For another mechashow that ends on an up note (though a wistful one), Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann is worth checking out. It's Gainax, and it's Gainax MAKING FUN OF ITSELF, and both mocking the shit out of and fanboying the shit out of mecha anime tropes. SOME STUFF WILL PROBABLY MAKE YOU CRY IF YOU ARE LIKE ME but it's not needless wangst by any means. And Yoko is amazing.