Because they take their mechas seriously in Japan, of course when it comes to celebrating something like the 30th anniversary of Mobile Suit Gundam, they have to build a 1:1 scale, life-size statue of the iconic anime figure. It was announced back in March by Bandai as part of the anniversary project, had been slowly constructed since last month, and was finally completed today, standing proud at 59 feet high.
Photo by Sun Summer (Flickr)
The design is based on the original 1979 Gundam, the RX-78-2. Retro, isn't it? I'd love to see some of the more modern Gundams receive the same treatment, but the level of details (not to mention those damn wings) would probably be a little too complicated to replicate. The head can actually move around, and the body has 50 points that emit light for nighttime display.
It's located in the middle of Shiokaze Park at Tokyo's man-made Odaiba Island, apparently now a pilgrimage destination for you otakus during the summer. Yes, summer, because the statue is only staying up until August before they're going to disassemble it and then reassembled in space in order to establish Japan's supremacy in global warfare. A lot of people have already visited and snapped photos—they're all over Flickr.
Bandai has dubbed this the first phase of their anniversary celebration, called "Real G." Two more will follow this year, first with the big Expo Convention "Feel G" and then a Gundam-inspired music festival called "Soul G."
