Gundam Towers over Odaiba!

It had been years since I'd last seen the huge Gundam statue in Odaiba, but since I was in the area today, I decided to stop by and photograph it. Enjoy!

Yasuyuki Inoue Exhibit in Odaiba

Today, I finally attended the special Yasuyuki Inoue exhibition held at Gallery21 in Odaiba. The exhibit, scheduled to end tomorrow, features a bevy of Inoue's various production and monster designs and sketches. 

I'd already seen most of the items on display two years ago at a similar event, but more than a few seemed new, particularly the designs and sketches related to Submersion of Japan and Deathquake. But perhaps I just missed them the first time.

While there, illustrator Shinji Nishikawa was taking requests and drawing monsters for attendees. It was quite amazing to watch him sketch Spiga from Son of Godzilla. All in all, it was an enjoyable way to spend this Golden Week afternoon.

OUT AND ABOUT IN ODAIBA! Visiting the Famous Fuji TV Building!

Today I visited Odaiba for the first time in a while. The main reason was to celebrate a friend's birthday. Afterward, we took a tour of the Fuji TV Building. Although I've seen it from the outside many times, this would be my first time to go inside and look around.

Before entering, I snapped some photos of the replica Statue of Liberty and the Rainbow Bridge. These sights are always worth checking out!

While approaching the Fuji TV Building, I took this photo. It looked a bit like a futuristic city to me (especially a 1960s interpretation of the future), which I found captivating.

The view from the Fuji TV Building's observation deck was breathtaking. It's certainly no Tokyo Skytree, but the view of the Rainbow Bridge is stunning.

Tokyo Tower looms over the Rainbow Bridge. Only in Odaiba can you see such sights!

Ultra-kaiju were well represented at the Fuji TV Building!

This photo was snapped on the set of a TV program that airs on Fuji TV. I should've auditioned!

Wait, did I get the part anyway? No, that's just me behind a cardboard cutout, but it sure looks convincing, doesn't it?

GUNDAM AT NIGHT! Views from Odaiba After Dark!

A nighttime view of the famous Fuji TV Building in Odaiba, Tokyo.

The other night I had a chance to visit Odaiba and snap some photos of a couple of locations (including the large Gundam statue). The nighttime atmosphere added a lot to the photos, so I thought I'd post them here. Everything is pretty self-explanatory, so enjoy!

Gundam Front Tokyo

As big as the life-size, 18-meter Gundam statue in Odaiba is, it's dwarfed by the Fuji TV Building in the background.

Last month, Gundam Front Tokyo opened in Odaiba, allowing fans of the popular anime Mobile Suit Gundam to celebrate their fandom in style.  

From Gundam Front Tokyo's official English-language site:

At 「Gundam Front Tokyo」, you can experience the world of Gundam, from 1979's 「Mobile Suit Gundam」 into the uncharted future!

It's been three years since the 「Green Tokyo Gundam Project」, erected to mark the 30th anniversary of 「Mobile Suit Gundam」's broadcast, drew over four million visitors to Shiokaze Park in Odaiba in just 52 days. Now, a new way to experience Gundam in 「1/1」 「real」 scale opens, creating a landmark which will draw Gundam fans from Japan, all across Asia, and beyond!

I was in Odaiba last weekend, and while I'm not familiar at all with the world of Gundam, the statue was an impressive sight, and pictures had to be taken. Enjoy!

Odaiba's Nostalgic Car Show

 Standing in front of the giant Gundam statue in Odaiba, Tokyo.

I attended the Nostalgic Car Show in Odaiba, Tokyo, this weekend, the first show of this type I've ever seen. On hand were Yasushi Shiroi's famous remodeled car designed to look like the Pointer from Ultra Seven and the Batmobile from Tim Burton's Batman (1989). With that out of the way, let's check out the highlights!

Standing in front of the Batmobile, while Batman keeps the paparazzi at bay.

Working on my Ultra Garrison driving test.

Ready to go after kaiju!

With Ultra Seven fan extraordinaire Yasushi Shiroi.

Shelley Sweeney: 2007 and 2011

Yours truly sandwiched between G-FEST XIV's guests of honor in 2007, Rhodes Reason and Shelley Sweeney.

It's hard to believe that I first spoke to Shelley Sweeney in late 2005. When she came to America to film a movie called I Am Nipponjin (co-starring with Kamen Rider superstar Hiroshi Fujioka), we conducted an interview for G-FAN magazine about her acting credits in the Godzilla series, most notably as Catherine Berger in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II (1993). The interview turned out so well, and so much interest was drummed up, that Shelley was formally invited by J.D. Lees and me to attend G-FEST XIV in 2007.

Shelley and I stand in front of the Rainforest Cafe in Chicago after officially wrapping up our convention duties at G-FEST.

Shelley became one of our most popular guests at one of the smoothest-run G-FESTs in history. Handling herself with the utmost professionalism, Shelley signed autographs and posed for pictures all weekend, treating every fan who approached her respectfully.

When G-FEST wrapped, I didn't realize it would be nearly four years before I would see Shelley again, but that's exactly what would happen.

With no one around, sometimes you have to do your own photography! Shelley and I pose in front of the Statue of Liberty replica in Odaiba.

After moving to Japan in March 2011, visiting Tokyo became my biggest priority. As I'm not much of a sightseer, my main area of interest was visiting old friends (and making new ones!) while in the city. One of the first people I asked was Shelley, who was happy to meet me again.

Follow the Rainbow Bridge! Shelley and I relax after crossing the walkway from Odaiba.

When we made plans, Shelley suggested crossing the Rainbow Bridge, which sounded great to me. Providing a scenic view of Tokyo Bay, I knew it would be a great experience. Of course, for me, it's not so much about the activity but the company with whom you do the activity.

Kampai! With our journey behind us, we enjoyed drinks at a nearby Becker's.

With our walk in the history books, we finished our conversation at a Becker's inside the nearest train station. It was a fun morning, and the next time I'm in Tokyo (which hopefully won't be too long from now!), I hope to see Shelley again.

Oh, and if the still photos aren't enough, here's some video of our trek. Enjoy!