Mechanical Arms
Mechanical Arms, also known as Mecha-Ude: Mechanical Arms, is an original anime television series created and directed by Sae Okamoto. It was originally a Kickstarter-backed project launched by Okamoto in October 2016. The project met its goal and a 25-minute pilot was released on YouTube in May 2019. The series aired from October to December 2024.
Summary
In the near future, unknown mechanical beings descend on Earth, randomly fusing with humans in order to survive. These beings are commonly called "Mecha-Ude", due to their resemblance to mechanized limbs and appendages. While most of them were harmless, some were often violent and would be used for nefarious purposes by equal-minded individuals, with the resistance group known as "ARMS" having to assess the situation before taking care of it themselves with their own Mecha-Ude.Hikaru Amatsuga, an average middle-school student, ends up forced to cooperate with Alma, an extremely rare yet amnesiac Mecha-Ude bonded to his hoodie. Reluctantly tasked by ARMS into an all-out war to protect this strange Mecha-Ude from various factions seeking to claim Alma for its unparalleled power as the "Trigger Arm", Hikaru will have to fight his way with his new mechanical ally and several other Mecha-Ude users to prevent another faction known as the "Kagami Group" from reclaiming Alma for their plans against the Mecha-Ude and Earth itself.
Characters
;Hikaru Amatsuga;Alma
;Aki Murasame
;Shinisu and Dekisu
;Jun Kagami
;Fist
;Tohdoh
;Yoh Shirono
;Aljis
;Fubuki
;Amaryllis
;Yakumo
Media
Anime
The anime began as a Kickstarter-backed project launched by Okamoto in October 2016. It ran until November 2016, when it reached its stretch goal of $60,000. A 25-minute pilot was produced and was released on YouTube with English subtitles on May 10, 2019. An English dub version was released on Reina Scully's YouTube channel the following day.A full-fledged anime project was launched by Pony Canyon on September 15, 2022. It features the staff and cast returning to reprise their roles, produced by TriF Studio and directed by Okamoto, with scripts written by Yasuhiro Nakanishi, character designs by Terumi Nishi and Yoko Uchida, and music composed by Hiroyuki Sawano, Kohta Yamamoto, and AWSM's Daiki. While the first episode premiered at the 28th Fantasia International Film Festival on July 20, 2024, the series aired from October 3 to December 20, 2024, on Tokyo MX and other networks. The opening theme song is "VORTEX", while the ending theme song is "karma", both performed by Setsuko of Kuhaku Gokko.
Crunchyroll streamed the series under the title Mecha-Ude: Mechanical Arms. Plus Media Networks Asia licensed the series in Southeast Asia for simulcasting on Aniplus Asia.