Last New Year's Eve, Japan's 75th annual Kōhaku Uta Gassen delivered some unforgettable moments. While rock titans B'z making their debut was huge, the return of legendary band THE ALFEE after a 41-year absence brought tears to the eyes of longtime fans.
In a band of three distinct personalities, it's hard to miss guitarist Toshihiko Takamizawa and his absolutely wild guitars. One of his most iconic instruments, the angel-winged "Ultimate Archangel II," recently got an incredible tribute from a Japanese X user named Yukki (@yukkiy_daccha), who painstakingly recreated it out of cardboard. The stunningly detailed result has been earning massive praise online.
If you've ever seen THE ALFEE perform, your eyes are immediately drawn to Toshihiko Takamizawa's axe. He's a renowned guitar collector with hundreds of instruments, and he has a serious love for wild, custom-shaped guitars.
The one he rocked at Kōhaku, the "Ultimate Archangel II," is a jaw-dropping, angel-winged masterpiece that's impossible to forget once you've seen it.
Yukki explained that she first discovered THE ALFEE in elementary school after hearing their song "Tanpopo no Uta," which was an ending theme for the anime Doraemon. She was instantly captivated by Takamizawa, even telling her mom, "There's a prince on TV! I'm going to marry him!" Her mom's reply was a dose of cold reality: "He's almost 50, he's an old guy, stop messing around!"
Despite that, THE ALFEE's enduring musical career slowly rekindled her love for Takamizawa. Twenty years later, she officially joined the fandom and has been an active participant for the last three to four years.
Looking at the photos, the cardboard "Ultimate Archangel II" is a near-perfect replica. From the sprawling angel wings to the intricate carved female profile on the body, the level of detail is astounding and a testament to her craftsmanship.
In fact, this cardboard version has made its debut ahead of the real thing. The actual "Ultimate Archangel II" will be on display for free at the "TAKAMIY’S GUITAR HEAVEN 2025" exhibition at the ESP Museum in Shibuya from January 11-26, 2025.
When asked what inspired her to build a guitar from cardboard, Yukki said the idea came from a band member who appeared on Takamizawa's show and had made a cardboard angel guitar. "When I saw that, I thought, 'Oh my god, I have to make one too!'" That's when she started her first project, a cardboard version of the "Ultimate Archangel I."
This "Ultimate Archangel II" is her second creation. The process involved piecing together large cardboard sheets to create a canvas, sketching the design, cutting it out, and then layering the wings and other details. Despite knowing nothing about guitars, she managed to estimate the dimensions by carefully studying photos.
The highlight of this replica? It lights up! She integrated LED lights into the build to mimic the lighting effects of Takamizawa's original, bringing her creation even closer to the real deal.
Yukki's first cardboard guitar, the "Ultimate Archangel I," was actually mentioned on Takamizawa's show, an experience she found so moving she could hardly believe it was real. She hopes her "Ultimate Archangel II" will once again convey her deep affection and respect for him.
It's clear that Yukki poured her love and admiration for her idol into this project, and her dedication has earned her widespread praise online for her incredible DIY skills.
Even though THE ALFEE is a veteran band with members now in their 70s, they continue to capture the hearts of younger fans, proving that a legendary band with serious talent has timeless appeal.
via： X帳戶ゆっきー