| Revision as of 15:53, 18 January 2017 edit71.187.170.100 (talk) sevelop > develop← Previous edit | Revision as of 22:01, 14 February 2017 edit undo152.249.123.151 (talk) ←Replaced content with '331px Category:Cultural impact'Tag: blankingNext edit → | ||
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| The ] ] franchise '']'' is a popular culture icon in Japan. Its owner ] has earned up to 54.5 billion yen per year from products based on the Gundam characters.<ref>Nekkei BP mook, Otona no Gundamu Perfect (Gundam for Adult's Perfect), Business & History+Character+Mechanic, Nekkei Entertainment, ISBN 978-4-8222-6317-1</ref> Gundam has appeared on postage stamps, the Gundam name was used as a codename for a ] project to develop an advance personal combat system and Gundam has been used to promote technical developments in fire fighting. A tram station has a Gundam statue and plays the theme tune of the first Gundam film as its departure melody. Mitsubishi created a simulator for concept cars themed on a Gundam mech cockpit, held recruitment seminars titled "How to make a Gundam" to demonstrate their development process and based their Lancer Evolution design on Gundam. Isuzu used a Gundam to model the VX2. | |||
| == Commercial == | |||
| The Gundam franchise covers nine universes that comprise a dozen TV series, over twenty animated movies, and dozens of novels and manga. ] is the fourth largest toy manufacturer in the world and Gundam merchandise makes up 20% of its sales. In 2004, Gundam sales resulted in profits of 42.8 billion yen, growing to 54.5 billion yen by 2007.<ref name=Stahl>{{cite book | title=Imag(in)ing the War in Japan: Representing and Responding to Trauma in Postwar Literature and Film | publisher=BRILL |author1=Stahl, David |author2=Williams, Mark | year=2010 | pages=327–353}}</ref> | |||
| By 2000, the popularity of Gundam had resulted in the creation of hundreds of different model kits with more than 350 million sold.<ref name=Stahl /> In 2011, the ''Los Angeles Times'' reported that some estimations state that "10 Gundam models sold for every man, woman and child in Japan."<ref>{{cite news | url=http://herocomplex.latimes.com/animation/gundam-three-decades-of-a-signature-force-in-anime/ | title='Gundam': Three decades of a signature force in anime | publisher=LA Times | accessdate=6 October 2013}}</ref> | |||
| == Museums == | |||
| Gundam Front Tokyo is a dedicated museum to Gundam. Among its major attractions is the Gundam Statue of the RG 1/1 RX-78-2 Gundam Ver. GFT. It features a display collection of over 1000 Gunpla models and the biggest exhibition of Gunpla in the world.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://gundamfront-tokyo.com/en/floorguide/gunpla.php | title=Gunpla Tokyo Floor Guide | publisher=Gundam Front Tokyo | accessdate=4 October 2013}}</ref> In 2012, ''Robots Gone Bad'' covered the museum and stated that it houses 90% of the kits ever made.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://robotsgonebad.com/2012/10/japan-weekly-robots/ | title=Japan Weekly: Robots Gone Big | publisher=Robots Gone Bad | date=10 October 2012 | accessdate=4 October 2013}}</ref> In 2012, a large topiary Gundam made of ten thousand begonias, zinnias, and star daisies was on display to promote the ].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/flower-gundam-keeps-watch-in-odaiba | title=Flower Gundam keeps watch in Odaiba | publisher=Japan Today | date=22 October 2012 | accessdate=5 October 2013}}</ref> | |||
| === Gundam Statue === | |||
| The Gundam Statue or "Odaiba Gundam" has been a major icon of the museum since its unveiling. Weighing in at 35 tonnes and standing 18 meters tall, the Gundam Statue is a popular attraction for visitors.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2137905/Pictured-The-giant-Gundam-robot-standing-guard-Tokyo-theme-park-just-dont-Transformer.html?ITO=1490 | title=Pictured: The giant Gundam robot standing guard over {{sic|it|'s|hide=y}} own Tokyo theme park (just don't call it a Transformer!) | publisher=Daily Mail | date=1 May 2012 | accessdate=4 October 2013 | location=London}}</ref> First completed in June 2009, it stood for a month before being dissembled, but had attracted over 4.5 million visitors during that time.<ref name=huff1>{{cite news | url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/01/gundam-robot-statue-tokyo-japan-bandai-plaza-divercity_n_1468856.html | title=Giant 60-Foot 'Mobile Suit Gundam' Statue Presides Over DiverCity Tokyo Plaza (PHOTO) | publisher=Huffington Post | accessdate=4 October 2013 | first=Jocelyn | last=Richard | date=1 May 2012}}</ref> In 2010, it was erected in Shizuoka, and later was shown in pieces in 2011 in order to raise money for the ] relief effort.<ref name=huff1 /><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/15/gundam-robot-statue-returns-to-japan-looking-worse-for-the-wear/ | title=Gundam robot statue returns to Japan, looking worse for wear | publisher=Engadget | accessdate=4 October 2013}}</ref> | |||
