I'm not trying to stir up hate or anything, but when a country builds two giant robots in one year, I'm allowed to be paranoid. Not long after Tokyo finished the life-size Gundam project, now Kobe is doing the same for their Wakamatsu Park with a full scale statue of Tetsujin 28-go, better known in the US as Gigantor.
Unlike the Gundam statue, this one is meant to be a permanent tourist attraction for Kobe. It stands 60-feet tall, weighs 50 tons and is expected to finish construction in September, which, what a coincidence, is the same month I plan to buy a fallout shelter.
Created by one of Kobe's most famous native son, manga-ka Mitsuteru Yokoyama in 1956, Tetsujin 28-go (literally means Iron Man #28) is noted for being the first ever "giant robot" comic book. A popular black-and-white anime adaptation was made in 1963. It was later broadcast on NBC as Gigantor with its names changed and the violence toned down.
Back in January, Imagi Studios (TMNT, Astro Boy) released this cool teaser trailer as a test for T28, a CG-animated movie based on the manga, to gauge public interest.
If you want to see this made, head over to the official site, where you can send in your vote (although it's been 6 months now, so they should really make up their mind already).
