On April 26th, the Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport Shanghai Jinqiao in Shanghai, China hosted a special ceremony to commemorate the completion of the 1/1 Freedom Gundam.
Not only does this mark the first time a full-scale Gundam statue has been built overseas — it’s also the first and only full-size Freedom Gundam from Gundam Seed.
Originally revealed at the Gundam China Project presentation in July 2020, the project faced various difficulties on the way to completion, but nine months later, it’s ready.
The Monday event included the ceremonial “topping” of the statue, in which a crane lifted the Gundam’s head into place as the final step in completing its construction.
In attendance were Daisuke Yamada, President of Sunrise Shanghai, as well as Su Zuo Mo, Vice President of Mitsui Fudosan (Shanghai), representing LaLaport Shanghai Jinqiao.
Though the statue is completed, more work is expected to take place between now and the public opening ceremony, which is to be held on May 28, 2021. A “performance” and guests are expected at the event. If you can’t make it, you can catch a live stream on Chinese streaming service bilibili.
Speaking of performance, it seems that this new statue is also going to feature some illumination and perhaps some other gimmicks! Thanks to bilibili user DD Cat, we’re also treated to a preview of the light show at night:
In addition to the lifesize Freedom Gundam, LaLaport Shanghai Jinqiao has also just opened its first Gundam Base shop on April 28th. So if you make it out to Shanghai to see the Freedom Gundam in the future, shopping opportunities await, too!
