Japanese model maker Kaiyodo has announced the latest additions to its new capsule toy plastic model series, "ARTPLA," with the upcoming release of the "Zookeeper and Lion Set" and "Tourist and Giraffe Set." These new products, overseen by renowned animal sculptor Shinobu Matsumura as the overall modeling director, are slated for an August 2022 release.
The "ARTPLA" series consists of unpainted plastic model kits sold as capsule toys. It embodies Kaiyodo's long-standing philosophy of "modeling as art," a spirit upheld since the company's inception and reminiscent of the PLAMOKEI (プラモケイ) garage kit series that captivated the Japanese modeling scene in the 1980s. ARTPLA aims to connect Kaiyodo's past, present, and future. Beyond offering models of current popular works and themes, the series also plans to revive classic Kaiyodo garage kit masterpieces. Moving forward, ARTPLA will continue to uphold Kaiyodo's ethos, presenting a vast array of products across diverse fields—much like a museum or art gallery—including Buddhist statues, sci-fi mecha, character figures, animals, dinosaurs, art pieces, yokai, tanks, cultural artifacts, and more.
The "Zookeeper and Lion Set" and "Tourist and Giraffe Set" capture everyday zoo scenes in the popular 1/35 scale. Shinobu Matsumura handled the animal sculpting, Taro Murai was responsible for the human figures, and Akira Tani crafted the EV light truck. Thanks to modern digital modeling and 3D printing technologies, all elements—animals, figures, and objects—boast incredibly precise, realistic sculpting and remarkably natural poses.
・Zookeeper and Lion Set
This set recreates scenes of zookeepers preparing to feed animals and clean enclosures, featuring a variety of animals including a lion, wild boar, honey badger, and tortoise. It comprises five individually sold types, each including one common connecting fence part.
・Zookeeper / Wheelbarrow
・Zookeeper / Cleaning Tools
・Wild Boar / Honey Badger
・Lion
・Tortoise / Bucket
・Tourist and Giraffe Set
This set features a variety of figures, including a zookeeper driving a light truck, a woman taking photos with her phone, a mother pushing a stroller with her child, and elementary school students. It also includes popular animals and objects such as a giraffe, shoebill, a smaller tortoise, a signboard, and connecting fence parts, all sold as a complete set.
ARTPLA Zookeeper and Lion Set (1 Box, 6 Pieces)
ARTPLA Tourist and Giraffe Set
Suggested Retail Price: 3,300 JPY each (Tax Included)
Release Date: August 2022
Product Specifications: 1/35 Scale HIPS Unpainted Assembly Model Kit
Sculpting:
Animals: Shinobu Matsumura
Humans: Taro Murai
EV Light Truck: Akira Tani
via： 海洋堂