Gundamis by far one of the biggest franchises in the world, considered one of the greatest exponents of the Mecha genre ever since its introduction in 1979. This series is so beloved throughout the entire world, that it is one of few to have been immortalized in the streets of Japan. For many years, a massive, visually stunning, andmobile statue of the RX-78-2 modelembellished Tokyo, until it was lamentably dismantled in 2024.
Yet, the relevance of theGundamfranchise has once again been proven, as a new equally amazing statue is set to be unveiled during the inauguration of the Next Future Pavilion. This news has made many American fans ask when such a monument will arrive in their country. As much as it hurts to admit, this is not likely to occur in the immediate future.
New Gundam Statue to Be Unveiled in April
A Symbol of Humanity’s Hope for the Future Rises in Osaka
As part of the Expo 2025 Osaka, an event that will celebrate the advancements and ideas for the future of humanity all over the world, a special pavilion inspired by theGundamfranchise will be opened. This special exhibition will allow attendees to experience how it would feel to be a part of the series’ universe. The installation, called Nex Future Pavilion, will be entirely designed around the ambiance of the show, with heavy inspiration from interstellar travel and spaceships. One of the main attractions will be a massive statue ofone of the most iconic mechas, RX-78F00.
This new version of this beloved mecha will be seen kneeling on the ground, with a hand extended to the sky. According to the creators of this artwork, the posture of the mecha is supposed to signify hope for a better future and humanity’s desire to reach the stars. The statue will be about 17 meters tall, or approximately 55.77 feet, and has been created by reusing parts and materials from the original statue dismantled in 2024. This new version will not be able to move, as its predecessor was known to do.
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The statue of RX-78F00 will be unveiled this coming Sunday, August 14, 2025, and will remain on exhibition until August 03, 2025. Fans who wish to see this impressive monument to theGundamfranchise will be able to do so when visiting Kansai, Japan. The post did not include information about the future of the statue once the 2025 Expo Osaka comes to an end, but it could likely be moved to the Yokohama factory where the original once stood.
Could a Gundam Statue Ever Grace the U.S.A.?
Fans Have Been Asking for One for Many Years
The revelation of a newGundamstatue in Japan was celebrated by fans all over the world, with many making plans to visit it during its exhibition. Nonetheless, there were many other viewers, mostly based in the U.S.A., who raised the question of when a similar monument could arrive in their country. Outside of Japan, America is arguably the biggest consumer of the franchise, thanks to the popularity it gained in the 2000s. During this era,Gundambecame one of the most popular shows in the Cartoon Network segment, Toonami.
The series aired alongside beloved shows likeDragon BallandNaruto, as well asobscure and absurd selections likeHamtaro. Surprisingly,Gundamwas reported as the most viewed series during Toonami’s airing time, surpassing Goku. The hype around the series slowly died down during the 2010s, but it resurfaced in 2020 during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Lamentably, despite how popular the series is in America, there are currently no plans to bring aGundamstatue to the U.S.A. As of January 2025, Bandai has not given any signs of fulfilling this dream for fans outside of Japan.
Will Gundam’s Monuments Ever Reach America?
There Have Already Been Smaller but Successful Events
Even though there are currently no plans to bring a real-lifeGundamto the U.S.A., the possibility of one arriving in the future cannot be discarded. There have already been extremely successful events based on this iconic franchise in the country, like2024’sGundam Base Mobile Tour. This small-scale exhibition allowed fans to take photos of a scale model of the RX-78-2. It went to most of the major cities in the country and was a massive hit among the fanbase. The success of this event might push Bandai to bring a mecha statue to the U.S.A. in the future.
With or without a statue,Gundamwill likely remain one of the U.S.A.’s most popular anime franchises. Fans who have the opportunity should consider visiting the RX-78F00 statue that will be unveiled in April, as it could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Gundam
The Gundam franchise is a cornerstone of mecha anime, featuring giant robots known as “mobile suits” in various wartime settings. Originating with Mobile Suit Gundam in 1979, it explores complex themes of war, politics, and humanity through the struggles of pilots who navigate these massive machines. The franchise spans multiple timelines and universes, creating a rich tapestry of interconnected stories and standalone narratives.
