BJ999: Why did you not choose a character from popular shoujo mangas?
AK: Well, shoujo manga characters aren't suited for figures. They have intricate eyes and
eyelashes. When they are made into figures, they do not look that great.
AK: Well, shoujo manga characters aren't suited for figures. They have intricate eyes and
eyelashes. When they are made into figures, they do not look that great.
BJ999: Why did you choose Togainu no Chi as your first release?
AK: First we had no idea which we wanted to release. But we noticed that it's been a year since
Togainu no Chi game came out and became popular, and even after all this time, the popularity did
not diminish in Japan. So we decided to make Toganinu no Chi lines first.
AK: First we had no idea which we wanted to release. But we noticed that it's been a year since
Togainu no Chi game came out and became popular, and even after all this time, the popularity did
not diminish in Japan. So we decided to make Toganinu no Chi lines first.
BJ999: Since now with ES Line primarily focusing towards female audience can we expect more
popular characters from well known series that we never had a nice, larger scale completed figures?
For example, I know you guys released Shinji and Kaworu from Evangelion for the ES line. There
are still so many Male characters who are only available as gashapon or resin kits.
AK: We would love to. Right now we have license for some of the characters. We are thinking of
more. We know that Konami released Allen Walker and Leenali Li from D.Gray-man. We would like
to expand the market as well.
popular characters from well known series that we never had a nice, larger scale completed figures?
For example, I know you guys released Shinji and Kaworu from Evangelion for the ES line. There
are still so many Male characters who are only available as gashapon or resin kits.
AK: We would love to. Right now we have license for some of the characters. We are thinking of
more. We know that Konami released Allen Walker and Leenali Li from D.Gray-man. We would like
to expand the market as well.
BJ999: (laughs) Of course. That makes sense. Zoro is very popular among One Piece girl fans in
America too. How do you think American female fans will react to this idea? (Idea of figures for girls)
AK:I honestly have no idea. Even in Japan, it is unusual to have girls buy figures. Sakari-san
(International sales rep) was surprised by the large amount of orders. Since the game (Togainu no
Chi) has not been released in America, they were surprised by the popularity.
America too. How do you think American female fans will react to this idea? (Idea of figures for girls)
AK:I honestly have no idea. Even in Japan, it is unusual to have girls buy figures. Sakari-san
(International sales rep) was surprised by the large amount of orders. Since the game (Togainu no
Chi) has not been released in America, they were surprised by the popularity.
BJ999: Do you plan on keeping the line a certain scale or does it depend on each individual
pieces?
AK: It'll be case by case scenario.
pieces?
AK: It'll be case by case scenario.
BJ999: Can you give us an example of such figures?
AK: Well we noticed that Megahouse's One Piece figure of Zoro were mostly bought by female fans.
AK: Well we noticed that Megahouse's One Piece figure of Zoro were mostly bought by female fans.
BJ999: And the prices?
AK: It'll be case by case scenario for that too.
AK: It'll be case by case scenario for that too.
BJ999: Ah, of course. It's unfortunate they had to cut the yaoi scenes out, but hopefully more people
will be able to purchase the game. Do you feel that there is an existing market for female collectors
even though this market is considered predominantly male market?
AK: I've always know there were a lot of female collectors who were interested in this market. It's
just that until now, the figures were not as high quality. Many have said that they would buy the figures
if they were higher quality.
will be able to purchase the game. Do you feel that there is an existing market for female collectors
even though this market is considered predominantly male market?
AK: I've always know there were a lot of female collectors who were interested in this market. It's
just that until now, the figures were not as high quality. Many have said that they would buy the figures
if they were higher quality.
BJ999: I really like how Togainu no Chi and other figures comes with a drama CDs. As a seiyuu*
fan myself, I thought it was a neat idea! Were you the one who thought of that idea?
AK: (laughs) Yes. I discussed the idea with Nitro+.
fan myself, I thought it was a neat idea! Were you the one who thought of that idea?
AK: (laughs) Yes. I discussed the idea with Nitro+.
BJ999: How is the responses so far from the female fans?
AK: It's pretty god. Sales wise, Lamento figures were 130% better than the Togainu no Chi
releases. Oh and by the way, in Japan, Togainu no Chi game will come out for PS2 in November.
