You can understand the future technology of the Valley of the Wind by assembling the plastic model "1/20 Maeve" made by Tsukuda Hobby and putting Nausicaa on it! The 17th issue of "80's B-Grade Anime Plastic Model Natural History

This month I pulled a plastic model of a very major character, "Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind," off the shelf. Bandai Spirits has released a color-coded snap-fit kit of almost the same size and pose, but since the series is titled "80s B-Grade Anime Plastic Models," it is a "1/20 Möwe" made by Tsukuda Hobby and released in 1984. The contents of this kit are also very suspicious, and the mood of the kit is not easy to understand.

Assembly instructions. The product name, "1/20 SCALE●Kaze-User (Nausicaa riding on Maeve)," is written on the box with no indication of any kind. The copyrights are marked by NIHONDA, Tokuma Shoten, and Hakuhodo. The box art uses the original comic, but it is clear that this is a plastic model of the anime version.

▲ However, if you look at the back of the instruction manual, you will see that the lineup includes "○ Druk soldiers," that is, soldiers of the Druk, which only appeared in the original comic. There is also "○ Yupa," and the row below that is just "○. It's a bit like they just wrote down everything they wanted as they thought of it, which makes me smile.

Looking at this lineup, one can't help but wonder, "Were the fans of the original work, who saw the anime adaptation as an opportunity, running wild while planning and developing the project?" I can't help but imagine. When I interviewed Mr. Shuichi Miyawaki of Kaiyodo for the "Hobby Japan Vintage" feature article, I learned that Kaiyodo was also cooperating with Tsukuda Hobby in the Nausicaa series. So, is this plastic model so garage-kit-like and handmade?

▲ I know you're probably wondering, so let's take a look at Nausicaa's face first: at 1/20th scale, it's the same scale as the "Mobile Suit Gundam" Chara Kore, which modeled Amuro and Seira. The figure looks a bit woozy, but the hair sticking out of the hat and other charm points are there.

Tet the fox squirrel, which is divided into two parts, is also sculpted with great warmth. Nausicaa's torso parts are also visible, and the broad shoulders and tight waist are characteristic of Hayao Miyazaki's heroines.

Nausicaa's thighs are different lengths on each side, probably for posing purposes. Incidentally, only the "Gunship" in this series is 1/72 scale, while the other three models, "Nausicaa Riding Kai," "King Bug and Nausicaa," and this "Maeve" are 1/20 scale. The three Nausicaa figures included in the kit are all different from each other in terms of facial features. The poses are also fixed, so you could say that they have exploded to a completely different dimension from today's fully movable plastic models of beautiful girls that can be customized by replacing the heads and arms and legs.
Oh, yes, we also need to take a look at the mechanical parts.

The main wings are molded in a light gray color. On the back side of the part, there is a mold running vertically. This is a marker that says, "If you want to fold the main wings, cut them by yourself from this line." ...... The specifications based on the premise of modification by users are hot!

▲ The internal engine, like the Nausicaa, is molded with a rich handmade feel. To make this engine visible from the outside, you have to hollow out the fuselage yourself (laugh). But modifications and painting were commonplace for plastic modeling boys in the 80's, and this is fine ...... maybe!

If you have a "Maeve and Nausicaa" remade by Bandai Spirits with the latest technology on hand, compare it to this one made by Tsukuda Hobby. Although they are almost the same size, the mold of the Tsukuda-made one is sloppy and looks like Jomon-style earthenware. Can you really assemble such a plastic model that looks like a newly excavated ruin?
When I assembled the Tsukuda-made "Ogu and Nausicaa" at the time of its release, it was so difficult that I had to fill in the gaps with epoxy putty, almost like a garage kit. ...... So, I am very afraid that I will not be able to build it properly, but I will try to assemble 1/20 "Maeve" this year end.

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