Gundam:
1. A type of mobile suit developed by the Earth Federation in Universal Century 0079.
2. The most accurate representation of God. A Gundam is a kick ass robot that will blow you apart before you can say “Oh (enter word here)”
Thanks to Urban Dictionary for that, I actually had to look it up.
Anyways, Japan is known for many things. Of course, every country has their stereotypes. Canada has mountains and moose and mounties. Japan has godzilla, hello kitty, the power rangers, and giant robots. I have lost count of the number of times somebody has asked me, about my robot, or if I’ve seen a city be destroyed by Godzilla, or what have you.
Because, you know, the jokes remain funny after 14 months.
But Japan is a very special country. Because while other countries want you to know there is so much more to them than their stereotypes, Japan is PERFECTLY FINE with affirming that they really are everything you think they are. And to do so, the built an 18 metre tall Gundam down in Odaiba. This is how tall a Gundam would be if a Gundam actually existed. I’m no anime fan, and I couldn’t tell you much about a Gundam other than “It’s a robot! It flies in space! One of my favourite actors does a voice for the new show?” But, despite knowing little beyond the fact it’s suppose to be a giant robot that fights in space, I went down to Odaiba.
Now, first thing you would expect is this GIANT ROBOT to stick out like a sore thumb. But, what I quickly learnt is that a Gundam is NOT the easiest thing to find! It actually can hide in amongst trees and buildings. So, there’s an advantage to the whole Gundam Development project.
So, I finally find this robot and… it really doesn’t matter that I know NOTHING about this series. There is an 18 metre tall robot in front of me, and it’s suppose to fight things and go to space. It’s epic, no matter how fake the robot actually is. I was waiting for my friend to meet me there, so I got to sit around and watch the Japanese people, who clearly knew more about this than I did, react to the robot. Most common reaction roughly translates into “HOLY CRAP THAT IS AMAZING.”
Of course, the amazing becomes more amazing. Because every once in a while, the Gundam LIGHTS UP and MOVES… SLIGHTLY. It can turn its head, and stare at the people surrounding it. I kept getting this feeling of being very crushable when it would look around. The lights were kinda cool in the day time, but at night, it was fantastic looking. It also had smoke coming out from where ever the flying bits would be on him. There was a rocket thing on his back, but I have been informed that this is simply a booster pack for in space, and so am assuming he also flies likes Astro Boy, out of his feet.
Sadly, the Gundam chose not to fly, and had to go to bed at 8 pm. Which seemed kinda pussy to me, but when you’re that epic looking, I suppose you need your beauty sleep.
If anyone is going to be in Japan over the summer, I HIGHLY recommend going to see the Gundam. Go to Tokyo Teleport Station, or Daiba Station, depending on if you prefer the Yurikamome line or Rinkai line, and follow the signs that say ガンダム –> I believe it is on display until the end of August. Personally, I recommend sunset and dark, but the day time shots I have seen have been pretty awesome as well. And if you can’t go in person, be sure to check out my Flickr Account to see my photos. I will probably be going once again before the end of the summer, because it was raining when I went, and made gloomy emo shots, so I need bright sunny shots as well.
SO. COOL. I want oneeeee.