With Osaka Expo 2025 opening in just a few days, Bandai Namco Holdings Inc. recently gave a preview of the Gundam Next Future Pavilion. To be exact, Bandai held an opening ceremony, after which members of the press got to see the inside of this impressive Gundam-themed pace.
The highlight of this Pavilion for Gundam fans is no doubt the life-sized Gundam statue. In case you missed its reveal, this special 17-meter-tall statue is made with parts from the Yokohama life-sized Gundam that was taken down in early 2024. While this statue won’t be a temporary installation, Gundam fans at least have six months to see it.
The statue isn’t the only thing to see there though as the Gundam Next Future Pavilion also promises to be a must-visit for fans visiting Expo 2025.
To give you a better idea of what to expect, the Pavilion Experience is described by Bandai as:
The GUNDAM NEXT FUTURE PAVILION will portray the new possibilities for the future that are depicted in the GUNDAM series through the concepts of “life in space” and “technologies not yet realized” with the realistic original film GUNDAM: Next Universal Century and phases 0 to 7 of the pavilion space. Participants will enjoy the experience of traveling from “Yumeshima Terminal” located at Yumeshima, Osaka to “Star Jaburo” station via an orbital elevator under the setting of the new “Universal Century”.
While the opening date is still days away, Bandai gave a preview of what’s inside the Pavilion to media members. Plus, Bandai also shared official images of the Pavilion’s interior. Inside, fans can enjoy immersive rooms inspired by the various Mobile Suit Gundam worlds.
Here’s a look inside:
Phase 0 Yumeshima Terminal Entrance
Phase 1 Yumeshima Terminal Boarding Lobby
Phase 2 Orbital Elevator, Space Cabin
Phase 3 Inside Star Jaburo
Phase 4 Passageway leading to the Emergency evacuation pod
Phase 5 Inside the Emergency pod
Pavilion Staff Uniform
Space colony created from leftover Gunpla runners (outdoor exhibit)
Throughout Expo 2025, visitors will also be able to enjoy a wide array of activities, with one of the most exciting being the upcoming Universal Century Orchestra Concert. This event will feature live performances of Gundam theme songs by the Osaka Symphony Orchestra along with artists including Takanori Nishikawa.
Here are the complete details:
Event Name: Gundam Pavilion Day “Universal Century Orchestra Concert”Date & Time: Sunday, 20 July;Doors Open: 5:00 PM, Start: 6:00 PM, Scheduled to End: 7:45 PMVenue: Expo Hall Shining HatEntrance Fee: Free**Advance reservation required.Orchestration: Conductor: Nobuaki Nakata; Music: Osaka Symphony OrchestraPerformance: Takanori Nishikawa/T.M.Revolution, and others
As for merch, the most eye-catching one is the official Gundam Next Future Pavilion Guidebook. This book features a message from Mobile Suit Gundam’s General Director Yoshiyuki Tomino, along with photos of the pavilion’s interior and exterior. There are also staff interviews and design sketches of exhibited mobile suits.
Here are the complete guidebook details:
Title: GUNDAM NEXT FUTURE PAVILION Official GuidebookOn Sale: 13 April 2025Price: 3,850 yen (tax incl.)Details: A4 vertical booklet (297 x 210 mm) / with A4 booklet coverPages: 128 pages + 4-page coverExpo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan Official Licensed ProductLocation: GUNDAM NEXT FUTURE PAVILION store corner in Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, and planned to be sold outside the venue.
For those who won’t be able to visit Expo 2025, there will also be a celebration of the Pavilion at the Gundam Metaverse Project. This collab event will also feature pavilion-related videos and the chance to get the Haro Head headgear to use in the virtual venue.
The Gundam Metaverse event will happen from Monday, 21 April 2025, to Tuesday, 20 May 2025. Fans can see the life-sized Gundam statue from various angles in avatar view, and purchase related merchandise.
The Gundam Next Future Pavilion will open on April 13 at Expo 2025 in Osaka. Meanwhile, Expo 2025 is happening from 13 April 2025 – Monday, 13 October 2025.
No reservations are required to view the life-sized Gundam statue, though reservations are needed for the Pavilion Experience.
For more details, visit the official website.
AloJapan.com