Adam Ondra of Czech Republic during the Sport Climbing Men's Combined Final as the giant Gundam statue looks on
(Picture: Getty Images)Despite Covid restrictions preventing spectators from watching the Olympic events, there is one giant robot keeping an eye on things.
With the men’s climbing event underway for the bouldering and lead finals, a full-scale statue of a robot named Gundam from the anime series “Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn” can be seen in the background watching climbers as they scale the giant wall.
Gundam is a Japanese military sci-fi media franchise, created by Yoshiyuki Tomino and Sunrise. It features giant robots named “Gundam” where most of them are huge humanoid vehicles controlled by a human pilot in the cockpit.
Olympic fans have been loving the cameo as they watch the event unfold at in DiverCity Tokyo Plaza in Odaiba.
Gundam watching the Olympic climbing event. pic.twitter.com/YcRLWD0gMh
— Steve Bannister (@SteveisSensible) August 4, 2021
One person joked about how the climbing competitors will have to look over their shoulder.
Wait a minute…is the Olympic climbing wall at Diver City in Odaiba, Tokyo? Like…does this disadvantage overseas teams? “Holy shit, there’s a FUCKING GUNDAM over your shoulder!!!” pic.twitter.com/VVgCBh8Zlk
— Kint Sonnemont (@musicalbears) August 4, 2021
Another teased that the person who loses the climbing event will feel Gundam’s wrath.
Rock climbers competing in Olympics . Loser gets shoot by Gundam #TokyoOlympics #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/YoGcwjjGp3
— Mani Carrasco (@Emjr_12) August 4, 2021
Even the official Olympics Twitter account noted how cool the shots are with Gundam in the background.
The giant robot in the background really makes the #climbing photos that much cooler! 🧗 pic.twitter.com/j7X6Kj0R2U
— Olympics (@Olympics) August 5, 2021
Meanwhile, some anime fans got riled up after the BBC Sport Twitter account referred to Gundam as a “Transformer.”
It’s a Gundam…not a transformer. You are reporting the Olympics in Japan and a Gundam is one of many Japanese cultural icons. Do not get it confused with Transformers franchise made in the USA #TokyoOlympics2020 https://t.co/lLK51jbToz
— Dan (@V3rmilion_N1nja) August 5, 2021
It’s a gundam completely different lol transformers are alive this is piloted
— Sam Wipeout (@SamWipeout) August 5, 2021
Transformer... Oh common BBC, do your due diligence, don't rush to be first at the cost of everything else.. pic.twitter.com/qlw8ExHMPD
— Scott Middleton (@srmiddleton1978) August 5, 2021
— веи ѕтокеѕ (@RobotCanary) August 5, 2021
This is the deepest form of cultural disrespect
— 𝐓𝐔𝐍𝐀 (@CosmicTuna) August 5, 2021
After a lot of offended replies, BBC Sport saw the error of their ways and asked anime fans who would win in a battle between Gundam v Transformer.
We see what's happened here...
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 5, 2021
But who would win in an Olympic battle between a Gundam v Transformer? #bbcolympics pic.twitter.com/VXGszX18VK
Admirable save
— Lia Agatha (@apragagun) August 5, 2021
Nice save
— Nobby Wallis (@NobbyWallis) August 5, 2021
Don't make that mistake again, Gundam it
— Chris Scullion (@scully1888) August 5, 2021
It appears Gundam has well and truly stolen the show, with people sharing their love for the robot.
Also, I feel like we need more shots of Olympic sport climbing with the giant Gundam in the background. Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images pic.twitter.com/Y7SdUmPDs6
— Gieson Cacho (@gcacho) August 4, 2021
One of my favourite things coming out of the Tokyo Olympics is seeing athletes compete with the big Gundam statue in the background. pic.twitter.com/2nOjUHVcu3
— Isaac Halford (@Silent_Hal) August 5, 2021
seeing rx-0 unicorn gundam in olympics brings me so much joy pic.twitter.com/dR0fUXwBi6
— sammy (@JophieI) August 5, 2021
Seeing the life size Unicorn Gundam in the background of multiple Olympic events brings me great joy pic.twitter.com/MCvmvN9qCQ
— 🏳️⚧️ Aerin 🏳️⚧️ (@Just_Like_Aerin) August 5, 2021
With over 50 TV series, films, manga, novels and the franchise reaching annual revenue of ¥80 billion (around £525,090,217) per year by 2014, Gundam is a Japanese icon.
So it’s no wonder they wanted to build a giant statue in tribute to the franchise.
The statue has even made it on to Google Maps, in a new update of the area.
Climbing has made its debut at the 2020 Toyko Olympics, with three categories: Speed, Bouldering and Lead.
