Wild West Meets Adorable Robots in Father Son Duo’s Charming MechWest Animated Series

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Ever found yourself pondering over what the Wild West would be like if it were inhabited by an entire populace of mechs? Look no further, because that very concept is brought to life in the charming animated series titled MechWest! This show centers around a character named Pearl West, who differs from most people around her as she has a deep affection for mechs and makes it her mission to assist them whenever possible. This quest leads her to a lovable little mech known as Six, and together they embark on an exhilarating journey filled with a myriad of unique characters. MechWest is the brainchild of Dave Gallagher, a former Blue Sky Studios veteran (Ice Age, Robots), and his son Noah Gallagher, and also boasts contributions from the gifted students and alumni of Gallagher’s AnimSchool. ComicBook had the opportunity to chat with Dave and Noah about the origins of the show, the characters that inspired Pearl and Six, and the exciting new episodes on the horizon.

Initially, we focused on Pearl and Six due to the heartwarming relationship that lies at the core of MechWest’s appeal. This relationship draws inspiration from Dave’s daughter, who has an affinity for dogs similar to how Pearl is attracted to mechs.

Pearl and Six

Pearl appears to have been modeled after one of my daughters. In public, she often attracts dogs like a magnet. They seem drawn to her, even passing by others to approach her. It’s almost as if there’s an invisible bond between them, and it’s puzzling. Why does this connection exist? What is it about her that they sense? She adores them just as much, making this strange, hard-to-comprehend, somewhat mystical situation all the more intriguing.

Dave suggested an intriguing notion: could Pearl be somehow linked to these mechs? He explained that we don’t typically think of these mechs as machines because we rarely discuss their construction details, and he has a grasp of their inner workings. Instead, he sees them more as living entities, similar to animals, pets, or even children.

Noah and Dave preferred not to have Pearl follow the usual path where she’d be a mechanic-like character. Instead, they aimed to portray her as a friend, more like a psychologist, connecting on a deeper, soulful level. This way, they could develop a unique narrative for her role.


For Six, the fundamental aspect of its design was essentially established quite early on, but it required several iterations to reach the endearing appearance you see in the series. Dave, the designer, shared that the initial idea revolved around a shape with an eye conceptualized as if it were hidden behind a car’s headlight, breaking up the light in an intriguing manner. He described this as creating a little jewel-like effect. The first rough sketch he drew on paper remained quite similar to its current form, but Noah, another designer, suggested improvements. They collaborated with Jake Parker, based in New York, who is also a designer. Parker refined the design, elevating it significantly, making it more appealing, intriguing, and endearing. From then on, they felt that they had something truly special.

From Idea to Reality

The concept for MechWest originated some time ago, combining the themes of the Old West and mechs. However, it was during the pandemic that things began to progress. From that point on, the idea evolved from a mere concept to tangible reality.

Nearly a decade ago, an intriguing proposal sparked within me as a network sought fresh concepts for animated series. The thought struck me – why not revive a genre seldom seen in animation, the classic Western, and infuse it with a modern twist? Robots! A quirky idea was born. Amidst pandemic lockdowns, I found myself contemplating the possibility of bringing this concept to life.” (Said Dave)

Noah stated that we launched our project with an independent spirit, which might not have been the most prudent approach at times, since it’s common in creative fields to wait for approval and deal with numerous cancellations of projects. However, given our resources and network through Dave, we decided to proceed with the project ourselves.

Additionally, many students from AnimSchool have contributed to this project over the years, starting from some impressive student exhibitions. Dave mentioned that these yearly showcases sparked an idea in them: “People would always comment, let’s turn this into a movie. So, we started considering the possibility of our graduates collaborating on a project like this.

Noah explained that they create animations based on existing TV shows or movies for something to animate with. They pick the best ones and showcase them. Sometimes, these animations can be quite entertaining,” Noah said.

In addition, it’s worth mentioning that the students and graduates working on the project are receiving payment for their contributions, as Dave explained, “We’re using students and graduates from AnimSchool, and they’re being compensated for their work.

Episode 3 and Beyond

You can currently watch the first two episodes of MechWest on their official YouTube channel, and I’m happy to say that we’ll soon have episode 3! Although the second episode had some serious moments, the third one promises a touch more light-hearted entertainment with Dave and Noah.

When asked about episode 3, Noah mentioned that it delves into what seemed like the next crucial question for these characters. In episode 2, Pearl, Pico, and Casey the salesman journey to a city in the north to repair Six, but Casey appears to be greedy with questionable intentions.

In simpler terms, Noah stated that the upcoming part will reveal what the character will do, as he had been contemplating seizing Six for personal gain and quick riches. He finds this episode entertaining and believes it will clarify some forthcoming relationships between these three characters. However, he considers it more enjoyable than the first two episodes.

Indeed, we’ve moved to a fresh location! We’ve got some fresh antagonists, and they’ve got a bit more humor to them. For instance, the main baddie in episodes one and two is Herkai – he’s as straight-laced as they come, never once cracking a smile. He’s all about business, making things quite amusing.

Every new place we visit seems to be packed with these amazing mechanical devices, each with their unique functions, which we can’t wait to share with you. We’ve got a bunch of these new ones, and they sure are fun!” – Dave explained.

Dave, Noah, along with their team at AnimSchool plan to produce eight episodes for the first season of MechWest. Following this initial run, it’s probable they’ll launch a crowdfunding campaign to finance future seasons. If you’re eager to see more of MechWest, there are two cost-effective ways you can assist:

1. Spread the word about MechWest on social media and with friends who might be interested. The more people who know about it, the higher the chances of a successful crowdfunding campaign.
2. Contribute to the crowdfunding campaign when it launches. Every little bit helps, so even small donations can make a big difference in helping to create more episodes of MechWest.

Dave explained, “The best approach is to subscribe to our YouTube channel for around a few dollars per month. The most attractive aspect might be early access to episodes, allowing you to watch them before anyone else. However, if finances are tight, simply spreading the word about it on social media works just as well. Share the show with others, recommend it, and use its name in conversations. Our main goal is to increase awareness and grow our community, creating demand for the show.

Right now, you have the chance to catch up on the first two episodes of MechWest over on its official YouTube channel. Keep an eye out as episode 3 will be released shortly!

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2025-05-03 15:10