A photography enthusiast recently blew minds on YouTube by transforming an "Anpanman Kids' Digital Camera" into a stunning Leica-style shooter. The incredible makeover left netizens exclaiming, "Is that *really* the original camera?" The video quickly went viral, racking up over 39,000 views to date.
The mastermind behind this audacious mod is the YouTube channel "Kamitaba Log," known for sharing photography-related content. The creator previously experimented with the 2013 "Anpanman My First Digital Camera 2," aiming to boost its functionality and turn it into a "usable camera for adults."
However, during his trials, he discovered a hilarious snag: the camera's overtly childish appearance drew too much attention during street photography, completely undermining his goal of discreet shooting.
To tackle this, he embarked on a quest for a modification that would give the camera a more "serious" feel without being too flashy. After numerous attempts, he landed on the idea of attaching a large lens. Using 3D printing, he crafted a custom adapter, allowing the kids' camera to mount actual photographic lenses. The resulting creation was dubbed "An-Digi 2: Type-Loki."
Taking the Challenge Further: Transforming a Kids' Camera into a Leica
But the journey didn't end with Type-Loki. He immediately set his sights on "An-Digi 3," the 2017 "Anpanman My First Digital Camera: Smile Photo Studio." This model presented a new challenge: its image sensor and lens were integrated, preventing a direct lens swap like its predecessor. Undeterred, he delved into the camera's internal structure, hoping to redesign its exterior without compromising functionality.
During disassembly, he noticed that the An-Digi 3's circuit board was L-shaped, while the body was square. This sparked an "aha!" moment: if he stretched the body horizontally, its shape would uncannily resemble an M-type Leica! Leveraging 3D printing, he designed a brand-new body for the An-Digi 3, ultimately giving birth to "An-Digi 3: Type-Theseus" — a truly Leica-esque custom camera.
"Is It Still an An-Digi?" The Philosophical Question Sparking Debate
Beyond its striking Leica-inspired aesthetics, this modified camera seamlessly retained all of the An-Digi 3's original functions, including its screen and button layout. What's more, he even added a circular embellishment to the front of the body. At first glance, it looks like a Leica logo, but upon closer inspection, it cleverly mimics Anpanman's iconic nose and cheeks!
As the video exploded, many viewers began debating whether the heavily modified camera could still be considered an "Anpanman camera." This naturally brought to mind the philosophical concept of the "Ship of Theseus" — if all the parts of a ship are replaced, is it still the same ship? However, the creator had a witty take: for him, the true essence lies not in its appearance, but its voice function. "As long as it still talks," he declared, "it's an Anpanman camera."