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Cultural impact of Gundam

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The giant robot anime franchise Gundam is a popular culture icon in Japan.

Gundam has appeared on postage stamps, the Gundam name was used as a codename for a Japanese Self Defense Force project to develop an advance personal combat system and Gundam has been used to promote technical developments in fire fighting. A tram station has a Gundam statue and plays the theme tune of the first Gundam film as its departure melody. Mitsubishi created a simulator for concept cars themed on a Gundam mech cockpit, held recruitment seminars titled "How to make a Gundam" to demonstrate their development process and based their Lancer Evolution design on Gundam. Isuzu used a Gundam to model the VX2.

Commercial

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In 2011, the Los Angeles Times reported that some estimations state that "10 Gundam models [have been] sold for every man, woman and child in Japan."[1] By 2015, Bandai had sold an estimate 450 million units, with nearly 2,000 different Gundam plastic models.[2]

The Gundam franchise had grossed over $5 billion in retail sales by 2000.[3]

Museums

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Gundam Base Tokyo is a dedicated museum to Gundam. Among its major attractions is the Gundam Statue of the RX-0 Unicorn Gundam. It features a display collection of over 1000 Gunpla models and the biggest exhibition of Gunpla in the world.[4] In 2012, Robots Gone Bad covered the museum and stated that it houses 90% of the kits ever made.[5] In 2012, a large topiary Gundam made of ten thousand begonias, zinnias, and star daisies was on display to promote the green movement.[6]

Gundam statue

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The Gundam statue or "Odaiba Gundam" has been a major icon of the museum since its unveiling. First completed in June 2009, it stood for a month before being disassembled, but had attracted over 4.5 million visitors during that time.[7] In 2010, it was erected in Shizuoka, and it was shown in pieces in 2011 in order to raise money for the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami relief effort.[7][8]

"China Gundam"

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A large robot statue was debuted in China's Floraland park in 2010, which immediately drew much negative press surrounding its creation as a copy of the original Gundam Statue. According to reports, a spokesperson for the park declared it as "completely original". While it bore a similar design, the robot's bore logos for the EFSF and WB, the 'Earth Federation Space Force' and 'White Base'.[9][10] The form of the robot was made by a frame that was covered with fabric.[11] In January 2011, the robot was reconstructed with significant alterations which still attracted some negative press on its appearance.[12]

Other museums and exhibitions

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In 2013, the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art ran an exhibition featuring over 400 pieces of Kunio Okawara's mechanical design work.[13][14]

Academics

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As part of MHI Jobcon 2005 (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Job Convention 2005), a recruiting event of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd, seminars were held in six Japanese cities. The topic of these seminars was "Mobile Suit Gundam Development Story"; which indicated the requirements and processes that Mitsubishi would have to implement if the company had been required to build an RX-78 mobile suit.[15]

On 24 August 2008, a conference was held in Hiroshima with hundreds of academic professionals in different fields joining together to discuss about the relationship of anime science and technology with the modern world, including military, economics, linguistics, and the possibility of the Universal Century (human colonizing space). Many envisioned that the technology portrayed in Gundam is not far from our time.[16][17][18] One aeronautics expert in the project said thermonuclear rockets and spherical helper bots should be pursued.[19]

Magazines

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The popularity of Gundam resulted in its first specialty magazine, Gundam Magazine, which ran from December 1990 to June 1991.[20] In 2006, the magazine was reprinted in a six volume box set.[20] In 2001, Gundam Ace magazine began publication, moved from a quarterly to a bi-monthly to monthly serialization in 2003. The magazine boasted a circulation of 161,417 copies between October 2008 and September 2009,[21] and 133,584 copies between October 2010 and September 2011 according to the Japan Magazine Publishing Association.[22]

