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In addition to Wataru Arakawa, the director of Drossel's "Interview Articles", the main character of Disney Japan's 3DCG animation work "Fireball", and Hitoshi Fukuchi, who was in charge of character design, "CHOGOKIN Fireball Drossel". We asked Ueda, the product manager who worked on ”, to talk about it.
Development concept of Drossel in Arakawa said, Fukuchi said the design work, and the Ueda asked for product development. The birth of Drossel, and along with the circumstances leading up to the commercialization, we will see each of attention.

[Birth ~ ~ concept of Drossel]

■ appointment of Fukuchi Mr.

In the CF of and PV production experience, something I will relationship with CG designers were many, if you produce a video that was a motif robot towards the Japanese market, which is to be replaced in the final 3D model example even it was,Appointment of the mechanical designer, which is active in the latest Japanese anime is requiredI think.
So, is my good friend, is a good teacherSeiji Mizushima Mr.(Director of "Mobile Suit Gundam 00"), he introduced me to Mr. Fukuchi. At a yakiniku restaurant near Ginza Cinepathos in Tokyo, I explained the plan to Mr. Mizushima. I pointed to
The fingertips, as if the people who point at the sky in "Close Encounters of the Third Kind"It had been full of confidenceBecause, did not have to consider alternatives other than Mr. Fukuchi.

■ Design Concept

 More inorganic visualTo,More human personalityTo give it, because I have thought that it is important proposition as a comedy, rather than a design personality expressed only in a still image has been completed, as of droids, for example, "Star Wars", looks even the somewhat surly,To win movement, for the first time warmth by talkI asked in the balance like.

However, I had arrived in my hand after a several times of exchange is,As of industrial productsIn, yet, at the same timeFeminine lineThe is was amazing design drawings that won also.
In addition, so-called"Twin tail" shapeBut was the offer from me, the other various units, rather than the additional parts,Whole of replacement hair partsThe idea of ​​representation in, the stores as determined in a meeting with Fukuchi's at an early stage.
To express a variety of hair styles in gadgetsThat, this idea that was not born in me alone, as you know, has become an important factor that determines the subsequent Drossel.

■ CG and three-dimensional

Modeling data

Based on the setting screen, a more actual screen layoutSilhouette to function effectivelyA, is a CG directorMr. Masayuki WatanabeWas Yuki explore with. Among the large screen configuration of a long shot, big hair parts and symbolic furtherDivergent silhouetteIs it seemed necessary.
このPicture making was a long shot as the mainIt is given, and the need which must be Itadakanai to grasp the whole body image of a character in a short period of time short because of that,Directing to express the "between" of comedyThe meaning of the above,
Or in the tool called CG, but is due to the technical problems that are suitable for the big move that contains the whole body than the up-shot, as a result, the side is emphasized, such as character as a small presence Nestled in 3D space Yuki is, by the time the animation production is completed, even in my own, I desire had been born that I want to hold the three-dimensional have been Drossel in this hand.

[~ In response to the intention of development - director of design]

■ character design

Drossel setting screen

Initially at the request of only 2 duty of the pilot, was only two bodies in the main. By that rush for the presentation,The basic design about 10 daysIt is doing in.
Since the time of the order had no age setting, first draft isLife-size close to "Mickey Mouse"And it had drawn in, where from supervision"About 14-year-old."We got the desire.
The reality of human beings of 14-year-old does not have much different from adults in physical, but it does not seem to children when it is reproduced in the robot, it was avoided glamorous line in the front side.
Instead,A little feminine line in the shoulder blade of the back and hip lineAlso put. In addition, in the direction of the "slightly cheeky", I think that probably there is also some action, skirt was stopped.

■ Option Parts

Opuruchefu setting screen

Belinda setting screen

Option every time,Direction and the required function from supervisionIt has been shown,
It finished in one to two times of the exchange.
Since it was an order ordered according to the progress of the contest, I could not grasp the comedy range yet at the time of Obruchev, so I will confirm whether the wings physically fit or whether it is a reasonably sized "cartoon" size. I did.

However, even in the structure that will fit on the image, commercialization in the time not in the field of view, such as the thickness of the blade is very thin, in the direction of product design I think that over a period of hardships.
As a personal preoccupation, for the sake of unity of character,To follow the sure tails every timeWe have to thing. So, ponytail specific option is not intended.Sway of Belinda of ribbonI also like.

■ Design Work

Again (of the mechanical design that has worked until now) the largest difference,Robot that was the girl in the motifIn earnestFor the first time to designIt is that it was. Goddess ones, but I had it painted, the girl from a little different. On the other hand, that the fist is large or, is such as swelling of the instep of the foot, it is a part configuration that continue like from the usual.

In addition, Gedehitonisu and schadenfreude is, because it is a robot, which is also somewhat retro part, it is close to the direction you are drawn by love from the old days. Butler of the eyelids and small arms, such as chimney and rotating lights, and Could be incorporated into the acting and the story of Sakuchu, there was a proposed Kai. The structure of the monkey of the limbs is also the same. Chairs are also summarized in your favorite line.

[Three-dimensional ~ CHOGOKIN Fireball Drossel ~]

■ History of commercialization

Shortly after program of on-air is started, the time there was no talk of commercialization also still from anywhere,"I have this interesting character!"It is the first place of the opportunity you have and attention.

The characters in "Fireball" are also in line with ver. A.N.I.M.E., such as the joint structure and equipment exchanges, and we wanted them to be made into products.The intent of the creatorIt was the work also comes through. Above all Drossel is, there are a lot of different charming gestures and poses to this until the CG animation and movement of the robot animation, I felt a great attraction to be commercialized incorporate these.

From there, we proposed at the idea meeting in the planning team and decided to promote the project as a product in the CHOGOKIN category while coordinating with Disney Japan.

■ Product Development

On the basis of the 3D data for the animation that I received from Disney Japan like, the size of that 18 centimetersAppearance of when it becomes to figureAnd, it has been shaped by the addition of adjustment in terms of dropping of as a product of mass products.

Also, to be able to reproduce the typical pose such as those found in the main visualNew joint mechanism tailored to DrosselBut is designed, aimed that can pose even in the arms and legs using metal parts. Also with respect to photos taken as a package or promotion,Other commodity and moreTo have stuck.

■ CHOGOKIN unique charm

This scene also this pose! Also features of this situation! AnyCrunchy texture unique to CHOGOKINIn a place that can be reproduced is a big point. But was over a long period of time from the planning started,Bandai unique commitmentIt was aimed at the culmination of Drossel incorporating.
All means for the hand, please feel its charm.

CHOGOKIN
Fireball Drossel


Price: 8,400 yen(tax included)
Release Date: February 27, 2010
Target: 15-year-old -


Product Details page, click here

 

[ CHOGOKIN ] This die-cast robot toy series started with the huge hit "CHOGOKIN MAZINGER Z" released in 1974. In addition to the weight, shine, and presence that the die-cast material gives it, it also comes equipped with numerous ver. A.N.I.M.E. such as launch, combination, and transformation. Its concept, design, and action gave birth to the "CHOGOKIN" toy category. A pioneering toy series.