PREMIUM BANDAI S.H.Figuarts OVERLAYDEKU" is now available for pre-order at Mr. Harada of Pinpoint, who has sculpted many "Hiroaka" figures in the past, was in charge of making the prototype movable. Mr. Harada, who knows action figures inside and out, talked a lot about the points he focuses on.

*The images in this article are of prototypes in the sculpting process and prototypes under development. They may differ from the actual product.
※2026/2/27更新：本記事の公開時に過去アイテムの紹介文・コメントが一部欠落していたため、内容の追加更新を行いました。

Points of evolution of the S.H.Figuarts" MY HERO ACADEMIA" series

--You have worked on many of the S.H.Figuarts Heroaca series up until now, but when you took charge of the movable mechanisms for the S.H.Figuarts OVERLAYDEKU series, were there any particular points that evolved from the previous series?

Harada:As for "S.H.Figuarts OVERLAYDEKU," it was almost the first time for us to make a prototype from another company movable, so we started by thinking about how to make it movable.
When we create a prototype from scratch, it's common to incorporate movement to a certain extent from the beginning and refine the form and movement in parallel, but this time we first struggled with how to add to the finished form.
As I spent a lot of time creating this figure, I had to think carefully about how to add joints without taking away from the appeal of the prototype that WATANABE×REN had worked so hard to create, and I started by reviewing my method.

Harada:Especially around the shoulders, when it comes to movement on a naked body, there are some fairly orthodox parts configurations, but if you follow those configurations, the shape of the original ends up changing quite a bit. I didn't want the line from the pectoral muscles to the shoulders to be lost due to movement, so I changed the structure of the shoulder joint quite a bit from previous versions. I decided on the axis position of the joint and the configuration of the parts, thinking about how to keep the outline as much as possible, while still allowing the same or even more movement than before.

Harada:I think that area will be the first point of evolution for "S.H.Figuarts OVERLAYDEKU".

Planning staff:Thank you very much. You have very carefully placed the joints along the lines of each muscle, so the body lines are so beautiful that they don't look like they're movable, but I think you've created the best movable figure possible! Even though we had some difficult requests, you packed in plenty of mechanisms that are so fun to play with, and I'm really grateful...

Harada:I think the key point this time was to have it move in a cool way while still maintaining its cool design.

Planning staff:Thank you. I actually played it and it moves really well.

Harada:Another point of evolution is the black whip. We spent a lot of time on the construction of the black whip, and although the joints themselves are a fairly conventional structure, we tried to make sure that when you move the joints, the "joints!" would not be visible in the outline.
When you first got the first report of "S.H.Figuarts OVERLAYDEKU", you were silhouetted with a shot of DecoMas, weren't you?
When I saw it, the black whip didn't look strangely interrupted, so I thought it was a success (laughs).

Planning staff:Thanks to the careful attention to detail you paid to these aspects during the photo shoot, there was no strange noise from the movable axis, and the photos turned out really cool, which I was very grateful for. Normally, you'd think that adding an inorganic ball joint to that rough, edgy design would make it look out of place, but you've taken the time to make the divisions and ball axis blend in so perfectly that they don't stand out when moved, both in normal and quiet action, and both quiet movements and dynamic action look cool, so I think this is a figure you can play with endlessly.

Harada:Yes, I was conscious of making it blend in well, so that even when it's bent neatly it still looks like it's connected smoothly.

Planning staff:At first glance, you wouldn't know it at all (laughs).

Harada:The aim was to make it so that at a glance you wouldn't realize there was a joint there.

Planning staff:Thank you. Harada's sculpts are always packed to the brim so that the movement is not noticeable at all.

Harada:It's something I try to be as conscious of as possible.

■ Key points of the movable structure

--Please tell us if there were any points you paid particular attention to when it came to the movable structure.

Harada:Is it a crouching pose, like crouching? This pose was the first order of Mr. Akiba. I told him that this would be the hardest part. To achieve this pose, we followed the first Deku (S.H.Figuarts IZUKU MIDORIYA) for the main part of the movable lower body, but that was not enough to reproduce this pose. So, I decided to add one more movable part to the shin.
This is quite effective, and it gives the illusion of a deep knee bend. Normally, it's strange for this part of the human body to move, but you still want this image, right?

