Japanese model manufacturer Kotobukiya (KOTOBUKIYA) today officially announced the commercialization of a commemorative product, the "Kotobukiya Headquarters Building 1/300 Scale Assembly Model", to celebrate its 70th anniversary. Release date is yet to be determined.
Kotobukiya originally started as a small toy store located north of Tachikawa Station in Tokyo, Japan, founded by its first president, Ichiro Shimizu, in 1947, and established as a limited company in 1953. At that time, the variety of toys was not as rich as it is today, and Kotobukiya primarily sold toy cars, toy airplanes, festive dolls, and other goods. It wasn't until 1986, when his son, Kazuyuki Shimizu, took over as the second-generation president, that Kotobukiya, influenced by the trend of GK (Garage Kit) models, began to transform from a retailer into a manufacturer. It started developing its own character model products and quickly made a name for itself. During the 1995 "Neon Genesis Evangelion" craze, Kotobukiya released Rei Ayanami and Evangelion Unit-01 models, demonstrating its technical prowess.
In the 2000s, after Kotobukiya established a factory in Guangdong, China, its business flourished even further, expanding its reach globally. It successively developed various licensed robot assembly model products such as "Armored Core" and "Super Robot Wars." The 'ARTFX' series of PVC pre-painted figures also featured popular characters from "FINAL FANTASY," "Star Wars," and "Batman," propelling Kotobukiya's reputation into Europe and America. Starting in 2009, Kotobukiya spearheaded the development of Bishoujo (beautiful girl) assembly model products, including "Frame Arms Girl," "Megami Device," and "Sousai Shojo Teien," which became industry benchmarks and sparked a wave of similar products from many Asian manufacturers.
For its 70th anniversary, President Kazuyuki Shimizu continues to uphold the spirit of never forgetting his roots, stating, "I was born in Tachikawa, raised by Tachikawa, and even this business today was bestowed upon me by Tachikawa." Therefore, he chose to remain rooted in Tachikawa. The Kotobukiya Headquarters Building, completed in 2016, still stands north of Tachikawa Station, not far from where the "Kotobukiya Toy Store" was located 70 years ago. This building will now be jointly developed by Kotobukiya and Kikuchi Seisakusho, thoroughly reproducing the 1/300 scale assembly model using domestic Japanese mold-making technology, and can be assembled without the need for adhesive. More detailed product information will be announced at a later date.
1/300 Kotobukiya Headquarters Building Plastic Model
Reference Price, Release Date Undetermined
©KOTOBUKIYA
via： KOTOBUKIYA