Industry

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The concept of Isuzu VX-2 is inspired by RX-178 Gundam Mk-II as concept design arts released in the Jan/Feb 1998, as seen in issue no. 71 of the magazine Axis published in Japan.[23] According to Gundam-san 4 koma comic, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution appearance is influenced by the RX-78-2 Gundam.[24] Nissan Chief Creative Officer Shiro Nakamura said that the angular lines and high-tech vents of the GT-R (R35) were inspired by the Japanese anime series Gundam.[25][26] Mitsubishi has cooperated with Bandai to create a simulator for concept cars, the test-type of this simulator will be decorated like the Gundam cockpit and become a simulation theatre in the Toyota theme park, Mega Web, located in Tokyo.[27]

In 2018, Japanese engineer Masaaki Nagumo from Sakakibara Kikai completed construction of a functional bipedal mecha inspired by the Gundam franchise. The device, standing 8.5 meters tall and weighing about 7 tonnes, possesses fully functional arm and leg servos.[28] In 2023, Japanese robotics company Tsubame Industries unveiled a quadrupedal mecha that was also inspired by the Gundam franchise. Dubbed Archax, the robot weighed 3.5 tons, was 15-foot tall and could be piloted from the inside by a human.[29]

Military and aerospace

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The code name for the under-development Japan Self-Defense Forces advanced personal combat equipment is "Gundam".[30][31][32][33] On the display exhibition on 7 November 2007, the equipment of the set contains infra-red camera and scope that can verify if the incoming target is a friend or foe, along with a monitor display that can browse the internet. The equipment has a total weight of 9 kg and the powered suit can run for 8 hours. The testing team consisting of troopers claims that the major improvement should be focused on increasing the battery life of the system. The researchers are also aiming for funnel type systems including missiles that can stay/hover in air and mini scouting robots.[34]

Government

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In 2007, Japan's Ministry of Defense presented a paper titled "Towards the Realization of Gundam (Advanced Personal Equipment System)", which Anime News Network noted as using "elements of popular culture to attract young people for recruitment and public relations."[35]

In 2012, Japan's Liberal Democratic Party had discussed the possibility of building a working Gundam, in 2008 the estimated cost to build a Gundam was US$725 million for the parts and materials. During a 12-hour coverage on Nico Nico, Masaaki Taira and Hideki Niwa presented "The Gundam Development Project". Though the event was decried as an attempt to garner the "nerd vote".[36][37]

The RX-78 Gundam was recognized as a culturally significant subject by the nation of Japan on 23 October 2000, with the inclusion of the suit and the main pilot on two stamps in the 20th Century Stamp Series.[38] On 25 March 2011, a set of 10 stamps called Gunpla Frame Stamp Collection 30th Anniversary was released in Japan. Featuring 10 of the titular Mobile Suit RX-78-2 Gundam's plastic models for 1980 to 2010.[39] Additionally, the mobile suit and other notable mecha from various Gundam series were recognized in the second set of "Anime Heroes and Heroines" stamps, released in 2005. It was one of only four franchises to be given the honor; the others were Pokémon, Galaxy Express 999, and Detective Conan.[40]

The RX-78-2 Gundam and 2 Medea transport planes were featured in a fire fighting poster in Japan. The RX-78-2 was equipped with water spraying equipment instead of weapons.

Tram station monument

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In 2008, a RX-78 Gundam monument was displayed at Kami-Igusa Station.[41]

Gunpla Builders World Cup

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There is a yearly tournament that is held in 16 countries since 2011 that has various hobbyists submitting their very own custom built Gunpla Models.[42]

Ink and wash painting

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In 2008, the ink and wash painting of Gundam drawn by Hisashi Tenmyouya in 2005 was sold in the Christie's auction held in Hong Kong with a price of US$600,000.[43][44]

30th Anniversary music

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Throughout 2009, Japanese record labels released various albums to honor the 30th anniversary of Gundam. The first of these albums was album I, Senshi: Ai Senshi Tribute, featuring various covers of the song "Ai Senshi" from the Soldiers of Sorrow film. American musician Andrew W.K. released an album called Gundam Rock on 9 September 2009 in Japan. The album consists of covered music from the Gundam series to celebrate its 30th anniversary.[45] Lantis also had several of its artists including JAM Project, CooRie, Minami Kuribayashi, and Faylan record covers of various theme songs, producing Gundam Tribute from Lantis. Other albums were

