Get ready for a massive event! The "Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan," kicking off on April 13, 2025, is set to be a huge deal for Japan. And guess what? BANDAI NAMCO is bringing its A-game with the "Gundam Pavilion," featuring a life-sized RX-78F00/E Gundam that's already got everyone talking and drawing crowds from all over the globe.
While many companies are crafting imaginative pavilions centered on "the future," the "GUNDAM NEXT FUTURE PAVILION" stands out as the only one named after an IP. Oricon News recently caught up with Nobuhiko Momoi, Vice President of BANDAI NAMCO Holdings, to chat about how this iconic IP will showcase a brand-new meaning of "peace" at the Expo.
Momoi explained that the pavilion is set in the cosmic world of 2150. The goal is to use Gundam, a character with immense symbolic power, to invite visitors to imagine "what future space life could be like?" The entire exhibition is designed as a 50-minute immersive corridor experience. The first half focuses on various Mobile Suits (MS) collaborating and coexisting, not fighting. It's all about demonstrating how technology can be used constructively for peace, sparking kids' interest in science and the universe.
The director behind the pavilion's featured film, "GUNDAM: Next Universal Century," is Takanori Tsujimoto, and its trailer has already ignited a firestorm of discussion. Momoi shared, "I saw comments online saying things like, 'MS are supposed to be for war, but here we have the Federation and Zeon working together to clean up space debris – that's amazing!' " He emphasized that this perfectly encapsulates the exhibition's core message: a future where "MS are not for battle, but for peace."
▼ "GUNDAM: Next Universal Century" promotional video
Even the life-sized Gundam featured in the pavilion was meticulously designed with every detail in mind. This time, Gundam appears in a pose of "quietly wishing for cosmic peace after completing its mission," and for the first time ever, it's surrounded by greenery, bringing the massive Mobile Suit into a "natural" setting.
What's more, the entire exhibition stresses that "the future isn't just a fantasy; it's connected to our present world." For instance, the designs consider real-world questions like how to recycle metal from space debris or where materials for colony construction would come from. Even the Expo staff's safety helmets are designed to look like Gundam, Char's Custom Zaku II, and Dom Mobile Suits! When staff work in trios, they even sport "Black Tri-Stars"-style helmets – talk about a cool detail!
When asked if there were concerns about Gundam's "war-themed" origins being suitable for the Expo, Momoi admitted there was indeed initial opposition. However, he stressed that their aim is to convey a message: through this exhibition, people from all over the world can come together to imagine a peaceful future.
Momoi also shared a touching story about a friend who, as an elementary school student, attended the 1970 Osaka Expo. His friend, who had no interest in studying, was so inspired by the Expo that he eventually became a doctor. "If this Expo can inspire even one child in a similar way, perhaps to become an astronaut in the future, all because they saw this Gundam pavilion, that would be incredibly moving!"
In an era where "one in three people is engaged in 'oshikatsu' (fandom activities)," how does Gundam keep its fans hooked? Momoi explained that today's fans see Gundam as a medium for "self-expression." Therefore, they deeply value this love for Gundam and hope to continue bridging the gap with fans through various means. For the next three years, BANDAI NAMCO will continue its corporate motto, "Connect with Fans," and keep co-creating Gundam's future with its dedicated fanbase.
via： Oricon news