Manga-inspired robot works in Japanese airport

We can't claim to be big fans of the Japanese manga Galaxy Express 999, but clearly the comic is still pretty popular in Japan, because its heroine, the blonde-tressed Maetel, has been given life as a robot, and is working in Kita-Kyushu,  the hometown of the comic's creator, Leiji Matsumoto. Of course, the robotic Maetel might feel she's gotten something of a raw deal: instead of traveling through space on an intergalactic train like her fictional alter ego, she's earthbound, working as the receptionist in Kita-Kyushu's airport. Come the revolution, we plan to stay well out of her way.

[Peter C. @ Mar 2nd 2006 1:30PM]

Best Anime/Manga ever, IMO. That is the coolest thing I've seen this year. The japanese are little to crazy over their anime what with all those cosplay barbers and cafes...

[Mandarin @ Mar 2nd 2006 2:06PM]

I welcome our robot overlords...

[Jeff @ Mar 2nd 2006 2:38PM]

The "Leiji Matsumoto Universe" is still gigantic in Japan. Galaxy Express 999 is just one in a series of franchises that all take place in the same universe with intertwining characters... you may have heard of Starblazers in this country (more properly known as Space Battleship Yamato) which is also part of the Matsumoto Universe. There's also Captain Harlock/Herlock, Queen Emeraldas, Maetel Legend, etc. Pretty much all Japanese people have at least heard of this, and most Japanese have seen at least part of the saga.

These have all been ongoing more or less for the last 20 to 30 years in both manga and anime. We really only ever see a fraction of it in the US, but it's still everywhere in Japan, and because of the longevity of it all, it's as popular with adults as it is with kids. There is even a new Matsumoto-designed tour boat that takes you on a psychedelic tour of Tokyo Bay, with Matsumoto artwork peppered throughout the boat.

I think this Maetel robot is, therefore, awesome, and I'm sure the Japanese will think so too. I'd love to see a video of it/her in action (I only see pictures at the link).

Now all we need is robotic versions of anime robots. That'd be sweet. Give me a robotic version of Motoko Kusanagi. Talk about life imitating art.

[Yrian @ Mar 2nd 2006 2:45PM]

I for one welcome our blond-tressed earthbound robotic overlords.

[marco @ Mar 2nd 2006 5:04PM]

That looks insanely flimsy. Actually reminds me of one of those baloon punchbags.

[Billy @ Mar 2nd 2006 8:38PM]

I remember these characters from that CD-I game Escape From Cyber City....Now that was a damn hard game.

And yes I have realized what a joke the CD-I system was.

[DarkFader @ Mar 2nd 2006 9:37PM]

They forgot to add a bit of blush on that pale face.

[Jon Acheson @ Mar 3rd 2006 11:02AM]

The ironic thing is that one of the big themes running through Galaxy 999 was people exchanging their human bodies for robot bodies, which was considered bad.