Gundam Front Tokyo (GFT) (ガンダムフロント東京 Gandamu Furonto Tōkyō?) was a museum and store themed after the Gundam franchise. It was located at Diver City Tokyo Plaza in Odaiba, Tokyo, Japan. The store closed its doors on April 5, 2017 to make way for The Gundam Base Tokyo, which opened on August 19, 2017.
Overview[]
Gundam Front Tokyo opened on April 19, 2012 and occupied three different sections of the Diver City Tokyo Plaza mall, with the museum residing on the seventh floor.
Attractions[]
RG 1/1 RX-78-2 Gundam Ver.GFT Statue[]
The 18 meter tall Gundam Statue was introduced to Shiokaze park in 2009 as the RG 1/1 RX-78-2 Gundam Ver.G 30th. It was moved to Shizuoka for the Shizuoka hobby fair in 2010 and was later disassembled for display to raise money for the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake. In 2012, it was moved to its final location in front of the DiverCity Tokyo Plaza and upgraded with Magnetic Coating joint parts and decorated with a new livery as the RG 1/1 RX-78-2 Gundam Ver.GFT. At 12:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m., the statue's eyes lit up and the head turned left and right while the chest vents emitted smoke. During nighttime, the wall behind the Gundam acted as a theater screen that displayed featured short films while the Gundam was decorated in special lighting schemes.
The statue was dismantled on March 5, 2016 and replaced by The Life-Sized RX-0 Unicorn Gundam Statue on September 24, 2017.[1][2]
- Featured films
- Mobile Suit Gundam UC: A Phantom World (7:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m., and 9:30 p.m.)
- Gundam Reconguista in G: From the Past to the Future (8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.)
- Mobile Suit Gundam-san: Because [I'm] a Boy (6:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m., and 9:00 p.m.)
- Gundam Stand at Jaburo (7:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m., and 9:30 p.m.)
Dome-G[]
The main attraction of the GFT museum, Dome-G was a domed theater that was 16 meters in diameter and was equipped with six projectors and 13 speakers. G-Dome played special short films that spanned the entire interior of the dome.
- Featured films
- Competition of New Gundam - Red or White -
- Mobile Suit Gundam UC: Neo Zeong Strikes Odaiba!
- Mobile Suit Gundam UC: One of Seventy Two
RG 1/1 ZGMF-X20A Strike Freedom Gundam Ver.GFT[]
A life-sized bust of the Strike Freedom Gundam located in the GFT museum. Guests were allowed to take photos on the Gundam's cockpit hatch.
1/1 FF-X7 Core Fighter Ver.GFT[]
A life-sized replica of the battle damaged Core Fighter as seen in episode 43 of Mobile Suit Gundam.
A Baoa Qu[]
A replica of the Principality of Zeon's space fortress that stood at 4.5 meters tall and 3 meters wide.
Character Photo Spot[]
In this section, guests could have their photos taken beside their favorite Gundam universe characters.
Gunpla Factory[]
In this section of the museum, guests could view the machine and molds that make Gunpla.
Gunpla Labo[]
Next to the Gunpla Factory was a small workshop where guests could assemble their Gunpla and color the box art.
Gundam Official Shop[]
A store that sold Gunpla and official GFT merchandise. A satellite branch in the form of a trailer shop was located just beside the 1/1 Gundam statue.
Gunpla Tokyo[]
A gallery of every Gunpla manufactured since 1980.
STRICT-G[]
A store that sells Gundam-themed clothing and apparel.
Gundam Café[]
Located on the second floor of the mall near the Gundam statue, the Gundam Café served Gundam-themed food and drinks. It was permanently closed in January 2022.
