Culture

Step into the World of Giant Robots at Kyoto Exhibition

The exhibition will feature designs of giant robots from iconic mecha anime, including a mural by Kazutaka Miyatake, known for the seminal series "Macross."

Published

2 days ago

July 1, 2024

The Sankei Shimbun

Starship Troopers (1977) by Naoyuki Kato and Kazutaka Miyatake. (©Studio Nue)

From July 6 to September 1, The Sankei Shimbun will co-host an exhibition on anime robots. Titled Giant Robots: The Core of Mecha Anime, the event will explore the history of design and visual representation in robot anime. In particular, it will focus on the mechanisms and sizes of the various robots. The exhibition will take place at the Museum of Kyoto in Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City. Advance tickets went on sale on Saturday, April 27.

*An image of Gundam printed on the floor to scale as depicted in the series at the Fukuoka exhibition on September 8, 2023. (©Sankei by Yuta Yasumoto)*

Design and Visuals

Since the first giant robot anime Tetsujin 28-go aired in 1963, Japan has produced numerous anime featuring giant robots. Notable examples include Mazinger Z (1971) and Mobile Suit Gundam (1978). This exhibition delves into the distinctive designs and visual expressions of these historic giant robots.

At the exhibition, design sketches and sculptures bring to life the iconic elements of giant robot anime. These include their respective boarding methods, combinations, and transformations.

Additionally, there will be a large mural by mechanical designer Kazutaka Miyatake (Studio Nue) showcasing giant robots from the 70s and 90s. Visitors can also experience the scale of these robots through panels recreated to match their sizes as depicted in the series. For example, a floor print displaying an 18-meter-tall (59 ft) Gundam allows visitors to walk over it and experience its enormous size firsthand.

An audio guide is also available for ¥700 JPY (approximately $4 USD), including tax. The narrations are provided by voice actors Banjo Ginga and Nana Mizuki.

*DX Soul of Chogokin Mazinger Z 50th Anniversary Version displayed at the Takamatsu Art Museum.*

Photography Guidelines and Ticket Information

Photography is permitted in the venue with the exception of certain exhibits.

Advance tickets are on sale until Friday, July 5 at the Kyoto Cultural Museum. They are also available from the official online ticketing platforms Lawson Ticket (L Code 53058), Ticket Pia (P Code 686-876), Seven Ticket (Seven Code 104-851), and more. See the Kyoto exhibition page for more details.