Gigantor, a 59-foot tall monument, is now awaiting you in Kobe!

A giant robot from a classic Japanese cartoon emerged in Kobe this year. Tetsujin 28-go (the iron man number 28), known as Gigantor in the US, was created in 1956 by Mitsuteru Yokohama, the pioneer of the Japanese robot series, and released to a TV anime series in 1963. The Tetsujin has been the iconic Japanese anime robot, and its popularity has spread generations and nationalities. Its rather primitive and toy-like design and across mild facial expression indicate the early concept of a fighting robot for a manga series, but these charms remain endearing, inspiring the non-profit organization KOBE Tetsujin Project a 59-foot tall monument of the Tetsujin, which was completed on October 4, 2009. The robot was installed in Wakamatsu Park in Kobe City.