text: You Can Buy A Solid Gold Cartoon Robot For $160,000
  One of Japan's most iconic robots has been immortalized in precious metal, and if you've got a spare 20 million yen ($160,000), you can buy it in the Tokyo district of Roppongi this July.
  This gleaming Gundam consists of 1,000 grams of solid gold. It's being displayed at "The Art Of Gundam" exhibit, along with its silver counterpart—a steal at 648,000 yen ($5,000). Bandai, a Japanese toy company, and Ginza Tanaka, the craftspeople behind several other pop culture jewelry creations, such as a $60k golden Godzilla, collaborated on the creation. Each model stands 125 millimeters high (5 inches) and weighs 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds).
  See also: 'The Art Of Gundam' Exhibit Showcases The Craftsmanship Behind The Series
  "Mobile Suit Gundam" is a Japanese animation show which premiered in 1979 and is now a world-renowned franchise. The most famous character is not human at all—it's an 18-meter manned combat system called Gundam. Since the franchise's launch 36 years ago, dozens of cartoon heroes have piloted ever-changing iterations of the Gundam. Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin is frequently listed on the New York Times bestseller list for manga in the United States Bandai, the company that owns Gundam, reported $600 million earnings for the franchise in 2014.
  Nowhere is Gundam more beloved than in its home country of Japan, where expensive commemorations of the cartoon are more common than you'd expect. In Tokyo, you can dine at a Gundam restaurant and sleep in a Gundam hotel room.
  Gallery: It's Gundam Time We Had A Gundam Gallery
  In 2009, a massive, 1:1 scale model of the original Gundam was erected in Shizuoka Prefecture. The statue was originally designed to be a short-lived attraction to lure summer vacationers and promote Tokyo's bid for the 2016 Olympic Games. However, the Gundam was so well loved (with one couple even getting married under it), it was eventually dismantled and reinstalled at a more permanent home in Odaiba, where fans make visits to this day.
  The gold and silver Gundams are not Ginza Tanaka's first foray into Gundam handicrafts. In 2007, the jewelers created a platinum model with a 0.15 carat diamond on its head. That model, which has an estimated price tag of $250,000, is not for sale.
  These metal models are among among the most lavish possible souvenirs to bring home from a Gundam pilgrimage, but with so much demand for demand for Gundam toys, exhibits, and experiences, it's realistic that this latest, shiniest iteration will sell well, too.