Thousands of anime fans are streaming to Expo 2025 Osaka to watch a short film on a much-loved epic and pose in front of a gigantic statue of Gundam, an immensely popular Japanese sci-fi robot.
The Japanese anime series about giant robots piloted by humans has gripped fans worldwide. High school pupils, university students and fathers with young children said they made reservations months in advance to watch the film screened in the Gundam Next Future Pavilion, at the Osaka Expo that opened a few days ago.
Thousands across age groups mirrored the pose of the towering 17-metre statue, positioned in front of the pavilion, with one knee bent and an arm raised to the sky.
Ian Lee, originally from Hong Kong but now resident in Australia, visited the Expo for the Gundam experience with his wife and two children. He told The National he had booked his slots to enter the pavilion from January.
“We are in Japan for five days and this is our first day at the Expo,” he said. “I’ve always been a Gundam fan. The show was very immersive, you really get the feeling as if you were up there in space. Even if you don’t understand everything, it’s fine because Gundam saves the world.”
One of the biggest anime series, The Mobile Suit Gundam first aired in 1979 in Japan and has created an entire universe around human-controlled robots set against a backdrop of war in space colonies. The animated stories depict battles between human beings who venture into space and those who remain on Earth fighting alongside the Gundam robots called mobile suits.
Space colonies in 2150
The National obtained access to the 50-minute pavilion tour and movie, Gundam: Next Universal Century, set in the year 2150 when life in space is commonplace. Visitors are taken into a series of expansive rooms with exceptional visual effects to create orbital elevators and space portals that connect Earth to the stars.
Immersive experiences with high-definition images and sounds are projected onto enormous ceiling screens and displays that wrap around large rooms. Visitors are told they are being transported to a space station located on a star as they watch Gundam collect space debris to keep travel safe.
They pass through different chambers to watch space colonies grow disease-resistant crops, become self-sufficient in food, build fish farms and yes, even whip up sushi. But when the space portal is attacked with fireballs of explosions, the Gundam robot powered with solar-panelled wings swoops in to save the day and avert a crisis, winning rounds of applause from an appreciative audience.
Build a future in space
Many fans wore T-shirts with their favourite anime characters and said they enjoyed the series as it took a stand against war and advocated peace. Japanese citizens from across the country lined up for entry to the pavilion, saying they wanted to share the experience with their kids.
Kei Watanabe, an Osaka resident, said he still enjoyed the series. “I think it’s very cool. I watched it when I was a child and it is still very good.”
Masafi Okuhira, a Tokyo resident, said his nine-year-old son was also a fan. “Gundam is the best ever because it’s so real.”
The pavilion also attracted non-anime fans drawn to space exploration to address food security challenges.
“It makes us think of 50 years from now when our resources run out, we need to think of space as a possibility,” said Li Yaosen, a Chinese student from a university in Kyoto, who travelled with a friend to Osaka for the show. “It reminds us that we need to focus on the future, think about space debris, the environment, so that the next generations can have a better future. Also the effects were amazing. It really made you feel you were being attacked.”
To tap into the considerable anime fan base, an Anime Manga Tourism Festival is scheduled at the Expo Osaka from April 30 to May 2 as part of the government's Cool Japan tourism initiative and targets both local and overseas visitors.
Inside Gundam pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka - in pictures
The Indoor Cricket World Cup
When: September 16-23
Where: Insportz, Dubai
Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 620hp from 5,750-7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm from 3,000-5,750rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch auto
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh1.05 million ($286,000)
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
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Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
The Written World: How Literature Shaped History
Martin Puchner
Granta
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Norway
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Canada
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South Korea
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ICC Intercontinental Cup
UAE squad Rohan Mustafa (captain), Chirag Suri, Shaiman Anwar, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Saqlain Haider, Ahmed Raza, Mohammed Naveed, Imran Haider, Qadeer Ahmed, Mohammed Boota, Amir Hayat, Ashfaq Ahmed
Fixtures Nov 29-Dec 2
UAE v Afghanistan, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Hong Kong v Papua New Guinea, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Ireland v Scotland, Dubai International Stadium
Namibia v Netherlands, ICC Academy, Dubai
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
The Baghdad Clock
Shahad Al Rawi, Oneworld
The biog
Name: Shamsa Hassan Safar
Nationality: Emirati
Education: Degree in emergency medical services at Higher Colleges of Technology
Favourite book: Between two hearts- Arabic novels
Favourite music: Mohammed Abdu and modern Arabic songs
Favourite way to spend time off: Family visits and spending time with friends
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Abu Dhabi race card
5pm Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic Prestige | Dh110,000 | 1,400m
5.30pm Abu Dhabi Colts Classic Prestige | Dh110,000 | 1,400m
6pm Abu Dhabi Championship Listed | Dh180,000 | 1,600m
6.30pm Maiden | Dh80,000 | 1,600m
7pm Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap | Dh80,000 | 1,400m
7.30pm Handicap (TB) |Dh100,000 | 2,400m
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Real Madrid 1
Ronaldo (87')
Athletic Bilbao 1
Williams (14')
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
HOW TO WATCH
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler
Price, base / as tested Dh57,000
Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine
Transmission Six-speed gearbox
Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm
Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
ARSENAL IN 1977
Feb 05 Arsenal 0-0 Sunderland
Feb 12 Manchester City 1-0 Arsenal
Feb 15 Middlesbrough 3-0 Arsenal
Feb 19 Arsenal 2-3 West Ham
Feb 26 Middlesbrough 4-1 Arsenal (FA Cup)
Mar 01 Everton 2-1 Arsenal
Mar 05 Arsenal 1-4 ipswich
March 08 Arsenal 1-2 West Brom
Mar 12 QPR 2-1 Arsenal
Mar 23 Stoke 1-1 Arsenal
Apr 02 Arsenal 3-0 Leicester
Reading List
Practitioners of mindful eating recommend the following books to get you started:
Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life by Thich Nhat Hanh and Dr Lilian Cheung
How to Eat by Thich Nhat Hanh
The Mindful Diet by Dr Ruth Wolever
Mindful Eating by Dr Jan Bays
How to Raise a Mindful Eaterby Maryann Jacobsen
Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
Company%20Profile
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The specs
Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: nine-speed
Power: 542bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: Dh848,000
On sale: now
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
