In these pictures that look like something out of the latest summer blockbuster we see the Japanese hard at work at what else, but building a giant robot. It’s a 1:1 scale model RX-78 Gundam to be exact and its being built in in Odaiba, Tokyo. Why are the Japanese building a giant robot statue you ask? Why to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Mobile Suit Gundam anime 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. The robot should be completed by July 11. I have been fascinated by the work in progress pics that have surfaced as this project has moved to completion.

But why Gundam? Gundam is probably one of the most popular and influencial anime shows in Japan and is probably more well known over here for the model kits or Gunpla of the robots than for the actual anime series, several companies have tried to launch the Gundam franchise in America with little or no success. The Basic story of the anime revolves around the mobile suits or mecha and their pilots fighting in an epic war that over the years has spanned many generations, and also many different anime series and many different toylines as well. Which is the other problem of an American launch this show, it has been running in various incarnations since 1979 and getting into Gundam is a daunting task for anyone to say the least. I have fared rather well with much research though. You could almost compare it to Star Trek but with giant robots with the many different series spanning many time lines being not only a great character piece but also filled with political intrigue. For more info on Gundam read the wiki here there is way more here than I could ever cover.

UPDATED: After posting this article the head, chest and arms were assembled and a new pic was posted! All I can say is WOW!

More Pics after the jump!

See more high-res pics here

This is what the final product will look like pretty cool, huh?

Via Moe Passion