Planning staff:Yes. This pose is normally achieved with the elasticity of flesh, and I know it would be difficult to achieve with a plastic action figure, but I really wanted this image for OVERLAYDEKU action figure.

Harada:It's the same with other characters. When you want to take a certain pose, you want just one more step, just one more movement, and these joints are just that little bit more.
They are not simply added to add depth to the action, but as a special touch to recreate unique scenes for each character.
I think it's also included in other characters. For example, "S.H.Figuarts KATSUKI BAKUGO" could be a shoulder.

Planning staff:That's right. It was difficult to make it move in a way that looked like it did in the movie, but Harada-san kindly provided some special movement.

Harada:Even if the shoulder position is a little off, when you want to create a more impressive drawing, you still want it. If you want a little more movement, you can achieve that by adding a joint to the shoulder.

Planning staff:Unlike live-action works, anime has a strong perspective in the drawings, so there are many very cool and impressive poses that are impossible to achieve in reality, so I often consult with him about such poses, and Harada-san always makes my crazy dreams come true... (laughs).
Also, even when it is not possible to maintain the body lines and the moving mechanism seems inhuman, they always adjust the divisions to achieve an exquisite balance so that there is no sense of discomfort when playing with the figure, and I am truly grateful for this.

Harada:I think that when customers see the original work or the anime, there are a lot of scenes that they want to recreate. In those cases, I think that when you're just one step away from achieving your goal, it can become stressful to play, so I always try to be careful not to let that happen.

Planning staff:Thank you very much. The first Deku (S.H.Figuarts IZUKU MIDORIYA) had a very nice range of motion, but in order to get the special pose of OVERLAYDEKU, I had to go one step further and make a special motion mechanism for OVERLAYDEKU. I think it was very difficult, but thank you very much...!

Harada:いえいえ、そういった作業も可動化作業の面白い所だと思っています。

Planning staff:Thank you!

Harada:これまでも、可動自体はたくさん作らせて貰っているので、その積み重ねみたいなところがあるんですよ。
元々他のシリーズの案件で、同様の事をやっていたっていうのが先にあったので。
「S.H.Figuarts 爆豪勝己」でいう所の前腕のコテの可動で、スライドとプラスしてボールジョイントを入れていますよね。これがちょっと動くだけで、上腕との干渉が絶妙に避けられて深く曲がるんです。

Planning staff:そうですね。爆豪の時も本当に何度も無理を叶えていただきました（笑）。

Harada:このスライドとボール関節の合わせ技みたいなところが、爆豪の腕の可動では決め手になっていたのですけど。そのボール可動の構造が、オーバーレイデクのスネ構造に反映されています。

Harada:今まで作ってきたものが、どんどんこう積み重ねになっていって。

Planning staff:そうですね、日々いろんな新しい可動を考案して頂いておりますね。

Harada:どんどん取り入れられて、どんどん進化していくみたいな感じですね。まさにワン・フォー・オールですよ（笑）。

Planning staff:本当にワン・フォー・オールですね（笑）。
ヒロアカは特に様々なキャラクター特有のポーズが多いので、いつも1から毎回新しい可動を考えて頂いて、相当ご負担をかけてしまっているなというのがあります。

Harada:ヒロアカは各キャラクターで衣装に共通点が少ないですから、関節の流用っていうのは難しいですよね。

Planning staff:割と他のキャラクターのジョイントをそのまま入れれば良いという訳でもなさそうな気がしています。

Harada:そうなんですよね。衣装ごとに削りたくないポイントがあるじゃないですか。
オーバーレイデクや普通のデクの場合、ふくらはぎのデザインは特徴的で、可動の為に削って損ねるのは避けたかったです。
足をただ深く曲げたいだけだったら、干渉する箇所を削ってしまえばいいという選択もあるんです。可動フィギュアでは、そういった物もの多くもありますよね。でももうすでに太もも側でも多少削ってはいるので、ここは譲りたくなかったんですね。そこでスネ側にもう一押し、可動箇所を設けて解決しようと決めました。

Planning staff:ありがとうございます。アクションフィギュアが大好きな原田さんだからこそ、ユーザーの気持ちを本当にわかってくださっていて、ありがたいです。

