Now that I write it out I realize the one-two of New Century and G Gundam specifically set me up to enjoy tournament-style mecha plots.

There's an argument that Beast Wars might count (though that's a complicated debate on several fronts) and the Samurai Pizza Cats actually have a mech.

Discounting PR/BW though, yeah it's probably Zoids. I personally watched a fair amount of G Gundam on Toonami but that's slightly later I think.

Extremely large guy who cannot be stopped and little guy who, likewise, simply cannot be stopped.

Every time this gets brought up lately I'm struck by the strange realization that Columbo is more or less the same fantasy just less violent.

I'm obligated to report that the ad I got at the relevant ad break was, in fact, for boating insurance.

Always sad when people say they never go back and rewatch anything because I've only really discovered so many of my favorites on second or third viewings. We put too much weight on the novelty of a first time.

Perfectly valid Gundam character name too.