Top 5 Angstiest Mecha Pilots

Almost as common as whiny boy mecha pilots—and just as annoying—here we have our

Top 5 Angstiest Mecha Pilots:

#5 – Van Fanel (The Vision of Escaflowne)

We actually like Van and his excellent mecha/fantasy mixture of a show. But don’t forget to mention a mix of romance, too; otherwise, you’ll be sorely disappointed if expecting an all-out action show. Van’s heart slowly gets warmed by schoolgirl Hitomi, but it takes some time, since he has to overcome a backstabbing brother, two dead parents, and a pair of foppish fairy wings.

#4 – Setsuna F Seiei (Gundam 00)

Setsuna was a prepubescent guerilla fighter before he plopped into the cush job of Gundam pilot. Unfortunately, one never outgrows a childhood of urban warfare and a brainwashed execution of your own parents. No wonder Setsuna’s no fan of diplomacy. Good thing he’s a Gundam pilot.

#3 – Viral (Gurren Lagann)

All Viral wants is to get married and have some kids. But he’s also a bad guy who gets his bootie kicked by the human heroes. Still, Viral gets a second chance and bailed out of the slammer to help Simon’s ragtag bunch fight the impossible war against the Anti-Spirals. The enemy of my enemy . . . means you’re one lucky duck, Viral.

#2 – Heero Yuy (Gundam Wing)

We don’t know Heero’s real name—he’s just an orphan picked for combat and named after a matyred colony leader. Same name, different methods. Heero spearheads Operation Meteor to start the whole Earth/Colonies War. And when he first meets future love interest and heart warmer Relena, what are his first words? “I’ll kill you.” Not exactly our first choice for a pick-up line.

#1 – Lelouch Lamperouge/Zero (Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion)

Lelouch is angst king—royal blood and everything. This private school brat’s estranged pop is oppressive Britannia Emperor Charles, who’s not too sad about killing his wife—little Lelouch’s mom. So what does Lelouch do? Acquires some mind-controlling powers, starts up a mecha army and begins his own conquest of nations. The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree, does it?

That’s our Top 5 list of angry, arrogant, and antisocial teen pilots. Somebody give ‘em a hug.