Time flies, and even precious things come and go in what seems like the blink of an eye. It is the same with the life-size Gundam statue at Odaiba, which is, tragically, destined to come down in just a few weeks.

Thankfully though, a stone sculptor has decided to go and fill our giant Gundam jones', constructing a Gundam figure that is, without a doubt, built to last. It's only a quarter the size of the Odaiba Gundam, but is already two years older, and will surely benefit its creator's business, also becoming a local landmark.

However, this otherwise rock-solid tribute to Gundam has a flaw, and it is that the statue's design appears to be based on Kira Yamato's GAT-X105 Strike Gundam, of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED. Comparing the images in the gallery, one can see similarities, such as in the distinctive "double-V" crest and the torso design. The major difference seems to be in the statue's shoulder pauldrons.

I'm hardly one to tell others what to do with their time and energy, but why SEED? Why not a design from Mobile Fighter G Gundam or  even the iconic Zeta Gundam? I don't know, perhaps SEED designs made more sense from a stone-sculpting point of view. For my part I'm hoping that the next one will be of Gundam Exia or Unicorn. Those are hot.