Japanese gashapon toy manufacturer Kitan Club (キタンクラブ) has teamed up with renowned Japanese picture book artist Yuko Higuchi (ヒグチユウコ) to create the "Yuko Higuchi Character Mascot" (ヒグチユウコ フィギュアマスコット) series, now in its third installment! Gashapon toys are scheduled for release in early February 2023.
With intricate details and complex brushwork, Yuko Higuchi's works are characterized by their ability to blend and express the charm of cute, grotesque, and whimsical elements. Her characters are often not just pretty or cute, but are combined with elements like octopuses, fish, and mushrooms, creating a slightly eerie atmosphere. Examples include a cat with an octopus body and snake-headed hands, a beautiful girl with an alligator lower body covered in mushrooms, and Mr. Alligator dressed in noble attire, holding a fresh flower.
This "Yuko Higuchi Character Mascot Vol. 3" gashapon series features a total of 7 designs. The highly popular "GUSTAVE-kun" makes another appearance, while the alien "Hitotsume-chan" is depicted with a bent body, deep in thought. "Bookstore Chair," which appeared in the second installment, now has a super cute 6-legged form. "Bishonen Boris" is sporting eye-catching green overalls this time. "Bakery Apprentice" is in a curled-up sitting pose, and "Sitting Sebastian" is making its debut as a three-dimensional figure. Each piece fully showcases Yuko Higuchi's fantastical world and possesses immense charm, highly recommended for all Yuko Higuchi fans!
Bishonen Boris (美少年ボリス)
Tiptoeing GUSTAVE-kun (背伸びGUSTAVEくん)
Sitting GUSTAVE-kun (おすわりGUSTAVEくん)
Thinking Hitotsume-chan (思考中のひとつめちゃん)
Bookstore Chair with 6 Legs (本屋のいす 6本脚)
Bakery Apprentice (パン屋の見習い)
Sitting Sebastian (おすわりセバスチャン)
Yuko Higuchi Figure Mascot 3 (ヒグチユウコ フィギュアマスコット３)
Suggested Retail Price: ¥500 / capsule, Product Lineup: 7 types in total, Estimated Release Date: February 2023
Source: @kitan_club