Japan loves its giant Gundam statues, and following rather static attempts, a new one is basically complete.
The history of life-sized Gundam statues dates all the way back to 2009 when a giant RX-78-2 (the original Gundam) was displayed on the popular island of Odaiba, Tokyo.
That statue was then moved to Shizuoka, where the famous Gunpla factory is located.
It was replaced in 2012 by another RX-78-2 that stayed in Odaiba until 2017, to be followed by a model of the RX-0 Unicorn Gundam, which stands there to this day.
Lately, another statue has been in the pipeline, but it’s a rather special one. A new 18-meters-tall RX-78-2 Gundam has been under construction in a dedicated facility on the Yamashita Pier in Yokohama.
At the end of July the exterior of the statue has been completed, and today a video has been published showcasing the last phase of the process.
What’s special about this statue is that it’ll actually feature rather extensive movement. While it still won’t properly “walk” (being anchored to its dock for support), it’ll be a lot more lifelike than its predecessors.
The grand opening was scheduled for October, but it has been delayed until the end of the year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
You can check the video out below. While we wait for the new Gundam to move the first step, you can check out another related video conveying a message of hope for the world.
