DiverCity’s Gundam Base is a dedicated store for fans of the timeless Gundam anime series located in the heart of Odaiba, Tokyo Bay.
On the top floor of DiverCity Tokyo Plaza is the infamous Gundam Base that has people from all over the world gathering in a unified love for the iconic mecha anime series.
As an anime fan, I heard about this popular series through advertisements and word of mouth, and the fact that you practically can’t walk through Odaiba without seeing the 20-meter-tall Gundam robot outside DiverCity Tokyo Plaza.
Truthfully, I’m not a fan of giant robot TV shows, but the sheer detail of this life-size Gundam robot was so impressive to me that I simply had to go in and see what this Gundam Base was all about.
Countless “GunPla” Model Kits
“GunPla” is a catchy term that was derived from “Gundam Plastic” models and popularized by the Gundam fan base.
Essentially, it refers to these Gundam figurines which are built by purchasing the model kit and then meticulously putting it together piece-by-piece in what has become a popular hobby for fans of the series.
Appreciating every mechanical detail as you put together these GunPla models is all part of the experience, making it more than just a figure that you buy and admire without earning the end reward.
Gundam Base is packed with countless GunPla model kits that feature every giant robot figure imaginable, spanning across the entire Gundam Universe.
Gorgeous Gundam Robots
Again, I am not a fan of the Gundam series but I may as well be for how much I can appreciate the design, style, and intricate details of these GunPla exhibitions.
This model on the right is a rather special one that can light up in the dark, creating a dazzling dark blue ambiance reminiscent of the twilight sky.
It also has awesome green glow-in-the-dark eyes that look ready for battle (green mean fighting machine?).
In all honesty, I was tempted to buy myself a GunPla model kit after visiting the Gundam Base in Tokyo but ultimately decided to learn more about the series before making the investment (I’m also a terrible model kit builder…).
Clothing & Merchandise
The Gundam Base not only offers GunPla model kits to its fans but also a surprisingly wide array of clothing and merchandise.
From T-shirts to jumpers, jackets, and hats, this section of the store had me feeling like I’d walked into a full-on clothing store.
Again, I was tempted to buy some Gundam-themed shirts but ultimately decided not to be an imposter of a fan and just took photos instead.
Gundam Base has stores in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Fukuoka, so wherever you are in Japan, why not check out this incredible store whether or not you’re a fan of the series?
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