VR ZONE Project i Can[]
VR ZONE Project i Can was a virtual reality entertainment center run by Bandai Namco Entertainment that opened on April 15, 2015. On August 26, the center opened the Gundam VR Daiba Assault experience, where players clung to the hand of the Gundam Statue as it battled a Zaku. The experience was eight minutes long and cost ¥1,000. VR Project i Can operated at Diver City Tokyo until October 10, 2016.[3]
Closure[]
On December 1, 2016, Bandai announced that the Gundam statue would be dismantled on March 5, 2017. Gundam Front Tokyo closed April 5 and was relaunched in the summer as The Gundam Base Tokyo. The Gundam Base originally opened in South Korea in 2003 and in Taiwan in 2005, with 11 branches operating in the two countries.[4] There are also plans to make the Gundam statue walk by 2019.[5]
Official Goods[]
Gunpla Series | Scale | Model | Series | Yen Price | Release Date | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
High Grade Ver.G30th | 1/144 | RX-78-2 Gundam Ver.GFT | Mobile Suit Gundam | ¥1,645 | 2012 April | Re-release of the Ver.G30th kit with Magnetic Coating joint parts, a 1/144 scale Amuro Ray figurine, and additional marking sheet and water slide decal sheet. |
High Grade Universal Century | 1/144 | RX-93 ν Gundam Ver.GFT | Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack | ¥2,571 | 2012 April | Color variant of HGUC-086 with additional marking sheet. |
High Grade Gundam SEED | 1/144 | ZGMF-X20A Strike Freedom Gundam Ver.GFT | Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny | ¥1,645 | 2012 April | Re-release of HG SEED-34 with a display stand for the upper torso only, as well as an additional marking sheet to replicate the 1:1 scale bust displayed at the venue, plus 1/144 scale figurines of Kira Yamato and Lacus Clyne. |
Mega Size Model | 1/48 | RX-78-2 Gundam Ver.GFT | Mobile Suit Gundam | ¥8,023 | 2012 April | Gloss color variant of MSM-01 with Magnetic Coating joint parts and additional marking sheet and water slide decal sheet. |
Universal Century Hard Graph | 1/35 | FF-X7 Core Fighter Ver.GFT | Mobile Suit Gundam | ¥4,628 | 2012 April | Re-release of UCHG-07 with additional water slide decal sheet to match the livery of the 1/1 scale Gundam statue. |
Real Grade | 1/144 | RX-78-2 Gundam Ver.GFT | Mobile Suit Gundam | ¥2,880 | 2012 July | Re-release of RG-01 with a BA-1 display base and adapter to replicate the floating pose on the venue's promotional posters, as well as Magnetic Coating joint parts, a floating Amuro Ray figurine, and an extra marking sheet of the 1:1 scale Gundam statue's 2012 livery. |
STRICT-G | 1/200 | RX-78-2 Gundam STRICT-G Gunpla Hanger | Mobile Suit Gundam | ¥5,250 | 2012 August | STRICT-G t-shirt (black or white) bundled with a shirt hanger that contains two runners to build a 1/200 scale Gundam. |
SD Gundam BB Senshi | N/A | RX-78-2 Gundam Ver.GFT | Mobile Suit Gundam | ¥1,029 | 2012 December | Re-release of BB-329 with Magnetic Coating joint parts, a display base, and additional marking sheet. |
Mega Size Model | 1/48 | MS-06S Char's Zaku II Ver.GFT | Mobile Suit Gundam | ¥8,023 | 2012 December | Gloss color variant of MSM-02 with and an additional marking sheet and water slide decal sheet. |
Real Grade | 1/144 | MS-06S Char's Zaku II Ver.GFT | Mobile Suit Gundam | ¥2,880 | 2013 April | Re-release of RG-02 with and an additional marking sheet. |
High Grade Universal Century | 1/144 | MSN-04 Sazabi Ver.GFT | Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack | ¥2,880 | 2013 April | Re-release of HGUC-88 with additional marking sheet. |
