kobe

After the craze brought about by the full scale Gundam RX-78-2 that was built in Odaiba, the city of Kobe follows suit with another full scale robot.  Construction has began to build an 18-foot statue of the robot Tetsujin 28.

Tetsujin 28 was a popular manga back in 1956 and was the first to feature a giant robot.  Since then, the series has gained a cult following ever since has spawned numerous anime series and live action films.  Now Kobe plans to immortalize the series by erecting a monument of the popular giant robot.

According to AnimeNewsNetwork, "The Kobe Tetsujin Project's statue is intended as a symbol of the city's revival after the 1995 Kobe Earthquake. It is being build in Nagata Ward, the city's hardest hit neighborhood which has since been rebuilt and revitalized. The statue also celebrates the life of one of Kobe's most well-known native sons, as Yokoyama not only created the Tetsujin 28 manga and anime, but also Giant Robo and Sally the Witch."

The project is reported to cost 1.4 million USD.   Parts of Tetsujin 28 is already being sent to Kobe's Wakamatsu Park where the statue will be erected.  They plan to finish construction by September and open the statue to the public by October 4.