Asirpa Golden Kamuy - Nendoroid
The Golden Kamuy franchise first began as a manga series that was written and illustrated by Satoru Noda in 2014. Its story is set shortly after the Russo-Japanese War and focuses on the hunt for a hidden stash of Ainu gold. Overall, the series is known for its portrayal of the effects that war has on former soldiers, intriguing mysteries, and accurate representation of Ainu culture. The latter is shown mainly through one of its main characters, Asirpa, as she herself is Ainu. As the popularity of the series grew, manufacturers of merchandise began creating various types of products based on Golden Kamuy, with one of the more popular products being figures of its various characters. Asirpa is, of course, no exception to this and received several figures, including the "Nendoroid Golden Kamuy Asirpa" from Good Smile Company's Nendoroid line.
Nendoroid Golden Kamuy Asirpa
This figure of Asirpa has her wearing her traditional Ainu garb, which includes a purple kimono, a white robe with purple trim, a dark pair of leggings with deerskin boots, a fur mantle, and her iconic purple headband with traditional Ainu markings. In addition, the head, arms, and legs of this Asirpa figure are all articulated, which allows its owner to pose Asirpa in a variety of ways. Like many other Nendoroid figures, this set also includes many different interchangeable parts to give owners even more options when it comes to customizability. Such parts include five different face plates with emotions that range from happy, to serious, to humorous. Other accessories like extra hands, a pair of chopsticks, a bowl of food, and a spoon with a simmered otter head are also included as well.
Manufacturer: Good Smile Company
Sculptor: Shichibee
Specifications: Painted, articulated, non-scale ABS and PVC figure with optional parts and stand
Height (Approx.): 100mm | 3.9"
About Asirpa
Asirpa is a young Ainu woman and is the first companion that Sugimoto meets on his journey to find the lost stash of hidden Ainu gold.
About Asirpa: Background
Asirpa is the daughter of Riratte and Wiik, two Ainu individuals from a village in northern Japan. Shortly after she was born, Riratte, her mother, passed away from an illness, leaving Wiik to raise her on his own. That said, when Asirpa was still a child, Wiik went missing, leading Asirpa and many others to believe that he died. After her father's disappearance, Asirpa would never be the same, as she turned from a happy and playful young girl to someone who became cold and distant toward others. Growing up, Asirpa was also greatly influenced by the Ainu culture and ideals she was raised in. As such, she believes that nature and the animals that live in it need to be respected and that every prey she hunts is a gift. On the other hand, possibly due to being influenced by outside cultures, she sometimes breaks Ainu traditions.
About Asirpa: Abilities
While her father was alive, he trained Asirpa to be a hunter. As such, she is quite skilled in using a bow to attack prey. In addition, she is also well versed in the plants and animals that live in Hokkaido, how to hunt and trap game, and how to forage for food. She often carries a variety of equipment with her when traveling as well. Such examples include cooking equipment and supplies, a knife, snowshoes, and a deer whistle. Asirpa was also raised alongside a white Ezo wolf, which eventually became a close companion to Asirpa. This wolf was named Retar and often comes to Asirpa's aid when she is in danger. Retar is capable of fighting against creatures much larger than itself. Asirpa can also ask Retar to track scents when needed.
Other Important Golden Kamuy Characters
Two particularly notable characters from the Golden Kamuy series include Saichi Sugimoto and Hyakunosuke Ogata.
Saichi Sugimoto
Saichi Sugimoto is the main protagonist of Golden Kamuy and a former soldier who fought in the Russo-Japanese War. In his time as a soldier, he displayed nearly superhuman feats, such as surviving explosions, fighting bears, and defeating soldiers that were much more experienced than him. This eventually earned him the nickname, "Sugimoto the Immortal". Like such a nickname would suggest, Sugimoto appears rough and intimidating at first glance. In reality, however, he is a rather sympathetic individual who is quick to forgive others.
At the beginning of Golden Kamuy, he comes across a drunkard who tells him of a story involving the idea of a stash of gold hidden away that could only be found with a map that was spread among various different prisoners from Abashiri Prison. Sugimoto would later find the man dead after he was attacked by a bear and discovers that he was one of the prisoners mentioned in the story, leading to Sugimoto joining the hunt for the hidden hoard of gold.
Hyakunosuke Ogata
Hyakunosuke Ogata is an incredibly skilled sniper and formerly from the 7th Division of the Imperial Japanese Army, one of the main antagonistic forces in the series. He was born into a family that had been involved in the Army for three generations, resulting in Ogata being trained in marksmanship from a young age. Ogata is often portrayed as a cold, emotionless, and logical individual who can always keep calm no matter the situation. In addition, he is also very proud of his own abilities and greatly dislikes when others doubt him, leading him to do things outside of his comfort zone when challenged.
Links
Nendoroid Golden Kamuy Asirpa
Hyakunosuke Ogata Golden Kamuy - Nendoroid
Golden Kamuy Label
Nendoroid Label
Good Smile Company Label