| === "China Gundam" === | |||
| A large robot statue was debuted in China's Floraland park in 2010, which immediately drew lots of negative press surrounding its creation as a copy of the original Gundam Statue. According to reports, a spokesperson for the park declared it as "completely original". While it bore a similar design, the robot's bore logos for the EFSF and WB, the 'Earth Federation Space Force' and 'White Base'.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5ie6_ai_DXEqpEWY3fdFXnJ7mZHGg?docId=CNG.35fe9afbf5c0253f885080ba82e9784c.271 | title=Japan's Gundam robot crushes Chinese lookalike | publisher=AFP | date=20 December 2010 | accessdate=4 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://kotaku.com/5715923/now-you-see-chinese-gundam-now-you-dont | title=Now You See Chinese Gundam, Now You Don't | publisher=Kotaku | date=22 December 2010 | accessdate=4 October 2013}}</ref> The form of the robot was made by a frame that was covered with fabric.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.japanprobe.com/2010/12/20/chinas-big-yellow-gundam-knock-off/ | title=China's Big Yellow Gundam Knock-Off | publisher=Japan Probe | date=20 December 2010 | accessdate=4 October 2013}}</ref> In January 2011, the robot was reconstructed with significant alterations which still attracted some negative press on its appearance.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/107412-Chinas-Knockoff-Gundam-Gets-a-Hideous-Makeover | title=China's Knockoff Gundam Gets a Hideous Makeover | publisher=Escapist Magazine | date=31 January 2011 | accessdate=4 October 2013}}</ref> | |||
| === Other museums and exhibitions === | |||
| In 2013, the ] ran an exhibition featuring over 400 pieces of ]'s mechanical design work.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://ajw.asahi.com/article/cool_japan/culture/aj201304120035 | title=Kobe museum holds exhibition focusing on 'Gundam' designer Kunio Okawara's work | publisher=The Asahi Shimbun | date=12 April 2013 | accessdate=5 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.artm.pref.hyogo.jp/eng/exhibition/index.html | title=Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art (Exhibitions) | publisher=Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art | accessdate=5 October 2013}}</ref> | |||
| == Academics == | |||
| As part of MHI Jobcon 2005 (] Job Convention 2005), a recruiting event of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd, seminars were held in six Japanese cities. The topic of these seminars was "Mobile Suit Gundam Development Story"; which indicated the requirements and processes that Mitsubishi would have to implement if the company had been required to build an RX-78 mobile suit.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.mhi.co.jp/news/sec1/200502044313.html | title = MHI Jobcon 2005 | date = 4 February 2005 | language = Japanese | accessdate = 2007-01-11}}(Website prevented deep linking, see )</ref> | |||
| On 24 August 2008, a conference was held in ] with hundreds of academic professionals in different fields joining together to discuss about the relationship of anime science and technology with the modern world, including military, economics, linguistics, and the possibility of the ] (]). Many envisioned that the technology portrayed in Gundam is not far from our time.<ref>{{cite web|author=SDガンダム ジージェネレーション ワールド(通常版) |url=http://www.j-cast.com/2008/07/29024259.html |title=J-Cast |publisher=J-Cast |date= |accessdate=2011-03-13}}</ref><ref> 中國新聞</ref><ref> Gamer News Network Taiwan</ref> One aeronautics expert in the project said thermonuclear rockets and spherical helper bots should be pursued.<ref name="timesonline.co.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/world/article1967111.ece|title=Gundam cartoon academy to turn science fiction into reality in Japan|first=Leo|last=Lewis|date=November 1, 2008|work=The Times|accessdate=8 May 2015}}</ref><!-- original article at http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/science/article5058011.ece but it is now a dead link, due to robots.txt it can not be retrieved from wayback internet archive. --> | |||
| === Magazines === | |||
| The popularity of Gundam resulted in its first specialty magazine, ''Gundam Magazine'', which ran from December 1990 to June 1991.<ref name=mag1>{{cite web | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-10-09/original-gundam-magazine-republished | title=Original Gundam Magazine Republished | publisher=Anime News Network | accessdate=5 October 2013}}</ref> In 2006, the magazine was reprinted in a six volume box set.<ref name=mag1 /> In 2001, '']'' magazine began publication, moved from a quarterly to a bi-monthly to monthly serialization in 2003. ''Gundam Magazine'' boasts a circulation of over 100,000 copies according to the ].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.j-magazine.or.jp/data_002/m6.html | title=JMPAマガジンデータ : 男性 コミック | publisher=Japan Magazine Publishing Association | accessdate=5 October 2013}}</ref> | |||
