Mecha or mechs are usually bipedal machines manned with pilots. In science fiction Mecha robots are used as war machines. In Japan, Mecha is a genre in itself that started with Tetsujin 28-go as the pioneer manga followed by Mazinger Z, Macross, Gundam, Voltes V and many other spin-offs in both print and television as the genre became more popular.

The anime and manga series tie in with toy manufacturers as merchandise and promotional items, and lately these items have become popular collectibles due to their historical and sentimental value. A Tetsujin 28 action figure manufactured in 1981 now goes around $2000 and other toys of this period normally sell for $600.

Popular toy makers of Mecha action figures are Bandai, Popy (merged with Bandai), Bullmark and GoDaikin.

Here is a Mazinger Z tin wind-up toy from ToyTokyo it goes for $45.