If giant robots excite you, then you will know Gundam — a name that has become synonymous with the sci-fi mecha genre.

"Mobile Suit Gundam" premiered on TV in 1979, and since then has been adapted into countless sequels and spinoffs. It remains popular to this day, finding commercial success and influencing popular culture all over the world. In celebration of the animation's 35th anniversary, Osaka Culturarium at Tempozan, Osaka, presents "Mobile Suit Gundam: The Art of Gundam," a tribute to the show's timeless and fascinating universe.

At the exhibition, visitors can enjoy the newest film in the "Gundam" series in a special theatre modeled on the main deck of the Earth Federation warship White Base. Also on display are more than 1,000 items used in production, some of which are being shown to the public for the first time, such as notes written by series creator and director Yoshiyuki Tomino, as well as background art, art boards and original illustrations by art director Mitsuki Nakamura, animation director Yoshikazu Yasuhiko, mechanical designer Kunio Okawara and others. Visitors can also preview highlights from the most recent "Gundam" production before it goes public.

The exhibition will be expanded upon and held in Tokyo next year at the Mori Arts Center Gallery in Roppongi Hills, so if you can't make it to Osaka, mark your calendars for July 18 to Sept. 27, 2015.

"Mobile Suit Gundam Exhibition: The Art of Gundam" at Osaka Culturarium at Tempozan, Minato Ward, in Osaka runs from July 12 to Aug. 3; open daily 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Admission is ¥2,000 for adults and ¥1,500 for children. For online ticket sales and more information, visit www.gundam-ten.jp/en/ (English/Japanese).