Since its grand opening in 2020, "GUNDAM FACTORY YOKOHAMA" at Yokohama's Yamashita Pier, featuring the life-sized "RX-78F00 Gundam," became a pilgrimage site for Gundam fans worldwide. The exhibition concluded its approximately four-year run at the end of March 2024.
However, recent Japanese news reports indicate that Evolving G, the company responsible for operating "GUNDAM FACTORY YOKOHAMA," has received a ruling from the Tokyo District Court to officially commence special liquidation proceedings. As of the financial settlement for March 2024, the company's total liabilities reached JPY 3.268 billion, surprising many who hadn't anticipated such heavy losses for the life-sized Gundam attraction and its associated local activities.
Evolving G, an affiliate of Bandai Namco Holdings, previously operated the "GUNDAM FACTORY YOKOHAMA" facility centered around the life-sized Gundam. The facility closed its exhibition and park in March 2024. However, due to prolonged losses and accumulating deficits, the company became severely insolvent, with liabilities exceeding assets. Following post-closure administrative tasks, the company was officially dissolved by a shareholders' resolution in February 2025, ultimately leading to the current special liquidation.
While the facility generated significant surrounding business activity and attracted numerous visitors, its operational period unfortunately coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a sharp decline in visitors for nearly two years. This, coupled with high maintenance costs, contributed to the severe financial deficit.
Notably, "GUNDAM FACTORY YOKOHAMA" was originally scheduled to close in 2023 but announced a one-year extension until 2024. This extension allowed more visitors to experience the life-sized Gundam after the pandemic subsided.
Had the extension not occurred, the losses might have been even more substantial, as 2023 marked the end of the main pandemic period (2020-2022), meaning the facility's initial years of operation were almost entirely impacted by the pandemic.
Note: Financial figures and earnings forecasts should be confirmed through the company’s official announcements.
via： itmedia