Stop-Motion Gundam and Busou Shinki

The YouTube account CDCFL801 is totally packed with pain-staking stop-motion animations using various toys and figures such as Gundam and Busou Shinki. The webisodes are particularly noteworthy for excellent editing, super-smooth animation, and dynamic movement. What may be even more amazing is how his extensive collection survives such filming ordeals. Now if only we could understand the dialog…

See a few more below!

Stop-Motion Gundam Animation

Over at the forums, R.Leonhardt just shared with us two fantastic stop-motion videos of his collection in action.

One more vid after the cut:

Awesome LEGO Mech – Now With Instructions!

This here is probably the most awesome LEGO mech ever, and it’s a Gundam! The attention to detail on this creation is just striking, with various double joints and a transformation sequence that rivals that of model kits WITHOUT removing any of the LEGO block parts. This just shows the amount of precision and passion involved with this work, not to mention that the creator also included the V2 Assault Buster Gundam parts as well. The entire building and transformation process after the jump:

The Economic and Environmental Effects of Having a Giant Robot on Your Backyard

Japan Probe has reported the Tetsujin-28 statue received a million visits within three months of its construction, boosting tourism and increasing the overall economic activity of the area by immediately capitalizing on the giant robot’s popularity through merchandising and Tetsujin-28 related items and services.

Kotaku also reports that within 300 days the life sized Gundam statue is erected, the city of Shizouka will be able to attract 900,000 visitors, earn over 40 billion yen, and create 9,600 jobs including security and maintenance occupations. However, the adverse side of this development may be the effect on the local environment as these following before and after shots of the venue show after the jump.

Gundam vs Gundam IRL

No, not the upcoming PSP game, but maybe one day if they’ll scale this up this will be way better. Filmed from the International Robot Exhibition 2009 in Japan.

[via: Japanprobe]

Super Japanese Mecha Anime Opening Collection

Megas XLR not included.

Because everyone digs giant robots.

Ok, I know I’ve been slow. Not covering Silent Line Portable‘s JP release was already a sign and missing last week’s Random Mecha Video of the day/week was another. So to make it all up for the lack of Random Mecha Videos and content, I present a massive collection of Mecha Anime openings from 1960’s till 2008. This is not my work, but it has been floating around an would at least interest anyone who has played SRW and asked “Where the hell did this robot come from?”. You’ll see it all, from icons like Tetsujin 28 (including the re-makes and re-imaginations), Mazinger-Z, various Macross and Gundam titles, to obscure super-robot titles such as Chogattai Majutsu Robo Gingaizer (Super Combining Magical Power Robo Gingaizer). It’s 7-8 hours of awesomeness and mecha history. The download links after the jump.

Bad Gundams!

Ask any mecha fan what they think is the most prolific mecha plamo maker is and more often than not, the answer you’ll get is Bandai. Aside from various Macross and Digimon figures and toys, they are also the sole manufacturer of the entire Gundam model kit and figure lineup, which they started back in the early ’80s. The very first releases were non-graded kits of the RX-78-2 and the Zaku II, which featured very minimal detail and poseability and required paint and glue to complete.

Mecha Video of the Day/Week: Gundam 30th Anniversary Special

Video starts after the jump. The largest mecha franchise made its debut in 1979 with Mobile Suit Gundam, and has since been growing strong. Even if you never watched any Gundam show, chances are you have heard about this giant multi-media franchise in one form or the other. The Gundam meta-series consists of the anime itself, its sequels, and alternate universes, lots of video games, comics, side-stories, novels, movies and various trademark applications on ordinary household items.