  • Gundam 30th Custom
  • 2009 'Tobe! Gundam' & 'Eien ni Amuro': covers of the opening and ending themes featuring Akira Asakura of Romantic Mode, Mami Ayukawa, Yoshifumi Ushima of Top Gun, Tomohisa Kawazoe of Top Gun & Lindberg, TSUKASA, Jyosei Nagatomo of infix, MIQ, Hiroko Moriguchi, and Chihiro Yonekura
  • Moeagare! Gundam Brass by Naoto Ohtomo leading the Tokyo Symphony Brass
  • Gundam World Dance Track 0079
  • Gundam Unplugged: Acogui de Gundam A.C.2009
  • Gundam Symphony by Toshihiko Sahashi leading the London Symphony Orchestra
  • Gundam Songs 145, a 10-disc box set featuring every piece of Gundam theme music up until the 30th anniversary and a special book detailing the musicians

MTR X Gundam

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The Hong Kong MTR issued a special set of tickets featuring Gundam theme in December 2009.[46]

"Char Custom"

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There are many products that have special "Char Custom" editions in Japan, which are normally a red version of a product with Zeon emblems. This imitates the custom mobile suits, particularly a red (rather than green) MS-06S Zaku II Commander Type, used by Char Aznable, a main character aligned with the Zeon forces in the first few Gundam series. Such examples include a red Nintendo Gamecube and Game Boy Advance SP.[47]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "'Gundam': Three decades of a signature force in anime". Los Angeles Times. 5 November 2011. Archived from the original on 9 July 2013. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  2. ^ "Bandai celebrates 35 years of Gundam model kits". Nikkei Asian Review. 6 December 2015. Archived from the original on 18 July 2018. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  3. ^ "Gundam Wing Phenomenon Grows With Addition of New Licensees as Television Ratings and Toy Line Sales Surge". Business Wire. Berkshire Hathaway. 13 June 2000. Archived from the original on 21 August 2000. Retrieved 8 January 2017 – via Yahoo.com.
  4. ^ "Gunpla Tokyo Floor Guide". Gundam Front Tokyo. Archived from the original on 22 September 2013. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
  5. ^ "Japan Weekly: Robots Gone Big". Robots Gone Bad. 10 October 2012. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
  6. ^ "Flower Gundam keeps watch in Odaiba". Japan Today. 22 October 2012. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  7. ^ a b Richard, Jocelyn (1 May 2012). "Giant 60-Foot 'Mobile Suit Gundam' Statue Presides Over DiverCity Tokyo Plaza (PHOTO)". Huffington Post. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
  8. ^ "Gundam robot statue returns to Japan, looking worse for wear". Engadget. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
  9. ^ "Japan's Gundam robot crushes Chinese lookalike". AFP. 20 December 2010. Archived from the original on 26 December 2010. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
  10. ^ "Now You See Chinese Gundam, Now You Don't". Kotaku. 22 December 2010. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
  11. ^ "China's Big Yellow Gundam Knock-Off". Japan Probe. 20 December 2010. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
  12. ^ "China's Knockoff Gundam Gets a Hideous Makeover". Escapist Magazine. 31 January 2011. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
  13. ^ "Kobe museum holds exhibition focusing on 'Gundam' designer Kunio Okawara's work". The Asahi Shimbun. 12 April 2013. Archived from the original on 6 October 2013. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  14. ^ "Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art (Exhibitions)". Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  15. ^ "MHI Jobcon 2005" (in Japanese). 4 February 2005. Retrieved 11 January 2007.(Website prevented deep linking, see Year of 2004 and link to 4 February 2005 Archived 30 August 2013 at the Wayback Machine)
  16. ^ SDガンダム ジージェネレーション ワールド(通常版) (29 July 2008). "J-Cast". J-Cast. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  17. ^ Chugoku shinbun online 中國新聞