But there will be no yaoi scenes. There is one new character but the game will be based on the
same story. I heard few parts will be different though.
AK: It's pretty god. Sales wise, Lamento figures were 130% better than the Togainu no Chi
releases. Oh and by the way, in Japan, Togainu no Chi game will come out for PS2 in November.
But there will be no yaoi scenes. There is one new character but the game will be based on the
same story. I heard few parts will be different though.
BJ999: Are other future figures going to come with drama CDs like Togainu no Chi and Lamento?
Or possibly other extras other than drama CDs?
AK: Persona 3 figures also comes with drama CDs. Basara figures will come with voice chips in
the base. We are always thinking of new ideas for our figures.
Or possibly other extras other than drama CDs?
AK: Persona 3 figures also comes with drama CDs. Basara figures will come with voice chips in
the base. We are always thinking of new ideas for our figures.
BJ999: Are you planning to release any other characters from Sengoku Basara?
AK: Probably just those three.
AK: Probably just those three.
BJ999: I see. Do you work on any other projects other than ES Line?
AK: I am in charge of the Shunya Yamashita series. I get his original drawings and discuss with him
poses and costumes for the figures.
AK: I am in charge of the Shunya Yamashita series. I get his original drawings and discuss with him
poses and costumes for the figures.
BJ999: Oh, I see. What other projects and series can we expect to see?
AK: We have planned to release Persona 3 Hero in December for Japan. Another P3 character,
Sanada Akihiko will come out in January of 2008. Lamento Chibi figures will be released in
September. Sengoku Basara's Date Masamune will also come out in September. From Sengoku
Basara, we're also planning to release Sanada Yukimura in October, and Chosokabe Motochika in
November, 3 characters total.
AK: We have planned to release Persona 3 Hero in December for Japan. Another P3 character,
Sanada Akihiko will come out in January of 2008. Lamento Chibi figures will be released in
September. Sengoku Basara's Date Masamune will also come out in September. From Sengoku
Basara, we're also planning to release Sanada Yukimura in October, and Chosokabe Motochika in
November, 3 characters total.
BJ999: That's incredible since he's an amazing artist and I love his figures. Going back to Persona
3, will you be releasing any other characters?
AK: No, those will be it.
3, will you be releasing any other characters?
AK: No, those will be it.
BJ999: Do you have male collectors for your lines?
AK: (laughs) Only about 1% of our buyers are male for our lines.
AK: (laughs) Only about 1% of our buyers are male for our lines.
BJ999: How about Togainu no Chi or Lamento? Or more Evangelion figures?
AK: We are thinking of releasing more Togainu no Chi and Lamento figures.
AK: We are thinking of releasing more Togainu no Chi and Lamento figures.
BJ999: I see. And what is the aim and goal of the ES Line?
AK: Well, there is no female collector aimed figure line. There are many chibi figures but not many
bigger and more serious looking ones. Especially at Akihabara, all the figures are mostly for male
collectors. This is a way to get girls to get into figures too.
AK: Well, there is no female collector aimed figure line. There are many chibi figures but not many
bigger and more serious looking ones. Especially at Akihabara, all the figures are mostly for male
collectors. This is a way to get girls to get into figures too.
BJ999: About those Lamento characters, do you know why they added those kitty ears to those
men?
AK: I'm not the creator so I wouldn't know, but kitty ears are "moe**" points and are popular in
Japan. Perhaps that's why?
men?
AK: I'm not the creator so I wouldn't know, but kitty ears are "moe**" points and are popular in
Japan. Perhaps that's why?
BJ999: Where do you get your information?
AK: I get my sources from reading magazines and watching T.V.
AK: I get my sources from reading magazines and watching T.V.
BJ999: They are "mo'e** points aren't they. (laughs) Will you make other Nitro+ Project figures or
other yaoi games, manga, anime character figures?
AK: We do not have any other yaoi characters in our thoughts. We're more thinking of what's
popular so we're not focusing just on yaoi but on anything that is popular among girls.
other yaoi games, manga, anime character figures?
