Aoshima's search for the best solution from "anime" to "model" in the plastic modeling of "Mirai Shonen Conan" [Hobby Industry Inside Vol. 52

Aoshima Bunka Kyozai Co. has been vigorously developing plastic models of "Conan: Future Boy" (directed by Hayao Miyazaki), an anime work that was first broadcast on NHK in 1978 and is still highly regarded today. First, "Aerial Fortress Gigant" was released in 2013, followed by "Falco," "Barracuda," and "Flying Machine I & II," with "Robonoid Captain Dice Version" to be released later this month and "Robonoid Conan Version" in December, marking the end of the series.
However, it took a great deal of effort to incorporate the spontaneous lines and soft-touch mechanics of the animated models into an industrial plastic model product, according to Hidemi Iizuka, who was in charge of development. We interviewed Mr. Hidemi Iizuka (Development Division, Aoshima Bunka Kyozai Co., Ltd.), who is in charge of development.

Why did it take a year to launch Gigant? ......

──We previously talked to Mr. Iizuka about the plastic model of the 1/24 Asrada G.S.X from "Neon Genesis GPX Cyber Formula", didn't we?

Iizuka: Yes, we wanted to make a plastic model of the Aslada G.S.X., incorporating the latest technology and looking like a real car, in response to the sales of the "Cyber Formula" kits that we had released in the past. The G.S.X. kit was so well received that we are now developing a Super Asrada with the taste of an F1 car.

─ ─ Apart from "Cyber Formula," what other character kits have you been involved in the planning and development of?

Iizuka: I was in charge of "Thunderbirds" and "Megazone 23" in the plastic model business, the Nautilus from "Nadia of the Secret Garden" and the Arcadia from "Space Pirate Captain Harlock" in the finished model New Century Alloy series, and the Maser Killing Beast Ray Car and Todoroki Tengo in Toho Mechanic. Later, I went back to the plastic model business and put myself in charge of the Gigant, the aerial fortress from "Future Boy Conan. I bought a lot of old mooks and found an illustration drawn by Yuji Kaida, and at first I intended to make a model of that illustration. However, the shape of Mr. Kaida's drawing was completely different from the one in the anime play. Therefore, after presenting the mock-up once at a hobby show, we had to reshape it from scratch. Since Gikant has been available as a garage kit for a long time, it was easy to accept the idea of making a model of it, but the shape was difficult to grasp.


─ ─ Bandai also released small plastic models for 100 yen (four types: Gigant, Falco, Robonoid, and Barracuda).

Iizuka: Yes, the person in charge at the other company said with regret, "Aoshima has renewed the Gigant. One good thing about the development of Gigant was the introduction of laser processing machines, which made it possible to engrave the threads not in a V shape but in a concave shape. Another good thing was the availability of cheap neodymium magnets, which made it possible to remove the vertical tail fin and jet jets. I had been in charge of mini 4WD parts in the past and knew the power of neodymium magnets, so I was absolutely certain that the Gigant would come with neodymium magnets. However, it took us about a year to develop the Gigant because we had to fundamentally rethink the proportions and details while listening to the opinions of fans. Also, at the time of the initial planning, we planned to only make a plastic model of the Gigant and be done with it. Thanks to our hard work, the Gigant sold well, and the "Conan" series continued.

─ ─ The following year, you continued with the Falco and the Barracuda. The Falco is an aircraft, so the 1/72 scale makes sense, but why the 1/200 scale for the Barracuda?

Iizuka: I had worked on British ships for the 1/700 Waterline series, and I was familiar with the sailing ship models made by IMAI, so I wanted to add a touch of sailing ship modeling to the Barracuda. 1/200 is the standard scale for sailing ships and warships. We aimed for a model ship feel by offering a choice between ocean-going and full-hull specifications. The scale was also chosen with an emphasis on the size of the model when it is completed as a model.