Unbelievable but true, we are going to see not one, but two statues of giant robot being built in Japan this year. Tokyo has 1/1 scale Gundam RX-78-2, Kobe is building a 18-meter tall Tetsujin 28, under "Kobe Tetsujin Project". The exact location of this statue is at Wakamatsu Park (若松公園) in Shinnagata, Kobe (神戸 新長田).
A giant robot statue with action pose!
The statue is actually part of a bigger project to commemorate Mitsuteru Yokoyama-sensei, the creator of Tetsujin 28, who passed away in 2004. An NPO (Non Profit Organization) committee was set up to plan events and projects to commemorate Yokoyama-sensei.
Yokoyama-sensei was born in Kobe.
Unlike the 1/1 scale Gundam RX-78-2 statue in Tokyo, there's not much promotion on this statue of Tetsujin 28. Partially because it's a non-profitable project, another major reason is that its construction isn't out in the open. So there's no preview of the feet, or any part of the statue being assembled at the park so far.
Amazingly, the construction is actually being funded by donation from fans, collected since June 17th 2006.
Each part of the statue is built at a factory. Materials used are steel frame topped with weather resistant steel plates. (Totally Tetsujin XD). Unlike 1/1 scale Gundam RX-78-2, it seems that all the parts are going to be assembled in the last stage. So folks visiting the park right now would probably be able to see the foundation only.
Building the foundation for the statue at the park.
Also, there's no mentioning of any action or gimmick to be installed, so it'll be just a giant Tetsujin 28 with a dynamic fixed action pose. There's also no mentioned of the statue having to be dismantled after a period of time as well - permanent monument then? ^^
Scheduled to be completed in August, a month after 1/1 scale Gundam RX-78-2 at Shiokaze Park premiered. Mecha fans visiting Japan have another spot to go to now. ^^
Information and images from the official site.
