Amin Abbas

DUBAI: The human-sized Gundam Dubai Expo 2020 statue, which was featured on the first day of the exhibition at the Japan pavilion, is now on display at the Kinokuniya bookstore in Dubai.

The original Gundam series mechanical designer, Kunio Okawara, illustrated a new rendition of the classic RX-78-2 Gundam for the Expo.

A representative of Kinokuniya told Arab News Japan that the statue is one of a kind in the world.

“It was featured on the opening day, Oct. 1 at Dubai Expo 2020 at the Japan pavilion. Then, on Oct. 2, the Gundam statue was brought to our Kinokuniya bookstore in The Dubai Mall. It’s such an honor to feature this statue in our bookstore.”

The representative also said that within a few weeks, Kinokuniya will receive the special Gundam Dubai Expo 2020 ver. HG 1/144 Gunpla model kit. The Japan-based retailer will be the only place to sell the special kit in the UAE.

“The human-sized statue is such a rare and unique statue for any Gundam fan. It will be on display at our bookstore till late February 2022,” the representative added.

The kit is based on the HG 1/144 RX-78-2 Gundam released in 2015 and includes Japan-inspired marking stickers designed by Okawara.

Kanji characters are used for the sticker design to create more of a Japanese feel. The gunpla will also include Beam Rifle, Beam Saber, and Shield as accessories. The packaging includes a special leaflet including an interview with Okawara about Gundam and its specifications.

The HG 1/144 RX-78-2 Gundam is priced at 2,420 yen with an October 2021 release date.

Announced in 2019, the Mobile Suit Gundam series had the honor of being appointed as one of the Japan Pavilion ambassadors for the 2020 Expo Dubai.

The event celebrates the 50th anniversary of the founding of the UAE and is the first International Registered Exhibition to be held in the Middle East or Africa, with 192 announced participating countries.

The other appointed PR ambassadors include: pop group Kanjani Eight, astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, actress Tomomi Wakatsuki, singer-songwriter Tatsuo Kamon, Tokai University Takanawadai High School UAE students and Pokémon.