An event where you can experience the history and “size” of giant robot anime is finally coming to Tokyo! [“Japanese giant robots” event report]

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Some planes are operated by remote control, while others are controlled by electronic lights in closed cockpits.

Only pilots can experience the weight of the aircraft as it makes a rumbling sound and the vibrations that slightly shake the cockpit. People looked up at this “brave figure” so huge that they looked up at it with awe and admiration…!

Following the live-action drama version that aired in 1960, it was aired as a black-and-white anime in 1963.“Tetsujin 28-go”. In the 64 years since then, robot anime has played a variety of roles in keeping with the times, and has now become a worldwide presence that even influences Hollywood blockbusters such as “Transformers” and “Pacific Rim.”

This time it was held at Sunshine City, Ikebukuro.“Giant robots in Japan”is an irresistible event for both robot and anime fans, where you can trace the history of Japanese robot anime and experience the enormity of each robot.

At the venue, there were not only panels introducing each work, but also exhibits of treasured materials and valuable toys from the time, allowing visitors to fully experience the charm of giant robots.
Therefore, in this article, I would like to present that experience as a photo report.
*Photos may not be displayed on some news sites. Please also see the article from the publisher.

◆Was it this big!? I can’t stop being excited about the continuous new discoveries!

“Japan’s Giant Robot Group – Giant Robot Animation, Its Design and Visual Expression” started at the Fukuoka venue in September 2023, and after moving to the Kanagawa venue, Kagawa venue, and Kyoto venue, it will now be held at the Tokyo venue. Ta.

The main contents include being able to trace the history of Japanese giant robot anime starting with “Tetsujin 28-go”, being able to experience the size through life-sized panels, seeing the internal mechanisms and the behind-the-scenes aspects of anime production, and collecting valuable materials and information. You can see nostalgic goods, etc.

The works handled are diverse,“Mazinger Z” “Brave Raiden” “Choudenji Robocon Battler V”From the classics such as“Space Warrior” “Megazone 23” “Five Star Story” “Earth Defense Corporation Dai Guard” “Giant Robo THE ANIMATION – The Day the Earth Stood Still”and various other things.

The panel commentary explains in detail what kind of robots were active in that era and how the way they were depicted changed over time, so people of all ages can enjoy learning about the history of robots.

Additionally, an audio guide will be available at the venue for an additional fee (700 yen). Banjo Ginga, who is well known for his role as Gihren Zabi in “Mobile Suit Gundam” and the narration for “Muteki Steel Daitarn 3,” and Nana Mizuki, who starred in “Cross Ange: Rondo of Angels and Dragons,” will provide commentary. So you can learn more.

Evolution from the remote-controlled Iron Man to the cockpit-controlled Mazinger Z. Furthermore, it is equipped with combination/transformation gimmicks intended for toy sales, and Gundam, which gained popularity in real life, etc… It was a rich exhibit that made you think about each and every one of them.

◆Retro toys and props from live-action movies!

One of the great joys of this event is not just tracing the history, but also being able to experience the enormity of each robot. For example, Garland that appears in “Megazone 23” transforms from a motorcycle to a robot, but it’s so huge that you can’t believe it’s transformed from a motorcycle, and it takes your breath away.

In addition, the Gundam is not the size that can be expressed on a panel, but the entire floor of the special floor is used to draw a full-length figure, which is surprising! I was able to experience first-hand its size, which was difficult to convey on a small cathode ray tube or monitor.

Of course, in addition to the panel exhibition, goods and production materials from the time were also displayed in each work’s corner.

What I found most interesting were the props for the live-action movie version of Tetsujin 28-go, which was released in 2005, and the stage set template for the 2009 stage version of Tetsujin 28-go, written and directed by Mamoru Oshii. , materials such as the scope dog mockup (model) of “Armored Trooper Votoms”.

This is a valuable document that cannot be seen anywhere else, so please take your time and enjoy it at the venue.

Other retro toys include the “Gundam DX Combination Set” released by Clover in 1979, “Super Alloy Mazinger Z” and “DX Super Alloy Brave Raiden” released by Poppy in 1974 and 1975, Don’t miss the exhibit, which focuses on personally owned items, such as pages related to “Space Warrior” from “SF Magazine” published in 1980.

Clover’s “Gundam DX Combination Set” included unique gimmicks for toys that did not appear in the main program, as was the case at the time, and like “Chogokin Mazinger Z” and “DX Chogokin Brave Raideen,” The three-dimensional figure with unique proportions has a cheap taste that cannot be seen with current figure modeling technology, and it has a charm that makes me want to see it reprinted.

Company names such as Clover and Poppy also give a sense of the times.

There is a popular game series called “Super Robot Wars”, and the venue for the exhibition is exactly the world of “Super Robot Wars”! It’s rare to see an event where the main characters of robot anime come together, transcending the boundaries of the copyright holder, and it was worth spending an entire day watching it carefully.

The exhibition period at the Tokyo venue is until January 13, 2025 (Monday, holiday). The schedule ends quickly after the year-end and New Year holidays, so why not visit so you don’t regret it?

(C) AIC (C) AIC Lights (C) Studio Nue (C) Sotsu/Sunrise (C) Go Nagai/Dynamic Planning (C) Toei (C) Hikari Production/Shikishima Heavy Industries (C) Hikari Production/Showgate ( C)1982 BIGWEST