Humanity is constrained by walls, which protect it from the onslaught of massive humanoid beasts called Titans, to take pleasure in eating humans. But while they protect mankind, Eren Jaeger knows that they're also a cage. Desiring freedom, he desires to join the recon corps, an elite group of soldiers who fight titans beyond the wall. One day, the titans break through the wall and Eren's life, alongside those of his friends Mikasa Ackerman and Armin Arlert, will never be the same.

Shingeki no Kyojin and Schwarzesmarken both have frightening inhuman antagonists whose preferred method of killing is eating the protagonists alive often in full view of their friends and comrades. It makes for heavy, anxious drama tinged with body horror that are what makes both experiences so palatable, pardon my pun. Shingeki no Kyojin takes this type of drama and places it really well within the edgier, move dark and violent currents that Shounen series have been trending towards. It's great animation, fantastic soundtrack and extended combat arcs really make for a visceral, edge of your seat experience. Plus, if you haven't seen Shingeki no Kyojin yet, it's about time you get around to it!

Since 1973, aliens called BETA have driven humanity to a crisis point. In response, they have developed massive humanoid weapons called TSF to defend against the BETA Menace. Yui Takamura Is a Japanese TSF Pilot tasked with overseeing the development of the next-level TSFs, a joint project of Japan and USA, the latter sends Yuuya Bridges to take part in the project who's meeting will change the course of both their lives.

This is the original! Schwarzesmarken is an in-universe spin-off/prequel for this Visual Novel turned Anime Adaptation, so if you're curious about where the story goes off after, you should definitely check out Muv-Luv. It has the wonderfully designed TSF's, the mostly female pilot staff, and some of the high drama involved when you're facing off an enemy which is trying to eat you alive. Muv-Luv has generated a devoted following (It had a Kickstarter for the English-language adaptation, which was one of the quickest ever to exceed all it's goals) and you should definitely check it out if you're a mecha fan.

Itami Youji is an average guy trying to attend a Doujinshi convention in Ginza, but he's also an JSDF Reservist. Suddenly, a gate appears in the middle of Ginza, and soldiers with antiquity era technology cause death and havoc, only to be beaten back by the JSDF. Wanting to get a handle on the situation, the JSDF Forays into the Gate, to try to secure peace.

Gate is another military show which, although it's not a mecha show, has tons of vehicles and gear on feature that will likely appeal it to some Mecha fans. It's got a more light-hearted and goofy tone than Schwarzesmarken but Gate has its serious moments and it's also a political/military drama where you see the fighting on the ground and the political movements behind the scenes. Gate is also unique because it features how a modern military, which despite its overwhelming military advantage, still has to go through hurdles and tread carefully to use military force in a manner befitting of international law as well as maintain the moral high ground to sway the populace. It's a different take on most military show's that I think a lot of people can enjoy.

Angelise Ikaruga, known to her friends as simply Ange, is in line to be the empress of a land where magic, or mana, has made it into a paradise. Those who can't use mana, the Norma, or cast out and oppressed and despite being born into the summit of privilege, Ange is found out to be a norma. Thrust into a paramail, a 'coffin for Norma', Ange must participate in suicide missions to defend human society from transgressing dragons. How long can Ange last? What are the truth behind Mana and the Norma?

Cross Ange is a Mecha series that features nearly all female pilots, just like Schwarzesmarken. It's main difference is that the plot has a number of more light-hearted and comedic elements as well as a degree of fanservice that's more akin to the original Muv-Luv than Schwarzesmarken. But Cross Ange also does have an overarching plot where the pilots try to rectify the social and political ills of the day, caused by a corrupt and inhumane system of government. And of course, lots of mech battles against extraterrestrial forces!