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Have you heard of the designer unit "Baketan Blog"? Celebrating their 10th anniversary, they have always followed their own path – "Don't follow trends, create what you desire." Simple yet endearing, just like the cat in the "Baketan Blog" brand logo, they accompany us through wonderful, ordinary days. In this interview, we asked Baketan Blog about their creative process, the secret story behind the birth of "Mentaigon," and other intriguing topics.
Toy People: Could you tell us what meaning is embedded in the name "Baketan Blog"?
Baketan Blog: "Baketan" in Baketan Blog is a slang term referring to a certain unfortunate situation. (It's a niche slang, so we'll refrain from going into details.) We always wrote about those unfortunate situations humorously on our blog, which is how the unit name became "Baketan Blog." We didn't think too deeply when naming it, but for some reason, it just felt right, and we really like it.
▼In 2023, "Baketan Blog" celebrated its 10th anniversary by holding its first solo exhibition. Familiar characters gathered on the promotional poster.
Image credit:Baketan Blog
Toy People: How many members are in "Baketan Blog"? Please introduce them. What are their respective roles?
Baketan Blog: Baketan Blog is a designer unit consisting of two members, Cheri and Hammu. (We are a married couple.) Each of us designs various sofubi. For the Mentaigon being sold this time, Cheri was in charge of the "Takada" design, and Hammu was in charge of "Mentaigon." Our strengths were able to merge, resulting in a highly compatible sofubi product.
▼Cheri from Baketan Blog.
Toy People: What did you major in during your student days? What other jobs have you had?
Baketan Blog: Both Cheri and Hammu studied at a design and illustration school. After graduation, we each worked at various companies, and then in 2007, we established our own design company. Our main work involves design and illustration. Additionally, Cheri directs, writes scripts, and creates storyboards for short animations, while Hammu handles the character design for them.
▼A giant capsule vending machine installed in Baketan Blog's office.
Toy People: What led you to start releasing your own toys?
Baketan Blog: We originally loved and collected indie sofubi, but when our beloved cat, Maman, passed away, we wanted to continue cherishing her, so we created a sofubi of Maman. It's a truly irreplaceable sofubi that we can always touch.
▼Baketan Blog's first sofubi figure work, "Eto no Neko" (Zodiac Cat).
Image credit:Baketan Blog
Toy People: If you don't mind, could you introduce your first sofubi figure?
Baketan Blog: It's Maman, as mentioned earlier. She is sometimes sold under the name "Eto no Neko" (Zodiac Cat). She is also the protagonist of the anime we created, "I Really Want to Be in the Zodiac." It was even broadcast in China in 2015. If you have the chance, please do watch it. It's recommended for children.
▼The short Flash anime "I Really Want to Be in the Zodiac," for which Baketan Blog was responsible for the original story. The character "Nezumi" (Mouse) is voiced by popular voice actress Rie Kugimiya. All episodes are currently available for free on the Chinese video streaming site AcFun.
Image credit:I Really Want to Be in the Zodiac 2
Toy People: How can one complete a wonderful sofubi work?
Baketan Blog: From Baketan Blog's perspective, we create sofubi with the mindset of "making what we want!"
Toy People: What kind of place do you like to create your works in? Please tell us about your studio.
Baketan Blog: Baketan Blog has its own workshop. We hope you enjoy the photos. We try out various sofubi molding methods, enjoy painting, and sometimes invite fans as a shop. It's like a secret base workshop, and we really love it.
Toy People: Among the figures "Baketan Blog" has created in the past, which one is your favorite? What is the reason? Which work left the strongest impression during the creative process?
Baketan Blog: Our favorite, and also the one that left the strongest impression during the creative process, is definitely Maman. It's a sofubi packed with many memories of Maman.
▼The very popular "Maman" sofubi figure, available in various variations.
Image credit:Baketan Blog Shop
Toy People: How do you usually get your inspiration?
Baketan Blog: We don't consciously seek inspiration much; rather, when we naturally think, "It would be nice to have a sofubi like this," our motivation rises, and we often create it all at once with that momentum.
▼They have created toys in various genres, including Maman. Not only sofubi, but also action figures.
Image credit:Baketan Blog Shop
Toy People: Besides your own works, do you collect any other toys? Have you been particularly engrossed in any new toys recently?
Baketan Blog: We collect sofubi from various artists! Thanks to the sofubi boom, the number of artists has really increased. It's very engaging, stimulating, and a lot of fun!
▼Baketan Blog sometimes shares the toys they collect on Instagram.
Image credit:baketanblog Instagram
Toy People: What are your hobbies outside of creative activities?
Baketan Blog: Spending time with our child! Both Hammu and I cherish our time with our child very much! Playing games, drawing, playing soccer, doing homework...! Every day is fun!
Toy People: Could you tell us about the secret story behind the creation and the concept of "Mentaigon"?
Baketan Blog: As this was a collaboration sofubi project with voice actress Yuki Takada, we first extensively interviewed Ms. Takada about her preferences. Since Ms. Takada is from Fukuoka Prefecture and has a deep love for her hometown, we proposed "a girl in a mentaiko (Fukuoka's specialty) monster costume" as one of the sofubi ideas.
Ms. Takada really liked this idea, and she also had experience working part-time in a mascot costume, so we felt a sense of destiny (laughs), and Mentaigon was born. By the way, the girl sofubi inside Mentaigon is named "Takada." We would be very honored if everyone likes it. We will continue to create various Mentaigon in the future.
▼Voice actress Yuki Takada and "Mentaiko Kaiju (Mentaigon)."
Image credit:Baketan Blog
Toy People: Finally, just one more question. For Baketan Blog, "What is TOY?"
Baketan Blog: Fun for both children and adults!
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This interview delves into Baketan Blog's creative process and the secret story behind the birth of 'Mentaigon'. We also felt the deep love for their beloved cat, Maman.
TOY PEOPLE has officially announced the lottery sale information for the TOY PEOPLE exclusive edition 'Mentaigon TOY PEOPLE Ver.', a collaboration with 'Baketan Blog'!
■ Lottery Sale Information:
．Baketan Blog × TOY PEOPLE 'Mentaigon TOY PEOPLE Ver.'