Tetsujin, Unchi, Mashirito, and ...... assembled Caramel Man No. 1 (Bandai) from "Dr. Slump Arale-chan" to understand the chaos of the transition period of robot plastic models [80's B-Grade Anime Plastic Model Natural History] Vol. 11

It may be hard to believe, but in 1981-82, Bandai Models released a lot of plastic models of "Dr. Slump Arale-chan". The diorama of the Penguin Village and the vehicles were so large that it was almost unbelievable.
Not only were there kits based on the anime version that was broadcast in 1981, but there were even display models with completely fixed poses, and at the time, Gundam was booming, right?　　The "1/144 Ribugigo" was a kit that was so nostalgic that it could be taken as a parody of Gunpla, since it was boldly described as a "mobile suit" in the original manga. The "Caramel Man No. 1" featured in this issue is ...... well, it's "Tetsujin 28-go" no matter how you look at it.

▲ The kit seems to have been released in July 1982. Like the Rib Gigo, it has been re-released several times, so many of you may have picked it up. The instructions are printed as "2007," so the edition I got was 14 years old!

When Caramel Man No. 1 was released in July 1982, it was around the time when the 1/144 Aggai was on store shelves in Gundam plastic models, and the old Zaku was even released in 1/100, so it was about time to start feeling like they were running out of ideas. Bandai was also beginning to extend its hands to other character contents other than Gundam.
Let's take a look at the parts of Caramel Man No. 1. It is molded in three colors: blue, silver, and skin color.

▲ The rough chair looks like a chain coffee shop, and the power pipe is Gundam-style. Parts with different world views are lined up on the same runner without a hitch. Akira Toriyama's sense of style is interestingly incorporated into the plastic model. Unlike serious science fiction works, this is pop art.

▲ The blue runner is engraved with the large parts that make up the body, as well as the "Denchi" that is stored in the school bag on the back. These optional parts that don't become a nuisance later on are very welcome. Also, you can see the belt of the school bag, right?　It's a nice, organic shape, isn't it?

The most impressive part is the skin-colored runner!　Parts of Dr. Mashirito, Arale-chan, and Globe Dori, who is also a pilot, are collectively sculpted on this runner!　　Fixed pose bonus figures are what makes Bandai's "Dr. Slump" series so appealing!

▲ Here is a close-up of the skin-colored runner. It's amazing that Arale-chan's expression is complete with just the sculpture, assuming no stickers are used, but what are these poop x 2 pieces?　Are they "use it for your diorama" type items, like the infantry that comes with plastic tank models?

What do you think, folks?　In the world of Arale-chan, poop (written in hiragana in the instruction manual as "poop") is a character. Even though it is a plastic model of a robot, it comes with poop as a matter of course. It is absolutely impossible for plastic models of other anime to come with poop. When you see the poop parts, do you lose strength?　Or will you be motivated?　That's where your life will be divided, seriously. It's a tough plastic model.
Let's start from the next page!　Let's start assembling this robot with poop!

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