Anytime there's a mecha-based news story, I'm all over it like Shiro on Aina. (I expect that all of you got that reference, by the way, as the bulk of Japanator readers previously named that particular Gundam series the best Gundam show of all time.)
Last year, we saw the yet-to-be-eclipsed Odaiba Gundam raping the eyes of tourists with its elegant epicness. In fact, the thing was so awesome that people were exchanging their lifelong vows of partnership underneath it. This year, we'll be witnessing a life-size EVA-01 bust at the foot of Mt. Fuji. Now, there's a third mecha-endeavor to add to the list of recent mobile suit-centered achievements: a Gundam jet. So throw your damn hands up and rave.
ANA (All Nippon Airways) has joined forces with the oh-so-holy entertainment multinational Bandai to commemorate the 30-year anniversary of the very first Gundam plastic model kit. ANA has offered up a Boeing 777-300 to be painted in true Gundam fashion:
[The jet is] decorated with the iconic Gundam robot head on the left side and a "life-size" image of the RX-78-2 Gundam mobile suit on the right side. The life-size image will depict the Gundam "lying" on its back, as if it was being stowed aboard the White Base mobile suit carrier ship from the first Gundam anime series.
The maiden voyage of the Gundam plane will embark from Haneda Airport in Tokyo to Itami Airport in Osaka on July 16. There will also be an official sending-off ceremony for the aircraft and its initial crew on that day.
Now, if just being on an official Gundam-painted jetcraft is not enough for you, this temporary collaboration of ANA/Bandai throws some more goodies at the lucky passengers. Those aboard the virgin journey will receive "official passenger certificates" which will no doubt be worth a good amount of money to Gundam collectors/enthusiasts sometime in the not-so-distant future.
In addition, folks who take a domestic ANA flight between July 1 and August 31 can get their hands on (for a price, of course) some sweet limited edition Gundam kits and figures of their very own:
[Passengers can purchase] an ANA original color version of the High Grade 1/144 Gundam G30th plastic model kit. People who fly any ANA flight from July 1, 2010 to February 28, 2011 can buy an ANA original color version of the 1/48 Mega-Size Model Gundam.
The jet's service will continue until March of 2011.
Being a Gundam fan (like many are), as well as a fan of aircrafts in general, I'm salivating a little bit here with this information. Seriously, I'm highly considering booking a flight myself--just to say that I did. Fanboy Machine...engage.
[Via ANN and Japan Trends]
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