TORIDE, Ibaraki Prefecture--What will eventually be an 18-meter-tall, 25-ton replica of the robot hero Gundam took its first baby steps before media here.

“Let’s move it,” a member of the project team called out a little after 2 p.m. on March 3.

The Gundam's massive left leg shifted backward for 20 seconds, and the robot slowly raised its right arm.

The brief movements were the first since its steel frames were assembled.

The production of the full-size moving Gundam, whose exteriors are made of carbon resin, is under way to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the popular animated TV series “Mobile Suit Gundam.”

It is scheduled to open to the public in Yokohama in October.

The operational test took place at the ICI General Center of Maeda Corp., where the first-generation Gundam model, “RX-78,” has been under production.

“It moves quite well,” said a director who participated in the test. “I hope viewers will feel the real texture and power of the robot, not CG or virtual reality.”

The Gundam Global Challenge is leading the project to produce the colossal action figure.

Visitors can get an up-close view of the figure from a special observation deck 15 to 18 meters high when it goes on view to the public.

But no one is allowed to be aboard the Gundam when an operator is moving it.

The Gundam, which can also be operated by remote control, is being constructed to endure rain, wind and even an earthquake.

After completion, the Gundam is scheduled to be shown to the public at Yamashita Pier in Yokohama Port between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. from Oct. 1 through Oct. 3 next year.

Before its official opening, some programs are planned in July and August that will allow visitors to check it out from the observation deck.