Hey kid, wanna buy a giant robot?

Thanks to the Marmoset for making a rare guest appearance on his own blog! Speaking of Japan, and of robots, I've been meaning to write about this for a while.

While others lament the lack of interest in science among today's kids, Japanese engineer Takayuki Furuta is doing something about it. Mr. Furuta, as director of the Future Robotics Technology Center, has come up with a master plan to build something guaranteed to get kids' attention: a Gundam.

For those who aren't anime fans (or who weren't living in my apartment circa 1999), a Gundam Mobile Suit is a type of robot, about 60 feet tall, capable of space flight, and equipped with an obscenely large array of weaponry. Gundams, for whatever reason, are typically piloted by teenage boys, which ties in nicely with Furuta's goals. They usually appear in oddly addictive tv shows that can best be described as "Days of our Lives with giant ass kicking robots".

Anyway, according to Mr. Furuta, a full-size Gundam could be built with existing technology (give or take) for about $742 million. Wired has a detailed plan of the machine and its costs. As of this writing, however, there is no word on if that estimate includes the money for sissy uniforms or endless melodrama.

ABOVE: This gently used Gundam, the "Shenlong", could
be yours for the low low price of $725,000,000.
(Laser spear and rocket-powered claws not included)

So, if any of you Third World tyrants out there have a little extra in the military budget, and are looking for something to impress the neighbors, consider investing in a Gundam. It's cheaper than an aircraft carrier and gets much better gas mileage.