The Japanese toy brand STUDIO SO-TA (スタジオソータ), known for its wide range of products from novelty items and realistic creatures to collaborations with various sculptors, has partnered with Japanese artist Yurie Kawagoe (川越ゆりえ) to release the "Yurie Kawagoe's World: Weak Insects Hosting Clowns" (tentative translation, 川越ゆりえの世界 道化を宿す弱虫) gashapon in June 2024! The suggested retail price is 500 JPY per capsule, with a simultaneously released box set version priced at 770 JPY per box.
Born in 1987, Yurie Kawagoe specializes in transforming human emotions into fantastical insects from an imaginary world. Through these imagined insects, she evokes the complex emotions and weaknesses hidden within the human heart. In her view, emotions and weaknesses lurking within people's hearts unconsciously sprout at some point and quietly multiply when you're not paying attention. By the time you notice, your body might already be controlled from within by these vastly grown emotions. While these feelings might seem negative at first glance, Yurie Kawagoe also believes that these flaws and imperfections are endearing, and that there will always be a day when they break free from their cocoons.
▼ Yurie Kawagoe's Emotional Specimens (2009).
▼ Yurie Kawagoe's "Weak Insect Specimens" (2013).
"Yurie Kawagoe's World: Weak Insects Hosting Clowns" miniaturizes Yurie Kawagoe's insect fantasies into three-dimensional figures. Each 8 cm figure is meticulously painted, creating insects with clown-faced carapaces. The vibrant and dynamic color palette perfectly reflects Yurie Kawagoe's imaginative, fictional world. The four designs include: "Joy" - the cheerful clown, "Anger" - the unhideable red face, "Sorrow" - the falling tears, and "Pleasure" - the comical mask. Various emotions seem to be hidden beneath these masks. In addition to the variations in the clown faces and the three-dimensional tear expressions, flipping them over reveals remarkably realistic insect body textures. It's truly fantastic to experience the charm of Yurie Kawagoe's creations at the accessible price point of gashapon toys!
This time, "Yurie Kawagoe's World: Weak Insects Hosting Clowns" is released not only as gashapon but also simultaneously as a box set version. The main difference is the inclusion of a dedicated display stand, which adds significant display value, and some colors feature a metallic finish. Purchasing a full box from the SO-TA official store also grants you a clear version, which is excellent!
Yurie Kawagoe's World: Weak Insects Hosting Clowns
Suggested Retail Price: ¥500 / capsule, ¥770 / box
Product Specifications: Approximately 8 cm, 4 designs in total
Estimated Release Date: June 2024
Source: 株式会社SO-TA【公式】