Interview Articles S.H.MonsterArts Gamera (1996) Release Commemorative Tomoo Haraguchi × Shinichi Wakasa Special Interview

S.H.MonsterArts Gamera (1996) Release Commemorative Tomoo Haraguchi × Shinichi Wakasa Special Interview

This year, 2015, marks the 50th anniversary of the birth of Gamera Series. This year, 2015, marks the 50th anniversary of "Gamera Series" and the 20th anniversary of "Heisei ". Heisei Gamera Series" is still very popular as an epoch-making series in the "monster movie" genre. The Gamera of "Gamera 2: Attack of the Legion" (1996), the second in the series, will finally join the S.H.MonsterArts lineup. We invited Shinichi Wakasa and Tomoo Haraguchi, who were involved in the creation of the monster models for this film and are also in charge of the Gamera prototype this time, to talk about everything from the production of the film to the creation of the prototype for this project.

- First of all, I would like to ask you from the specific work of this time of your Futari.

Wakasa:I used to do this prototype of S.H.MonsterArts several times before, but I received a story of this gamera in that flow. So I decided to contact Haraguchi-kun and Takatsuki (Stem) -kun for the prototype. After that, I check various things in the production process, and I am asking Mr. Higuchi (Makoto) to supervise.

Haraguchi:The Takahama because kun, I under, is the staff involved in the Heisei Gamera all of the molding. It was of the involved in all of Gamera, I only him except me. So this time, I'm in the position that supervision, the real work was in the form of leave it to Takahama-kun.

Wakasa:Even when the movie, but it is do body is doing Takahama-kun all. Clay prototype of the face I am making is Haraguchi-kun.

Haraguchi:So this time also would no doubt if left to him. Moreover, he is I like character called Gamera. I'm a man that Gamera faction than Godzilla. Genuine turtle is also love.
It surprisingly does it is difficult to face me Gamera. I You differences also all face in 4 installment. Especially Gamera of this "Gamera 2", and say either you have an image close to the lizard, but I'm a difficult character that is also leaving turtle likeness. But atmosphere is reproduced properly to, I thought I still was not safe to leave it to him. When it comes to "Gamera 3", also because the rattle and the image would change, I'm a standard type of this Gamera Heisei Gamera is in us.

   

- A look at the actual product, How are you?

Haraguchi:No, it's just a great word. It is unique to this series that there are so many movable parts. For example, the fact that the tail moves so much is something that a costume couldn't do. The tail can be moved freely and poses can be freely made. That is the real pleasure of this item.
After that, the head of the costume, but I did not move only to the left and right, this figure will move also to the up, down, left and right. When doing this move and muzzles, you are truly feeling the neck of the turtle.

Wakasa:Wearing large range of motion than the costume. It is it because it is good in this series. And is that this is also in flight form in the replacement of parts, it will not match the characteristics of this figure. That's costume does not go so (laughs). Because you do not go and not made separately big deal was.



Haraguchi:That flight form is actually the first installment, "Gamera Monster aerial battle" (1995), but I had the plan from the time of, I was once omit so say Gamera and the image of the Showa era is different. It saw the light of day finally at the time of the "Gamera 2". Because that peculiar flight form can be reproduced, I guess one of the reasons to start from "Gamera 2". I would of course another reproduction of the deathblow Urutimeito plasma. Also in the actual costume, that gimmick is complex, we had the perfectly open the stomach of the parts order.

Wakasa:The you are using the Misao演 and wire?

Haraguchi:No, I moved with a hydraulic cylinder. The person who actually made it is the person named Negishi (spring) of the turtle ship. But that complicated gimmick is well reproduced (at S.H.MonsterArts).



Wakasa:In that sense, Bandai technology team but it is amazing. Because we can work up to make a prototype of the non-moving, there is no choice but to leave the place to put the subsequent moving. But nothing I is not to say if you are able to to a high degree of perfection so far.

