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Gundam (fictional robot)

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Gundam
Mobile Suit Gundamcharacter
Original illustration of the RX-78-2 Gundam, designed by Kunio Okawara
First appearanceMobile Suit Gundamep. #01, "Gundam Rising"
Created byYoshiyuki Tomino
Kunio Okawara
ClassMobile suit
DesignationRX-78-2 Gundam
Pilots
In-universe information
AffiliationEarth Federation
Armaments60 mm Vulcan Guns ×2
Beam Sabers ×2
Beam Rifle
Beam Javelin
Hyper Bazooka
Gundam Hammer
Hyper Hammer[1]
Height18 meters (appr. 60 feet)
Weight43.4 tons

TheRX-78-2 Gundam(Japanese:RX-78-2 ガンダム,Hepburn:Āru Ekkusu Nanajū Hachi no Ni Gandamu)is a fictional manned robot (mecha), introduced in 1979 inYoshiyuki Tomino's andSunrise'sanimeseriesMobile Suit Gundam.In the series, it is a prototype weapon for the Earth Federation when it falls into the hands ofAmuro Ray,the son of its designer in story (Tem Ray), who goes on to pilot it in the Earth Federation's war against the Principality of Zeon.

As the success of the series began theGundamfranchise, the robot's design was the first of many variations in subsequent works. The design appearing inMobile Suit Gundamserves as the symbol of theGundamfranchise and sparked the creation of its multiple sequels and spinoffs; Most future Gundams featured use the RX-78-2's color scheme and shape.

Conception and design

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The RX-78's initial concept was that of apowered armor,the primary design forYoshiyuki Tomino's proposed seriesFreedom Fighter Gunboy.The series later changed its name toMobile Suit GundamandKunio Okawarawas given Tomino's concept to shape into a finalized design for the anime. Okawara created multiple designs before settling on the current, samurai-styled design for the anime in 1979.

Enemies in the series regularly refer to the RX-78-2 as thewhite suitor theWhite Devil(due to the suit's formidable battle performance) while it is a mix of blue, red, and white. Tomino's response in the novel version ofGundamis that the original design was to be a grayscale machine, made up of mostly white and light gray colouring. However,Sunrisedisapproved of the colouring and insisted the unit to be painted in brighter colours like othersuper robotanime at that time.[2]

TheJapan Self-Defense Forcesbuilt an approximately full scale RX-78-3 Gundam (named after the use ofhelium-3fuel) withstyrofoamin its show and contains a simulation pod.[3]

Variants and Succesors

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  • The RGM-79GMwas a mass-produced mobile suit based on the RX-78-2's combat data and design, and spun off into its own line of mobile suits.
  • The RX-78-2 Gundam is part of the RX-78 series of high-performance mobile suits, which are primarily featured in spinoff media. They were originally designed by Kunio Okawara for theMobile Suit VariationandMissing Mobile Suit Variationseries. 8 units were created, with Units 7 and 8 remaining a mystery.
    • The RX-78-1Prototype Gundamwas the first mobile suit designed to combat the Zaku and led to the creation of the RX-78-2.
    • The RX-78-3G-3 Gundamdonned a gray color scheme and used as a testbed for the magnet coating technology later used by the main unit. It makes an appearance in the novel adaption of the show.[2]
    • Units "G04"and"G05"were featured in the video gameEncounters in Space,and are sister units that eliminate the Core Block system for increased weaponry and better performance. Unit G04 was equipped with a Mega Beam Launcher, which was unstable and destroyed the unit by overloading its energy output.
    • The RX-78-6Mudrock Gundam,featured inMobile Suit Gundam Side Story: Missing Link,was a Zeonic unit utilizing built-in weaponry as opposed to external ones such as the beam rifle.
  • The FA-78-1Full Armor Gundamwas an unbuilt schematic for modular weaponry and armor meant for the RX-78-2.
  • The PF-78-1Perfect Gundamwas first featured in the mangaPlamo-Kyoshiroand was an RX-78-2 model kit modified with over-the-top armor and a shoulder-mounted water cannon.
  • The RX-78-NT1Gundam NT-1(nicknamed the Alex), was featured in the OVAWar in the Pocket.Initially meant to be sent to Amuro as a replacement for the aging RX-78-2, it was test piloted by Christina Mackenzie and destroyed in the Side 6 space colony.
  • The RX-178Gundam MK-IIis featured as a key mobile suit inMobile Suit Zeta Gundam,being piloted by protagonist Kamille Bidan in its first half and continuing to be used throughout it andMobile Suit ZZ Gundam.Three units were produced by the Titans faction, improving on aspects of the original with technology such as a moving inner frame and a panoramic cockpit. One unit was later stolen by the Anti Earth Union Group (A.E.U.G) and given a new paint scheme.

