The reservation deadline is approaching! Interview about the development of "Mechagodzilla", the first in the "Master Details Movie Monster Series" that challenged the limits of soft vinyl!

GODZILLA: Planet of the Monsters" (2017) and "GODZILLA: Crusade on Mobile City" (2018), which reinterpreted Japan's world-famous "Godzilla," the "King of the Monsters," in an unprecedented new way as an animated film, had a huge impact on Godzilla fans and many fans of science fiction animation. In this series, "Mechagodzilla" was created as a "Godzilla decisive weapon" with technology provided by the alien Birsaldo to defeat the giant monster Godzilla, which is raging on Earth.

Mechagodzilla has been depicted as Godzilla's ultimate rival, but in this animated film, a new setting of "nanometal," an autonomous thinking metal body, is added, and Mechagodzilla itself evolves beyond our imagination as the film progresses. The "Mechagodzilla" as a decisive battle weapon will be released as a soft vinyl figure by Bandai's Boys Division. The animated movie version of Mechagodzilla is the first in a new series, the "Master Details Movie Monster Series," which aims to further advance from the regular soft vinyl "Movie Monster Series" products.

The first product in the new Master Details Movie Monster Series was the animated movie version of Mechagodzilla, a product that transcended the conventional image of soft vinyl monsters and robots! We asked the toy development staff of Bandai's Boys Division about the secret story behind the development of this product, which was created with the enthusiasm to create a product that would transcend the conventional image of soft vinyl monsters and soft vinyl robots.

--First of all, what was your impression when you first saw the design drawing of the animated version of "Mechagodzilla"?

Development staff: When I first heard about Mechagodzilla, I had a strong image of "Kiryu" from the live-action movie "Godzilla x Mechagodzilla" (2002), so when I saw the drawing of the animated version, I had the impression that it was completely different. I thought the face would resemble the so-called "Godzilla," but it is completely different.

--What are the key points in terms of modeling that are unique to the anime version of Mechagodzilla?

Development Manager: We worked delicately on the movable parts. Mechagodzilla has a number of spike-like plate parts all over its body, so it was important not to interfere with them when bending its joints, and we were also careful not to change the original design by making it moveable.

--As you say, the number of parts is enormous, and at a glance, it looks more like a precision plastic model than a soft vinyl product.

Development Manager: This time, we wanted to make sure that the sharp parts of the parts were expressed as if they were sharp. In doing so, from a technical standpoint, we had to separate the parts to make it. I think the result is quite edgy for a soft vinyl product.

--Is this completely different from the target age range for regular soft vinyl products?

Development Manager Yes, it is. Normally, the target age is 3 years old or older. This time, we decided to launch a new series called "Master Details Movie Monsters," in which we will create high quality products completely targeting ages 15 and up.

--What points are you particular about in terms of the painting?

Development Manager As was discussed with the director, Mechagodzilla is supposed to be made of "nanometal," so we wondered what kind of color nanometal would be. What kind of color would nanometal be? The director had an image of "mercury," and we wanted to make a clear contrast of silver in this product. Also, the light leaking from inside Mechagodzilla's head is painted on, which makes it look like Mechagodzilla has "eyes," which is a design feature.

--What were some of the areas that Director Seshimo pointed out to you?

Development staff: Mechagodzilla has fingers on both arms, and I was asked to make them look like mechanical robot arms rather than human gloved hands.

--The number of parts and shape of the dorsal fins are also amazing, and I was surprised at the fine detailing throughout the body, which is indeed what we call master detailing. However, I think it must have been very difficult to create a prototype with such a high level of detail.

Development staff: We used wax to make the prototype, and even during the production process, we received careful checks from Director Seshita and Sculpting Director Mitsunori Katanori. The photo of the prototype shows various instructions, but I was particularly particular about the spines, which spread out radially to create a silhouette similar to an urchin when viewed from the front. I have an image of sea urchins with their spines pointing in all directions and never communicating with others, so I was asked to express this aspect of the sea urchin. Also, at first, the square detail on the tail was simply a combination of rectangles, but the director told me that it would not look like this in Birsaldo's philosophy, so I changed the angle and changed it to a trapezoid shape. As a developer, the face is the life of the doll, so I made a separate prototype for this part, and unlike the slash-molded body, the product uses a separate, more precise injection-molded part.

--What were your impressions when the prototype was completed?

Development Manager: They said they never thought this would be commercialized as a soft vinyl figure. When the prototype was completed, they were very happy, and we had a long talk about the world view of the "GODZILLA" animated series trilogy on the spot. I was very much impressed with his passion for the film. Both Director Seshita and Director Kataama understood what kind of product soft vinyl is, and they gave us detailed instructions while taking into account the characteristics of soft vinyl.

--What would you say are the main selling points of this "Mechagodzilla" product?

Development staff: Well, I would have to say ....... There are many (laughs), but first of all, the fact that we were able to incorporate such a detailed design into a soft vinyl product.

--Is there any character concept that you would like to work on for the "Master Details" series in the future?

Development Manager: As for monster characters like Mechagodzilla that we would like to work on with even more detail and paint than before, we would like to commercialize characters that can only be done with this series and that we can make the most of our particular attention to detail. First of all, we hope that many people will purchase the first "Mechagodzilla" and we would like to connect the series.

--Thank you very much!