanced the playing experience (and saving players some hours of work).

Mecha

Mecha may refer to a science fiction genre that centers on robots or machines controlled by people. These machines vary greatly in size and shape, but are distinguished from vehicles by their humanoid or biomorphic appearance. Different subgenres exist, with varying connotations of realism. The concept of Super Robot and Real Robot are two such examples found in Japanese anime. The term may also refer to real world piloted humanoid robots / non-humanoid robotic platforms, either currently in existence or still on the drawing board (i.e. at the planning or design stage). Alternatively, in the original Japanese context of the word (see Characteristics), 'mecha' may refer to mobile machinery/vehicles (including aircraft) in general, manned or otherwise.

Characteristics

The word "mecha" (メカ, meka) is an abbreviation first used in Japanese of the word "mechanical". In Japanese, mecha encompasses all mechanical objects, including cars, guns, computers, and other devices, and the term "robot" (ロボット, robotto) or "giant robot" to distinguish limbed vehicles from other mechanical devices. Outside of this usage, it has become associated with large robots with limbs or other biological characteristics.

Mecha tea

Mecha tea is a type of green tea. The name of Mecha (芽茶) tea derives from the early leaf buds needed to make this special green tea. Mecha is harvested in spring and made as rolled leaf teas that are graded somewhere between Gyokuro and Sencha in quality. Mecha are made from a collection of leaf buds and tips of the early crops.

Popularity

Sushi restaurants in Japan serve Mecha, known as Agari, with the meal. Mecha's bitter qualities make it a good tea to drink after meals to cleanse the palate.

Flavor and aroma

Mecha is renowned for its depth of flavor, considerable astringency and bitter green aftertaste. The distinctive, sharp flavor and aroma of Mecha is often regarded as being as good as the best Sencha. The best Mecha produces an aromatic tea with a clear, soft yellow appearance.

See also