Shopping Guide
The Guardians from the TV anime Knights of Sidonia, which began airing in April, are becoming popular. The secret to their popularity is likely Tsutomu Nihei’s free use of edgy drawings and story as well as their transition to animation. Making this possible are the newest digital animation techniques used by production studio Polygon Pictures. Among these, what is worth special mention is that the anime holds onto the world of the manga while having 3D mecha.
It has now been decided that the figure of one such mecha, “Type-17 Guardian Shiratsuki Custom Tsugumori Animation Ver.,” will release in October. The Type-17 Guardian Shiratsuki Custom Tsugumori created by Toha Heavy Industries will be released by figure maker Kotobukiya. At approximately 200 millimeters in height (approx. 310 millimeters with boosters attached), this figure magnificently represents the main mecha from the series.
This is an item that anime fans, manga fans, and hobby fans won’t help but be drawn to. In charge of creating the prototype is Yuichi Kuwamura. The figure will cost 6,800 yen excluding tax. Kotobukiya has created a figure before of Type-17 Guardian Shiratsuki Custom Tsugumori. However, this was the manga version. This forthcoming anime version is designed after the version of Tsugumori in the anime and includes characteristics exclusive to it.
Knights of Sidonia tells the grand story of humanity 1,000 years after our solar system is destroyed by strange creatures called Gauna. A portion of humanity that fled the solar system now travels through space on the gigantic ship Sidonia, still fighting against the Gauna. Main character Nagate Tanikaze pilots a humanoid robot called a Guardian. Among these Guardians is an older model called the Type-17 Guardian Shiratsuki Custom Tsugumori which possesses prominent abilities that differ from the other Guardians.
The figure comes with the Higgs particle cannon head part, back booster, and foot anchors shown in the series. The Kabizashi spear includes a design that matches with its counterpart in the anime, as does the high-vibration blade arm part. On the other hand, an interesting aspect will be the development from here on of the show along with the Tsugumori’s transformation into quadruped mode that hasn’t been shown in the anime up till now.
Type-17 Guardian Shiratsuki Custom Tsugumori Animation Ver.
Size: approx. 200 mm in height (approx. 310 mm with boosters attached)
Price: 6,800 yen (excluding tax)
Release Date: October 2014
Prototype Sculptor: Yuichi Kuwamura
© Tsutomu Nihei, Kodansha Ltd. / Toha Heavy Industries Video Production Department
