full scale model

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. 

A full scale 1:1 replica of Amuro Ray's RX-78-2 Gundam was recently completed in Odaiba, Tokyo as seen in the picture on the right.  The replica was completed just this June 09. 

I have been watching the progress of this replica since I first read about it from dannychoo.com.  And just like an avid otaku, I waited and waited till someone would start posting pictures of the completed model.  It stands at about 18 meters tall.  The base of the model is anchored by to steel pipes inside the legs and feet of the Gundam. 

By just looking at the picture on your right, you can see how it towers over trees and really looks lifelike.  In fact the amount of detail that came into the construction is amazing even to the tiniest of decals.  What surprises me is that the project only began about a month or so ago and progress was made so quickly.  Even night pictures of the Gundam shows the work and effort that has been put into making a realistic design.

When news first hit the blogosphere about the full size Gundam, people were all jittery.  This came after a fully functional giant beetle robot and giant spider robot were introduced in Japan just a few months ago.  There was immediately talk of giant combining robots and Gundams would surface next.  Low and behold, a Gundam was suddenly a realization.  Some were even saying that they are ready to sign up in the Japanese Defense Force.