Kenji Kamiyama × Dr Monroe × TOM Collaborative Products to Be Released to the World! [2/2]

Click here to read the first part of this interview.

TOM: When talking to director Kamiyama in the actual production stage, what impression did he make on you?
Ito: When we first met, I felt that although he is quiet, he harbors something fiery inside. When we met again at the design discussion, he talked in a very systematic way, but it still made people feel that he is very determined, that there is something hot at his core.

TOM: The motif used this time, the Angel’s Fossil which is also described in 009 Re:Cyborg, is depicted as a being that transcends religion and ideology. What did you think about it at first?
Ito: Since the Angel’s Fossil is not related to any specific religion, I thought it was very interesting.

TOM: The plan was that director Kamiyama would draw an illustration of the Angel’s Fossil and you would create it. How did the process actually go?
Ito: First, we imported the illustration we received from director Kamiyama into the 3D software we use at Dr Monroe. Then, we designed it as 3D accessories.

TOM: So these accessories were also designed in 3D. Now, when you create accessories similar to these, is using 3D software very common?
Ito: Yes, in the accessory industry, using 3D software is very common. At Dr Monroe, we use a software called Rhinoceros. After all, in some sense, using 3D software for making a 3D design out of a 2D picture is very important.

TOM: Which parts were difficult in the actual design stage?
Ito: The wings of the Angel’s Fossil. It was extremely difficult to express the fragmented state as a fossil in 3D.

TOM: Were there any parts that director Kamiyama was particular about?
Ito: Of course, he was particular about the nuances in the Fossil’s wings, but he put more importance on its balance as a whole. It felt as if he was looking over our shoulders the entire time.

TOM: You have a wide range of variations: three models of the ring, bangle, leather bracelet, and choker. Did you plan to make such a wide selection right from the start?
Ito: When we decided to make merchandise, we wanted to establish the Angel’s Fossil as an icon. If we did that though, it would be difficult to approach not only men but women and various age groups of consumers with just one model. We made many variations based on that consideration, not because we simply wanted to spread out our merchandise.

TOM: This time, your collaboration with director Kamiyama was realized. In the future, do you plan on actively collaborating with creators of other genres?
Ito: I think the reason our collaboration with director Kamiyama was realized is that we understood each other; we were in synch. And precisely because of that mutual understanding, this collaboration is a catalyst for working with other artists and creators of other genres. I don’t want to participate in a collaboration just because it’s good for the business. I also talked about this with director Kamiyama. If it’s only a business relationship, the customers will see through it, and not only as Dr Monroe, but Dr Monroe fans or fans of director Kamiyama wouldn’t benefit from such a collaboration either. I think that the customers shouldn’t have any feeling of discomfort toward a collaboration.

TOM: The new collaboration models will not only be sold in Japan, but abroad as well. What does Dr Monroe want to set out to do in the world?
Ito: We, the makers, don’t really understand this, but people from overseas often say that Dr Monroe has very Japanese designs. In the ‘90s, there was a silver accessory boom in Japan, and even after that, various brands gradually polished their skills. I believe for that reason, the quality of Japanese accessory brands is pretty high even when compared to the rest of the world. I’m not sure how it will turn out, but if customers think Japanese silver accessories are interesting, we would like to expand, not only as Dr Monroe, but as the whole of the Japanese silver accessory industry. Being told that Dr Monroe’s designs are very Japanese still feels a bit weird, though (laughs sarcastically).

TOM: The motif of these new accessories, the Angel’s Fossil, as also discussed in 009 Re:Cyborg, is depicted as the voice of the gods that transcends the walls of religion and nations - a voice everyone is seeking to hear. It would be interesting if the expansion of these accessories into the world would give rise to people thinking about peace and spirituality.
Ito: Yes. It would be interesting if the Angel’s Fossil becomes an international icon.

Sales of the Dr Monroe × Kenji Kamiyama accessories will begin on July 1 on the Tokyo Otaku Mode Premium Shop!
http://otakumode.com/tag/KENJI_KAMIYAMA

This is a Tokyo Otaku Mode original article.
*This article was written by NOBUYUKI HAYASHI（slf）*