Japanese high-end statue maker Prime 1 Studio has unveiled illustrator Taiki’s original Nue 1/5 Scale Statue. Part of “The Legend of Beauty and the Beast,” a series created in collaboration with different artists, the piece transforms an illustration of a girl nestled beside a massive, grotesque creature into a fully realized sculpture. Nue’s simian face, tiger-like limbs, and serpentine scaled body create a striking contrast with the girl’s doll-like skin and expression. Limited to 500 pieces worldwide, the Bonus Version is priced at $1,499 and is expected to ship between February and May 2028.
The statue is based on “Nue,” an original work displayed at Taiki’s first solo exhibition, “Taiki Exhibition.” The original composition places the girl and the grotesque creature remarkably close together. This three-dimensional adaptation expands on the unseen elements of the artwork, including the creature’s back, physical volume, and the spatial relationship between the two figures. From the front, the girl appears to rest beside the beast, but the side and rear views reveal how Nue’s enormous body surrounds her.
Nue combines physical traits from several different animals. Its face has a simian profile, while its thick, powerful limbs resemble those of a tiger. The rear of its body transitions into sleek, glossy serpentine scales. The sculpt and paintwork carefully distinguish between bulging muscles, individual scales, and exposed skin. By comparison, the girl has been given an intentionally doll-like appearance, with an unnaturally smooth complexion and expression. The closer the two appear, the more their unusual relationship draws the eye.
Both figures also feature kaleidoscopic iris patterns, enhanced with a moist-looking finish that gives their gazes added depth. Already one of the original artwork’s most distinctive shared details, the matching eyes hint at a deeper connection between the pair. Meanwhile, the base draws inspiration from the background patterns and gold ornamentation of the illustration, preserving the decorative composition surrounding the characters rather than simply supporting the statue.
The Bonus Version also comes with a Fabric Poster (B2 Variant Size) featuring the original artwork. Collectors can display Taiki’s two-dimensional illustration alongside the 1/5 scale statue and directly compare the original composition, the distance between the girl and Nue, and the newly created details along the sculpture’s back.
Prime 1 Studio The Legend of Beauty and the Beast Taiki Original Illustration Nue Bonus Version
Dimensions: Approx. H 25 × W 43 × D 45 cm
Price: $1,499
Expected to Ship: February–May 2028
via： Prime 1 Studio