Giant Gundam robot stalks Japan

Nothing better sums up the relationship between the Japanese and robotics than a giant model robot model - 18 metres high and weighing 35 tonnes - that has taken pride of place in the centre of Tokyo.

The robot is one from the Gundam series, which began in the late 1970s. It towers over the capital's Odaiba Island as an exact replica of what a "real life" robot would look like if it existed.

Japan has been obsessed with the idea of giant robots. They are the stars of shows such as Macross and Getter Robo. The original Transformer toys, known as Diaclone, were made here before being turned into a global phenomenon by the US toymaker Hasbro.

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