Fans Bid Farewell to Tokyo’s Life-Size Gundam: ‘We Appreciate Your Service!’

After nearly a decade, the life-sized Unicorn Gundam statue in Odaiba, Tokyo, has officially closed its doors, drawing thousands of fans for a final farewell to the impressive mecha.

This Unicorn Gundam is actually the second statue to grace the area outside the Diver City shopping center, taking over from the RX-78 Gundam statue that represented the original series. Standing at an impressive 19.7 meters, this statue debuted in 2017, shortly after the conclusion of the Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn OVA series that inspired it. Alongside one of the largest Gundam Base stores, which offers a variety of Gunpla and franchise memorabilia, the statue became a local landmark. It also featured a nightly light show, showcasing its moving visor and other captivating displays.

Since its unveiling, the statue has become a beloved icon, attracting not just die-hard fans but also curious visitors eager to snap photos. To honor this cherished figure, a grand celebration was held, including a musical performance on August 29th featuring Hiroyuki Sawano, the composer behind the Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn soundtrack, and vocalist SennaRin, who recently contributed to the franchise with a song for Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe.

On August 31st, even more fans gathered to witness the final light shows and bid farewell, capturing the moment on video and sharing heartfelt messages about their affection for the statue. As the countdown to the official closure at 10 PM JST began, attendees expressed their gratitude, thanking the statue for its years of service. Many lingered, knowing this was their last opportunity to see it.

As of the morning of September 1, demolition of the Gundam has yet to commence, but it’s expected that the statue will soon be removed from the plaza. Bandai Namco has not confirmed any plans for a replacement, though fans are speculating about potential new mobile suits, such as the XVX-016 Gundam Ariel from Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury.

For those living in Japan, a trip to Odaiba felt incomplete without a visit to the life-sized Gundam, making its departure a bittersweet moment after all these years. While a replacement is likely on the horizon, it remains uncertain what will take its place and how long that process will take.