Haraguchi:It because it is useless is made well, no matter how brackets only prototype. Because it is disqualified as a figure if there is no yet cool also joined element is referred to as "moving". In that respect, this Gamera also cool move is. The admiring is, it is the opening and closing of the jaw. I Heisei Gamera, in relation to spit a plasma fireball, but I'm so like open a large mouth like a snake, it has been brought to the top position of the fulcrum of the lower jaw for that. It also this figure has been reproduced properly such a fine portion. So even open your mouth, cool facial expression can make.


Wakasa:That around here it would do was conscious just fine Takahama-kun. Goodness of this series, the best of the pause, because is that facial expressions can be maintained properly.
Moving only this, in the sense that also attached gimmick, still I guess was good was started from Gamera of this "Gamera 2". By comparison, how is Gamera of the first film a little plain (laughs). It is, of course, will do eventually is believed to be the commercialization of Heisei Gamera all four bodies.

Haraguchi:"Gamera 3", there is also that the previous two albums and a view of the world has changed a lot, I'm costume of Gamera has also completely reworked. So then it has become larger than before. If commercialized in this series, I look forward and I wish whether take the gimmick shell moves one by one.

Wakasa:As a fan, I guess where you want to decorate all means side-by-side all four bodies. Of course, also play a monster such as Gyaos and Legion, you, but ....

Haraguchi:In order to continue the series, first this Gamera would be buying two (laughs).

Wakasa:For flight form as for the normal form, it is.

Haraguchi:To flight form, but I will be removing whole ton lower body parts, Then, I think I in the play, also Gamera had scorched in Sendai can be reproduced (laughs).

- So you have a message to the fans.

Haraguchi:Cool even when viewed from any angle, there is no chance. I think that it is very definitive as a figure of "Gamera 2". It will determined by this.

Wakasa:I anyway, you leave the people of thought is to form, if you and I it became to those convincing also Haraguchi-kun, do not say anything anymore. Because the thing that still make a person rather than a machine. Involvement from such person election, has become such a great shape. It is I am very happy.

- Finally, I would like to ask you if there is a monster that I want to put out in this series.

Haraguchi:I It is a second generation Anguirus. Kana Megalo is after.

Wakasa:Well, too there are a lot, does not answer (laughs).

[PROFILE]

Shinichi Wakasa (youth, Shinichi)

Shinichi Wakasa (youth, Shinichi)
Born in Tokyo in 1960. Founded MONSTERS after becoming interested in molding when he was a member of the Ohno Kenyukai, where he was in charge of actions such as "Kamen Rider". In charge of character modeling and special makeup for many works. Participating works include Ultraman 80 (1980), Andromeros (1983), Peacock King (1988), Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1993), Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995), Godzilla 2000 Millennium (1999), Godzilla Final Wars” (2004). Also, in "Gamera 2 Legion Attack", I was in charge of modeling the soldier legion.


Tomoo Haraguchi (Haraguchi, Tomoo)

Tomoo Haraguchi (Haraguchi, Tomoo)
Born in Fukuoka Prefecture in 1960. When I was in college, I was in charge of monster modeling assistant at Mr. Wakasa's MONSTERS. After that, he learned special make-up and modeling by himself, and is currently in charge of special make-up, character modeling, and directing in many TV and movies. His major modeling works include "Teito Monogatari" (1987), "Gamera Great Kaiju Aerial Battle" (1995), and "Zatoichi" (2003). He has also directed works such as "Sakuya Yokaiden" (2000), "Ultraman Mebius" (2006), and "Ultraman Ginga" (2013). At the "Chairman Hideaki Anno Tokusatsu Museum" held since 2012, he works as an exhibition coordinator and a prop restorer.


S.H.MonsterArts Gamera (1996)
S.H.MonsterArts
GAMERA [1996]


Recommended Retail Price:
9,504 yen(tax 8% included)
Release Date: January 31, 2015 (Saturday)


Product Details

S.H.Figuarts S.H.MonsterArts
An action figure series featuring monsters, using the movable action figure technology cultivated by S.H.Figuarts. This is S.H.MonsterArts.

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