By: Alex
Just like "the moment you’re about to play ball, it starts raining," Gundam fans might rarely get the chance to visit the Gundam Factory Yokohama in Japan, but unfortunately, the weather doesn’t cooperate — not only are there dark clouds, but there’s also heavy rain and thunderstorms. However, it turns out that shooting the moving Gundam performance under bad weather actually creates a more unique effect.
GUNDAM FACTORY YOKOHAMA
— Yoskkun (@yoshi115t) May 1, 2021
The weather had been suspiciously gloomy since the afternoon, and then a torrential downpour hit just before closing time.
Is that thunder behind today's newly launched performance?
Photos 3 and 4 aren't showing a bright sky, but rather lightning.
The performance is themed “The Shining Hauser,” but photographically, it looks more like a thunderbolt?????? pic.twitter.com/dgdsJL6TZy
▲"The weather had been bad since the afternoon, and it even poured heavily just before closing."
Gundam fan Yoskkun (@yoshi115t) often visits the Gundam Factory Yokohama to photograph the 18-meter-tall, 1:1 scale Unicorn Gundam RX-78F00. Recently, he went again to capture the Gundam, but "the weather had been bad since the afternoon, and it even poured heavily just before closing." However, the lightning and dark clouds created a unique glow in the sky, giving off an atmosphere as if "a great battle was about to begin!"
▲The Gundam "deploying" under lightning — it really feels like a major battle is about to start!(photo by yoshi115t @Twitter)
▲The entire sky illuminated by lightning. (photo by yoshi115t @Twitter)
In May, to promote the upcoming Gundam series animated film The Shining Hauser (also translated as The Shining Hauser), the [Yokohama Gundam Factory] will hold a limited-time event themed around The Shining Hauser. The moving Gundam will perform a special show called the Minovsky Flight Operation Experiment, featuring some new movements along with the theme song Shining as the background music. The new movements include the Gundam kneeling down and opening its cockpit, allowing visitors to see the pilot inside. Yoskkun mentioned that although the cockpit usually opens during regular performances, the Gundam doesn’t kneel down, making it hard to photograph. In addition, the nighttime light show has been updated with new lighting arrangements based on the storyline of The Shining Hauser, which fans definitely shouldn’t miss.
GUNDAM FACTORY YOKOHAMA
— Yoskkun (@yoshi115t) May 4, 2021
During the limited-time performance ‘Minovsky Flight Operation Experiment,’ the cockpit will open for about 5 seconds.
The cockpit usually opens during regular performances too, but it’s hard to see from the catwalk side. This time, however, it opens up close while the Gundam is kneeling.
Hard to see and only for a moment, but I managed to get the shot #GFY https://t.co/RooG0On0YN pic.twitter.com/wu3Dp9qaz8
▲"During the ‘Minovsky Flight Operation Experiment’ performance, the cockpit opens for about 5 seconds."
▲The Gundam’s abdominal cockpit opens for 5 seconds during the performance. (photo by yoshi115t @Twitter)
▲The pilot can be seen after the cockpit opens. (photo by yoshi115t @Twitter)
GUNDAM FACTORY YOKOHAMA
— Yoskkun (@yoshi115t) May 5, 2021
‘Minovsky Flight Operation Experiment’
At the start of the experiment, the shoulders and front armor are closed, with light particles spilling out from the gaps in the armor. Then it transitions into takeoff position. The sight of the 18-meter-tall giant floating in the air is something many have never experienced before. The external armor opening viewed from the front has a uniquely cool appearance. pic.twitter.com/FH2WIEahFj
▲"At the beginning of the experiment, light particles flow out from the gaps in the armor. Then the Gundam shifts into takeoff position, floating in the air — a sight many have never witnessed."
▲"Light particles spill out from the armor gaps, and the Gundam then transitions into takeoff position." (photo by yoshi115t @Twitter)
▲According to the story setting, the fictional Minovsky particles help mobile suits achieve high-speed flight. (photo by yoshi115t @Twitter)
GUNDAM FACTORY YOKOHAMA
— Yoku (@yoshi115t) May 5, 2021
‘Minovsky Flight Operation Experiment’
Photograph taken as the 18-meter Gundam begins its movement to the dogfight scene, with Alexandros’s “Shining” playing in the background. After the full-scale Gundam’s actions finish, the music stops, the lights go out, and in the darkness, the overhead lights softly illuminate the Gundam, leaving a lingering glow.
It’s a subtle but beautiful moment. #GFY #Yokohama pic.twitter.com/XFohN6FwPB
▲"When the theme song 'Shining' ended, the performance concluded as well, and Takatou returned to the hangar and entered 'standby' mode."
▲The performance has ended, and Takatou returns to the hangar. (photo by yoshi115t @Twitter)
▲(photo by yoshi115t @Twitter)
Source: Yoku (@yoshi115t)