  18. ^ GNN Gamer News Network Taiwan
  19. ^ Lewis, Leo (1 November 2008). "Gundam cartoon academy to turn science fiction into reality in Japan". The Times. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  20. ^ a b "Original Gundam Magazine Republished". Anime News Network. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  21. ^ "2009 Japanese Manga Magazine Circulation Numbers". Anime News Network. 18 January 2010. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  22. ^ "JMPAマガジンデータ : 男性 コミック". Japan Magazine Publishing Association. Archived from the original on 14 October 2012. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  23. ^ "ISUZU：VX-2". isuzu.co.jp. Archived from the original on 12 January 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  24. ^ Mobile Suit Gundam-san (Kidou Senshi Gundamu san), p. 123.
  25. ^ "Nissan GT-R Coupe's Redesign Inspired by Gundam Anime". Anime News Network. 27 November 2007. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  26. ^ Vella, Matt (26 November 2007). "Nissan Redesigns a Japanese Icon". Businessweek.com. Archived from the original on 29 November 2007. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  27. ^ "三菱重工｜「機動戦士ガンダム」のシミュレーターを製作 アミューズメントエキスポに試作機を参考出展". Mhi.co.jp. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  28. ^ "Japanese engineer builds giant robot to realise 'Gundam' dream". Straits Times. 13 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  29. ^ "This Real-Life Gundam Suit Could Be Yours—for $3 Million". The Daily Beast. 2 October 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  30. ^ "防衛省、ガンダムを開発中". yahoo.co.jp. Archived from the original on 1 November 2007. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  31. ^ "防衛省、ガンダムを開発中". Yahoo. Archived from the original on 1 November 2007. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  32. ^ original pdf file from Technical Research And Development Institute Ministry of Defense Archived 2 December 2007 at the Wayback Machine, ガンダムの実現に向けて(先進個人装備システム), Aiming to achieve (in building a) Gundam (Advanced personal equipment system).
  33. ^ The actual Gundam developing by the Defence Forces is (防衛省が開発する｢ガンダム｣の正体とは)
  34. ^ "防衛省："ガンダム"新装備を公開 暗視カメラに生体認証、ファンネル？も (まんたんウェブ) – 毎日jp(毎日新聞)". Mainichi.jp. 15 March 2010. Archived from the original on 27 February 2010. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  35. ^ "Japan's Defense Ministry to Explore 'Realizing' Gundam". Anime News Network. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
  36. ^ "Japanese government officials to discuss building a real, working Gundam". Japan Daily Press. Archived from the original on 6 October 2013. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
  37. ^ "Japanese Politicians Are Thinking about Building Gundam. Like, Real, Working Gundam". Kotaku. 26 June 2012. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
  38. ^ "The 20th Century Stamp Series 15". Retrieved 10 January 2007.
  39. ^ "GUNPLA FRAME STAMP COLLECTION30th ANNIVERSARY" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 March 2012. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
  40. ^ "Anime Hero and Heroine Series II – Gundam". Retrieved 13 January 2007.
  41. ^ "機動戦士ガンダム：上井草駅に記念オブジェ 富野監督も祝福(まんたんウェブ) – 毎日jp(毎日新聞)". Mainichi.jp. 15 March 2010. Archived from the original on 10 March 2010. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  42. ^ "GWBC's main website". Bandai. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  43. ^ "史上最貴高達水墨畫拍出60萬美元天價-游戲-人民網". Game.people.com.cn. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
  44. ^ "遊戲基地-新聞:史上最貴鋼彈RX-78-2水墨畫 拍出1800萬台幣天價". Gamebase.com.tw. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  45. ^ "Gundam Rock English Cover Album to Ship in Japan". Anime News Network. Retrieved 16 September 2009.
  46. ^ "港鐵 > 其他資訊". Mtr.com.hk. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  47. ^ "Bandai and Nintendo Gundam Game Cube". Anime News Network. 28 August 2023.
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