Bandai Namco has announced that a full-scale statue of the iconic RX-78F00 Gundam of the Mobile Suit Gundam series will be exhibited at the upcoming GUNDAM NEXT FUTURE PAVILION, in the Kansai region of Japan.
The statue and GUNDAM NEXT FUTURE PAVILION will be exhibited at the Osaka and Kansai Expo “2025 Japan World Expo” next year from April 13 to October 13, 2025.
Installed for the first time in the Kansai area, the statue will be reusing moving life-sized Gundam parts from “GUNDAM FACTORY YOKOHAMA”, which was held in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture from December 2020 to March 2024.
The life-size statue will be stationary, kneeling with one arm pointing to the sky, and measures approximately 17 meters tall.
※ The full-scale Gundam statue installed at this Expo will not be operational.
In addition, a 1/100 size diorama and exterior design images for the GUNDAM NEXT FUTURE PAVILION have also been shared.
According to the announcement, the exterior design of the pavilion is inspired by futuristic “space airports”, “expressing the worldview in which humans expanded their living sphere into space.”
The building is scheduled to be completed in July and an exhibition showcasing the Mobile Suit Gundam series will be held inside the pavilion – details will be announced at a later date.
Alongside the announcement, Bandai Namco is also looking to recruit staff for the event with duties including guiding visitors, operating the venue, and other related duties.
Additionally, the web campaign “GUNDAM CONNECT ACTION” is being held as part of the national touring event “GUNDAM NEXT FUTURE -ROAD TO 2025-” commemorating the 45th anniversary of the Mobile Suit Gundam series, collecting messages and memories from fans related to the mecha franchise.