Harada:それこそ最初のデクの時はやはり、色々なフィギュアで遊んでいて、遊びやすいものや、いいなと思った所は、どんどん取り入れていった感じですね。
デクと轟は社外の原型師さん、まおーじさんにお願いしていまして、自分自身での作業は少なく、ディレクションがメインでした。関節の構成はデクに合わせて最適化して頂いて、現在の形になりました。

Planning staff:ありがとうございます。ワン・フォー・オールが繋がって、デクがさらに進化してく感じですね。

■腕、肩周り、足の可動などの拘りの点

――S.H.Figuartsヒロアカシリーズで、腕、肩周り、足の可動の構造でこだわった点などあれば教えてください。

Harada:最初のデクで言うと、拘って入れた部分が、前腕の可動です。ボールジョイントで、袖が回転しますよね。これはまおーじさんにお願いして追加で入れて貰っていた部分なのですが、袖と肘関節の可動する向きが常に一定だと、ポーズ取らせた時に硬い印象になってしまうんですよね。拳と連動した前腕の捻りを、袖の可動で表現できる様にしたかったんです。よりアグレッシブというか、こう勢いのあるポージングができるので、こういう所は拘って入れていた部分ではありますね。

Planning staff:そこが動くか動かないかで、だいぶその人間らしさというか。

Harada:I think this little detail will be the deciding factor when posing. The relative positions of these parts change depending on the situation in the movie. Although it's not related to the movement of the arms, shoulders, or legs, the pouches around the waist can also move. I try to be conscious of the idea that it's more fun to move parts that aren't related to the limbs as much as possible. Again, when posing, if the character is Jump, the position of this pouch will change.

Planning staff:I agree.

Harada:「S.H.Figuarts 轟焦凍」の腰のパーツとか、「S.H.Figuarts 爆豪勝己」の手榴弾もそうですよね。これは割と意識して可動する方向にしています。
S.H.Figuarts トガヒミコ」の制服のスカーフも動く様にしましたね。

Planning staff:はい、そうですね。

Harada:スカーフの付け根にボールジョイントを入れたのですが、ジャンプした瞬間にずっと垂れ下がっているのもおかしいかなと思いまして。細かい部分ですが、ちょっと動きを付けられるだけでポーズを取らせた時に豊かな絵作りができると、楽しいかなと思って入れていますね。
可動とは違う部分ですが、「S.H.Figuarts アーマード・オールマイト」は関節周辺のディテール密度を上げています。動かした時にチラッと見えるメカニカルなディテールで、他のキャラクターとは異なる充実感があるものになっています。ポージングの面白さとは別の、動かして楽しいフィギュアになっていると思います。

Planning staff:ありがとうございます。こういう所のちょっと、細かいところも動くんだって、弄っている時間がとても楽しいです。
そういう小さな拘りを毎回入れて頂いているのは、本当にありがたいと思っております。確かに動かせる所は全部動かせる様にして欲しいと、無理なご依頼をさせて頂いているのですけども。

Harada:そして劇中再現にも、一貫して拘っています。細かいものも可動する事で、ユーザーの皆様の想像力になるべく寄り添っていけるような、それぞれに思い描く大好きな瞬間を、手の中に迎えられるようなものであるといいなと。 それはアクションフィギュアだからこそ出来る事かなと。

Planning staff:ありがとうございます。いつも、商品企画を始める時に、このシーンは絶対に再現したいですっていうすごい量の資料をお送りしてしまって、いつも困らせてしまっているのですが…（笑）。

Harada:いえいえ（笑）。

Planning staff:すみません（笑）、ホントに、全部叶えて頂けるので。

Harada:すごい熱量の企画書がくるなぁって思って。すごいなぁって（笑）。

Planning staff:このポーズとこのポーズほぼ一緒だろみたいなポーズもちょっとありつつ…。

Harada:でも、ちょっとニュアンスが違うんですよね。そこの再現をどうするかっていうと、肩や肘や腕が単純に大きく動けばいいって訳じゃ無かったりするじゃないですか。
そういうところが再現できるフィギュアにしたいと思っています。やっぱりそれはユーザーの皆様も求めているところだと思うので。

Planning staff:そこはいつも原田さんが細かいニュアンスを解って下さるので。ありがとうございます。

Harada:そういうとこの積み重ねが、アクションフィギュアとしての完成度を高めるのかなぁと思いますね。

■Trial and error because of Deku's overlay state

- Were there any aspects of Deku's overlay state that you struggled to recreate?