AK: We do not have any other yaoi characters in our thoughts. We're more thinking of what's
popular so we're not focusing just on yaoi but on anything that is popular among girls.
BJ999: For those who do not know you, could you describe to us what you do for Kotobukiya?
AK: I'm the Planning Director for ES Line of Kotobukiya. I research what is popular right now, what is
going to be popular and what we will sell and what we will not sell.
AK: I'm the Planning Director for ES Line of Kotobukiya. I research what is popular right now, what is
going to be popular and what we will sell and what we will not sell.
BJ999: I see. I truly love your little chibi lines for Togainu no Chi and Lamento. Their expressions
were perfect, and their box had cute cut away pictures too. I loved how some characters came with
tiny accessories. Can we expect more?
AK: It is one of our ideas. Those chibi lines sell even to the male collectors. Some customers don't
even know what they are but they said it's cute so they buy them.
were perfect, and their box had cute cut away pictures too. I loved how some characters came with
tiny accessories. Can we expect more?
AK: It is one of our ideas. Those chibi lines sell even to the male collectors. Some customers don't
even know what they are but they said it's cute so they buy them.
Black Jackie 999: Hello, this is Black Jackie 999 (aka Misa Misa) from Henshinhobby.com. I'm here
with Ms. Akiko Kihira of ES Line of Kotobukiya. Nice to meet you.
Akiko Kihira: Nice to meet you too.
with Ms. Akiko Kihira of ES Line of Kotobukiya. Nice to meet you.
Akiko Kihira: Nice to meet you too.
BJ999: Wow I see. Okies for our final question, can we expect to see more risqué or playful figures
like how they do with female figures? You know, like splashing waters at each other or just coming
out of the shower in bathrobes or being "friendly" in general?
AK: (laughs) We are still experimenting on that. If the customers like it, we will do it. Asato's (from
Lamento) jacket for examples comes off, is that not enough?
like how they do with female figures? You know, like splashing waters at each other or just coming
out of the shower in bathrobes or being "friendly" in general?
AK: (laughs) We are still experimenting on that. If the customers like it, we will do it. Asato's (from
Lamento) jacket for examples comes off, is that not enough?
Translator: Cindy Snell
BJ999: Not for me? (laughs) I know some people want more.
AK: (laughs) Well it's definitely a possibility.
AK: (laughs) Well it's definitely a possibility.
| by Black Jackie 999 September 4, 2007 |
BJ999: Thank you for your time, it's been a pleasure! Do you have
anything to say to the U.S. Fans?
AK: Even in Japan when customers buy these figures, I'm extremely
happy. So I am very happy to see that Americans like them too. If there is
any kind of information on what is popular, please email which character
from which series you'd like to see in figurine form, please email them to
fanquestions@kotous.com
anything to say to the U.S. Fans?
AK: Even in Japan when customers buy these figures, I'm extremely
happy. So I am very happy to see that Americans like them too. If there is
any kind of information on what is popular, please email which character
from which series you'd like to see in figurine form, please email them to
fanquestions@kotous.com
BJ999: Thank you once again for your time!
AK: Thank you very much for yours.
AK: Thank you very much for yours.
Interview: Akiko Kihira
| Lamento Beyond the Void : Asato Lamento Gallery Coming Soon |
| Persona 3: Hero Persona 3 Gallery Coming Soon |
| Sengoku Basara : Date Masamune Basara Gallery Coming Soon |
| SURVEY Have a character or characters from an anime, manga or video game that you are dying to see as a figure(s)? We want to know what you all want to see!! Please tell us!! -Character(s) from anime, manga or video game you want to see made as a High Quality figure. -Your gender and country you're from Please send all inquiries to- fanquestions@kotous.com. Please have your title as: "I want to see this made!!" We look forward to hearing from you~<3 |
*Seiyuu is a Japanese voice actor
**Mo'e (mo'e, pronounced "mo-eh" literally 'budding', as with a plant)
is a Japanese slang word originally referring to fetish for or love for
characters in video games or anime and manga.
**Mo'e (mo'e, pronounced "mo-eh" literally 'budding', as with a plant)
is a Japanese slang word originally referring to fetish for or love for
characters in video games or anime and manga.
Footnotes
| back to top .... |