The Life-Size Gundam in Yokohama Now Plays Rock Paper Scissors
The Yokohama Gundam was already impressive, but now it’s hosting and competing in a ‘rock paper scissors’ tournament.
Remember the life-size Gundam in Yokohama, Japan? It’s been wowing tourists and locals alike since December 2020 when it took its first steps as a fully operational mobile suit. And now it’s adding a little ‘rock paper scissors’ to its repertoire.
The Yokohama Gundam
Photo Courtesy of the Gundam Factory Official Website.
In reality, the Gundam isn’t quite operational the way you may have imagined after watching the anime. While it looks impressive, if not amazing, the entire mech is a complex statue tethered safely to its scaffolding. The entire piece weighs upwards of twenty-five tons, which is massive but still much lighter than you may think for a large structure. The inside is effectively stripped to nothing but essentials making it possible for the scaffolding to support it and for the RX-78-2 to move. Suffice it to say that while this is a marvel of fandom and engineering, this particular mobile suite won’t be seeing battle or space flight.
Yet.
Photo Courtesy of the Gundam Factory Official Website.
The Gundam Factory includes the Gundam Dock Tower, where fans can visit the mobile suite up close, look at all of the detail and moving parts, and the Gundam Lab, which is more of an exhibition facility and interactive museum. This is where visitors will be able to get the 5f piloting experience, get real-time operation information, learn about its structure, design, and mechanisms, and, of course, visit the gift shop to bring home a miniature version of the RX-78-2 for your very own. You can find more information on the Gundam Factory on their official site.
Originally Gundam Factory Yokohama was supposed to be a pretty limited exhibition, running from December 2020 through March 2022. But it’s still open, still operational, and according to their website will stay that way through March 2024! So if you’ve been putting off a trip to Japan, this may be the time to plan one.
Rock Paper Scissors
Photo Courtesy of the Gundam Factory Official Website.
But none of that is new news. The Gundam has been impressing us since 2020. Recently though, the life-size RX-78-2 has learned (or more likely been programmed with) all of the necessary movements to play a game of rock paper scissors. And to demonstrate the mobile suit’s new trick, the Gundam Factory Yokohama will be hosting a rock paper scissors tournament on May 5th.
But, you may be wondering, do tournament entrants get to play against the Gundam? Yes. Yes, they do.
The RX-78-2 will play against everyone in the crowd and everyone remaining at the end will be allowed entrance into a normally off-limits area of the Gundam Factory for a special commemorative photo.
In addition to this frankly perfect-sounding event, the Gundaom Factory will also be holding a few special events. Included are a rerun of the ‘Minovsky Flight’ demonstration inspired by the film, Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway as well as food items inspired by Witch From Mercury.
Photo Courtesy of the Gundam Factory Official Website.
Are you planning on visiting the Gundam Factory Yokohama and RX-78-2 for yourself? Which Gundam series was your favorite? Do you think you could beat a Gundam at rock paper scissors? Let us know in the comments!
Ja ne, adventurers!
