A new futuristic vessel 'Himiko' speeds in front of a backdrop of Tokyo's skyscrapers during a press preview March 19, 2004. The 114-ton silver metallic water-bus was designed by popular cartoon artist Leiji Matsumoto, with hopes to appeal to the younger generation, and is to start service in the Japanese capital on March 26. Himiko is designed to look like a spaceship, with tons of silver-metallic paint and gullwing doors.
The riverbuses that run between Tokyo's Asakusa and Odaiba are to get a new addition to the fleet in late March--a vessel designed by Matsumoto Reiji, the manga artist responsible for Uchuu Senkan Yamato (known in animated form as Star Blazers in the US) and Galaxy Express 999, among others.
As will be obvious from the photo, the 125-ton, 33 x 8 m Himiko is designed to look like a spaceship, with tons of silver-metallic paint and gullwing doors. It will accomodate up to 231 people. Will be running about five times a day; Y1,360 for adults and Y830 for children. via reuters and dottocomu
