After nearly a decade, Tokyo's towering 19.7-meter Unicorn Gundam statue in Odaiba has concluded its operational period, drawing thousands of fans for a final farewell. The statue, which stood outside the Diver City shopping center, replaced an earlier RX-78 Gundam replica and debuted in 2017, coinciding with the conclusion of the Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn OVA series.
During its tenure, the statue became a significant landmark, attracting visitors from both within and outside the Gundam fandom. Its nightly light shows, featuring moving parts and illuminated psycho-frame effects, were a regular draw. The closure was marked by a series of events, including a musical performance on August 29 featuring Hiroyuki Sawano, the composer for the Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn soundtrack, and vocalist SennaRin, who contributed to the recent Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway film.
A few days later, on August 31, thousands of fans gathered to witness the final light shows. Many recorded the statue's last moments, shared photos, and expressed their gratitude online. As the official end time of 10 p.m. JST approached, attendees were heard shouting messages of thanks to the statue.
While demolition had not yet begun as of September 1, its removal from the plaza is expected soon. Bandai Namco has not yet confirmed any plans for a replacement statue, though fan speculation includes mobile suits from newer series like the XVX-016 Gundam Ariel from Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury. The departure of the statue marks the end of an era for the Odaiba waterfront, a destination many considered incomplete without its presence.