Japan is unique in many ways and the country’s creativity is never muted. Leaning into its signature properties, video games and anime, everyday life in Japan is somewhat influenced by these genres, which in turn colors its culture. Food, attractions and one-of-a-kind exhibits contribute to Japan’s magnificent showcase and manhole covers are no exception.
Manhole covers normally blend into the industrial wallpaper of the outside world, usually going unnoticed unless a jet of water or a Ninja Turtle is poking out of it. But Japan has opted to turn these bland discs into works of art, with the country already presenting Studio Ghibli-themed covers, designed by Hayao Miyazaki, as well asPokemon-themed variants. The next franchise to be added to the catalogue isGundam, brought about by a new project in Odawara.
GundamManhole Project
Japan’s first collection ofGundam-themed manhole covers have been installed in the city of Odawara, within the Kanagawa prefecture. As part of the newGundamManhole Project, the first set of covers have been installed here because it is the birthplace ofGundamcreator Yoshiyuki Tomino. Despite starting locally for now, the project plans to install a lot moreGundam-themed manhole covers nationwide, which will feature a different mecha on each one posing with local landmarks.
Odawara currently has twoGundammanhole covers installed: one features the iconic RX-78-2 Gundam designed with Odawara Castle in the background and it can be found on Daiyagai shopping street. The second one shows the MSM-07S Z’Gok with a fish in its hand, located at the Odawara Fishery Harbour.
The manhole covers were made by the Bandai Namco Group in collaboration with theGundamManhole Project. In order to promote the installation, the Japanese government made 10,000 cards with descriptions and location details of each cover. These will be distributed at the Odawara Visitor Center on August 27.
Bandai Spirits
PokemonManhole Covers
TheGundamManhole Project is expected to follow in the steps of the nationwide catalogue ofPokemon-themed manhole covers called Poke Lids. With such a large collection of Pokemon designs gracing the discs, the country created awebsitefor locals and tourists to track, visit and collect each one. The colorful designs have become a tourist attraction within the country, which inspire various colleges of the covers to be posted online.