| == Industry == | |||
| The concept of ] is inspired by RX-178 ] as concept design arts released in the Jan/Feb 1998, as seen in issue no. 71 of the magazine ''Axis'' published in Japan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.isuzu.co.jp/museum/conhis/vx2.html|title=ISUZU：VX-2|date=|work=isuzu.co.jp|accessdate=8 May 2015}}</ref> According to Gundam-san ] comic, the ] appearance is influenced by the RX-78-2 Gundam.<ref>Mobile Suit Gundam-san (Kidou Senshi Gundamu san), p. 123.</ref> ] Chief Creative Officer ] said that the angular lines and high-tech vents of the ] were inspired by the Japanese ] series Gundam.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-11-27/nissan-gt-r%27s-redesign-inspired-by-gundam |title=Nissan GT-R Coupe's Redesign Inspired by Gundam Anime |publisher=Anime News Network |date=27 November 2007 |accessdate=2011-03-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Vella |first=Matt |url=http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/nov2007/id20071119_902449.htm?chan=top+news_top+news+index_innovation+%2Bamp%3B+design |title=Nissan Redesigns a Japanese Icon |publisher=Businessweek.com |date=26 November 2007 |accessdate=2011-03-13}}</ref> ] has cooperated with Bandai to create a simulator for concept cars, the test-type of this simulator will be decorated like the Gundam cockpit and become a simulation theatre in the Toyota theme park, Mega Web, located in Tokyo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mhi.co.jp/news/sec1/020220nl.html |title=三菱重工｜「機動戦士ガンダム」のシミュレーターを製作 アミューズメントエキスポに試作機を参考出展 |publisher=Mhi.co.jp |date= |accessdate=2011-03-13}}</ref> | |||
| == Military and aerospace == | |||
| The code name for the under-development ] advanced personal combat equipment is "Gundam".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20071030-00000010-giz-ent|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071101063052/http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20071030-00000010-giz-ent|title=防衛省、ガンダムを開発中|date=|archivedate=1 November 2007|work=yahoo.co.jp|accessdate=8 May 2015|deadurl=yes}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071101063057/http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20071030-00000010-giz-ent.view-000|archivedate=1 November 2007 |url=http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20071030-00000010-giz-ent.view-000|title=防衛省、ガンダムを開発中|publisher=]|accessdate=October 25, 2015}}</ref><ref>, ''ガンダムの実現に向けて(先進個人装備システム)'', ''Aiming to achieve (in building a) Gundam (Advanced personal equipment system)''.</ref><ref> (防衛省が開発する｢ガンダム｣の正体とは)</ref> On the display exhibition on 7 November 2007, the equipment of the set contains infra-red camera and ] that can verify if the incoming target is a friend or foe, along with a monitor display that can browse the internet. The equipment has a total weight of 9 kg and the powered suit can run for 8 hours. The testing team consisting of troopers claims that the major improvement should be focused on increasing the battery life of the system. The researchers are also aiming for ] systems including missiles that can stay/hover in air and mini scouting robots.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mainichi.jp/enta/mantan/graph/anime/20071107/ |title=防衛省："ガンダム"新装備を公開 暗視カメラに生体認証、ファンネル？も (まんたんウェブ) – 毎日ｊｐ(毎日新聞) |publisher=Mainichi.jp |date=15 March 2010 |accessdate=2011-03-13}}</ref> | |||
| == Government == | |||
| In 2007, Japan's Ministry of Defense presented a paper titled "Towards the Realization of Gundam (Advanced Personal Equipment System)", which ] noted as using "elements of popular culture to attract young people for recruitment and public relations."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-10-29/japan%27s-defense-ministry-to-explore-realizing-gundam | title=Japan's Defense Ministry to Explore 'Realizing' Gundam | publisher=Anime News Network | accessdate=4 October 2013}}</ref> | |||
| In 2012, Japan's Liberal Democratic Party had discussed the possibility of building a working Gundam, in 2008 the estimated the cost to build a Gundam was US$725 million for the parts and materials. During a 12-hour coverage on ], ] and ] presented "The Gundam Development Project". Though the event was decried as an attempt to garner the "nerd vote".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://japandailypress.com/japanese-government-officials-to-discuss-building-a-real-working-gundam-275352/ | title=Japanese government officials to discuss building a real, working Gundam | publisher=Japan Daily Press | accessdate=4 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://kotaku.com/5921304/japanese-politicians-are-thinking-about-building-gundam-like-real-working-gundam | title=Japanese Politicians Are Thinking about Building Gundam. Like, Real, Working Gundam. | publisher=Kotaku | accessdate=4 October 2013}}</ref> | |||
