Japanese model manufacturer FUJIMI's assembly model "Free Research" series, which recreates creatures with realistic sculpting, today announced a new collaborative product with the "greatest sh*t-work" in history, "POP TEAM EPIC": "No.253 Popuko Rhinoceros Beetle & Pipimi Stag Beetle," scheduled for release in August 2023.
"POP TEAM EPIC" is a comedic four-panel manga created by Japanese manga artist Bukubu Ookawa. Its content primarily revolves around the surreal daily lives of Popuko and Pipimi, filled with absurdly over-the-top gags and lines that are "too early for humanity." Its captivating and addictive art style has even led people unfamiliar with the original work to fall in love with its LINE stickers. After being adapted into a TV anime, it further surpassed the original by experimenting with diverse expressive techniques such as felt, claymation, classic video games, and AC-bu, and invited different voice actors to voice Popuko and Pipimi in each episode, earning it titles like "seasonal hegemon" and "the greatest sh*t-anime in history."
Now, this infectious charm has finally spread to FUJIMI's Free Research series. The product uses the highly realistic "Rhinoceros Beetle" and "Stag Beetle" kits as its base. It doesn't merely replace the molded colors according to the anime's character designs to reproduce their iconic color schemes; it also includes various stickers to recreate Popuko and Pipimi's sailor uniforms and various facial expressions.
By unfolding the wings of the Rhinoceros Beetle and Stag Beetle, the hidden heads of Popuko and Pipimi are revealed. The Rhinoceros Beetle's elytra cleverly form Popuko's twin-tail hairstyle, while the Stag Beetle's skin-toned mandibles transform into Pipimi's legs. While it might evoke a slight sense of unease, one cannot help but praise the designer's genius.
FUJIMI Model Free Research Series No.253 Pop Team Epic Edition Rhinoceros Beetle Popuko ver. & Stag Beetle Pipimi ver. Free Research-253
Reference Price: 4,950 JPY (Tax Included)
Scheduled Release Date: 2023/08
© Bukubu Ookawa/Takeshobo・King Records
via： FUJIMI