On the 30th of June, a very unusual challenge was issued. A US company called MegaBots released a video challenging a Japanese company to a 'giant robot duel'.

In a video loaded with tongue-in-cheek patriotic imagery, the American team said "we have a giant robot, you have a giant robot. You know what needs to happen." The message was directed at Suidobashi Heavy Industry, who MegaBots acknowledge 'beat them to the punch' in building a very large robot.

"It really came out of nowhere, so it's interesting, I'll give them that," said Kogoro Kurata of Suidobashi in a video response to the US challenge.

"But my reaction? Come on guys, make it cooler. Just building something huge and sticking guns on it. It's Super American," he added, explaining that giant robots are a significant part of Japanese culture.

At the end of the video, a simple message flashes on screen: "We Accept" in English. 

The Japanese team's only condition is that "melee combat be a part of the fight." But they stress that if the MegaBots organise the duel, they will be there.

MegaBot's Mark 2 prototype - piloted by two people - is set to take on Suidobashi's one man Kuratas. The former is equipped with paint cannon balls, while the Japanese robot has a pair of 'BB Gatling' cannons.

The two companies are going to take a year to get their robots 'combat ready' - so the world will have to wait a little long for it's first proper giant robot duel.

You can see the original challenge video below: