Top 6 'Giant Robots' Japanese Attractions

The “robot anime” (ロボット, robotto) (known outside Japan as mecha anime) is a Japanese animation genre featuring walking robots (called mecha), usually bipedal, with arms and hands able to use objects and usually controlled by pilots.

It is considered that the genre started in 1956, with Mitsuteru Yokoyama’s manga Tetsujin 28-gō. The giant robot described in manga was 18 meters tall, had a humanoid shape and was controlled by a remote. Tetsujin was a Super Robot (スーパーロボット, Sūpā Robotto), sub-genre describing almost indestructible robots, with fantastic weapons and powers.
The most popular mecha, Gundam, appeared in 1972, produced by Sunrise studios. Unlike Tetsujin, Gundam is a Real Robot (リアルロボット, Riaru Robotto), a mecha powered by more or less conventional engines and using scientifically explainable weapons.
In time, the genre became popular both in Japan and overseas and in the last years statues and life-size replicas of these giant robots were built, some of them becoming famous tourist attractions.
Here I will present you a top of these “giant robot” related tourist attractions. ;)
6th place: The Gundam statue from Yasu

Genul “robot anime” (ロボット, robotto) (cunoscut ca mecha anime în afara Japoniei) este un gen de animaţie japoneză în care apar vehicule de cele mai multe ori bipede, cu braţe şi mâini, capabile să folosească obiecte şi în general controlate de un pilot.

Se consideră că genul a apărut în 1956, odată cu manga Tetsujin 28-gō scrisă de Mitsuteru Yokoyama. Robotul gigantic care apare în manga are 18 metri înălţime, formă umanoidă şi este controlat cu ajutorul unei telecomenzi. Tetsujin este un Super Robot (スーパーロボット, Sūpā Robotto), o ramură a genului mecha, cu roboţi aproape indestructibili, dotaţi cu arme cu puteri fantastice.
Cel mai popular mecha, Gundam, a apărut în seria anime Mobile Suit Gundam produsă de Sunrise în 1972. Spre deosebire de Tetsujin, Gundam face parte din genul Real Robot (リアルロボット, Riaru Robotto), fiind dotat cu motoare care funcţionează cu surse relativ convenţionale de energie şi având arme care pot fi explicate mai mult sau mai puţin ştiinţific.
În timp, genul mecha a devenit popular atât în Japonia cât şi în afara ei, iar în ultimii ani În Japonia au fost construite statui şi machete în mărime reală ale acestor roboţi gigantici, unele dintre ele devenind atracţii turistice.
Vă prezint în continuare un top al acestor atracţii turistice cu.. roboţi gigant:
Locul 6. Statuia Gundam din Yasu

Follow up:

Three years ago, the owner of a stone sculpting shop from Yasu built a giant stone statue of Gundam which, obviously, became quickly a local attraction.
The statue is made from two large blocks of granite, is 4 meters talls and weights about 10 tons.

The Gundam statue from Yasu, image via Japan Probe

I placed it on the 6th place because while well proportioned and finished, it’s not built on a specific scale and also, I couldn’t recognize what specific Gindam it represents. If anyone is aware, please let me know…
If you wish to go and visit it, here’s the map with Yasu City, Shiga Prefecture:

SEE FULL ARTICLE HERE VERY VERY COOL

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