High Grade Universal Century | 1/144 | MSM-04 Acguy Ver.GFT Tricolor Paint | Gundam Stand at Jaburo | ¥1,749 | 2013 April | Color variant of HGUC-78 in Gundam colors with additional marking sheet. |
High Grade Universal Century | 1/144 | Char's Z'Gok vs. GM Ver.GFT | Mobile Suit Gundam | ¥1,543 | 2013 July | Twin pack containing color variants of HGUC-19 and HGUC-20. |
Master Grade | 1/100 | RX-93 ν Gundam Ver.GFT | Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack | ¥7,200 | 2013 July | Exclusive release of MG-163 with red psychoframe and additional marking sheet. |
High Grade Universal Century | 1/144 | RX-0 Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex (Destroy Mode) Ver.GFT | Mobile Suit Gundam UC: One of Seventy Two | ¥2,571 | 2013 August | Parts and color variant of HGUC-100. |
Perfect Grade | 1/60 | RX-78-2 Gundam (Mastermind Japan x STRICT-G Ver.) | Mobile Suit Gundam | ¥30,000 | 2013 August | Matte black variant of PG-01. Includes custom tote bag. |
Master Grade | 1/100 | RX-78-2 Gundam Ver.3.0 GFT | Mobile Suit Gundam | ¥4,628 | 2013 December | Gloss color variant of MG-178 with an additional sticker sheet to replicate the "Wall-G" projector screen on the cockpit hatch. |
High Grade Universal Century | 1/144 | RX-0 Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee (Destroy Mode) Ver.GFT | Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn | ¥2,571 | 2013 December | Release of HGUC-134 with darker gold psychoframe and additional left trigger hand. |
SD Gundam BB Senshi | N/A | MSM-03 Gogg & MSM-04 Acguy & MSM-10 Zock Ver.GFT Tricolor Paint | Gundam Stand at Jaburo | ¥1,543 | 2013 December | Color variant of BB-238 in Gundam colors. |
High Grade Universal Century | 1/144 | RX-0 Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex (Destroy Mode) Ver.GFT Clear Color Ver. | Mobile Suit Gundam UC: One of Seventy Two | ¥2,571 | 2014 April | Clear color variant of HGUC Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex. |
SD Gundam BB Senshi | N/A | RX-78-3 G-3 Gundam Ver.GFT | Mobile Suit Variation | ¥1,029 | 2014 April | Color variant of BB-329 with Magnetic Coating joint parts, a display base, and additional marking sheet. |
High Grade Universal Century | 1/144 | Unicorn Gundam 01 & 02 Ver.GFT [Strikes Odaiba Set] | Mobile Suit Gundam UC: Neo Zeong Strikes Odaiba! | ¥6,480 | 2014 August | Color variant of HGUC-178 and HGUC-175. |
High Grade Reconguista In G | 1/144 | YG-111 Gundam G-Self (Atmosphere & Space Pack) Ver.GFT Metallic Color | Gundam Reconguista in G | ¥3,024 | 2015 March | Metallic color variant of HGRG-01 and HGRG-05. |
GFT Gunpla Factory | 1/144 | RX-78-2 Gundam | Mobile Suit Gundam | ¥550 | 2015 April | All-new basic grade Gunpla kit with box for guests to color and assemble. Guests who purchase a ticket to the GFT Museum get the head parts runner as a free gift. |
High Grade Universal Century | 1/144 | RX-0 Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex Type RC (Destroy Mode) Ver.GFT Silver | Gundam Reconguista in G: From the Past to the Future | ¥2,571 | 2015 April | Color variant of HGUC Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex. |
High Grade Universal Century | 1/144 | RX-0 Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex Type RC (Destroy Mode) Ver.GFT Limited Silver Coating + BD | Gundam Reconguista in G: From the Past to the Future | ¥7,560 | 2015 July | Silver chrome plated variant of HGUC Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex, bundled with Blu-ray Disc release of From the Past to the Future. |
