Seen @ Gundam Fiesta Singapore (Compass Point, Singapore): Part One
For two weeks (September 2nd to 14th 2009), Compass Point shopping mall at Sengkang, Singapore will be the venue for the inaugural GUNDAM FIESTA event by Bandai (www.gundam-singapore.com / organized by ShengTai Toys). Located in the ground floor atrium is a modular exhibit consisting of display showcases which feature this history of Gundam (very much appreciated, this) seeing that 2009 is also the 30th Anniversary of Gundam!
Straight forward and tastefully done - display showcases and galleries takes up the majority of the space, with a dedicated "Cashier" area the main focal-point of sales and transactions. A main stage holds court directly in front of the duo diorama displays and a large Gundam statue (not 18 meters large, but still photo-op worthy), framed at the side with a Sangokunden "Super" Character Correlation Diagram - and a subtle row of gasaphon machines, with the Gundam Carvan holding area behind.
CLICK THRU for a closer-look at the exhibits (FYI: this blog-post will be Part One of TRE's coverage of Gundam Fiesta - simply because there's so much to show! LOL)
[10 x images of Gundam Fiesta "Entrance" / CLICK for full-screen viewing]
The "start" of the "Gundam Experience" begins thru these gateways flanked by a Gundam and a Zaku statue with anime playing via the plasma screen at side. You walk in and on the left is a display of the Gundam Animation timeline thru 30 years. On the carpet which you step on is apparently the 1/1 scaled footprint of the giant 18 meter RX-78-2 Gundam which was built in Odaiba Park, Tokyo!
[15 x images of Odaiba-Park Gundam replica display / CLICK for full-screen viewing]
Directly on the right of the Odaiba Park Gundam-replica is a gallery of both Gundam models (encased in acrylic display boxes) with corresponding anime posters/flyers hung on the wall-panels - which hows the history of both interconnected genres of the beloved anime. Very cool this, IMHO (Wish they'd sell a poster-book for the images tho :p).
[15 x images of Gundam Gallery / CLICK for full-screen viewing]
Going alongside the Odaiba-Park replica is the display for "Gundam Revolution" and you will turn the corner for the display of the VS ASTRAY series - including prototypes (will post in a separate blog-post, to not clutter this :p). Always excited to see upcoming prototypes!
[12 x images of Gundam Evolution (Gunpla) and Vs Astray series / CLICK for full-screen viewing]
The Gundam Hobby Center showcased the uniforms (I would wear them in public!) and a miniature replica of the Bandai Hobby Center production floor (?), with a monitor showing the production process (didn't linger too long to watch it tho :p).
[5 x images of Bandai Hobby Center / CLICK for full-screen viewing]
The BB Sangoku-Den Side Story and BB Senshi Sangokuden display arena was the most "stylized" of the displays at Gundam Fiesta, with the focus on both the Heroic Clash Chronicles (via Kentarou Yano's mangaka of Eiyuu Gekitosu Hen) and SD Gundam series based on the classic Romance of The Three Kingdoms epic.
[16 x images of BB Sangoku-Den SD Gundams / CLICK for full-screen viewing]
At the back of this display is an entire stretch of panel dedicated to the Sangokuden Super Character Correlation Diagram" (which is loosely based on the Romance of the Three Kingdoms-lore - for which I dare not attempt to decipher LOL). And I will end this particular post f(for now) until the next one which will feature the Master Grade and Tamashii Nation displays, dioramas and other zones for Gundam Fiesta Singapore!
[Click on images to embiggen]
FYI/Disclaimer: These images were snapped on the afternoon of September 2nd and I would have no doubt the weekend - especially Sunday, will be further crowds and insanity - especially with the appearance of the SG Gundam Image Girls between 5pm-6pm LOL
