The hugely-successful anime series is arguably one of the most popular media franchises in history, as it is credited to be one of the pioneers of the multi-billion dollar anime industry.

The Gundam fandom has spread across the entire world, introducing millions of people to anime, so it is no surprise that Japan is building a giant 'Gundam' statue to pay tribute to the success the franchise has achieved over the decades.

And that giant 'Gundam' statue recently took its first steps.

Yup, you read that right.

Monumental achievement

In January, the Gundam Factory Yokohama has revealed its plans to build a fully-functional Gundam statue with 24 degrees of motion as part of a new attraction at Yamashita Pier.

The statue will be a replica of the iconic and highly recognisable RX-78-2 Gundam suit, the samurai-inspired mecha introduced in the original animated series in 1979.

The model, which stands at 18 meters tall and weigh a staggering 25 tons, will be parked by the port of Yokohama.

It sounded a little bit crazy at that moment, considering the amount of work that the engineers would have to put in to make the giant robot walk, but fast forward seven months later, that Gundam statue just took its first few steps.

According to entertainment website Comicbook.com, the Gundam statue successfully took its first steps during a recent routine test at the Gundam Factory in Yokohama earlier this month.

A short video clip showing the statue, sans its head, raising its leg in a walking motion has excited 'Gundam' fans all over the world.

Here's the full video:

According to the website, the construction of the 'Gundam' statue is almost finished, and it's scheduled to be unveiled to the public in October 2020.