Japan Gives Its Life-Sized Gundam Robot A Larger-Than-Life Goodbye
Video screenshot via Gundam Channel
As March came to a close, so did a chapter for anime enthusiasts around the world. Over three years after its awe-inspiring debut, the mechanized, moving real-scale replica of the legendary RX-78-2 Gundam took its final bow. But fret not; the colossal, 59-foot-tall Gundam, which graced the Yokohama Gundam Base in Tokyo Bay, had a departure that was nothing short of heroic.
More than a towering icon, this life-size replica of the iconic fighting robot from the landmark anime series Mobile Suit Gundam was an engineering feat, featuring 36 functional joints that allowed for limited movement. Although intended as a temporary attraction for the 40th-anniversary celebrations of the Gundam franchise in December 2020, its immense popularity—drawing in over 1.75 million visitors—led to extensions on its display period.
Photo 299761770 © Zack Eldredge | Dreamstime.com
On Sunday, the Yokohama Gundam Factory orchestrated a grand farewell to commemorate its larger-than-life presence. Luminaries from the franchise’s storied history graced the event, with Gundam creator Yoshiyuki Tomino sharing poignant words about the mecha.
The night sky over Tokyo Bay erupted in a dazzling display of fireworks and synchronized drones, with the aerial performers recreating pivotal moments from Gundam lore spanning 45 years of history.
Video screenshot via Gundam Channel
Video screenshot via Gundam Channel
The Gundam’s dismantling marks the end of an era for Yokohama. The once-industrial port city has embraced its role as a pop-culture hub, and the Gundam became a major tourist attraction.
Video screenshot via Gundam Channel
While the Yokohama Gundam may have taken its final steps, Japan still reverberates with mecha magic. Across Tokyo Bay in Odaiba, the transforming Unicorn Gundam stands tall, replacing the RX-78-2 back in 2017. And in Fukuoka, the RX-93FFν Gundam, a new iteration of the iconic Nu Gundam, continues to captivate visitors at Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport.
Video screenshot via Gundam Channel
[via Kyodo News, Gizmodo, SoraNews24, NHK World-Japan, images via various sources]
