The ANREALAGE Ver. joins the MY FIRST BE@RBRICK B@BY series. This is the seventh BE@RBRICK, counting from ANEVER. We spoke with designer Kunihiko Morinaga about this collaboration, looking back at previous works.

The ANREALAGE Ver. is now available for the highly popular MY FIRST BE@RBRICK B@BY series. MY FIRST BE@RBRICK B@BY is a popular model with beads inside the body that rattle when shaken. This time, a transparent body is used, and the floral pattern, created by encasing real flowers—a staple of ANREALAGE—in resin and then applying a water print, is expressed.

When we asked ANREALAGE designer Kunihiko Morinaga about this collaboration, a surprising fact emerged. We will also share comments from Chiaki, who designed MY FIRST BE@RBRICK B@BY.

—We interviewed you in 2018 for the release of“BE@RBRICK ANREALAGE 100% & 400% / 1000%”. Please tell us about your memories of the BE@RBRICKs you've created in the past five years, their reception, and your thoughts on MEDICOM TOY.

MorinagaAmidst the pandemic, as daily life transformed into the extraordinary, we actively released four types of models. First, we launched the resin series under the brand ANEVER, with the concept of capturing a flower's moment eternally, and released the first through third installments of ANEVER X BE@RBRICK. These are models with floral patterns expressed through water transfer printing on rainbow-plated resin.

MorinagaAfter that, we participated in AKASHIC RECORDS 2021 "Maboroshi no Parade" and released ANREALAGE×S.H.I.P&crew PATCHWORK BE@RBRICK. We deconstructed dozens of deadstock T-shirts, meticulously stitched over 1000 small patchwork pieces per figure, and covered the BE@RBRICK.

MorinagaThe water transfer technology used in both models and the patchwork craftsmanship, while seemingly opposite techniques, both serve to create the uniqueness of each individual piece. In the floral models, the placement, pattern, and color of each flower are all different. Similarly, in the patchwork models, the placement and color of each fabric piece are all different. We created them with the principle that each finished BE@RBRICK is one of a kind. They were met with a tremendous global response and sold out instantly.

—This time, a collaboration model designed by Chiaki, MY FIRST BE@RBRICK B@BY, has been released. MY FIRST BE@RBRICK B@BY remains a globally popular item 16 years after its first model was released. What are your impressions of this model, and what are your thoughts on this collaboration?

MorinagaIt was exactly 16 years ago that ANREALAGE first released its series of dried flowers, where real flowers were preserved in resin.
Around that time, I met with Mr. Akashi, the president of MEDICOM TOY, and it was precisely when "MY FIRST BE@RBRICK B@BY" was released. As I was creating products with the concept of "encasing" flowers, I felt a sense of admiration and sympathy upon seeing MY FIRST BE@RBRICK B@BY, which "encased" beads in its body.

That influence was strong, and at the time, I attempted to encase real flowers within the ABS resin of BE@RBRICK, but unfortunately, it was structurally impossible, and I had to abandon the idea. Time passed, and eventually, we were able to create BE@RBRICKs with floral patterns expressed through resin using water transfer technology.

Without MY FIRST BE@RBRICK B@BY, the resin floral BE@RBRICK might never have existed. That admiration from 16 years ago has always remained with me, so when the opportunity for this collaboration with MY FIRST BE@RBRICK B@BY arose, I was instantly transported back to those feelings.

With the feeling that "this is the only way," we collaborated using the resin floral pattern that is ANREALAGE's origin. We wanted the beads to be felt as a metaphor for flowers, so we had them encased in colors that matched the flowers.

—We look forward to the reactions of those who receive "MY FIRST BE@RBRICK B@BY ANREALAGE Ver. 100% & 400% / 1000%". ANREALAGE celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, and at the recent exhibition "A=Z," you presented a progression from digital shows that continued for four seasons during the pandemic back to the real Paris Collection (a collection returning to the origins of patchwork). Could you please tell us again about ANREALAGE's 20 years as you see it?

MorinagaWe held our 20th-anniversary exhibition ("A=Z"), which provided an opportunity to reflect on what ANREALAGE has done.

From when we started to where we are now, 20 years later, the brand's position has changed, and what I want to express feels far removed from our origins. However, in retrospect, it has been 'spiral.' At each point in time, my perspective and current position differ, so the output changes significantly, but unconsciously, I revisit themes in cycles. Although it's a repetition, it's not the same place; it gives the impression of changing locations when viewed in three dimensions.

This is something I've only come to understand with the passage of time. What interests me most now is time.
As time flows, things that begin move towards their end. As we go from point A to point Z, the distance between A and Z grows, but eventually, Z, the destination, overlaps with the starting point A, and from there, a new cycle begins. This spiral repeats many times, and the intersection of A and Z becomes increasingly dense and strong—this is what I've learned over 20 years.

The collaboration with MY FIRST BE@RBRICK B@BY is precisely like that; I believe it has become a product that connects the present with that past.

We also received comments from Chiaki, the designer of MY FIRST BE@RBRICK B@BY, regarding this collaboration.

When asked, "What's your favorite color?" I answer, "All of them."
My dream for MY FIRST BE@RBRICK B@BY is to eventually create models in every color in the world.
The first model was released in 2007, making this its 16th year.
We've released many models in various colors over the years, so I had been thinking about creating a fully transparent model if the opportunity arose. When I received the offer for a collaboration with ANREALAGE, it felt like the perfect timing.

With transparency, when you turn it upside down, you can see the beads entering the head and even the ears, which is fun.
ANREALAGE's floral pattern is also very beautiful.
It's much more interesting than just plain transparent, and I think it's quite cute myself.
I hope that people who didn't know about BE@RBRICK before will learn about it.
I am truly grateful that they wanted to collaborate with MY FIRST BE@RBRICK B@BY.
If I ever meet Mr. Morinaga, I would like to thank him in person.
(Compiled from statements made during the MY FIRST BE@RBRICK B@BY interview)

MY FIRST BE@RBRICK B@BY ANREALAGE Ver. 100% & 400% / 1000%
Designed by CHIAKI (CIROL & Co.)
Size | Approx. 70mm / 280mm / 700mm in height each
Release Date | Now available at MEDICOM TOY direct stores, ANREALAGE authorized retailers, and other select stores.
Price | [100% & 400%] ¥26,400 (tax included) / [1000%] ¥118,800 (tax included)
*Limited quantities available. Please forgive us if sold out.
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