Alternate designs

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  • A redesigned iteration of the RX-78-2 byHajime Katoki,referred to asVer.Ka,is featured in merchandise such as the Master Grade line of model kits and the Gundam Fix Figuration line of figures.
  • Another iteration with a sleeker design is featured in the shorts seriesGundam Evolve.
  • A version designed by mechanical engineerKen Okuyamais featured in a short film and model kit to celebrate the franchise's 40th anniversary. The design was meant to mimic realistic human movement similar to the original series.
  • Gunboy-Wilbur is a "Machining Skin" featured inFor the Barrel,a novel reinterpretation of the original series serialized inNewtypeMagazine.[4]

Other media and merchandise

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Pop culture

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The RX-78-2 Gundam is one of the basic units that appear in theSuper Robot Warsseries,representing theGundamfranchise alongside series mainstaysMazingerandGetter Robo.[5]

The RX-78-2 also makes multiple cameo appearances in the animeSgt. Frog.

The RX-78-2 Gundam appeared in the filmReady Player One(2018),[6]where one of the protagonists controls the RX-78-2 to battleMechagodzilla.

On October 23, 2000, Japan included the RX-78 Gundam and Amuro Ray in the 20th Century Stamp Series.[7]This mobile suit and other notable machines from variousGundamseries were also recognized in the second set of "Anime Heroes and Heroines" stamps, released in 2005. Other franchises and series included werePokémon,Galaxy Express 999,andDetective Conan.[8]

Promotions

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The RX-78-2 Gundam & 2 Medea transport planes were featured in a fire fighting poster in Japan. The RX-78-2 was equipped with water spraying equipment.[9]

On July 16, 2010 to June 30, 2011,ANAlaunched a series of flights as part of the 30th anniversary of Gunpla. Called the "ANA x GUNDAM Sky Project," the promotion used specially painted Boeing 777s on domestic and international flights. The initial flight was from Tokyo to Osaka. Promotional model kits include 1/144 scale versions of the RX-78-2,Gundam 00Raiser, andUnicorn Gundam,as well as a 1/48 scale RX-78-2, all molded in ANA colors.[10][11]

Promotional food based on the Gundam include Pocky, Pepsi,[12][13]McDonalds, and Cup Noodles. Food promotions usually tie into merchandise, including exclusive model kits or miniature statues.

Statues

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A life-sized statue of the Freedom Gundam from Gundam SEED inShanghai

On March 23, 2008, a bronze statue of the Gundam was erected at the south entrance ofKami-Igusa StationinSuginami,Tokyoto honor the hometown animation studioSunrise.[14]

As part of the 30th Anniversary of the Gundam series, the company officially announced a project on March 11, 2009, calledReal-Gplanning to build a1:1real size scale Gundam in Japan. It was completed on June 9, 2009, and displayed in a Tokyo park.[15][16]The 18-meter tall statue was later moved and reconstructed inShizuoka City,where it stayed from July 2010 to March 2011.[17][18]This design became the basis for the Real Grade model in 2010 and the Master Grade Ver.3.0 model in 2013 and makes an appearance inModel Suit Gunpla Builders Beginning G.In August it was dismantled and reconstructed inOdaiba,Tokyo on April 19, 2012.[19][20]Until March 5, 2017, it stood in Odaiba along with a gift shop called "Gundam Front Tokyo".[21]On March 5, it was announced that the life size RX 78-2 Gundam will be replaced bya statue of the RX-0 Unicorn GundamfromMobile Suit Gundam Unicorn.[22]

A second statue based on the original Gundam was announced in late 2018 as part of the "Gundam Global Challenge" made to receive concepts for an animatronic version.[23]The statue, known as the RX-78F00 Yokohama Gundam, finished construction in 2020 and opened to the public on December 19, 2020 as part of the Gundam Factory Yokohama attraciton.[24][25]The statue was dismantled in 2024. A rebuilt version called the F00/E will be featured in theGundam Next FuturePavillion atExpo 2025in Osaka.[26]This statue will be in a fixed pose, kneeling and reaching for the sky.

Other statues include the Freedom Gundam fromMobile Suit Gundam SEEDin Shanghai, China in 2021[27],and a statue of the Nu Gundam fromMobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattacksporting a long range funnel weapon (dubbed the RX-93ff) inFukuoka, Japanin 2022.[28]

Physical Attractions

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Gundam the Ride: A Baoa Qu was a theme park attraction fromFuji-Q Highlandwhich ran from 2000 to 2007. Visitors are escorted in a battlship by 2 GM suits during the titular battle. The ride was replaced byGundam Crisis,where visitors explore a hangar in order to collect data to access the RX-78-2's cockpit. If successful, an exclusive video will be shown inside the cockpit.[29]

The statue stood in Odaiba, Tokyo, outside the shopping mall Diver City Tokyo, where it was a centerpiece of the "Gundam Front Tokyo" attraction until March 5, 2017. Visitors could visit the statue and also see the Gundam Front Tokyo attraction on the sixth floor of the mall, which featured a 360 degree panoramic movie theater, a room dedicated to Gundam models throughout the years, concept artwork, and a life-size 1/1 scale bust of the Strike Freedom Gundam from the showMobile SuitGundam SEED.[21]The nearby hotel, Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba (formerly Grand Pacific le Daiba) had a Gundam themed hotel room during this time.[30]

Toys and Model Kits

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The original line of toys produced by the show's original sponsorClover,diecast figures with more super robot aestethics, clashed with the show's themes and audience and was not a success. To capture the teenage and adult demographics, Bandai produced a line ofmodel kitsbased on the Gundam and other mobile suits, which became immensely popular. the RX-78-2 Gundam has releases in virtually every model line and scale and is often used to commemorate a new model line or an anniversary.

The current Bandai Universal Century models' label copyright classification also uses the head of the Gundam as its icon.[31]

