Whether the staff is ULTRA-ACT to reveal why has undergone a rapid evolution! ? - Behind the scenes - of the two staff talks about "evolution"

The culmination of the 1st evolution "Ultraman" released on July 27

This special feature approaches the secrets of the evolution of ULTRA-ACT-ACT.

In the first installment of this special feature, we compared "Zoffy," released in May, with "Ultraman" released in July, to show a glimpse of the series' aggressiveness in changing its product format in such a short period of time.

Special second time, we will explore the back of its aggressive development from the testimony of the planning staff.
Of the Planning Group (aka YO-DA) ※ From here, we will send you along with the comment.

Those of you who have been buying the series for a while may have already noticed, but the ULTRA-ACT series began to change significantly starting with this V-shaped package of "Glenfire".
New challenges in the product has been turned on every time from here.

Planning Group YO-DA (following planning Y)
"For about a year after I started making the series, I was faced with the issue of how to balance the movement and silhouette of Ultraman...

At the time, the joint structure followed the format of S.H.Figuarts, but due to the difference in characterization between Kamen Rider and Ultraman, the silhouettes with joints tended to look awkward.

...... There is no progress as the ACT series in this state,
The only way to change this situation is to develop a structure and manufacturing method specifically for ULTRA-ACT.
Led to the idea, a prototype from the spring around 11 years, design, along with the production staff

"Let's be cool with ACT (cooler than Fiuarts!!)" project

The was allowed to secretly start-up.
Package of reform was also the hidden intention. "

Planning Y
"Ultraman 's mobilization has different difficulties than other heroes ...
Molding surface, manufacturing, and how to play
Each has its own difficulties unique to Ultraman.

For example, the shaped surface.
In 15cm front and back of the action figure,"Joint"In a sense, it is exposed to the elbow and knee as a "promise as a figure".

If you're a protector suit hero like Kamen Rider, you can hide the joints in the design, but a suit body that is almost the same as Ultraman 's body,Just because there is a "joint", I feel a sense of discomfort as if the five bodies are interrupted.

In order to put together an Ultraman of about 16 cm as a movable figure without discomfort,Form arrangement different from the shooting suit and joints adapt to it, was also necessary."

Planning Y
"ULTRA-ACT has been made by a number of original staff.

Modeling, mobile, there is a field of design and each of the staff are good,
ACT by getting taking advantage of each of the specialty began the approach from various fields. "

▲ Ultrama Gaia (V2)

The direction of modeling changed with ULTRA-ACT from "Ultrama Gaia (V2)" released in October 2011.
Hiroyuki Mr. Nakazawa, you are working on modeling from the series initial was working on this modeling.

Planning Y
The question was: "Can we create a body that is arranged as a 16cm movable figure, but does not lose its Ultraman character? I'm not sure.
In response to this request, the prototype of Gaia (V2) was created.

Nakazawa says says "while taking advantage of the pattern of the streamline somatic of Ultra Hero, muscle representation with the aim of Tatsunoko hero like Casshern".
Not too to claim the muscle, shaping the sharp is nice, even upright, even take the pose you familiar without bankruptcy is the joints.

Since then, Aguru (V2), Dyna, Zoffy, (2012 version) Ultraman, Ace, and their modeling have been refined.
Mr. Minoru Narita, who was working on the costume masks for "Ultrama Gaia" and "Ultraman Aguru" at the time of the broadcast, is working on it, and the modeling is closer to the real thing. ”

Planning Y
Two people of "Ur Tea Mate Force zero, has worked the modeling team of Sebuntsu Corporation.
S.H.Figuarts We have produced numerous hero figures from the early days of TAMASHII NATIONS to ULTRA-ACT and D-Arts, and are part of the staff that has created the history of figures!

Joint structure of the mirror Night boasts a movable series premier also is due to their hands.
While pursuing the articulation of ULTRA-ACT, this team also works on these articulated base figures, demonstrating their relentless pursuit of excellence in the articulation and sculpting of heroes.

Not only is it movable, but it is also highly attractive in terms of modeling. It is over. "

Planning Y
"In the latest 'Ultraman' series, we've combined the talents of both Mr. Nakazawa and the staff at Seven Two Co., Ltd."
Shaped into Nakazawa said, modeling and the movable of each evolution asked to play a movable Sebuntsu You have been fused here.

Therefore, Ultraman represents the culmination of the evolution of the ULTRA-ACT model, and is also a new standard model.

"Ultraman is a fusion of modeling, movement, and evolution of each"

Planning Y
"Simple appearance Ultra hero will get noticeable also shifted a little symmetry.
Therefore, we adopted the process from Ultrama Gaia (V2) to increase the left-right symmetry accuracy on the data.

Instead of directly creating a mold from the original prototype, we first perform a 3D scan, make fine adjustments to the data, and then manufacture the mold.

Minute to the increased human effort, I would take the extra effort is also the time of manufacturing, the difference is I get to the final finish.
ULTRA-ACT, while taking advantage of the taste of modeling making in the hands of people, through the data you have to take a hybrid method to also achieve both accuracy.

As an exception, mecha heroes like Jean-Bot and GRIDMAN, which has an attachment gimmick, are manufactured with a greater emphasis on precision through complete 3D design.

Planning Y
"Good modeling, but good mobile ... it is of course important,As it is a movable figure, "How do you play?"
Also it was one of the challenges.

Only ray technique is, I felt a really poses and images spread difficulty of the display.

there,Scene reproduction effect so that you can easily make a picture when decoratingI began to incorporate.
In particular, Gaia (V2) versatility of the first award, "Korin effect" was more than expected here.

Ultraman released in July also comes with effect parts that kick up the ground.
Run also here parts, hold on, it is the variety of available parts and so on that slide.

The "technique effects," including the beams of light, have been made more spectacular, with arrangements made to enhance the "visual appeal" when the 16cm figure is displayed.

Planning Y
"" Let's look cool in ACT! "It has been a year and a few months since the plan started, and we have reached a single goal.

The latest Ultraman where you can experience the evolution of ACT.
And please look for this until the product also means hand.

We are also secretly introducing new challenges to the upcoming `` Ultraman Max'' and ` RED KING.''
Please look forward to the future of the ULTRA-ACT. "