BTFO

In 1979, director Yoshiyuki Tomino  and production company SUNRISE captured the imagination of countless fans around with the introduction of Amuro Ray and his mechanized Mobile Suit Gundam. Unlike most of its predecessors, it wasn’t just another anime about a boy and his giant robot. Amuro Ray brought realism to the animated series with his adolescent angst, the guilt of taking lives, and teenage crush, amidst a galactic war between Zeon Empire and Earth Federation.

This year, SUNRISE and BANDAI NAMCO will curate a summer-long festival for the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise’s 30th anniversary, which include a life-size mock-up of Gundam. Measuring at 59-foot in height, the giant figurine will feature active light signals and limited animatronic functions. The statue is now a work in progress at Shiokaze Park (????) in Odaiba (??), Tokyo, with the unveiling date set on July 11th. It will also usher in a special Gundam Big Expo starting on August 21st. via: Engadget/Mainichi Daily

Gundam 30th Anniversary – Life-Size Gundam
Shiokaze Park | Map
Odaiba, Tokyo Japan

On Display Date: July 11th (Saturday) – August 31st (Monday)

Via Freshness

If you are unable to join the millions in Washington D.C. today to view the Presidential Inauguration in front the Capitol Building, there might be an opportunity once again as the Master Model Designers at LEGOLAND California pre-created a mock-up of the Inaugural completely in LEGO bricks.  Opened this past Friday, January 16th, the steps of Capitol Building in Miniland, U.S.A., are filled with miniature LEGO representations of the out going President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and Lynn Cheney, the incoming President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joseph Biden and Jill Biden, as well as past Presidents of the United States, family and friends.  There are also numerous important guests, performers, and dignitaries, including Oprah Winfrey, Aretha Franklin, Composer John Williams, Cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and more…

The LEGO version of the 56th Presidential Inauguration will on display at LEGOLAND California from now until Memorial Day Weekend, May 25th.  Via: GIZMODO

LEGOLAND California
1 Legoland Drive | Map
Carlsbad, CA 92008
TEL #: 760-918-5346

Exhibition Date: Present – May 25th (Monday)

> LEGOLAND California

Mickey Mouse Bear brick

Japanese toy company Medicom Toy has teamed up with Disney to create a Mickey Mouse version Bearbrick. Two sizes will be available including the 400% and the much sought after 1000%. The 400% will retail for 6,090 YEN while the 1000% will go for 26,040 YEN. The figures won’t be released until May 2009 but pre-orders are available now if you’re in Japan.

Via HypeBeast