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Wonder Festival Summer 2013 – An Awe-inspiring Exposition for Figures, Cosplay and More
posted on by Lynzee Loveridge
Kaiyodo's Wonder Festival is held twice a year and has become an institution for the Japanese independent figure artist scene. The possibility of getting a one-day license and being able to make and sell a figure of your favorite anime or TV show monster is one of the show's attractions. It is also become a major showcase for the Japanese cosplay scene and an exposition for upcoming merchandise.
Good Smile company had a massive Attack on Titan head dominating their booth. They also had Titan themed bento for sale.
Next to the Good Smile booth was a large display of sculptures by world-famous pop artist Murakami Takashi. Murakami himself was giving a series of lectures at a small stage nearby while booth girls handed out paper craft versions of Murakami's latest creation.
Licensing powerhouse, Medicom Toy's booth had an impressive display of its ever-expanding line of Japanese soft vinyl (Sofubi) toys. In addition to classic Japanese properties like Kamen Rider and Tiger Mask, there were prototypes of new Batman and Joker Japanese style vinyl toys.
Assembleborg is a figure building system created by manga artist Yasuhiro Nightow and produced by Kaiyodo. The building function is the basis for the popular Revoltech line.
Historically Wonder Festival was a showcase for garage kits; independently produced figures cast in resin and sold unpainted. In addition to one day license figures, there is an incredible array of original creations with amazing paint applications. A squid man, a giant insect creature, dragons, and strange zombies are just a small sample of some of thousands of works on display.
In the 1980s, rubber erasers shaped like the characters from Kinnikuman were all the rage with kids the world over. Now, a new trend to create original rubber figures is taking hold. Shamrock Arrow made rubber figures based on the 1970s wrestling superhero AsteKaizer. Booth mate Nerd One created original rubber creatures that come in a soft vinyl oil drum, combining two different mediums in an original way.
Many artists had works on display that were impressively large. Working exoskeletons, live size robots, and incredibly realistic Godzilla puppets all made an impression at the show.
In the last decade, Japanese-made soft vinyl (sofubi) has become the medium of choice for independent figure designers to create both nostalgic and original figures. The colorful vinyl babies are by Warashi – an artist from Osaka who has started creating soft vinyl figures at his home instead of using a factory. Comet Debris makes cute kappa and robot figures reminiscent of old advertising mascots. Kaiju Ken and Kaiju Shojo make new versions of classic 70s superheroes. The giant two-headed gorilla figure is by MISHKA, the popular Brooklyn-based street fashion brand. Mr. Ishizuki, president of Bullmark – the company that started making soft vinyl version of Godzilla and Ultraman Kaiju way back in 1960s – is shown here with a new jumbo version of Red Man.
A gigantic pool displayed water-centric figures.
Huge Attack on Titan rubber masks are on sale now for 5,500 yen (about US$56).
Girls und Panzer Anglerfish Team cycling jersey and bicycle
The Idolm@ster cycling jersey and bicycle
Max Factory's Attack on Titan Colossal Titan figma
Max Factory's Mikasa Ackerman and Eren Jaeger figmas from Attack on Titan
Good Smile Racing had a Lamborghini Countach for visitors to sit in.
Full-size plastic models of the German Wiesel 2 armored vehicle and the Type 95 Ha-Go, a light tank from the former Japanese army, were on display.
Tachikoma earphone jack mascot
Otaku diorama sets (romance, Matrix, and army) 1,500 yen (US$15) each
Museum-quality Pacific Bluefin tuna model can be disassembled in 12 places, and comes with several display stands. 29,400 yen (US$297).
The Obitsu 150, a life-sized doll with 53 points of movement.
Tarukaze motorized bicycle by Ninja Theory, 3,500 yen (US$35)
ParalymZaborger, 17,000 yen (US$172).
Junko Enoshima (Super Danganronpa 2) garage kit
Girls und Panzer tank
Canon Daiba God Eater Burst
Calne Ca (Hatsune Miku)
Danboard (Yotsuba!)
1/12-scale 3D printer 2,000 yen (US$20)
1/1-scale Exoskull Zero Replica Series Vol.002
ASUKA-MPL-96 (Patlabor)
Links:
GSC, Max Factory, Kotobukiya Tease New Attack on Titan Figures
Life-Size Paper Votoms Robot Figure Unveiled at Wonder Fest
Life-Size Dio and Jotaro Kujo Statues Displayed at Wonder Fest
Rideable Kuratas Robot Mecha Unveiled at Wonder Festival
Max Factory Showcases Figures at Wonder Festival
Good Smile Company Figures Revealed at Wonder Festival
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