See also

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References

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  1. ^"Mechanics: Gundam".Bandi USA. Archived fromthe originalon January 11, 2004.RetrievedNovember 2,2008.
  2. ^abMobile Suit Gundam(novel), October 1987,ISBN4-04-410101-9
  3. ^"Lặc thiên が vận 営するポータルサイト: 【インフォシーク】Infoseek".infoseek.co.jp.Archived fromthe originalon 12 February 2009.Retrieved6 April2015.
  4. ^"ガンダム tiểu thuyết giới thiệu そ の 4 フォーザバレル".ヒュポポリクス.Retrieved2024-10-26.
  5. ^Magenta Galaxy (October 14, 2003)."Super Robot Taisen A".GameFAQs. Archived fromthe originalon August 21, 2007.RetrievedJune 2,2015.
  6. ^"Gundam Appears in New Ready Player One Trailer".11 December 2017.
  7. ^"The 20th Century Stamp Series 15".RetrievedJanuary 10,2007.
  8. ^"Anime Hero and Heroine Series II - Gundam".RetrievedJanuary 13,2007.
  9. ^Japanese Fire Department, Fire Fighting History Museum,The future of fire fighting( phòng cháy の tương lai ), section 1 Gundam Activity (ガンダム đại sinh động )
  10. ^"“ANA×GUNDAM SKYプロジェクト” │ hàng không khoán │ANA quốc nội tuyến ".Ana.co.jp. Archived fromthe originalon 2013-05-15.Retrieved2013-05-24.
  11. ^"ANA's 'Gundam' plane makes inaugural flight".The Japan Times.July 17, 2010. Archived fromthe originalon July 22, 2010.RetrievedJune 2,2015.
  12. ^"Gundams and Pepsi".Anime News Network.August 5, 2004.RetrievedJanuary 9,2007.
  13. ^"Pepsi-Gundam Promotion Illegal".Anime News Network.November 1, 2005.RetrievedJanuary 9,2007.
  14. ^"ガンダム の ブロンズ giống, tây võ tân túc tuyến thượng giếng thảo dịch trước の đại địa に lập つ!".Gundam.info.25 March 2008.Retrieved5 February2023.
  15. ^"Day in pictures".BBC News.June 9, 2009. Archived fromthe originalon October 20, 2010.RetrievedJune 2,2015.
  16. ^"1/1 thật vật đại ガンダム đại địa に lập つ! ]".recommend.yahoo.co.jp.Archived fromthe originalon May 27, 2010.RetrievedJune 2,2015.
  17. ^"Life-Size Gundam Statue Unveiled at New Shizuoka Home".Anime News Network.2010-07-23.Retrieved2012-05-04.
  18. ^"Life-Size Gundam Statue Returns to Tokyo... in Parts".Anime News Network.2011-08-14.Retrieved2012-05-04.
  19. ^"Life-Size Gundam Rises Again at Tokyo's Odaiba in Video".Anime News Network.2012-04-22.Retrieved2012-05-04.
  20. ^"Giant 60-Foot 'Mobile Suit Gundam' Statue Presides Over DiverCity Tokyo Plaza (PHOTO)".Huffington Post.2012-05-01.Retrieved2012-05-04.
  21. ^abappetiteforjapan (2015-12-02)."Diver City Tokyo: the ultimate Gundam experience".Appetite For Japan.Retrieved2017-03-03.
  22. ^"“Thật vật đại ユニコーンガンダム lập tượng” tân プロジェクト thủy động! 2017 năm thu, お đài tràng にて triển lãm bắt đầu! ".Công thức ガンダム tình báo ポータルサイト “GUNDAM.INFO”(in Japanese).Retrieved2017-03-07.
  23. ^"Life-sized Gundam 18 Meters Tall Moves!".GUNDAM.INFO | The official Gundam news and video portal.Retrieved2021-05-29.
  24. ^"Japan's new life-size moving Gundam statue unveiled in full dramatic glory".Japan Today.Retrieved2021-05-29.
  25. ^"GUNDAM FACTORY YOKOHAMA".24 November 2020.Retrieved2021-05-29.
  26. ^Barder, Ollie."The Life-Size Walking Gundam Is Getting A New Home At Expo 2025".Forbes.Retrieved2024-10-26.
  27. ^""Life-size "Gundam statue in Shanghai catches hearts of fans".Kyodo News+.Retrieved2023-07-28.
  28. ^Stenbuck, Kite (2021-09-15)."Life-Size Nu Gundam Statue Will Appear in Fukuoka".Siliconera.Retrieved2024-09-28.
  29. ^Warera! Gundam Hakkutsu Tai!!( ta ら! ガンダム phát quật đội!! ), report file 001-B, Soutsuu Agency,Sunrise (company)
  30. ^appetiteforjapan (2015-12-13)."Hotel Gundam Style: inside the exclusive anime hotel suite".Appetite For Japan.Retrieved2017-03-03.
  31. ^Warera! Gundam Hakkutsu Tai!!( ta ら! ガンダム phát quật đội!! ), report file 014-B, Soutsuu Agency,Sunrise (company)
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