Robot of legendary Japanese comic Beicho Katsura III goes on display next month

Beicho Katsura III is a legendary rakugo performer — a comedic form of Japanese art involving a single storyteller — and to celebrate his long career, an android built in his likeness will be on display in Japan next month. According to CNet, the $1 million robot, designed by Geminoid android creator Hiroshi Ishiguro and makeup artist Shinya Endo, is capable of realistic body movements with the help of air servos. While a first for Katsura, Ishiguro’s creations are experienced performers, with his Geminoid F taking to the stage with human actors in the play “Sayonara” in 2010, as reported by Mail Online. For a sample of what to expect at Sankei Hall Breeze in Osaka, Japan from August 1st through 9th, take a look at the comic alongside his android doppelganger.