Real Grade | 1/144 | MSZ-006-3 Zeta Gundam III Ver.GFT Limited Color | Competition of New Gundam - Red or White - | ¥3,500 | 2015 November | Color variant of RG-10. Fully transformable kit. |
High Grade Universal Century | 1/144 | MSN-001-2 Delta Gundam II Ver.GFT Limited Color | Competition of New Gundam - Red or White - | ¥2,500 | 2015 November | Color variant of HGUC-136. Transforms via parts-swapping. |
GFT Gunpla Factory | 1/144 | RX-78-2 Gundam (Clear Ver.) | Mobile Suit Gundam | ¥550 | 2016 April | Clear color variant of the GFT Gunpla Factory kit. |
N/A | 1/144 | RX-78-2 Gundam Building Experience Ver. | Mobile Suit Gundam | N/A | 2016 May | Simplified version of HGUC-191. Free promo item exclusively for attendees of the Assembly Experience Meeting. |
Real Grade | 1/144 | MSZ-006-3 Zeta Gundam III Initial Verification Type GFT Clear Color Ver. | Competition of New Gundam - Red or White - | ¥3,400 | 2016 July | Clear color variant of RG Zeta Gundam III Ver.GFT. Fully transformable kit. |
High Grade Universal Century | 1/144 | MSN-001-2 Delta Gundam II Ver.GFT Limited Clear Color Ver. | Competition of New Gundam - Red or White - | ¥2,500 | 2016 July | Clear color variant of HGUC Delta Gundam II Ver.GFT. Transforms via parts-swapping. |
High Grade Gundam Thunderbolt | 1/144 | FA-78 Full Armor Gundam [Gundam Thunderbolt] Ver.GFT Limited Metallic Color | Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt | ¥3,000 | 2016 July | Metallic color variant of HGGT-01. |
High Grade Universal Century | 1/144 | RX-0 Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex (Destroy Mode) Silver/Gold Plating Ver.GFT Set | Mobile Suit Gundam UC: One of Seventy Two | ¥10,800 | 2016 July | Twin pack containing gold and silver chrome plated variants of HGUC Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex. |
High Grade Universal Century | 1/144 | RX-78-2 Gundam Ver.GFT Revive Edition | Mobile Suit Gundam | ¥1,645 | 2016 December | Release of HGUC-191 with display plate and marking sheet to replicate the 1/1 scale Gundam statue's livery. Released to commemorate the last days of the venue and statue at Diver City Tokyo in Odaiba. |
Image | Model | Series | Yen Price | Release Date | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zaku II Head Cushion | Mobile Suit Gundam | ¥3,980 | 2013 October | ||
Char's Zaku II Head Cushion | Mobile Suit Gundam | ¥3,980 | 2014 January | Pink version with antenna. | |
Acguy Mini Stuffed Cushion Ver. GFT | Gundam Stand at Jaburo | ¥1,620 | 2014 July | Decorated in Gundam colors. | |
Acguy Head Cushion | Mobile Suit Gundam | ¥4,104 | 2014 October | Decorated in Gundam colors. | |
Beargguy III Stuffed Cushion | Gundam Build Fighters | ¥3,240 | 2015 July | ||
MSM-07S Char's Z'Gok Arm Cushion | Mobile Suit Gundam | ¥3,240 | 2015 October |
Trivia[]
- During the dismantling of the Gundam statue in 2016, the head and left arm were the first two parts to be removed as an homage to episode 43 of Mobile Suit Gundam, where the Gundam lost those parts during its battle with the MSN-02 Zeong.
See also[]
- The Gundam Base Tokyo
- Gundam Factory Yokohama
- Gundam Side-F
- Tamashii Nations Store Tokyo
- Gundam Square
- Gundam Café
- Bronze Gundam Statue
References[]
- ↑ Life-Sized Gundam Statue Closing Ceremony
- ↑ Gundam Kits Collection - Life-Size Unicorn Gundam Grand Opening Details and News
- ↑ Anime News Network - Diver City Tokyo Hosts Gundam VR Experience Starting on August 26
- ↑ Gundam.info “THE GUNDAM BASE TOKYO,” Japan’s first domestic Gunpla center, will open in summer 2017!
- ↑ Anime News Network - Bandai Takes Down Life-size Gundam Statue in Tokyo on March 5