Photo/Illutration Even in the cold rain, the moving Gundam robot continues to attract a large crowd in the final month of its exhibition at Yokohama’s Naka Ward on March 24. (Kazushige Kobayashi)

YOKOHAMA--Fans are rushing to Yamashita Pier here to marvel at the life-size moving Gundam robot one last time before the crowd-pleasing exhibition ends on March 31.

The final weeks of the run feature the most popular shows from Gundam's past programs, showcasing the beloved robot in thrilling action sequences accompanied by the iconic theme music.

The 18-meter-tall giant was unveiled in December 2020 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the smash-hit animated TV series “Mobile Suit Gundam.”

The Gundam Factory Yokohama project has since attracted more than 1.5 million visitors, according to its operator.

The exhibition was originally scheduled to end in March 2022, but was extended due to requests from fans who were unable to see it during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I take pictures of the robot from different angles and it shows something new each time,” said a 35-year-old man from Yokohama, who has visited the site at least 20 times. “It’s a cool robot. I’m really sad to see it go.”

The man, a huge Gundam fan since building his first plastic model of the iconic robot in his junior high school days, will also see the final show on March 31.

Yoshiyuki Tomino, the director of the animated series, will appear on the final day, which will also feature fireworks and a show with 1,000 drones. Tickets for the event are sold out.

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