Following releases such as "Nile Crocodile" and "Red-Eyed Tree Frog & Black-Eyed Tree Frog," Bandai's GASHAPON capsule toy brand in Japan is once again launching the latest entry in its premium new series, "Life-Size Ultimate Encyclopedia," with the "Leafy Sea Dragon" capsule toy! Scheduled for release in October 2022, there will be two types available, with a reference price of 4,950 JPY per capsule, exclusively available online via PREMIUM BANDAI.
The "Life-Size Ultimate Encyclopedia" (Ikimono Dai Zukan Advance) series boasts top-tier size, sculpting, and articulation design, featuring more realistic details and exquisite paintwork compared to the standard "Life-Size Encyclopedia" products. This latest release, the "Life-Size Ultimate Encyclopedia Leafy Sea Dragon," includes two variations: the Leafy Sea Dragon (Yellow), and the Leafy Sea Dragon (Blue) crafted from transparent material.
Japanese biological sculptor Moria (@守亜もりあ) was invited to serve as the prototype creator, meticulously recreating the "Leafy Sea Dragon" (also known as Weedy Seadragon or Leaf Seadragon), which mimics seaweed, in a realistic scale of approximately 20 cm in length. Through 3D modeling, the complex form with leaf-like protrusions covering its entire body is thoroughly reproduced, with delicate details such as bony plates and appendages extending like seaweed fronds, among other biological features. Furthermore, combined with the articulation structure handled by prototype sculptor Mitsuhiko Hosokawa, the design features 24 points of articulation, vividly showcasing details such as its elegant, flowing movements underwater!
The Leafy Sea Dragon is a marine fish belonging to the family Syngnathidae, order Syngnathiformes, class Actinopterygii, and is closely related to the genus Hippocampus (seahorses). It is also the sole member of the genus Phycodurus. Primarily distributed in the southern and western waters of South Australia, they are very similar to seahorses in terms of morphology, lifestyle, and feeding habits. Named "Leafy Sea Dragon" because its body is covered with beautifully shaped green leaf-like appendages, giving it a graceful, swaying appearance when swimming.
However, due to human activities such as marine tourism development and pollution from industrial wastewater flowing into the ocean, the Leafy Sea Dragon's habitat has been severely damaged. It is currently an endangered species and listed as a protected animal.
Ikimono Dai Zukan Premium Leafy Sea Dragon
Two types in total
Reference price: 4,950 JPY/capsule
Scheduled release date: November 2022
via： gashapon