Life-size Gundam Unicorn to rise in Japan

Gundam fans around the world bid farewell to a legendary icon made into a prominent tourist attraction in Japan, as the life-sized RX-78-2 Gundam that stood prominently in Diver City in Odaiba will finally be dismantled and taken down for good—but will be replaced by an equally life-sized Gundam Unicorn. 

Erected in 2009, the 1:1 RX-78-2 quickly became a beacon of hope and praise by Gundam fans. It was moved to Shizuoka in 2010, before being moved back to Odaiba.

Its last full display day was on March 5, 2017.

Thankfully, Gundam fans won’t have to despair too much for the loss of the original Mobile Suit unit that started it all, as Bandai has officially announced that a successor 1:1 model would be coming at the end of the year, and that is none other than the RX-0 Unicorn Gundam, which appears in the same manga and OVA series of the same name. 

A spin-off model and variant based on the original suit and appearing in the same continuity and timeline of the original series known as the “Universal Century”, the Unicorn Gundam varies in look, abilities, and appearance, and is much bigger than its predecessor in that it will stand at 24 meters when erected and displayed, as opposed to the original Gundam being 18 meters in height.

While an official date has yet to be announced by Bandai on when the Unicorn Gundam will debut, concept art has already been shared by Gundam Global Portal showing the Unicorn in its “Destroy Mode”.

That mode has a more iconic Gundam look also displays the trademark “psychoframe parts” which are normally pink yet have also turned green through the duration of the series.

According to Forbes, the decision to replace the original Gundam with Unicorn Gundam isn’t a random decision, as the OVA has gotten an extensive worldwide release. The series is more modern and contemporary, and this replacement unit will help spread more awareness and recognizability to fans outside of Japan and through the west. — TJD, GMA News