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

Miyoshi

"World Collectable Figure" (commonly known as WCF) is the most popular brand of deformed figures in the Prize Division, and is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. It is a series of small but high-quality figures that are "palm-sized treasures."

Q. Please tell us why you decided to team up with STUDIO-Ren this time.

Miyoshi

STUDIO-Ren has produced prototypes for many brands, from realistic to deformed figures, in addition to "World Collectable Figures." "World Collectable Figures" is mainly based on the concept of collecting figurines of individual characters, but for this One Piece Zoukeiou Chojo Kessen event, we are taking on a new challenge by using "World Collectable Figures" to create an illustration of a group of characters with effective perspective. We believe that STUDIO-Ren is the only one who can create three-dimensional figures while taking advantage of the balance of space and the characteristics of the characters.

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

STUDIO-Ren

I've participated in other "modeling contests" before, but this is my first time participating in the ONE PIECE Modeling King Summit Battle. The reason I participated this time was because there was a strong request for me to participate (laughs). I'm not the type to be in the public eye very often.

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

Miyoshi

The cover illustration of the 106th volume of the "ONE PIECE" manga has been turned into a deformed figure of "World Collectable Figures"! As the final chapter approaches and excitement builds, this color illustration has been released as a visual for the "MONKEY.D.LUFFY," and is an impressive piece that shows all 10 members of the Straw Hat Crew together. Their costumes have also changed completely from previous versions, giving them a very pop image, and I thought it would be fun to create these figures.

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

STUDIO-Ren

I've done a little bit of 3D work on illustrations with one or two characters, but I've never done anything with 10 characters and a city, and used perspective before. So when I first heard about it, I thought it would be difficult.

Q. What kind of conversations did you have as you progressed with this production?

STUDIO-Ren

We were given a lot of freedom in the production itself. First, our in-house sculptor Hiroyuki Nakazawa, who is good at perspective models, made a perspective model out of clay, composing the spatial perspective, placement, and volume. That model was then digitized, and in the end, 10 people from the entire studio, including those in charge of character and town creation, and a coordinator, worked together to create it. It would be impossible for one sculptor to make this alone.

Miyoshi

The sculptors at STUDIO-Ren have worked on the ONE PIECE figures of many brands, so they are all very familiar with the characters. The perspective and spatial composition were at a level that I couldn't even imagine in my head, so I had complete trust in them and asked them to do it.

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

Miyoshi

First of all, the power and speed are amazing. Everyone has their own answer, so I think that's why they come up with something so quickly. Right from the very first shot, it's a proper "ONE PIECE figure."

STUDIO-Ren

At first, I didn't realize how fast we were. We run a studio, so we work from 9am to 6pm. If we stay up all night, our concentration drops, so we're careful about that. Also, I can see everyone around me working hard, so I can't be the only one to slack off (laughs).

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

Miyoshi

It's about 80% done now, but even at this stage it's already such a new piece that I can't help but think, "Wow!" When I first saw it, I was really surprised and moved. There are 10 members of the Straw Hat Crew, and each character and town has a perspective, and that illustration is turned into a space in three dimensions as a "World Collectable Figure." Even though I'm in charge of development, I was surprised to see that they could make this, and it's become something special.

STUDIO-Ren

When you see the real thing, it makes you think, wow, we've created something amazing.

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

Miyoshi

Once again, adding perspective to each of the 10 "WCF" figures, arranging those 10 figures in a diorama, and then composing it so that the characters are floating in the air, and then putting it all together - that's something that normally can't be done. I'd like you to take a good look at it.

STUDIO-Ren

It's designed to have a sense of depth, as if you're falling deeper and deeper, so I hope you'll take a look at that. There's also a little Sanji at the very back. Also, rather than thinking, "What's going on here? Amazing!", I'd be happy if you could just glance at it and think, "They've neatly put together the illustration on the cover." That means that the design doesn't feel out of place even when it's three-dimensional.

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

STUDIO-Ren

Of course, there are sculptors that I keep in contact with, but there is no one who I would consider a rival.

Miyoshi

This time, STUDIO-Ren took on a truly new challenge, so it may have been a battle with us.

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

Miyoshi

This time I am participating in the real category, and of course I don't want to lose in the deformed category either. This work is also a further evolution of "World Collectable Figures," the deformed brand that is the representative of the Prize Division, so I hope that many people will be pleased with it.

Q: Any final message?

Miyoshi

As STUDIO-Ren said, "ONE PIECE" fans who are not familiar with figures can simply enjoy the deformed illustrations of MONKEY.D.LUFFY, and hardcore figure fans will be impressed by the many points that make them think, "How did they manage to make this happen!?" I think we've created something that will please everyone, whether they love "ONE PIECE" or want to see an amazing figure, so I hope you enjoy it!