Medicom Toy Interview Series: Part 1 with Hiroshi Fujiwara | MEDICOM TOY

DESIGN / FEATURES

August 1, 2017

Medicom Toy Interview Series: Part 1 with Hiroshi Fujiwara | MEDICOM TOY

MEDICOM TOY

Medicom Toy Interview Series

Part 1: Hiroshi Fujiwara

Text by Shinnno Kunihiko

What was your first encounter with Medicom Toy?

—You've collaborated with Medicom Toy on numerous projects, most notably BE@RBRICK.

"HF KUBRICK" 2000, Non-sale prize item

“Yes. I think KUBRICK ("HF KUBRICK" 2000, Non-sale prize item) was probably my first collaboration with Medicom.”

—What was the catalyst?

“The editor-in-chief, Moriya, introduced me to Medicom through a giveaway for the inaugural issue of the magazine "SENSE."

—Did you know about Medicom Toy before that?

“No. They also make movie props, right? Like Chucky.”

—Yes. The "Child's Play 2" Good Guys prop-size doll (released in 2002).

“Up until then, I thought figures like that were an American thing. I realized they were a Japanese toy maker doing something new and different.”

—You've also created unique items through collaborations.

“Generally, I don't initiate most collaborations. However, the giant salamander ("fragmentdesign Giant Salamander PLUSH" released in 2012) was my idea. I simply liked it and had it made for myself. I suspect it was their least popular item (laughs).”

"Child's Play 2" Good Guys prop-size doll (released in 2002)

—The idea of a giant salamander as a body pillow is quite unusual.

“Medicom indulges my whims. So, when they invite me, I'm happy to oblige. They always present well-considered proposals, which makes working with them very smooth and trustworthy.”

"fragmentdesign Giant Salamander PLUSH" (released in 2012)

Are you a collector? Or do you use your items until they wear out?

—Do you have any items you've kept for a long time?

“I'm the type who finds it hard to throw things away. So, I admire the concepts of decluttering and minimalism.”

—You have quite a collection of Seditionaries clothing.

“Those are mostly items I wore myself back in the day, so I'm not sure if they qualify as a collection. If true collectors meticulously maintain their items or keep them pristine, then I'm someone who buys and wears them immediately, opening the packaging right away. I'm the type to use them.”

—If you buy two, you don't keep one for preservation?

“I use both if I buy two. I can't appreciate their value unless I use them myself.”

—What about toys?

“Depending on the movie, I quite like replica prop models. Actual-size ones. I'm not as interested in smaller versions.”

—Why is that?

“Perhaps I want the same thing? I've always admired things that people I respect have owned and used for a long time. For example, I have no interest in Star Wars, but I don't think Han Solo would own a toy spaceship. He carries a gun, though, right? So, a replica gun is more interesting to me. Regarding Sex Pistols figures, Sid Vicious's doll appears in the movie, doesn't it?”

—The Sid doll in the coffin from "The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle" (released in 1980).

“When I visited London years ago, Vivienne (Westwood) had the actual item in her room. I thought, 'That's the one from the movie.' I'd want that, but Johnny Rotten probably wouldn't own a figure of himself. It's something a fan would have. I'm not particularly interested in that.”

—I see, that's very clear.

“I'd want a Kamen Rider belt, but I'm not interested in a Kamen Rider figure. Similarly, while the actual-size Chucky is interesting, a smaller version wouldn't be as appealing.”

—With such clear guidelines when acquiring items, it seems unlikely you'd part with them easily. By any chance, are there any movie prop-sized items you desire now?

“I've been telling Medicom for a long time, but it hasn't materialized yet.”The cat from "007"“That’s right.”

—The cat?

“The villain (Blofeld, leader of the SPECTRE criminal organization) always holds a white Persian cat, right? That cat.”

—Haha! So, anyone could feel like the villain by placing it on their lap (laughs).

“It looks like a normal cat, but one with the "007" logo. They've made inquiries, but it seems difficult to get approval. I hope it can be realized someday.”

—I'd definitely want that!

Let's discuss new fragment design releases.

—For the MEDICOM TOY EXHIBITION '17 held from July 22nd to 27th, commemorative items included "BE@RBRICK Karimoku fragment design 400%," "BE@RBRICK Karimoku fragment design 400% carved wooden," and two types of T-shirts. What are the highlights of this BE@RBRICK?

Left: BE@RBRICK Karimoku fragment design 400%. Right: BE@RBRICK Karimoku fragment design 400% carved wooden.

“I'm drawn to things that are unbalanced. Polygons are handled by various entities and specialized artists, but this is like digital on wood. For the carved wooden version, I imagined a Hokkaido wood carving bear becoming a robot. I thought they would look interesting side-by-side. I actually wanted it to hold a salmon (laughs).”

—Haha!

“Previously, when I designed a BE@RBRICK ("WORLD WIDE TOUR BE@RBRICK hf" released in 2004), I dressed it in a plush toy.”

“BE@RBRICK itself is a plastic robot-like interpretation of a teddy bear, isn't it? I wanted to do the reverse, to make it a proper plush toy.”

“Similarly, this time, it's wood at its core, but I wanted to give it a robotic feel. Since it's an opportunity, I like to add twists like that whenever possible.”

—Hearing your explanation brings the backstory to life, making it even more interesting. Generally, there's a rule for designing BE@RBRICK: 'do not add parts' and 'do not change the form.' It seems you're the first to break it.

“I suppose so. I didn't see the rules. Apologies for being the maverick (laughs).”