For all you toy, model, or Gunpla collectors out there, beyond just playing with your prized possessions, you've probably dabbled in photographing them. It's an art form in itself, requiring serious dedication to pose and light them just right to capture that perfect shot.
Recently, a post on X (formerly Twitter) went viral in Japan, sparking a wave of nostalgia among netizens. X user Ittun shared a series of incredibly impactful model photographs, garnering massive attention for their intricate dioramas and intense sense of realism. But what really blew up was the unexpected outpouring of love for "Sunekichi" (スネ吉), Suneo's cousin from Doraemon. Ring a bell?
It all started with Ittun's entry into the "#ThisIsHowItTurnsOutChampionship" (#これがこうなる選手権) event. The photos showcased what seemed like simple model shots, but the clever angles and masterful lighting created a powerful, almost tokusatsu film-like effect. Netizens were blown away, exclaiming, "The sense of scale is insane!" and "It looks straight out of a Heisei-era tokusatsu movie!"
However, the real spark that ignited the conversation was the unanimous agreement that these photos were a "recreation of Sunekichi's worldview." Many recalled Suneo's cool cousin from Doraemon – always cruising in his sports car, building models, dropping wisdom, and explaining things with such flair. He's basically the ideal image of a model enthusiast!
In Volume 32 of the original manga, Sunekichi, a passionate fan of mechanical models, photography, and racing travel, teaches Suneo and Nobita how to take great photos. What's amazing is how applicable all his advice is to real life, a testament to Fujiko F. Fujio's incredible foresight in embedding such practical knowledge within the stories.
For instance, Sunekichi explains that scene models need "three senses": "texture," "distance," and "volume." You have to leverage the model's unique characteristics to capture its charm. He demonstrates this with a robot model, emphasizing the need to highlight its metallic texture for a truly great shot.
He even gives tips on how to build the necessary dioramas for photography. By using small-scale items, like figures from railway models, and combining them with a wide-angle lens to "shoot small things up close" within the scene, you can create the illusion of a giant robot's immense scale, just like in tokusatsu films.
Netizens were quick to praise Sunekichi's teachings, noting how truly useful they are in real life, especially for model hobbyists. He's practically everyone's aspirational figure!
One veteran fan even mused, "Actually, everything Sunekichi says is a projection of Fujiko F. Fujio-sensei himself," adding another layer of depth to the character.
Of course, you might not remember Sunekichi all that well, as he doesn't appear as often as the main characters. But this viral moment really highlights how much of Fujiko F. Fujio's own passions were woven into Doraemon. If you're curious, why not revisit Suneo's cousin's chapters? You might just find some extra inspiration!