I hope you enjoy any of these! In reminding myself of the mecha I've watched, I realized how many are about being forced to adapt due to conflict or to achieve their ambition and dealing with the consequences. So if you like that, I'm sure youll find something you like in the genre!

Eureka Seven is a coming of age story, where the mc has to grow beyond his father's legacy, but still has the lack of experience as he's a teenager (50 eps, complete)
The original 1986 Macross (and the franchise)is another one with more focus on freedom, overcoming differences, and relationships

Well, luckily a lot of the well-regarded mecha are character driven! I'll recommend 86, (or Eighty Six) as it definitely has a mystery element to it, as well as having very good character dynamics (24 eps, unfortunately not complete, s2 pending). I've got more, but they are a bit on the older side

Hmm, what would you say are some main draws to anime in general? Hopefully I can recommend a few based on your tastes!