This 2-page interview collects the impressions and comments of Takara Tomy x Tomytec Shouki Developer team which consists of:
Kojin Ono (Takara Tomy / Transformers Team),
Dai Ono (Tomytec / Development) and
Hideki Shimanuki (Tomytec / Marketing). Since Shouki is a realistic train, the Transformers staff teamed with Takara Tomy’s train brand: Tomytec.
We have some interesting details about how the train mode was worked and the decisions made to create a realistic Shinkansen mode while make it still transformable.
Ohno: At a meeting, a young staff member suggested the name “Raiden”. However, the idea was put on hold due to various problems, not least of which was the fact that once we started, it would be very difficult to make six in a row. On the other hand, it would be the first time in a long time that we were able to realize 5, and it would be the first time in a long time that we were able to combine them in a master beast. Also, if we could make model railroad fans happy, we would be able to develop a new fan base. So we decided to do it. So the licensing team and I took the old G1 toys and visited the JR companies that had jurisdiction over each of them.
**How did the cooperation with TOMIX come about?**
Ohno: We started out just consulting with them since we were in the same group, but then we started thinking that it would be beneficial for both of us if we worked together, including marketing. When I talked to him again, he said, “I know someone who used to play TOMY TRANSFORMERS,” and I thought that was reassuring. Ono: At the time, one of the toys my younger brother bought me was a Raiden, and since I was also involved with railroads, I was playing with it without telling him (laughs).
**What do you think of the idea of turning so-called railroad cars into robots?**
Shimanuki: This year marks the fifth anniversary of TOMIX, and the Shinkansen and Blue Train are among the most familiar railcars. When we heard that they could be transformed, we were very excited about the idea.
**I heard that this time the product will be in HO gauge.**
Ono: Model railroad standards are based on overseas standards, but the Shinkansen is standard scale, so it will be HO scale.
Osaki: I also created the PJPJ Diaclone version of the Train Robot, and at the time, I was responsible for turning the prefecture around in a way that was closer to N gauge. This time, since it’s MPG, I wanted to recreate the realism of the cars that were unavailable in the modern era, which is why I made it SD6. That’s why I stuck with this size from the beginning. It was only later that I matched the robot’s height to the other Masterpieces (laughs).
Shimanuki: TOMIX hasn’t released an HO gauge Series 0 yet (laughs).
**What is the point of TOMIX’s supervision? Since the model is made by a railroad company, the model will be based on the real thing, right?**
Ono: We are particular about the shape of the vehicle, but we don’t have a chance to get to know SJJ any better than that, so I’m surprised how the robot fits inside.
Shimanuki: We were talking internally about how nice it would be to have TOMIX fans say, “Only T0MIX supervised SJJBS.
**What kind of communication did you actually have with them?**
Ono: Tomix has a stock of actual photographs and other materials taken for product development that have never been seen outside of the company, so I used these assets to check every little detail. When we were working on the appearance and material, we would thoroughly compare the color of the material with the color chips and faithfully match the colors. Using this material, we were able to recreate the three books in a way that is far more accurate than TOMIX products.
**What exactly did you have to modify?**
Ohno: The size of the windows and the number of rivets on the vanels.
Ohno: I thought about what to do about the windows (laughs). (laughs) There are differences in the size of the windows between the cars built in 1934 and the cars built in the Showa era. This time, I used the large windows (from when the train first opened).
Ohno: Mr. Ono pointed out the difference in the couplers between the Shinkansen and conventional trains, but the TF is the same for all six models because of the six-car coupling (laughs).
**What is the appeal of this product from everyone’s point of view? What is the appeal of this product in your opinion?**
I was also particular about the body’s appearance. I also aimed to make it poseable. I’d be happy if people could enjoy that, and I thought it was a must that it came with an oP°D-ni. The fact that it can be displayed on Ono’s rail is in itself an oJSU time shape. It’s actually very difficult to make a proper railroad model of this size. Even the detailed markings and antennas are made with the same attention to detail as a model railroad, and that’s what I want people to pay attention to.
Shimanuki: Actually, the articulation is very well done. In the case of TOMIX, the connecting part is not sculpted because it is reproduced with the cover on.
Daishi: JUPO was able to create JNS products because TOMIX was a brand within the TOMY Group.
Rank 6 - Dedicated Member
).
Originally Posted by JJJ
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote