As impressive as recent footage of the full-sized Gundam statue in motion at Gundam Factory Yokohama has been, there’s even better news on the horizon. It’s recently been revealed through official sources that the grand opening is slated for December 19, as part of the franchise’s 40th Anniversary Project.
It was announced by Sunrise on Tuesday in a Gundam.info press release that Gundam Factory Yokohama in its entirety will be open to the public for a limited time until March 31, 2021. That also means that the 18 meter-tall Gundam statue, which has already made waves internationally, would be ready for primetime. Weighing 25 tons and with 24 movable joints (excluding the hands), the mecha has been several years in the making. And if the statement’s to be believed, not only will there be varied demonstrations every hour (from 10:30 AM to 8:30 PM), which audiences could view from the “Gundam-Dock Tower” observation deck, but there are plans for seasonal shows.
In addition to the statue, the complex will host exhibition halls, as well as satellite branches of Gundam Base and Gundam Cafe, among others. Originally scheduled for an October unveiling, the COVID-19 pandemic had forced Evolving G, the company behind this project, to delay the grand opening, and cancel its planned “Special Experience” program in July, according to Anime News Network. With the situation under control, however, it looks like it’s still full steam ahead for the Mobile Suit’s proper debut.
https://youtu.be/7-6Glii4Q8o?t=3035
Sunrise and Bandai-Namco’s recent live stream of the announcement, which also divulges details regarding future plans for the Gundam statue. (Source: YouTube)
Admission tickets will be made available for pre-ordering from October 2 onwards, starting at JPY 1,650 (adults) for entry into the complex and JPY 3,300 (adults) for access to the Gundam-Dock Tower itself. More information can be found on Gundam Factory Yokohama’s official website.
