In some continuities, special scenarios are constructed to make mecha more viable than current-day status. The applications often highlight the theoretical usefulness of such a device, combining a tank's resilience and firepower with infantry's ability to cross unstable terrain and a high degree of customization. Other works represent mecha as one component of an integrated military force, supported by and fighting alongside tanks, fighter aircraft, and infantry, functioning as a mechanical cavalry. Often, they are the primary means of combat, with conflicts sometimes being decided through gladiatorial matches. In most cases, mecha are depicted as fighting machines, whose appeal comes from the combination of potent weaponry with a more stylish combat technique than a mere vehicle. They are usually much larger than the wearer, like Iron Man's enemy the Iron Monger, or the mobile suits depicted in the Gundam franchise. While the distinction is often hazy, mecha typically does not refer to form-fitting powered armor such as Iron Man's suit. Mechas differ from robots in that they are piloted from a cockpit, typically located in the chest or head of the mech. Outside of this usage, it has become associated with large humanoid machines with limbs or other biological characteristics. In Japanese, mecha encompasses all mechanical objects, including cars, guns, computers, and other devices, and 'robot' or 'giant robot' is used to distinguish limbed vehicles from other mechanical devices. 'Mecha' is an abbreviation, first used in Japanese, of 'mechanical'. Alternatively, in the original Japanese context of the word, "mecha" may refer to mobile machinery/vehicles (including aircraft) in general, manned or otherwise. The term may also refer to real world piloted humanoid or non-humanoid robotic platforms, either currently in existence or still on the drawing board (i.e. The concept of Super Robot and Real Robot are two such examples found in Japanese anime and manga. Different subgenres exist, with varying connotations of realism.
These machines vary greatly in size and shape, but are distinguished from vehicles by their humanoid or biomorphic appearance and size-bigger than a human. The term was first used in Japanese: 'mecha', after shortening the English loanword 'mechanism' ( メカニズム, mekanizumu) or 'mechanical' ( メカニカル, mekanikaru), but the meaning in Japanese is more inclusive, and 'robot' ( ロボット, robotto) or 'giant robot' is the narrower term. Mechas are typically depicted as humanoid walking vehicles. The term mecha ( Japanese: メカ, Hepburn: meka) may refer to both scientific ideas and science-fiction genres that center on giant robots or machines ( mechs) controlled by people. A mecha made by Mugen Motorsports at the Osaka Auto Messe (2019)