Gundam turns 30, celebrates with the most awesome statue ever

Statue of Liberty? Striking, but a bit demure. Trenchcoat-clad Stalin statue in Gori, Georgia? Iconic, but disheartening. Giant RX-78-2 Gundam statue at Shiokaze Park in Tokyo, Japan? Unquestionably badass. The massive biped is currently under construction, part of a celebration for the 30 year anniversary of the original Mobile Suit Gundam series. When completed it will be full-scale, standing 59-feet tall, weighing 35 tons, and even shooting "light or mist" from 50 different points along its structure. All systems should be fully operational by July 11 -- hopefully soon enough to stop the forthcoming Zeon armada.

[Via technabob]

[Oli D Posted May 22nd 2009 2:58PM]

Hmm, i have this £5000 laying around.
What may i see todaythat would persuade me to travel to Japan?

Oh yes, a half built statute in commemoration of a cult cartoon, that ought to do it.

[(Unverified) Posted May 22nd 2009 12:04PM]

instead of stone use electronic ;-)

[(Unverified) Posted May 22nd 2009 12:46PM]

I hope they keep it, it can be their Statue of Liberty! Perhaps call it the Statue of Life...Gundam was life at one time for me lol

[(Unverified) Posted May 22nd 2009 12:46PM]

Awesome. Simply fucking awesome.
RX 79-2, First Gundam ever.
The Master Grade, and Real Detail series models are fun as hell to build and paint.

[(Unverified) Posted May 22nd 2009 12:48PM]

that is freaking sweet. I can't wait to see the completed version

[HowdyDoody Posted May 22nd 2009 12:48PM]

Gotta hand it to the Japanese. They never cease to amaze me!

Next project: MS-06 Zaku II

[(Unverified) Posted May 22nd 2009 1:09PM]

I'm building - Mobile Suit Crossbone Gundam: Gundam X-1 Full Cloth 1/100 Scale meow. So far, it's been my fav build of 16+ Gundam models I've built. One of the bigger ones too.

http://i44.tinypic.com/ehye6e.jpg

I haven't done any detail painting yet, nor finished the sweet crossbow rifle he has either.

[Oli D Posted May 22nd 2009 2:59PM]

dude, take that into a bar with you and if you come out without a girl on either arms, i will swallow that thing.

[(Unverified) Posted May 22nd 2009 7:09PM]

LOL@Oli D
OMG, "dude". Did your Mom run off with a Gundam and leave you and your Dad?

"dude, take that into a bar with you and if you come out without a girl on either arms, i will swallow that thing" Oli D

Care to explain this? I think I know what you were trying to do here, but failed miserably.
And besides, I could bring your ugly ass to the bar and still come out with a dozen bitches; I still wouldn't let you eat my model.
Use your 5000 pounds and enroll in some grammar classes.

[mikehenriquezrochac Posted May 28th 2009 9:46PM]

well, do you want to see a real anime statue? take a look at this link in youtube and you will see the father of all mechas MAZINGER Z! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7l2_NNoUAOY

[tylersmyler Posted May 22nd 2009 2:35PM]

pffft..

Just wait till Kondo turns 30.. and they build a 59 foot KHR-2HV - autonomous of course

[(Unverified) Posted May 22nd 2009 3:58PM]

does it work?

and the US defense department is saying they will curb the defense spending..?

[(Unverified) Posted May 22nd 2009 4:35PM]

I love Gundam!!!

[(Unverified) Posted May 22nd 2009 7:03PM]

fucking awesome.

[(Unverified) Posted May 22nd 2009 11:54PM]

where's the umbilical?

tomo

[fixitphil Posted May 23rd 2009 12:44AM]

Now I feel OLD... I was there when they were first released on Japanese television!

[Slick Posted May 23rd 2009 4:14AM]

Oh what a magnificent "statue"

Statue my ass - mark my words that bad boy is mobile in 2 years, combat tested in 3.

You can build a statue for the people, but its a life size replica for the Engineers.

[monkey with glasses Posted May 23rd 2009 12:01PM]

I don't care if i realized this a day later, STILL F$%^&ING COOL. Make so it can be control and you got the dopest tech of the millinia.

[(Unverified) Posted May 23rd 2009 1:31PM]

@Chris Lincoln

It's true that nearing the end of the war Zech's allowed Dorothy to control the mobile dolls via the ZERO system for a strategic advantage, however, earlier and conventional dolls, namely the Taurus and Virgo suits, used a computer system in the cockpit for execution of orders. Ofcourse, orders were dished out by commanders, but the dolls themselves made the decisions.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 7th 2009 10:51AM]

Japanese prime minister: Kim Il-sung Tests of Ballistic Missiles have given me great cause for concern, we must retaliate.
Defense Minister: It was a clear act of war sir, Your idea to build the Giant RX-78-2 Gundam in Shiokaze Park was a great decision sir.
Japanese prime minister: Thank you, one must always have a defensive strategy planned to strike back at your "Enemies".
Defense Minister: They will never know what hit them prime minister!.
Japanese prime minister: Indeed Mr Hamanda. Indeed.