Most of the events and promotions organized by energy drink maker Red Bull are thoroughly in the “XTREME” category. As a matter of fact, sometimes the names of the events are so intense that we have only the vaguest idea of what happens in them, such as the Red Bull Rampage, Red Bull King of the Rock Tournament, and Red Bull Cape Fear.
However, Red Bull has a bit of a playful, silly side to it too, as shown in a contest it sponsors in which entrants launch their home-made flying machines from a pier and see who can travel the farthest distance before hitting the water. But even then, Red Bull can’t help but do things in the most XTREME way possible, and in the competition’s latest iteration, held in Japan, they killed giant anime robot Gundam.
The name of the event is the Red Bull Flugtag, which means “flight day” or “airshow” in German. It’s not so much a showcase of cutting-edge aeronautical and acrobatics, though, as it is a showcase for daredevil tinkerers who are focused more on laughs than significant flight capability.
Red Bull’s most recent Flugtag took place last weekend in Kobe, specifically on the water of the city’s harbor. A crowd of roughly 20,000 spectators showed up to watch entrants leap off the platform, with contestants sitting in gliders and clinging to a large bunch of balloons in the mix.
続々と発射っ! #フルーグタグ
— レッドブル ジャパン🇯🇵 (@redbulljapan) October 31, 2015
ニコ生配信はこちら>> https://t.co/xMGgMMiYxw pic.twitter.com/lKBmdgFJrd
Regulations for the flying machines vary from Flugtag to Flugtag, and we’re not sure what the exact rules were for the Kobe event. Apparently giant robots were A-OK, though, because one team showed up with a large-scale replica of Gundam, anime’s most storied and respected mecha.
“But wait,” you anime-savvy RocketNews24 readers are no doubt saying, “Gundam can’t fly!”
Exactly.
【シュール】2万人を集めたレッドブル・フルーグタグ。全国から選ばれたチームが次々と神戸港に飛び立っていく(?)様子をまとめた映像を公開しました>> https://t.co/CNsE8snspn #フルーグタグ pic.twitter.com/eGqxS3rxql
— レッドブル ジャパン🇯🇵 (@redbulljapan) November 2, 2015
After being pushed what appears to be a team of saboteurs from the Principality of Zeon, Gundam toppled gracelessly into the sea, striking the water in a painful-looking two-stage belly flop that proves no, in reality, Red Bull does not give you wings.
ガンダム、飛距離40cm #フルーグタグ pic.twitter.com/5giupLTMH7
— レッドブル ジャパン🇯🇵 (@redbulljapan) October 31, 2015
Sadly, the mobile suit does not appear to have been outfitted with the C-Armor package, RX-79 series waterproofing, or any other optional equipment to help it function in the marine environment, as after completing its “flight” Gundam simply did the dead mecha’s float. Thankfully, the Flugtag looks to be a fan-made model, and is not the 1:1-scale Gundam statue that guards Tokyo’s Odaiba. As such, Japan’s capital is still under the mecha’s protection, at least until someone decides to enter it in Red Bull’s Cliff Diving World Series.
Source: Twitter/@redbulljapan

Japanese rickshaw drivers turn into athletes for an unforgettable Red Bull showdown
“The hell with sound judgement” says Red Bull in ad, but Japanese people don’t seem to agree
Nike’s new anime mecha sneakers look Gundam awesome【Video, photos】
Gundam’s crotch isn’t pleasing fans with its insufficient fan service in new video game【Video】
Tokyo’s new Gundam statue stands tall as torso and head are mounted【Video, photos】
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Japanese government says country needs more women’s room toilets to meet modern society’s needs
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Japanese man drives truck that’s on fire directly to fire station, drops flaming potatoes[Videos]
Pizza Hut Japan’s new ie-kei ramen pizza is here and weird, but is it tasty too? [Taste test]
Are Japanese convenience store sandwiches scamming us with their fillings?
7-Eleven Japan’s giant fried chicken skewer would be too big to eat, so it’s really for cuddling
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan opens new cafe and art gallery in top Tokyo tourist neighbourhood
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Komachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tokyo
The top 10 graduation songs in Japan as chosen by current Japanese high school students
Pizza Hut Japan teams up with creator of one of the country’s best kinds of ramen for ramen pizza
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases a new Cream Puff Frappuccino for a limited time
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Gundam and Reebok team up for new GQuuuuuuX Pumps【Photos】
Gundam as god – Photo shows real-life giant anime robot getting deep respect
Grand opening date announced for Japan’s new moving life-size Gundam anime robot
Japan’s life-size moving Gundam closes down, gets sent off in style with fireworks, drone art 【Video】
Woman fears dick pic when man suddenly sends picture of “his Gundam,” love story ensues instead
Japan’s new life-size Gundam statue, the biggest yet, is now standing tall, has head【Pics, vids】
McDonald’s Japan is selling Gundam burgers, endorsed by anime’s most charismatic antagonist【Vids】
Watch Ryu from Street Fighter unleash a shoryuken combo on a Red Bull can in epic stop motion
Star Wars stormtroopers don Gundam armor in fan’s awesome crossover models 【Videos/Photos】
Japan’s new life-size Gundam is complete and standing proud in Yokohama!【Photos/Video】
Call of Duty’s Gundam crossover looks really weird (if you can read Japanese)【Pics】【Update】