Mega XLR 🚗💥🤖

 

Megas XLR

It's a classic animated series from the early 2000s that aired on Cartoon Network. It followed Coop, a gamer and mechanic who finds and modifies a giant alien robot (Megas) to fight off evil threats—while also causing plenty of destruction in the process. The show was packed with humour, action, and tons of references to video games, anime, and pop culture. 

1. Overview of the Series

  • Title: Megas XLR
  • Created by: Jody Schaeffer & George Kristic
  • Aired on: Cartoon Network (2004–2005)
  • Episodes: 2 Seasons (26 episodes)
  • Genre: Sci-fi, Mecha, Action-Comedy

Tagline: "Chicks dig giant robots!"

Megas XLR was an action-packed and comedic animated series that parodied mecha anime, video games, and pop culture. The show featured a slacker mechanic and gamer, Coop, who finds an advanced alien battle robot and modifies it into a hot-rod-inspired fighting machine. Alongside his best friend Jamie and the displaced warrior Kiva, Coop defends Earth (and often unintentionally destroys parts of it) from various alien threats, primarily the Glorft, an invading alien race.

2. Plot Summary

The Backstory

In the distant future, the Glorft, a warlike alien species, wages a devastating war against humanity. To turn the tide, the human resistance creates a powerful battle mecha called Megas, designed to be piloted by Kiva Andru, a skilled warrior. However, before it can be fully used in battle, the Glorft attacks, forcing Kiva to send Megas back in time to prevent it from falling into enemy hands. Unfortunately, the robot lands in a New Jersey junkyard in the early 21st century, where it remains abandoned for years.

Coop Modifies Megas

A lazy but talented mechanic and video game enthusiast named Coop stumbles upon Megas in the junkyard and decides to fix it up. However, instead of restoring its original design, he heavily customises it, replacing its control system with a car (a 1970s Plymouth Barracuda muscle car). The new controls are incredibly unconventional, mostly resembling an arcade fighter setup.

When Kiva eventually tracks Megas down, she finds that Coop, despite his unorthodox methods, is the only one who can pilot it. Stuck in the past without a way to return, Kiva reluctantly joins Coop and his friend Jamie, a cowardly but sarcastic slacker, to stop the Glorft and other threats that target Megas.

The Ongoing Battles

Throughout the series, Coop, Jamie, and Kiva fight various enemies, including:

  • The Glorft: led by the tyrannical Gorrath, they continuously try to reclaim or destroy Megas.
  • Other Villains: including alien warlords, giant monsters, evil robots, and even the occasional dimension-hopping foe.
  • Themselves: Since Coop’s recklessness often causes as much destruction as the enemies he fights.

Despite the frequent destruction of cities (especially New Jersey), Coop manages to keep Earth safe, mostly by accident.

3. Characters

Main Trio

  • Coop (voiced by David DeLuise): The main protagonist, an overweight but skilled mechanic and gamer. He customises Megas and is the only one who can pilot it. Despite his laziness, love of junk food, and careless nature, he’s a natural fighter when it comes to giant robot battles.
  • Kiva Andru (voiced by Wendee Lee): A serious and disciplined warrior from the future. She originally piloted Megas but now has to rely on Coop. She constantly tries to fix Megas and train Coop, with little success.
  • Jamie (voiced by Steve Blum) is Coop’s best friend, a cowardly, lazy slacker who mostly watches battles from the sidelines and tries (unsuccessfully) to impress women.

Recurring Antagonists

  • Gorrath (Voiced by Clancy Brown): The main villain, leader of the Glorft. He’s obsessed with reclaiming Megas and eliminating Coop.
  • Warmaster Gorrath’s Minions – Various Glorft soldiers who are often comically incompetent.

4. Interesting Facts and Easter Eggs

Pop Culture References

  • The show is packed with video game and anime references. Megas’ controls resemble an arcade fighting game setup, and many episode titles reference pop culture (e.g., "Battle Royale" and "Dude, Where’s My Head?").
  • Coop’s customisation of Megas is heavily inspired by car culture, featuring a flame paint job, giant speakers, and muscle car elements.
  • The New Jersey setting is a nod to many classic movies and shows set in or making fun of Jersey.
  • The theme song ("Chicks Dig Giant Robots") was a parody of rock and metal themes from 80s and 90s cartoons.

Cancelled Third Season and Lost Storylines

  • Megas XLR was cancelled after two seasons, primarily due to low ratings and budget concerns, despite gaining a cult following later.
  • There were plans for a third season that would have introduced more lore about the future war, deeper character development for Kiva, and possibly a major final showdown with the Glorft.
  • Rumours suggest that in the third season, Coop would have accidentally destroyed the future timeline, leading to an even bigger war.

5. Unanswered Mysteries

1. The True Origin of the Glorft’s War

While the series establishes that the Glorft and humans are at war, it never explains how the conflict started or what they were fighting over.

2. Kiva’s Future Fate

Since Coop and Jamie change history by keeping Megas in the past, what happens to the future Kiva came from? Does it get erased, or does she just get stranded permanently?

3. Other Time Travel Consequences

Megas was meant to be used in the future, but now it’s in the past. What happens to history as a result of Coop’s reckless piloting?

4. Megas’ Full Potential

Despite all of Coop’s modifications, Kiva repeatedly states that Megas has far greater capabilities that he never learns how to use. What else could Megas do if Coop wasn’t so reliant on button-mashing?

6. Legacy and Impact

  • Megas XLR was ahead of its time, blending American humor with anime-inspired action and animation.
  • The show developed a cult following, especially among fans of giant robot shows like Gundam, Transformers, and Gurren Lagann.
  • Despite being cancelled, references to Megas XLR have appeared in various Cartoon Network shows and even in video game culture.
  • Fans have long campaigned for a revival, but no official reboot or sequel has been announced.

Conclusion

Megas XLR remains a unique and beloved show that parodied and celebrated the mecha genre with humour, over-the-top action, and unforgettable characters. While it was short-lived, its legacy lives on through fan discussions, online references, and nostalgia for its mix of 2000s humour and giant robot battles.

Would you want to see a Megas XLR reboot, or do you think it was perfect the way it was? 🚗💥🤖


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