| The ] was recognized as a culturally significant subject by the nation of Japan on 23 October 2000, with the inclusion of the suit and the main pilot on two stamps in the 20th Century Stamp Series.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://yushu.or.jp/english/e_sdate/00jpn/00comm/00oct23c1.html | title = The 20th Century Stamp Series 15 | accessdate = 2007-01-10}}</ref> On 25 March 2011, a set of 10 stamps called ''Gunpla Frame Stamp Collection 30th Anniversary'' was released in Japan. Featuring 10 of the titular Mobile Suit RX-78-2 Gundam's plastic models for 1980 to 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jp-network.japanpost.jp/notification/pressrelease/2011/document/3001_08_04_811031401.pdf |title=GUNPLA FRAME STAMP COLLECTION30th ANNIVERSARY |format=PDF |date= |accessdate=2012-02-17}}</ref> Additionally, the mobile suit and other notable mecha from various Gundam series were recognized in the second set of "Anime Heroes and Heroines" stamps, released in 2005. It was one of only four franchises to be given the honor; the others were '']'', '']'', and '']''.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://yushu.or.jp/english/e_sdate/05jpn/05kine/050801c1.html | title = Anime Hero and Heroine Series II – Gundam | accessdate = 2007-01-13}}</ref> | |||
| ] | |||
| The RX-78-2 Gundam and 2 Medea transport planes were featured in a fire fighting poster in Japan. The RX-78-2 was equipped with water spraying equipment instead of weapons. | |||
| ==Tram station monument== | |||
| In 2008, a RX-78 Gundam monument was displayed at ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mainichi.jp/enta/mantan/graph/anime/20080323/ |title=機動戦士ガンダム：上井草駅に記念オブジェ 富野監督も祝福(まんたんウェブ) – 毎日ｊｐ(毎日新聞) |publisher=Mainichi.jp |date=15 March 2010 |accessdate=2011-03-13}}</ref> | |||
| ==Ink and wash painting== | |||
| In 2008, the ] of Gundam drawn by Hisashi Tenmyouya in 2005 was sold in the ] auction held in Hong Kong with a price of US$600,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://game.people.com.cn/BIG5/48602/48968/7304425.html |title=史上最貴高達水墨畫拍出60萬美元天價-游戲-人民網 |publisher=Game.people.com.cn |date= |accessdate=2011-03-13 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005153659/http://game.people.com.cn/BIG5/48602/48968/7304425.html |archivedate=5 October 2013 |df=dmy }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamebase.com.tw/news/gb_news.html?sno=82974936 |title=遊戲基地-新聞:史上最貴鋼彈RX-78-2水墨畫 拍出1800萬台幣天價 |publisher=Gamebase.com.tw |date= |accessdate=2011-03-13}}</ref> | |||
| ==30th Anniversary music== | |||
| Throughout 2009, Japanese record labels released various albums to honor the 30th anniversary of ''Gundam''. The first of these albums was album '']'', featuring various covers of the song "Ai Senshi" from the ''Soldiers of Sorrow'' film. American musician ] released an album called '']'' on 9 September 2009 in Japan. The album consists of covered music from the Gundam series to celebrate its 30th anniversary.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-08-14/gundam-rock-english-cover-album-to-ship-in-japan|title=''Gundam Rock'' English Cover Album to Ship in Japan|publisher=Anime News Network|accessdate=2009-09-16}}</ref> ] also had several of its artists including ], ], ], and ] record covers of various theme songs, producing '']''. Other albums were | |||
| *'']'' | |||
| *"]": covers of the opening and ending themes featuring Akira Asakura of ], ], Yoshifumi Ushima of Top Gun, Tomohisa Kawazoe of Top Gun & ], TSUKASA, Jyosei Nagatomo of infix, ], ], and ] | |||
| *'']'' by ] leading the ] | |||
| *'']'' | |||
| *'']'' | |||
| *'']'' by ] leading the ] | |||
| *'']'', a 10-disc box set featuring every piece of ''Gundam'' theme music up until the 30th anniversary and a special book detailing the musicians | |||
| ==MTR X Gundam== | |||
| The Hong Kong ] issued a special set of tickets featuring Gundam theme in December 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtr.com.hk/chi/whatsnew/gundam.html |title=港鐵 > 其他資訊 |publisher=Mtr.com.hk |date= |accessdate=2011-03-13}}</ref> | |||
| =="Char Custom"== | |||
| There are many products that have special "Char Custom" editions in Japan, which are normally a red version of a product with Zeon emblems. This imitates the custom mobile suits, particularly a red (rather than green) MS-06, used by ], a Zeon faction main character in the first few Gundam series. | |||
| Such examples include a red Nintendo Gamecube and Game Boy Advance SP.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bandai and Nintendo Gundam Game Cube|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2003-09-29/bandai-and-nintendo-gundam-game-cube|publisher=Anime News Network}}</ref> | |||
| == References == | |||
| {{reflist}} | |||
| {{Gundam}} | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | ] | ||
Revision as of 22:01, 14 February 2017
