Since the start of this month, people out and about in the Odaiba neighborhood of Tokyo have been snapping photos and shooting video of the under-construction full-size statue of anime’s Unicorn Gundam mecha. While the 19.7-meter tribute is a literally huge undertaking, the hard-working crews have been making rapid progress on the RX-0 (to use the robot’s alphanumeric designation).
Just last week, the Unicorn’s stalwart head and torso were lifted by crane and attached to the legs, which were already in place at its home outside the Diver City entertainment complex. The result had expectant fans asking just how much work was left to be done. The answer apparently is “very little,” and now comes the sudden announcement that the Unicorn Gundam will be completed and shown off in full-form for the first time on September 24.
So what needs to be done between now and then? Judging from the above photo, tweeted on August 23, the mecha still needs a few coats of paint, and it’s yet to get any of its insignia stickers or other graphics. Crews are also likely still in the process of adding wiring for the 50 different parts of the robot that will be illuminated at night, as well as installing motors for the reconfiguring sections of the Unicorn’s face, shoulders, hips, and knees (a portion of which we’ve already gotten a sneak peek of), since the RX-0 is a semi-transforming unit.
If you can’t wait another month, you’ll be happy to know that due to the statue’s size anyone can stroll up to the edge of the construction site and take a gander anytime they want. Patient types will be rewarded, though, as the September 24 unveiling promises to be an exciting opportunity to rub elbows with fellow anime fans as you collectively bathe in the warm pink glow from the Unicorn Gundam’s many, many lights.
Source: Gundam Portal Site via Jin
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14 Comments
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Webber Depor
ummmmmmmmm...... what that prodruding-part between his legs does actually?
Webber Depor
can it move? at least some fingers
Kniknaknokkaer
Is it actually some kind of transformer or just a crap looking robot?
juminRhee
Halwick:
South Korea wouldn't allow it. They censor many Japanese and other foreign media under the guise of protecting korean culture.
Halwick
How about putting an army of these along the Korean DMZ border? It certainly looks menacingly enough. What will Kim Jong-un make of it? LOL
socrateos
This is so cool.
juminRhee
When I say pilot, I mean that. It better fly and shoot or its false advertising ;)
juminRhee
When can visitors pay money to pilot it?
Haaa Nemui
Considering the fact that Japan is known the world over for its manga and anime, I wouldn't disregard the effect this has. I'm quite sure in the long term it would generate more money from tourists than it would cost to install and keep in the short term.
pacint
Bandai pays for it.
Large Toymaker who also owns anime studios and much more really big group.
Dango bong
what a waste of funds, who is paying for this?
Cliffy
I do not think it has anything to do with art. It is more like advertising for Bandai and its line of Gundam models. I like the old one and, of all the new Gundams, I like the one from 0083. If they could build the life size Gundam "Dendrobium", that would be something to look at.
badman
Couldn't you say that about any piece of art? Why build the Statue of Liberty when you could have fed 1,000 people for a year? Art has value to a community.
Andy
And what does it do besides stand there, slowly rust, be a giant symbol of money down the toilet which could have been used to help the residents of Fukushima and surrounding areas who are still not back to where they need to be.