Chris Szeto-Joe

The Gundam franchise has been an icon of Japanese nerd culture for decades. From manga to anime to model kits, the ever-popular giant fighting robot genre has extended far beyond Japan’s shores. And no greater testament to the beloved franchise stands than the life-sized Unicorn Gundam statue. It has stood for close to nine years and will sadly be dismantled on August 31, 2026. Before we say goodbye, let me take you on a stamp rally tour to celebrate its legacy.

Once a year, one of Osaka’s most famous streets is flooded with cosplayers of all shapes and sizes. For 6 glorious hours, people congregate in Nihonbashi Den Den Town to celebrate cosplay and otaku culture. The highlight is the maid cafe and cosplay parade. 500 participants display their passion as they walk down Ota Road, flanked by thousands of onlookers.

Pop culture meets innovative fine art in this groundbreaking exhibition and sales event. After an acclaimed overseas debut, Tokyo-based art brand “GAAAT” brought its one-of-a-kind metal canvas art to Japan. Featuring scenes and characters from the iconic “Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex” anime, these pieces were available for purchase on site or just to enjoy. Visitors who made a reservation received a random, limited-edition postcard of one of the displayed artworks.