What is it That Makes Figures so Amazing?

The blog has moved into its fifth year!
To be honest, I’m surprised I’ve managed to keep it going so long with a deadline of every single weekday! :P

At first I remember I kept making mistakes in reports and caused a load of problems to everyone involved, including all of you – the customers, but I think I’ve definitely managed to cute down on those kind of errors now! (Except in some cases… like figma #100… )

When I started working at GSC, I made one promise to myself:

I might be making less mistakes than before, but as I continue I often wonder if I’m forgetting something important. So today I’m going to be taking some pictures of my favorite figures, and thinking about what exactly is it that makes them so special. To all those waiting for more product reviews – just be a little more patient! More are coming soon! So let me start with my single best things about figures!

(ﾟ∀ﾟ) You can touch them!!

Yep, you can see and touch a figure from any angle you please!

Something you can’t ever do in manga, games or anime!

The 2D has become 3D and become a step closer to the real world – a piece of the world of fantasy we love and adore has made its way into our real world, where we can put it on our desks and enjoy their company whenever we like! Isn’t that alone incredible!?

The figures you see here are the figures that acted as a catalyst for me getting a job here at Good Smile Company – the Fate/stay night Trading Figures. I was always a fan of the fate series, but seeing Takeuchi’s illustrations jump to life as figures was an incredible shock to my system – I couldn’t believe how incredible they were.

Plus they were such amazing quality for just 500JPY!

At that time I was collecting all sorts of gachapon and trading figures, and often felt that some work on the coloring or sculpting was sub-par – but I figured it couldn’t be helped due to the price. But just around that time all sorts of gachapon figures started to reach a whole new level of quality. Above my monitor you can still see Kaiyodo’s Chii gachapon figure, or Yujin Figure’s Lilith – those figures were so incredible that I couldn’t believe how little they cost. I still think it was all thanks to Kaiyodo that I ever got into the world of figures, and for that I will be eternally grateful.

So then I sent off my CV to Good Smile! :D

I managed to reach the interviews for the job, and explained how impressed I was that Ilya’s coat could be removed leaving perfect sculpting behind to Aki and Akiyama.

You can put figures at any angle you like, and see them in ways you can never see from just illustrations!

It might make me sound a little crazy, but when I really like a series or character, I really seriously wish I could jump into their world. I can’t count the times I’ve heard friends that don’t understand saying things like “but it’s just a picture”, or “That’s just paper”.

But when I have figures, it’s like the world has come to my side – it’s like I’m in the same world as them, and can enjoy it so much more than just reading the manga or watching the anime. It’s a bit embarressing telling all my fellow workers at Good Smile all this, but I see it as a way of showing just how much I adore figures – they really are a part of my life!

(ﾟ∀ﾟ) Sculpting is the epitome of fine art!

Just look how beautiful figures come out!

As I said before, I really adore figures – but even if you didn’t hear my whole story behind why, I’m sure many people can understand just by looking at how stunning they are! Obviously they are all based on wonderful characters in the first place, but I really feel that figures themselves should be placed in a whole new artistic category.

Whilst they are based on an illustration, the figure version needs to be arranged in such a way that you can look at it from any angle and still have the correct proportions and look – it’s really a job that requires a lot of attention to detail, which explains why I see sculptors as having one of the most incredible jobs there is.

Some of my personal favorites are B★RS and Saber Lily!

Both of which are products sculpted by Good Smile’s wonderful sculptors! They really are so beautiful that I can’t help let out a sigh when I see them – this really is what I believe to be the work of top-notch sculptors!

As far as products I liked before joining Good Smile – I always loved Max Factory’s Jiburiru, I still have it displayed even now. That twisted body is such a wonder to look at!!

Changing the subject a little – moving on to my favorite sculptor, who at the moment is Chieri! No matter if it’s a luscious looking body, a really difficult pose or just a very nice natural look – Chieri always manages to get it all done perfectly. The cream of the crop! The figures done in bath scenes are – albeit a bit naughty – really incredible to look at…

Well, that was a quick blog looking at some of the wonders of figures and sculpting, but let me summarize it all up quick…

I absolutely love figures!!

 
 
I just wish I could pass on just how wonderful they are to more and more people – the one problem is I don’t want to seem like I’m constantly doing advertising and nothing else. :P

Of course there are others that also pass on the wonders of figures, and I won’t stop doing what I have been for the past five years!

I also wonder – what was it that got you into figures?
Send me a mail and let me know – I’d love to find out what started everyone’s love for figures!
 
 
Anyway, that’s all for today!
I hope to see you all again tomorrow!! (・∀・)ノ゛
 
 
(C)TYPE-MOON

(C)huke

(C)2002-2006 TYPE-MOON