By Alex
The curtain has fallen on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Due to the pandemic, only a few events were open to spectators this time around. From the news photos of the competitions, as soon as the camera pans out to include the empty stands, the scenes look rather desolate. However, the outdoor sport climbing event, thanks to its uniquely chosen venue and the photographer’s creative framing, produced an image of a “domineering Gundam watching the competition”—something truly unprecedented in Olympic history.
The first-ever Olympic #SportClimbing medals will be awarded today ? pic.twitter.com/nQrsPh2HSb
— Olympics (@Olympics) August 5, 2021
Yet, there was a small hiccup with the photo released by the UK’s BBC Sport. The BBC Sport editor mistakenly referred to the RX-0 Unicorn Gundam in the background as “a Transformer” in a tweet, which sparked widespread criticism. Many netizens accused BBC Sport of negligence for not verifying the facts and for showing a lack of respect for another country’s culture. Though some tried to defend the phrase by saying “a Transformer” could refer to any “transformable robot” and not necessarily the “Transformers” franchise, many Gundam fans weren’t satisfied and continued to use “a Transformer” as a target of mockery to express their displeasure.
Just when you thought speed climbing was frightening enough, you now need to impress a Transformer too at #Tokyo2020! ?? pic.twitter.com/0GzmVd3CnX
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 5, 2021
▲ BBC Sport referred to the RX-0 Unicorn Gundam as “a Transformer,” drawing strong criticism.
We see what\'s happened here...
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 5, 2021
But who would win in an Olympic battle between a Gundam v Transformer? #bbcolympics pic.twitter.com/VXGszX18VK
▲ Later, BBC Sport stated, “We’ve seen what’s going on here...”
In the anime storyline, is the Unicorn Gundam considered a “transformable robot”? Readers can weigh in on BBC Sport’s tweet, but the Gundam featured in the photo—located at DiverCity Tokyo Plaza in Odaiba—is essentially a stationary installation. It was designed at a 1:1 scale, standing 19.7 meters tall. Its “pair of horns” on the head can open and close, and its shoulders, waist, and knees feature movable parts. When combined with 50 built-in light-emitting devices and external lighting effects, it creates an impressive “light transformation effect.”
▲ The pre-transformation form of the RX-0 Unicorn Gundam
▲ The transformed RX-0 Unicorn Gundam
Once more “HENSHIN” pic.twitter.com/FVaBaiIVGX
— AURA (@AURA1118) August 6, 2021
▲ The transformation process of the Unicorn Gundam, as provided by netizens
If the Gundam in Odaiba doesn’t spark your childhood memories, head over to the [Yokohama Gundam Factory]. The original Gundam RX-78F00 there is also built at a 1:1 scale, standing 18 meters tall, and features movable design elements that allow it to perform many detailed and realistic movements. Interested readers can refer to our previous coverage on this site:
- Yokohama Gundam Activated: Rich Colors Create a Strong Manga Vibe
- Promoting a New Film, Yokohama Gundam Emerges from Lightning Storms
- Photographer Plays with Color Grading, Yokohama Gundam Dons Fist of the North Star Style
Shooting the life-size Gundam with a film camera pic.twitter.com/rhqGQexSeH
— Hiro Camera (@hiro_cameras) January 10, 2021
View this post on InstagramPost shared by ?Mr. Susukino?(@stan_hansen_1970)
Source: SoraNews24, BBC Sport, The Unicorn Gundam Statue