From fiction to reality, Amuro Ray's RX-78-2 Gundam from the seminal 1979 anime classic "Mobile Suit Gundam" has been brought to life in massive 1/1 scale as an 18-meter-tall (that’s about 60 feet!) monument!

Part of the Green Tokyo Gundam Project, and currently on display at Shiokaze Park on Japan's man-made island of Odaiba in Tokyo, it's a stunning realization of the First Gundam, sporting new additions to its classic design such as sub-nozzles beneath its backpack and incredible mechanical detail throughout, particularly in the elbow, knee, and ankle joints.

People spanning all walks of life, including thousands of "Gundam" fans, flocked to see the iconic robot on the display's official opening day of July 11, 2009. Attendees waited patiently in line to enter the venue, with staff members leading a small group of people at a time onto the raised platform the Gundam stands on, where they could view it up close, take photos, and touch the robot's armor, which is made of fiberglass assembled onto an inner steel frame. Every 30 minutes the Gundam's eyes and other light sources on its body would light up while white mist billowed from chest vents, shoulders, and legs. Its head moved from left to right, and finally looked upwards majestically while music played in the background to set the mood. On the ground directly behind the Gundam were a set of its gigantic footprints.

The surrounding stalls sold all kinds of Japanese food, while other booths offered information on the "Gundam" universe and the construction process of the lifesize model. There was also an official shop that sold Gundam-related merchandise, including the Odaiba event-limited 1/144 HG RX-78-2 Gundam Ver. G30th snap-fit plastic kit (we sell the regular version of the kit). For 1,500 yen, attendees could buy a commemorative photo, with three postcards included, of themselves on a tall platform in front of the Gundam.

This amazing lifesize replica Gundam will be on display until August 31. It's a monumental landmark that everyone should definitely see with their own eyes!

--Joseph Tsai, HobbyLink Japan