Interview with Takanori Aki (Good Smile Company), Planner of “Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet” 4/4

Nendoroid Amy’s charm

Ishikawa: Well then, I was about to ask you about the highlights of Gargantia, but since you went through all the efforts to make Nendoroid Amy and you gave advice regarding the design, I’d like you to tell us about the highlights of Nendoroid Amy.

Aki: As Naruko’s images were already pretty deformed, I think they are the type of images that are hard to make even more deformed. Regarding this Amy figure, we didn’t prepare a Nendoroid illustration, so it is a Nendoroid very faithful to Naruko’s images. If you look at the molding of her face and how her eyes are drawn, rather than being strongly deformed, she looks like a child version of Naruko’s picture, it turned out a little Amy in a good way. The softness in Naruko’s pictures itself goes very well with Nendoroids. We did a good job, didn’t we?

Ishikawa: You mean the softness in Naruko’s original design?

Aki: This figure is a close reproduction of Naruko’s images.

Hirasawa: This time, Naruko was extremely elaborate, to the level of bags and other personal effects, poncho fastening pins, and hair clips. The information content is also well adjusted.

Aki: Yes. At present, they are very well-made, so we will have some troubles in the future, probably. Their eyes are big, and the way the highlights are put into their eyes are very characteristic. If we deform them like that, their eyes will have quite a scary color. However, if we arrange it nicely, they will turn into high-level Nendoroids. For instance, the blush on the cheeks, it’s also very strong in the anime. The characters are very figure-like in that aspect, too, so the degree of reproduction will probably be pretty high. We want to make Nendoroids that make good use of Naruko’s pictures.

Go, Amy!

Ishikawa: Lastly, there is something I’d like to definitely ask. About how many orders do you receive for Nendoroids?

Aki: A very straight question (laughs).

Ishikawa: Oh, was it too straight? I’m sorry.

Aki: I don’t mind. I think that among figures, the Nendoroid series sells pretty well. If it sells really well, maybe around 100,000 pieces?

Ishikawa: Like Hatsune Miku?

Aki: Miku is like that, too, but if it’s a Nendoroid from a hit anime, it is around 50,000 or 60,000. The pass line for a Nendoroid is about 20,000 pieces. 10,000 is so-so, 4,000 is disappointing.

Hirasawa: It is similar to anime DVDs.

Aki: Indeed.

Ishikawa: Anime DVDs...now that you mention it. You take that as a standard, look at the sales, and make a decision.

Aki: Whether we are going to make a Ledo figure?

Ishikawa: I can’t help thinking about that...

Aki: I see...well, if we make about 20,000 Amys, the chances of Ledo will grow considerably (laughs).

Ishikawa: Go, Amy!

Aki: The timing of the notification for a Nendoroid is very important, actually. If Amy is introduced with a timing reflecting her charms, everyone will be happy.

Ishikawa: I see. It is very rare to advertise the Nendoroids before the anime starts.

Aki: Yes. Relatively rare, and, above all, dangerous.

Ishikawa: Dangerous?

Aki: If the anime becomes a hit, the viewers will want the figures, and it is easy to make them think, “At last, they have been made into figures.” However, if you advertise the figures from the start, they will hold back a little, thinking, “Oh, so you want to sell it that badly?”

Ishikawa: That makes sense.

Aki: On the other hand, there is a fixed number of people who like figures. It is possible that if we tell them that we are releasing Gargantia Nendoroids, they might get into the mood of “I have to watch Gargantia.”

Ishikawa: Like reimportation.

Aki: We aren’t aiming for other countries, so this time, we announced it a bit earlier, aiming to convey a message also directed toward people who are interested in figures and plastic models that, “This is an enjoyable anime. Watch it soon.”

Ishikawa: Really? This time, not only could I hear about your work, but also about the charming side of Nendoroids and figures. I also want to enjoy them, and I’m looking forward to a Nendoroid Ledo. Thank you very much.

Gargantia x Tokyo Otaku Mode Special Site

Source: Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet Official Site

© Oceanus / Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet Production Committee