Q. Please tell us about the brand you are participating in.

Aizawa

S.H.Figuarts" is an action figure brand developed by the Collectors Division. The brand celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2023 as a brand that develops movable figures of various characters, such as heroes and bishojo (pretty girl) characters. We are proud that it has become a representative brand of basic movable figures in Japan.

Q. Why did you decide to team up with Nagashio this time?

Aizawa

The "ONE PIECE" series at "S.H.Figuarts" has been developed in the past, but in August 2023, we will start a new series, starting with Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji in the Onigashima Arc, and Nagashio-san is creating many of the prototypes for this new series. Nagashio-san's movable figures are fun to play with, and even first-timers can quickly create cool poses with them. So I wanted to work with him to create an interesting movable figure this time as well.

Q. Please tell us how excited you were when your participation was decided.

Nagashio

As a sculptor, I had been following the ONE PIECE Zoukeiou Chojo Kessen for a long time, but I mostly work on prototypes for action figures. There hadn't been any action figures in the past, so I didn't think I'd be participating this time either. So I was really happy when I heard about the offer. Action figures are still perceived as "toys" in some places, but I thought the ONE PIECE Zoukeiou Chojo Kessen was a chance to let people know how fun they are.

Q. Why did you choose the characters and scenes you created?

Aizawa

I had already produced the "S.H.Figuarts" figure of Ace in 2010, but I wondered how much I could brush up on it with today's technology. Also, since Ace is a very popular character, I thought that rather than releasing him in the regular lineup, I should release him at a time when people would pay attention to him, such as during the One Piece Modeling King Summit Battle.

Q. What were your thoughts when the characters and scenes were decided?

Nagashio

When I heard about the role, I thought, "Ace has come here!" Certainly, if you're going to put Ace in the One Piece Zoukeiou Choujou Kessen, it's got to be him. "I'd love to do it!" Aizawa-san and I were in complete agreement. After all, Ace is a special character, so I definitely wanted to put out something good.

Q. What kind of conversations did you have as you went about creating this piece?

Aizawa

First, we started by listing some poses that fit the character's personality. For Ace, it would be the "cross fire" pose, where he crosses his index fingers and puts his arms forward from the impressive crouching position. From there, we talked about the joints for mobility, and we gradually refined the ideas that Nagashio-san had come up with.

Nagashio

The first thing mentioned was the squatting posture, and I also wanted to make it perfect. The job of a sculptor is to realize the request after receiving the theme of "the pose you want to take". One of the attractions of a movable figure is that you can express various scenes by moving it yourself. Modern movable figures are constantly undergoing trial and error to make them move more naturally, and the quality is constantly improving. Also, Ace is a character that is suitable for a movable figure in the first place. Since his upper body is naked, there are few interfering parts, making it easy to move, and his techniques are flashy, so it's easy to add effect parts and make changes. So I had fun making prototypes, and I even ended up overdoing it (laughs).

Q. What are the characteristics and artistic qualities of a sculptor?

Aizawa

Nagashio-san helps me think about the movement of the character while incorporating new elements. Rather than simply fitting into an existing format, she updates the technology she has built up so far and challenges herself to see how much new and interesting she can fit into the limited time she has. So, working with her is a lot of fun.

Q. Please tell us your honest thoughts about the current state of the product.

Aizawa

It's really great! I've already touched the prototype, but I can't wait to touch the actual product.

Nagashio

At this point, I think I've created a masterpiece of Ace's movable figure. A movable figure is a product, that is, a product, and it is in its best state. At the prototype stage, the material of the joints is different from that of the product, so it is difficult to move it roughly. It is only when you put it together as a test shot that you can enjoy posing it as much as you like.

Q. Please tell us the points you are particular about.

Aizawa

One of the charms of the work "ONE PIECE" is its humor, including its gags, so I try to include as many comical faces as possible as interchangeable facial parts. With fixed figures, there is a high demand for them to look "cool," but with movable figures, I think one of the joys is being able to take interesting poses to match the facial expressions. By making the figures take various poses in the customer's hands, they can realize the Ace that they have imagined.

Nagashio

The hat and effects can be changed, and the pose with his hands tied behind his back from the Marineford Summit War arc can also be recreated. By devising the shoulder joints, I think this is an unprecedented moveable figure.
Another highlight of this set is the coat from One Piece : Episode of Arabasta. Fabric is a big trend in recent action figures, and this coat also has wires in the fabric, so it can flutter freely to match the pose.

Q. Is there anyone or rival you particularly don't want to lose to in this final showdown?

Aizawa

Personally, I think that the work of Keiji Iwakura, the prototype sculptor for the "Soul Gojyojozo" in the Lotto Division, has a great density of information and is very well supported by users. Although the direction is different from that of "S.H.Figuarts," the energy when seen as a thing is amazing, so I don't want to think, "I wouldn't mind losing to Mr. Iwakura!

Nagashio

Iwakura's work of course resembles the character, but you can tell at a glance that it is Iwakura's work with a unique touch, and he is one of the few sculptors whose work is widely accepted by users. It is amazing that he can realize it as a mass-produced product.

My rival is Fuka Yuta from "THE GRANDLINE series". In preparing this work, I studied all the Ace action figures that have been sold so far, and the Ace figures that Fuka designed, with Yoichi Sakamoto from Chemical Attack designing the action concept, were amazing, so I wanted to surpass them. Also, effect parts are important for action figures. It's very difficult to capture the shape of the flames depicted in the work, and to make the shape of something that has no form like flames as natural, but Fuka is good at that, so I'm conscious of those aspects as well.

Q. To be honest, do you think you can win?

Aizawa

Of course I want to win. On the other hand, I feel like movable figures haven't yet fully taken hold compared to fixed figures, so in that sense I really feel like I'm a challenger.

Nagashio

Winning is also a matter of luck, but... we are the only ones taking part with action figures, so if all action figure fans vote for us, I think we can win! (laughs)

Q: Any final messages?

Aizawa

I am confident that I made a very good work passionately with Mr. Nagashio. Therefore, I would like everyone to know and appreciate the brand "S.H.Figuarts", and as the only participation of movable figures, I feel that I have carried the feelings of many people. On top of that, I would be happy if both the artwork and the figures get a boost.

Nagashio

I was really happy to be able to express the strongest character, Ace, in an action figure with the great title "ONE PIECE". I can't wait to touch the finished product.