(Tetsujin28, 1963 “Monochrome animation” ©Hikari Production/EIKEN)
Manga animation featuring robots, also known as “mecha anime,” is an important part of Japanese pop culture. When you visit Odaiba or Yokohama, you will be amazed with majestic Gundam statues.
Since its inception the early 1960s, mecha anime has been fascinating youngsters across Japan. Some of the hit shows like Tetsujin28 (1963), Mazinger Z (1972) or Mobile Suit Gundam (1979) were even exported overseas.
These works bring me back to my teens in the 1970s. My friends and I were avid watchers of Mazinger Z, spending hours talking about the previous night’s episode at school. For many Japanese teens at the time, myself included, shopping for mecha figurines with otoshidama money (New Year’s monetary gifts from parents and relatives) was one of the happiest moments of the year.
If you are a fan of Japanese animated robots, you’ll want to check out the “Giant Robots – The core of Japanese Mecha Anime” exhibit running from Feb. 10 through April 7 at the Yokosuka Museum of Art.
Peruse years of anime mecha art and history, including extensive gigantic robots at the exhibit. Some of the displays include showpieces and artifacts, as well as robots designed by Yokosuka-based mecha designer Kazutaka Miyatake. Miyatake is known for his work on Space Cruiser Yamato (1977) and Space Pirate Captain Harlock (1978).
The museum at Kannonzaki Park is only a 15-minute drive from Yokosuka Naval Base and the exhibits and building itself make it well worth a visit. Architecture-afficionados will love the neo-futuristic style of the museum embellished with glass panels, interesting windows and striking white color to contrast the natural exterior elements. The museum is home to over 5,000 permanent works, and also has a stunning rooftop garden and tasty Italian restaurant on-site.
Make plans to spend some time enjoying the robots and the exceptional art at the Yokosuka Museum of Art.
(KATOH Naoyuki and MIYATAKE Kadutaka, Starship Troopers, 1977 ©STUDIO NUE CO. LTD)
“Giant Robots – The Core of Japanese Mecha Anime” at the Yokosuka Museum of Art
Period: Feb. 10 – Apr. 7, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (closed Mar. 4 and Apr. 1)
Address: 4-1 Kamoi Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Admission: Adults - 1,300 yen; high school and college students and ages 65 or older - 1,100 yen; middle schoolers or younger are free
*Entry is free for high school students who are residing or attending high school in Yokosuka.
*There is a free admission day on Feb. 18.
Tel: 046-845-1211
(Giant Robots: The Core of Japanese Mecha Anime)
