Gundam Manhole Covers Join Sailor Moon in New Pop Culture Street Art Reveal

The Mobile Suit Gundam franchise has been prominent for decades, with the series one of the biggest science fiction properties in Japan. To this end, its usage goes beyond anime, manga, model kits and life-size replicas, with the giant robots about to decorate the country in a much different way.

This endeavor involves reconfiguring manholes across Japan with iconic mobile suits from the Gundam franchise. The next location for these will be in Minamiuonuma City, with the franchise’s “mascot” Gundam being one of the designs implemented. This is only the latest example of how popular the brand is and how it’s become integral to the Japanese pop culture scene.

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Gundam’s Gyan and RX-78 Mechs Find a New Home in Japan

Now on display at the Muikamachi Station Tourist Information Center until May 31, the latest Gundam-themed manholes are part of a larger project. These street elements combine art with city planning, intended as a way of revitalizing local communities while also showcasing the Gundam brand, which is recognizable around Japan. One of two now seen in Minamiuonuma City depicts the classic RX-78-2 Gundam, which is essentially the “main” mobile suit from which other mechs from across the franchise are aesthetically derived. The other is the YMS-15 Gyan, another notable mobile suit from the original Mobile Suit Gundam anime. Both of these join magical-girl franchise Sailor Moon in receiving official artwork to be used as part of newly-installed manhole cover artwork on the city streets.

There have been several other Gundam manholes installed across Japan, with the new ones meant to symbolize the locales of the Niigata Prefecture. The use of mobile suits from the original series makes sense, as it is still the version of Gundam that the population most recognizes. Likewise, both that anime and the franchise as a whole are now turning 45 years old. Thus, celebrating this landmark with actual artistic landmarks only seems logical. So far, the installation location and schedule for these manholes have not been revealed.

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Gundam Has Remained a Major Japanese Franchise Throughout the Decades

Debuting in 1979, the original Mobile Suit Gundam anime series revolutionized anime in several ways. Most notably, it began the “Real Robot” genre, which eschewed the more ridiculous and cartoonish aspects of “Super Robot” anime in favor of more realistic and military-based storytelling. For instance, protagonist Amuro Ray was conflicted over his place in the war as the pilot of the RX-78-2 Gundam, and there was little in the way of flashy attacks or plot contrivances to save the day. Since then, the franchise has gone on to have several anime shows, manga and even video games, with most of these set in the “Universal Century” timeline that the classic series began.

Perhaps the most popular aspect of the Gundam series is the Gunpla model kits, which allow fans to replicate their favorite mobile suits in collectible, plastic form. In the past decade, there have also been life-size replicas of mobile suits created and displayed across Japan, with these landmarks being able to light up and even move. Thus, the idea of Gundam franchise manholes is not one that’s out of the ordinary as it may first appear, given the brand’s pedigree.

Mobile Suit Gundam

Original title: Kidô senshi Gandamu.
In the war between the Earth Federation and Zeon, a young and inexperienced crew find themselves on a new spaceship. Their best hope of making it through the conflict is the Gundam, a giant humanoid robot, and its gifted teenage pilot.

Release Date

April 7, 1979

Creator(s)

Yoshiyuki Tomino , Hajime Yatate

Cast

Hirotaka Suzuoki , Tôru Furuya , Toshio Furukawa , Kiyonobu Suzuki , Michael Kopsa , Brad Swaile , Cathy Weseluck , Chris Kalhoon

Seasons

1

Creator

Yoshiyuki Tomino, Hajime Yatate

Production Company

Nagoya Broadcasting Network (Nagoya TV), Sotsu Agency, Sunrise

Number of Episodes

43

Main Cast

Tôru Furuya, Shûichi Ikeda, Hirotaka Suzuoki, Yô Inoue, Brad Swaile, Michael Kopsa, Chris Calhoon and Alaina Burnett

Source: Natalie.mu