mobilephones
Article

The event has been extended to March 31st next year.

By mobilephones 27/12/2022 619 Views

I will never forget that 18m life-size Gundam statue that appeared in Shiokaze Park in Odaiba in 2009.

When I saw the “real Gundam” standing on the ground, I still can’t forget the shock that made my whole body covered with goosebumps and blood.

After disappearing in a short period of only two months, it was built in front of JR Higashi Shizuoka Station in 2010 the following year, and in 2012 it returned to Odaiba again and was built as a symbol of Diversity Tokyo.

And in December 2020, the moving Gundam "GUNDAM FACTORY YOKOHAMA" will appear at Yokohama's Yamashita Pier.

The event was originally scheduled to run until March 31, 2022 (Thursday), but in response to the requests of enthusiastic fans from Japan and abroad, it was extended for one year to March 31, 2023 next year. (Friday).

Gundam

While the new coronavirus was raging, I couldn't make it to Tokyo, but I finally got to see the moving Gundam at Yamashita Pier in Yokohama.

But what should I prepare for? When I was at a loss, what I should have was friends spread all over the country, and I received advice from everyone who had infiltrated his land earlier, and I was able to prepare and challenge the field.

I hope it will be useful for everyone who is thinking of going for the first time.

First of all, you should understand the local situation is the hours of sunshine.

Especially in winter, the sun sets early, and after 3:00 p.m. the surroundings become like evening.

If you want to enjoy the daytime, evening, and night scenes, we recommend going from around 14:00.

The entrance fee is 1,650 yen (tax included) for adults (ages 13 and over) and 1,100 yen (tax included) for children (ages 7 to 12).

Reservation times are divided into 10:00-12:00, 12:00-14:00, 14:00-16:00, and 16:00-19:00.

This time is only for entry, and once you enter, you can stay until CLOSE (18:00 on weekdays, 20:00 on weekends and holidays).

You can buy a ticket on the day and enter, but if the number of visitors increases, it may be sold out.

On the other hand, while waiting in line at the window to purchase tickets on the day, the production event may start and you may miss a valuable scene, so it is safer to purchase tickets in advance. is.

As an optional ticket, you can reserve a viewing ticket for the "GUNDAM-DOCK TOWER" that allows you to climb up to the vicinity of Gundam every hour.

I think you can choose any time you like, but the moving Gundam production event will alternate between new and conventional productions every hour from January 2022. Given that there are so many people, if you want to climb and see it twice, it's a good idea to book odd and even hours.

It is also difficult to get tickets on the day, so reservations are required.

Especially for people like me who have barely managed to come to see it from the countryside, trying again is tough, so don't miss it.

About a 7-minute walk from Motomachi-Chukagai Station on the Minatomirai Line, which is the nearest station.

After passing through Yamashita Park's festival square, you will find "GUNDAM FACTORY YOKOHAMA".

Just when we saw the upper body of Gundam on the edge of the dock over the sea, we have been in the world of Gundam since then.

In my mind, "Are you testing the activation of the Federation's mobile suits over there!?"

I can't hold back my excitement at all the scenery, including the scenery of Yokohama that I can see step by step.

Show your ticket to the staff, go through the gate, and you'll see a towering Gundam in front of you!

The feeling of tension as if you had stepped into a maintenance base of the Federation Forces.

Hurry up to the feet of Gundam without letting your excitement cool down.

Not only the 18m Gundam, but also the huge dock in the background is impressive.

The figure soaring high in the sky is a completely different dimension from the image you should have already seen on the internet.

And there is a Gundam moving production that takes place every hour.

That's right, the essence of Yokohama Gundam is movement, not statues.

From January 1, 2022 to March 31, 2022, the new production "F00/AI Awakening!" will be performed at odd hours, and the existing production "Activation Experiment" will be held at even hours. .

If you write the contents in detail and spoil it, the fun will be halved, so I will omit it, and briefly describe my impressions of the production.

As the basic structure of Gundam movement, it is firmly fixed to the back from the dock, and the mother body moves like a huge heavy machine.

It doesn't have its feet on the ground, it's like it's floating inside.

A series of actions is expressed by moving the head, waist, and limbs in tandem.

Although the movement is slow, smoke rises at your feet, and when you see the 18m life-size Gundam moving in front of you for the first time, blood runs through your body. I feel a rush of excitement.

In addition, there are BGM and sound effects, and the reality in front of you and the scenes of the anime that are imprinted in your mind are fused, sublimated into a magnificent story in your mind.

In the new production "F00/AI Awakening!", there is also a precious moment when the cockpit hatch opens.

In this scene, the voice of Amuro (Toru Furuya)...

I am almost moved to tears.

It is a blissful time to step into this land and have this experience.

"I wanted to see this! I'm glad I'm alive! Nothing makes me happier..."

It's not an exaggeration, I think so from the bottom of my heart.

Now that you've come to see this full-scale Gundam, you can't leave without capturing it on camera.

The time has come to take advantage of all the equipment we have prepared for this moment.

When shooting a life-size Gundam with a camera, there are Gundams for hand-to-hand combat, Guncannons for medium-range support, and Guntanks for long-range support. If so, it would be better to use a standard lens around 50mm, or a wide-angle lens if you want to include the background or enter the "Gundam Dock Tower".

