Animation studio and production company Sunrise recently announced Evolving G, the company helming 18-meter life-size, moving RX-78-2 Gundam statue, has canceled the “Special Experience” pre-opening limited program for the Gundam Factory Yokohama that was initially set for July. The program would be a special tour of the facility prior to its official unveiling. The statue’s planned unveiling in October will also be delayed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The life-size Gundam is still planned to be unveiled before the end of the year, with a new date to be announced later.
The “Gundam Global Project” began as an ambitious project to realize the grand dream of creating a life size, 18m tall RX-78-2 Gundam that moves. With the tagline “Challenge the dream: When Gundam moves, the world moves.”, the project launched in 2014 but was stalled due to complications. In 2018, the project was revived for the Gundam 40th Anniversary.
The project is overseen by staff members from the realms of anime and film production to robotics and engineering. Masaki Kawahara, who’s helmed the creation of the three previous Gundam statues, serves as project manager.
The Gundam utilizes a steel frame with a carbon resin exterior, powered by electrical actuators, and relies on Asratec Corp’s “V-Sido” operating system to generate motion.
Upon completion the moving RX-78-2 Gundam will be erected at the Gundam Factory Yokohama in Yokohama Yamashita Pier. The Gundam Factory Yokohama will consist of two areas, GUNDAM DOCK and GUNDAM LAB. The 25-meter Gundam Dock will house and maintain the Gundam and feature a special viewing space to see the moving Gundam. Gundam Lab is a two story building with shops, cafes, and event spaces to learn about the statue’s design, structures and mechanisms through talk shows, lectures, research presentations and workshops.
Source: Gundam Info, Gundam Factory
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