Harada:Although it's not a direct moving part, the black whip is reproduced all over the body. Since the lines of the black whip all over the body need to be cut for movement, I was conscious of making sure they didn't break in any strange way.

Planning staff:Since it is stretched all over the body, I imagine it must have been very difficult to make, as any gaps in it to allow for movement would have ruined the design.

Harada:The rest would have to be the face and hair. It's actually quite difficult to maintain the original shape while allowing the neck to move, so that's something we paid a lot of attention to.

Planning staff:Thank you so much. You made it so that it points all the way up.

Harada:That's right. To maintain that range of motion, I wanted to separate the nape of the neck, but I checked many times to see where to cut it to maintain the range of motion and appearance. It's an inconspicuous part, but this is an area I always struggle with in other projects as well.

Planning staff:Thank you. I imagine it was difficult to move it around with the cape.

Harada:That's right. The cape, the waist, and the black whip. These are all competing with each other, so arranging them was quite difficult. The only major change from the original sculpt was the position of the base of the black whip. If you want to make it not only movable but also removable, the number of positions you can place it in becomes limited. We made many prototypes to see whether the back or the waist was best. In the end, we decided that the waist was easier to play with, and that's why we ended up with the current position.

Planning staff:Thank you so much for always looking at the various structures and imagining what it will be like when you play with them. Harada's prototypes are really fun to play with.

Harada:You gave the back option when you did "S.H.Figuarts KATSUKI BAKUGO". I think that having a heavy weight on the back tends to make the figure unstable, whether it is standing or posed. OVERLAYDEKU The "K" is also a part of the original design, but we decided to lower its center of gravity to give it more stability and make it easier to play with.

Planning staff:So that's why OVERLAYDEKU is so easy to stand on.
In the case of "S.H.Figuarts KATSUKI BAKUGO", there are parts that are narrower than they are in the design, but you rearranged them to make them easier to play with.

Harada:That's right. As I mentioned earlier, the sculpting of OVERLAYDEKU was already complete, so I tried to be as restrained as possible, but when it comes to sculpting action figures, I want to find a shape that's optimized for movement, and I think it's necessary to make arrangements that don't reveal anything. I feel like that's where the skill of the sculptor in charge of movement really comes into play.

Planning staff:We really study things thoroughly, and then we're constantly working together to find the line that will please our users and not annoy them.

Harada:I guess it's about finding a balance that doesn't create noise, or creating a design that allows for movement.

■ The most difficult part of OVERLAYDEKU

What was the most difficult aspect to recreate?

Harada:The thing that bothered me the most was my shoulders (laughs).

Planning staff:It's my shoulder (laughs).

Harada:I couldn't decide on this for ages. I was constantly wavering. Everything else went pretty smoothly though (laughs).

Planning staff:Harada-san is working on S.H.Figuarts It's the first flesh-and-blood body for the Heroaca series, isn't it?

Harada:I thought it would be important to respect the original prototype, while at the same time keeping the appearance and movement of the series in line with the original. When I was beginning work on this figure, I heard that Mr. Nagashio was working on the "S.H.Figuarts Mourning for Dead Emberagi" figure, so I started to imagine what the structure of the figure would be like while playing with the figure he had worked on, and this is how it came to be. I thought it would be better if the movements of the figure were similar, since the same users would probably be able to touch it. S.H.Figuarts I thought that this is how the "MY HERO ACADEMIA" series should look like when I think about the horizontal arrangement.
...I haven't seen the real thing so I don't know yet if it's actually close to Shigaraki (laughs).

Planning staff:Thank you.

■Finally

--Finally, please give a message to "S.H.Figuarts OVERLAYDEKU" and S.H.Figuarts fans of the Hiroaka series.

Harada:I think it is definitely an even more powerful version of the first Deku, S.H.Figuarts IZUKU MIDORIYA, so I would like to encourage those who have been playing with the series to pick it up. S.H.Figuarts I think that the series has definitely evolved over the years, and I hope that people who have been playing the series will be able to experience it for themselves.

--Thank you for today.

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> TAMASHII WEB" MY HERO ACADEMIA" product special page

© Kohei Horikoshi/Shueisha, MY HERO ACADEMIA Production Committee

*The images in this article are of prototypes in the sculpting process and prototypes under development. They may differ from the actual product.