Statue of Unicorn Gundam
| Gundam statue at Odaiba, Tokyo | |
|---|---|
The statue in "Destroyer Mode" in 2019 | |
| Subject | Gundam |
| Dimensions | 19.7 m (65 ft) |
| Location | Tokyo, Japan |
| 35°37′28″N 139°46′32″E / 35.62446°N 139.77548°E | |
The Life-Sized Unicorn Gundam Statue (Japanese: 実物大ユニコーンガンダム, Hepburn: Jitsubutsu Dai Yunikōn Gandamu) is a full-scale statue of the RX-0 Unicorn Gundam from the series Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn installed in 2017 outside Odaiba's Gundam-themed mall DiverCity Tokyo Plaza,[1] in Tokyo, Japan.[2][3][4][5] It replaced a previous statue of the RX-78-2 Gundam.[2][6]
Description
The statue transitions between its default "Unicorn Mode" and an illuminated "Destroyer Mode",[7][8] reflecting the original anime robot's transformation to activate enhanced combat features. According to Lonely Planet, "Destroyer Mode" is activated nine times per day.[9]
The "life-sized"[10] (1:1 scale),[11] 19.7-meter (64.6-foot)[12] statue was installed in 2017[2][13][3] and has evening "performances",[14][15] during which its head moves, eyes light up, music is played, and mist is sprayed.[16][17] The statue weighs 49 tons.[18]
According to Masaki Kawahara, who oversaw the production of the statue, it is composed of 230 parts. Parts of the exterior are made of glass fiber reinforced plastic. The lower part of the statue was manufactured in Bangkok, Thailand, while the upper part is molded in Tokyo.[19]
History
An unveiling ceremony was held on September 25, 2017.[20] A temporary service offered professional photography featuring the statue.[6] The statue replaced a previous statue of the RX-78-2 Gundam that was removed in March of that year.[6][2]
In late 2024 and early 2025, the statue was illuminated in blue, red, and yellow to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the Mobile Suit Gundam animated series.[21]
Reception
The statue is considered an attraction for DiverCity Tokyo Plaza[22] and is among the city's most popular public sculptures.[23] In the 2020 book Creativity in Tokyo: Revitalizing a Mature City, the statue is described as an example of "mixing popular culture and consumption".[24] The author of Super Cheap Japan (2023) called the statue "immensely awesome!"[25] CNN has said visiting the statue "grants an instant reward" to any fan of the Gundam series.[26]
See also
References
- ^ Riebe, Marc-Christian (2013-02-01). Retail Market Study 2013. The Location Group. ISBN 978-3-033-03849-3.
- ^ a b c d Kikuchi, Daisuke (2017-09-24). "Gundam's 20-meter replacement statue unveiled in Odaiba". The Japan Times. ISSN 0447-5763. Archived from the original on 2020-02-01. Retrieved 2019-12-01.
- ^ a b "'Unicorn Gundam' illuminated, dazzles in official unveiling - Lifestyle". The Jakarta Post. Retrieved 2025-03-30.
- ^ Kajiyama, Sumiko (2018-05-01). Cool Japan: A Guide to Tokyo, Kyoto, Tohoku and Japanese Culture Past and Present. Museyon Inc. ISBN 978-1-938450-97-6.
- ^ AniMagazin 55 (in Hungarian). AniMagazin. 2020-05-19.
- ^ a b c "Gundam robot statue to be unveiled in Tokyo waterfront area in September - News". The Jakarta Post. Retrieved 2025-03-30.
- ^ Lonely Planet Experience Tokyo. Lonely Planet. 2024. ISBN 978-1-83758-691-2.
- ^ "Tokyo's new giant Gundam anime robot statue unveiled". Japan Today. 2017-09-25. Retrieved 2025-03-30.
- ^ Lonely Planet:
- Lonely Planet Japan. Lonely Planet. 2024. ISBN 978-1-83758-538-0.
- Lonely Planet Tokyo. Lonely Planet. 2024. ISBN 978-1-83758-547-2.
- ^ Low, Samantha (2024-04-05). "Giant Gundam Shuts Down and Mangaka Accused of Tax Evasion". Tokyo Weekender (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-03-30.
- ^ "The giant new Gundam robot statue in Tokyo blew our minds". CNET. Retrieved 2025-03-30.
- ^ "Gundams take over interior of Tokyo shopping mall that already has a full-scale Gundam out front". SoraNews24 -Japan News-. 2017-12-16. Archived from the original on 2021-08-13. Retrieved 2025-03-30.
- ^ "Gundam robot statue to be unveiled in Tokyo waterfront area in Sept". Kyodo News+. Retrieved 2025-03-30.
- ^ Low, Samantha (2024-04-01). "Yokohama's Giant Moving Gundam Shuts Down Operations". Tokyo Weekender (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-03-30.
- ^ "The 10 monsters you'll meet in Tokyo". Time Out. 8 September 2023.
- ^ Moon Publications:
- DeHart, Jonathan (2022-10-04). Moon Japan: Plan Your Trip, Avoid the Crowds, and Experience the Real Japan. Avalon Publishing. ISBN 978-1-64049-657-6.
- DeHart, Jonathan (2021-09-21). Moon Tokyo, Kyoto & Hiroshima. Avalon Publishing. ISBN 978-1-64049-510-4.
- ^ JAPAN TRAVEL GUIDE 2024 The Ultimate Route to Authentic Ramen and Beyond – Tips, Maps, and Must-Sees for Every Traveler. Sora Takai Travel. 2024-03-19.
- ^ Miura, Yoshiaki (2017-11-04). "Gundam towers over a transforming Tokyo". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 2024-11-11. Retrieved 2025-03-30.
- ^ "巨大「ガンプラ」台場に立つ、230個のGFRP製部品を組み立てる". The Nikkei (in Japanese). 30 August 2018. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
- ^ "New life-size 'Unicorn Gundam' statue transforms for the first time in Odaiba". Mainichi Daily News. 2017-09-25. Retrieved 2025-03-30.
- ^ "Unicorn Gundam Winter Light-up". Time Out. 10 December 2024. Archived from the original on 11 December 2024. Retrieved 30 March 2025.
- ^ Fodor's Tokyo: with Side Trips to Mt. Fuji, Hakone, and Nikko. Fodor's Travel. 2023-02-07. ISBN 978-1-64097-582-8.
- ^ Mackintosh, Michelle; Wide, Steve (2018-10-30). Tokyo. Plum. ISBN 978-1-76078-363-1.
- ^ Ursic, Matjaz; Imai, Heide (2020-09-08). Creativity in Tokyo: Revitalizing a Mature City. Springer Nature. ISBN 978-981-15-6687-5.
- ^ Baxter, Matthew (2023-12-01). Super Cheap Japan: Budget Travel in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Hiroshima and Surrounding Areas. Super Cheap Japan.
- ^ Mellin, Joshua (2018-12-18). "The ultimate geek's guide to Tokyo". CNN. Retrieved 2025-03-30.
External links
- Official website
- Japan Has a 60-Foot Gundam Robot… And It Walks, Comic Book Resources
- Discovering the Life-Sized Unicorn Gundam Statue in Odaiba, Tokyo, Japan Experience