Even though the movement of the Gundam is slow, when it comes to shooting, even its speed seems fast.

Take a moving 18m life-size Gundam The event has been extended to March 31, next year.

I want to change the angle and focal length for each pose at that moment, and take both still images and videos! When I think about it, it's like I don't have enough time.

If you think that the same production is only once every two hours, you should think that the daytime, evening, and night scenes are all done once.

Furthermore, after 17:00, the sun began to set, and the ISO sensitivity of the camera tended to rise.

It's time to stop!

Note) If you enjoy watching normally, there is no need to rush.

If you bring a tripod that you want to use for video shooting or night photography, it will get in the way of other people.

(Be sure to follow the advice of the local staff, as it may change depending on the situation.)

There are places where you can shoot handheld or fixed on the railing of the stairs, so let's make use of it.

Also, in the area where you can see Gundam up close, there are red markings to avoid close contact.

Before the performance starts, good positions will fill up quickly, so once you have decided where you want to shoot, it is a good idea to stand by a few minutes before the performance starts.

Another fun is the "GUNDAM-DOCK TOWER" where you can climb up to see Gundam.

We will voluntarily gather at the meeting place at the reserved tour time.

At the time of gathering, they are roughly divided into two groups.

One group goes up to the 5th floor of the dock tower, the other group goes up to the 6th floor, and after 30 minutes, they switch places.

Luggage is not allowed, so you can leave your luggage in the locker before going up to the elevator.

Both the 5th and 6th floors are glass-enclosed passages, and each individual or group moves from place to place every two minutes.

The best position is, of course, the front row, where you can see the Gundam best.

It would be great if you could be in the front row just when the performance started, but the probability is very low and the difficulty level is high.

When the Gundam moves and the light effects begin, it's frustrating not to be able to go to the front row, but it's a good experience because you can see the backpacks and verniers behind you, which you don't usually get to see up close.

In "GUNDAM-DOCK TOWER", you will see Gundam through the glass, so it may be useful to have a PL filter to prevent reflections and a ninja reflector to prevent reflected light when shooting. .

The tour lasts less than an hour, enjoying the experience, including performances, on each of the 5th and 6th floors.

Until now in Odaiba and Shizuoka, you could only look up at the full-scale Gundam, but it should be a valuable time to see it from a position that is almost within reach.

About lens choice.

First of all, if you have a wide-angle lens, you can shoot a magnificent scene including the whole body of Gundam, the dock right after it, and the scenery of Yokohama.

This alone is quite satisfying, so if there is a limit to the equipment you can bring, a wide-angle lens may be enough.

As I said earlier, with a telephoto lens, you can feel like you're on a reconnaissance mission no matter where you shoot.

While you're aiming, it's fun to see the Gundam swaying up and down through the viewfinder due to the weight of the telephoto lens.

The details of each part, the structure of the joints, and the caution marks applied in various places can be preserved in detail only with a telephoto lens.

If you want to bring back a lot of Gundam data, you can say that it is essential.

A large-aperture prime lens that any camera cluster should have.

Even if the angle of view is fixed, if you move around, there will be a clear and clear Gundam that you can't find in a zoom lens.

You can take handheld shots even in the dark.

The more destructive a weapon is, the harder it is to use, but its power is tremendous.

After that, I'm pretty cool myself! Can you shoot a Gundam that makes you think! ? only.

The meaning is that I went to the site and took a picture while holding my camera while being moved by the excitement, not a good photo with good sense taken by someone else.

If you use photo-editing software, etc., the image will collapse unnaturally if you mess with it too much after taking it. I think it's still good.

I don't want to show it to anyone, I don't want to submit it to a photo contest.

So if you haven't been yet, I highly recommend you go see it.

Finally, an interview with director Yoshiyuki Tomino is posted near the exit, so please read it.

As a big project to realize a grand dream, a moving life-size Gundam was completed by gathering the wisdom and technology of many experts.

It should have been good to complete the making of it as a story.

Nevertheless, the thoughts of director Yoshiyuki Tomino, who struggles and is still frustrated and unsatisfied despite his best efforts, are spun without being wrapped in oblate.

After reading this, the existence of Yokohama Gundam that moves even more became a love.

"Gundam Stands on the Earth", the title of the first episode of this TV anime touches your heart.

One day, the children of today will surely grow up and show us the Gundam of the future, aiming for even greater heights.

"GUNDAM FACTORY YOKOHAMA", which I thought I would not be able to see anymore in March 2022, will be able to see it for one more year.

The chance to meet again has increased dramatically.

Please come and experience the moment when Gundam, a fictional creation that fascinated you as a boy, was connected to the real world.

Yeah, this is "not anime, it's real."

Related link: GUNDAM FACTORY YOKOHAMA

Gundam

© Sotsu/Sunrise

Related Articles

What should I be careful about when changing iPhone models related to SNS apps such as LINE? --Why iPhone that I can't ask anymore?

Influencer support platform “BitStar” operation, raising 300 million yen from Global Brain —— discovering new YouTubers and strengthening overseas expansion | BRIDGE Technology & Startup Information