MKCSTEALTH wrote:I was wondering: Does the design of characters have any effect on their interest to sculptors? I've noticed Super Saiyan characters like Goku, Goku Black, Vegeta, Gohan get tons of designs. But more plain designs like Jiren, Merged Zamasu, and Hit have been passed even though they were major characters in their respective arcs. My only guess is either the popularity of the characters in Japan and that their designs are nothing that would really challenge or interesting a sculptor
It's actually a bit complicated.
Banpresto is what largely have the sculptors hands tied as they're the ones that plan figures (with some exceptions) they usually plan/start production on figures in about a year in advance, this is how it usually goes:
>Banpresto plan a figure.
>Request a sculptor to sculpt a prototype of what they desire
>Supervise Sculptors work and any needs for "corrections"
>Sculptor completes protoype
>Prototype shown off at events such as prize fair
>2nd stage prototype phase begins
>More supervision and corrections if needed
>Once done then sent off to factory for final version mass production.
BWFC is an exemption as chosen sculptors get free reign on a character they pick except they're restricted to a given list of characters to pick from, except when a sculptor wins then they get a special release free reign on anything.... Except if there is a big form. The two years that there happened to be no big forms the winners picked Super Vegeta and SS4 Gogeta who were on the initial list which was FRUSTRATING!
Nakazawa has free reign on the Son Goku FES line, except it has to be restricted to relating to Goku obviously. Nakazawa also I think gets choice on WCFs when it comes to what forms to use on high ratios, for example for the new movie I knew we would 100% have a SSGSS Goku in a set. (Also interestingly Nakzawa said he doesn't like SS as he doesn't think it's Toriyama like but still admits it is cool)
Now the reason why Banpresto don't do proper scale figures of Jiren/Hit/Zamasu, is because in Japan Banpresto make their money selling cases to gamestations so that's why they always take the safe option. Goku's, SSGSS's etc they will sell and get case orders. Which is why during the fill in month between the summer and movie we had Goku's, Goku's, Goku's.
That's why Jiren/Hit/Zamasu will only be released in sets like WCFs. Less risky for Banpresto.
Now one thing that isn't a risk is the Ichiban Kuji as it comes in a set so I'd been hoping for ages for a Jiren/Hit/Zamasu Kuji and throw in an SSGSS Goku. And that's exactly what Bandai S have done for the upcoming Android Kuji. So I have hope now!
