In conjunction with the 48th Shizuoka Hobby Show, the Bandai Hobby Center Public Viewing was held on May 16 and 17.

The Bandai Hobby Center in Shizuoka Prefecture is the world’s only Gundam plastic model (or “Gunpla”) factory. All of the factory’s production equipment was overhauled for “technological advancement and development,” “harmonious co-existence with the environment” and “impressive creations” when it began operation in March 2006, with factory automation and new manufacturing systems introduced.

The facility is 18 meters tall, the same height as Gundam robots, and was designed with a space colony concept. The side of the building is curved and embedded with solar panels, appearing just like a colony. Even though a rectangular structure would be best for factory equipment, the curved design was adopted to reflect the company’s daring concept.

The facility’s entrance and a tour route of the second-floor factory were opened for the public viewing, which were packed with crowds of visitors. Limited-time goods were on sale, and the excitement was intense.

* The factory is normally not open to the public.

・ 1st Floor Entrance The wall has a display of plastic models over the years.

・ 2nd Floor Factory Tour Route Visitors can watch Gundam plastic models being manufactured from behind a glass barrier.

・ Hobby Center staff uniforms and rank insignia. Staff have a character meaning “artisan” printed on their backs to express their dedication to “monozukuri," a Japanese word that basically means “making things.”

・ A limited-time model made from scrap produced during the Gundam plastic model manufacturing process.

・ Limited-time Gundam 30th anniversary T-shirts, Bandai Hobby Center T-shirts, reusable shopping bags with logos and more were on sale.
 

 This article has been created in collaboration with
Akiba Keizai Shimbun

48th Shizuoka Hobby Show - Photo Report 1 (Akiba Today)

48th Shizuoka Hobby Show - Photo Report 2 (Akiba Today)

48th Shizuoka Hobby Show - Photo Report 3 (Akiba Today)

BANDAI HOBBY CENTER (Japanese)