The 11th of July has come and gone, and along with it, the official opening of the giant Gundam statue in Odaiba, Tokyo. Here’s a look at what the scene was like just over a week later, flashing lights and all…

The giant Gundam statue in Odaiba, Tokyo, is complete. And I make no reservations in saying that it is undoubtedly one of the coolest things I have ever seen.

Japan is well known for a many things. Temples, kimonos, sushi… and giant robots. Mobile Suit Gundam – the Japanese animated TV series that over the last three decades has spawned a dizzying array of spin-offs, manga, novels, videogames and plastic models – is turning 30 this year. To mark the occassion, Bandai Namco are spending some of the gadzillions they’ve earned from the franchise to build a 1:1 scale, 18 metre tall, 35 tonne Gundam model in Tokyo’s Shiokaze Park.