What is the Role of "Assembled Kits" Proposed by Figure Makers?　Interview with Hiroaki Tanaka (Good Smile Company) [Hobby Industry Inside Vol. 32

Good Smile Company, a figure maker known for its "Nendoroid" series, will release its first plastic model this spring. The first model, which is just about to go on sale, is a 1/150 scale kit of a Russian Soyuz rocket and a transport train. The second model is a kit of the super robot "Mazinkaiser," based on Go Nagai's original work.
The color-coded runner units and the elaborate specifications, some of which are pre-painted, may come as a surprise to many, but these kits were planned by Bandai's Hiroaki Tanaka, a former Bandai employee. The man who planned these kits was Hiroaki Tanaka from Bandai, who was involved in the launch of the "Super Miniplat" series. What exactly is the intention behind the "Good Sma plastic models" that have suddenly taken off?　We attempted to interview Mr. Tanaka.

Seeking plastic model-like products in the context of toys

─ I understand that you were in charge of kits such as the "Battle Mecha Zabungle" series and "Invincible Super Robot 3" for Super Mini-Pla at Bandai's Candy Division before moving to Good Smile Company (hereafter, GSC).

Tanaka: I was with Bandai for about 20 years, initially working in production engineering at a factory in the toy town of Tochigi Prefecture. After that, I worked for a long time in the Collector's Division, which made Chogokin Soul and other products, and for the last three years I was in charge of planning Super Mini Plas in the Candy Division.

─ When you were at Bandai, did you have a desire to plan plastic models?

Tanaka No, I myself joined Bandai because I wanted to make toys, and I had no particular opportunity to be enrolled in the Hobby Division, which develops plastic models. However, when I moved to the Candy Toy Division, I sensed the possibility of creating something new by combining technology based on toy development with the Shokugan model. The product that resulted was Super Miniplat.

─ When you moved to GSC, did they give you any instructions as to what kind of work they wanted you to do?

Tanaka No, if anything, I requested to be allowed to work on new projects on site. I thought that if I wanted to continue working as a planner and developer, I would have to renew the environment in which I was placed through my own efforts, or the next 20 years would be difficult.


─ ─ But GSC's sibling company, Max Factory, has a better career in plastic model development, doesn't it?　Why did you join GSC?

Tanaka: When I was at Bandai, I had worked with GSC on the Chogokin Hatsune Miku and other products, so I jumped in. I didn't particularly want to plan only plastic models, but I wanted to challenge various products as a graduate of the field.

───The first GSC plastic model product, the "1/150 scale Soyuz rocket + transport train," was planned by Mr. Tanaka, wasn't it?

Tanaka: When I was at Bandai, I was involved in the planning of the "Apollo 11 & Saturn V Rocket" for the "Otona no Chogokin" series, so the Soyuz rocket, which is a rival model, was a motif I had wanted to try for some time. Although I had hoped to join GSC, I am not a fan of bishojo (pretty girl) figures or deformed figures. Naturally, when I told people that I wanted to make a plastic model of the Soyuz rocket, their first reaction was, "What's this? (laugh). Fortunately, they said, "I don't know, but ...... looks interesting, so why don't you give it a try? I was very fortunate to have someone say, "I don't know, but looks interesting.

─ ─ The Soyuz rocket is a "color-coded runner-by-runner, snap-fit model that does not require any glue", right? Considering it as a scale model, doesn't that seem a bit different?

Tanaka: I know this is a self-centered way of thinking, but I put aside model-making etiquette and thought about what kind of plastic model I would like to have. I probably wouldn't paint a kit if it wasn't color-coded, and I probably wouldn't buy it if I couldn't paint it myself. If it is a kit that is supposed to be painted, I would probably leave it in the box. If I can be satisfied to a certain degree with the unassembled kit, I might paint it from there. I am not trying to say that this is the general consensus of users, but I am starting from the point of "I would be satisfied with this kind of specifications and this kind of price".