Near the Rainbow Bridge, on the man-made peninsula of Odaiba, a “life size” rendition of a Gundam robot will stand guard as a representative member of the influential “Mobile Suit Gundam” television series, which this year is celebrating its 30th anniversary. The eighteen-meter-high armored figure, replicated right down to its double-nozzle jet pack, sits as the centerpiece of the Green Tokyo Gundam Project, an event that intends to raise funds for the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s push for a more environmentally friendly future.

Along with its numerous off-shoots and films, the sci-fi animation is set in an uncertain period of conflict in which robot vehicles, or “mobile suits,” are captained by children and used as weapons.

“The theme of ‘Mobile Suit Gundam’ contains a passion for the environment that matches with Tokyo’s plan to expand the city’s green areas,” says Yasuo Miyakawa, managing director of the Gundam Character Works department at Sunrise Animation, the program’s creator. “From its beginning, the series told of a time when tension existed between people on earth and those who migrated to outer space as a result of the planet not being able to accept further population growth following environmental degradation and damage incurred by industrialization.”

Organizers are expecting 1.5 million visitors to arrive at Shinagawa Ward’s Shiokaze Park through the end of August to view (free of charge) the thirty-five-ton fabrication of fiberglass and steel up close and mingle at the surrounding booths and stalls selling robot models and t-shirts. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Green Tokyo Fundraising Campaign, an organization which will utilize the 800 million yen it hopes to collect by 2010 for such activities as the planting of roadside trees and establishment of lawns within schools.

The statue itself stands about 59 feet (18 meters) tall and is said to be a life-size replica of the same robot from the popular Japanese anime. The head of the robotic statue can twist back and forth, and move up and down. Steam is periodically released from vents on the body. The statue also lights up at night, making it ominously seem as if it is guarding over the city.
The statue will officially be on display in Shiokaze Park in Odaiba, Tokyo until August 31st. An exhibition tent, official souvenir shop, and food and drink stands are available during this time.

A complete behind-the-stage documentary of the Gundam Robot bulding process is available here!

[Via Examiner and Tokyo Reporter]

This entry was posted on Monday, July 13th, 2009 at 12:37 pm and is filed under Robots, Robotics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.