Lounge
May 11, 2015
ACT5 | Bancho Meets Ryuichi Sakamoto (2)
ACT5: Bancho Meets Professor
Tatsuhiko Akashi × Ryuichi Sakamoto: A Conversation (2)
The theme for our second installment is Medicom Toy's Yellow Magic Orchestra merchandise.
Yellow Magic Orchestra, who took Japan by storm with their innovative synthesizer-driven music from their formation in 1978 until their "disbandment" in 1983. They delighted many fans with their "reunion" in 2007, their first in 12 years. What were Mr. Sakamoto's first words upon seeing the figures recreating their youthful appearance in the "RAH Yellow Magic Orchestra 3-Figure Set"...?
Enjoy this must-see conversation, which also delves into behind-the-scenes stories of product development.
Text by Kunihiko HatanoEdited by Takeshi Takahashi (This Magazine)Photo by Jamandfix
AkashiHere is the "RAH Yellow Magic Orchestra 3-Figure Set," scheduled for release in February.
SakamotoTheir legs are longer than in real life (laughs). Thank you for the thoughtful consideration.
AkashiNot at all, not at all (laughs).
SakamotoUnlike the bears, these figures are close to our actual appearance, so I can't be purely happy about it; it feels a bit embarrassing.
AkashiThese red tunics are the costumes from your second album, "Solid State Survivor."
SakamotoThese are well-made. It might be interesting to recreate the album jacket with mannequins and a mahjong table. This one is from "Propaganda."
Yellow Magic Orchestra "Propaganda" 3-Figure Set
REAL ACTION HEROES Yellow Magic Orchestra 3-Figure Set
AkashiThis is the "VINYL COLLECTIBLE DOLLS Yellow Magic Orchestra 'Propaganda' 3-Figure Set," scheduled for release in February. First, we visited Sank-Art, the company that handled the art at the time. The originals were originally produced in sets of 100 for a Fuji Photo Film (now Fujifilm) cassette tape advertisement. However, we were told that only the mold for Yukihiro's upper body remains, and nothing else. Apparently, the chairman of Sank-Art gave the last set to an ardent fan.
SakamotoThey gave it away? (laughs)
AkashiSo, we asked that fan if we could borrow it.
SakamotoYou took molds from it? So they're almost identical to the real thing.
AkashiYes, the size is also about the same.
SakamotoI don't recall seeing these in person.
AkashiYou don't remember, Professor?
SakamotoWell, I generally have no memory of that period anyway (laughs).
AkashiYou were very busy. I remember seeing these three figures displayed at Teito Musen in Shinjuku back then and thinking, "Wow, I really want those."
SakamotoWere they selling them?
AkashiNo, they weren't selling them. They were displayed at major record stores with a sign saying, "New Album 'Propaganda' Released!"
SakamotoI see. So they used the dolls for promotion instead of the members themselves (laughs). Well, that was a novel idea at the time.
AkashiNowadays, they would definitely use CG for something like this. When we recently had an interview with the magazine 'Figure Oh,' Yukihiro-san saw the sample and pointed out that the actual costumes had purple shirts and pants, and your belt was white, Professor.
SakamotoSo meticulous (laughs).
AkashiThe original had several color patterns due to manufacturing constraints, so we decided to correct them all. That's why the release was slightly delayed. Incidentally, the "RAH Yellow Magic Orchestra 3-Figure Set" was entirely hand-sculpted by the modeler. There were quite a few arguments about whether they looked alike or not as each one was completed.
SakamotoAbout how many people are actually involved in the production?
AkashiThere are about 50 staff members in total, with the sculpting team consisting of five people. Of course, we also work with external collaborators, so in reality, about 15 people are constantly creating prototypes for our three-dimensional products.
SakamotoThat's surprisingly few.
AkashiAdditionally, the booklet included with the "VINYL COLLECTIBLE DOLLS Yellow Magic Orchestra 'Propaganda' 3-Figure Set" features interviews with people involved at the time, making it quite historical. We spoke with people from Fuji Photo Film, Sank-Art, and photographer Masayoshi Sukita.
SakamotoYou met Sukita?
AkashiI haven't met him directly, but I borrowed a considerable amount of material from him.
SakamotoHe did a remarkable job. Wasn't that a first and last for him? Photographing dolls.
AkashiI think it probably was. I haven't heard of him photographing dolls since then.
SakamotoNo, you wouldn't (laughs). He's someone who only photographs people. It's quite something.
MEDICOM TOY products
are now available for purchase on the web shopping magazine "Rumors."
We currently offer the following three Yellow Magic Orchestra-related items.
Please click the banner below if you are interested.
Yellow Magic Orchestra "Propaganda" 3-Figure Set
A figure set faithfully recreating the props used on the jacket of the album "X∞ Propaganda."
Scheduled for release in February 2008, ¥29,400
REAL ACTION HEROES Yellow Magic Orchestra 3-Figure Set
A complete recreation of the three members wearing the red tunics worn on the album "Solid State Survivor."
Scheduled for release in February 2008, ¥39,900
Yellow Magic Orchestra BE@RBRICK
A luxurious set of three figures: one designed by Yukihiro Takahashi in Bricks Mono, wearing the white shirt and black pants from their world tour; another in the red tunics from the second album "Solid State Survivor" jacket; and a third inspired by the uniforms worn during their disbandment tour.
Now on sale, ¥2,940