Yeah, the 3D bothers me too, but it would bother me more to know there was no chance to get his vision done at all. So I’ll take what I can
Curious what people's gripes are in reference to 3D modeling. Is it the appearance of the final product or the fact that the artist didn't physically sculpt the model with their bare hands? Does anyone feel that it is cheating in some way or that it cheapens the toy?
When we’ve been used to hand-made sculpts, and this being one of the coolest things about collecting sofubi for us, and the fact that a lot of us collect these toys not only for the joy that toys bring, but as art, then yes, I feel it cheapens what we’re getting. If you make a drawing, and someone else makes the same drawing in the all-forgiving, no-natural-talent-needed illustrator program, isn’t that cheating of sorts? Maybe it all depends on point of view, and the reasons why one collects. I’ll add that hand-sculpting is a quality that adds “soul” and feel to a figure. A quality that maybe most longtime collectors require, while most casual and/or recent collectors might be after just the “look” of sofubi.
I come from the fine art world and the hand of the artist is only something those not heavily invested in conceptual art really hammer on about. To each their own, it’s all valid. Personally, I don’t consider these dolls exhaustive as art, but I see them somewhere closer to precious objects than toys (not that toys aren’t precious). so it doesn’t bother me, but it would bum me out to see my favorite makers move to 3D rendering outside of exploration when they have been sculpting by hand. Then again, whatever tool it takes for them to feel accomplished in their making, I’m all for that.
I hear what you're saying, and kinda agree with it. But your comment about Illustrator is totally off-base, IMO. I've found that to be good in Illustrator takes MORE skill than to be good with pencil/paper - you need to be able to draw first and foremost, but you've also got to understand how to use the program which is hardly "all-forgiving". I never got anywhere close to being as good in Illustrator as I am with pencil/paper. That said, I do have my own hang-ups when it comes to digitally-created art vs "hand created" art. I have a hard time viewing a digital painting as being equal to a physical painting. Or a 3D print equal to something sculpted by hand. Or a giclee equal to a screen print. But like @gatiio , I don't view toys through the same lens I view art, so I'm more forgiving of the methods used. I do agree that the sculpt loses some nuance when created from a 3D render - but not having ever held one in hand, I'm not sure how noticeable it is. In pictures, it looks pretty obvious, but perhaps in person it's better? Either way, I love that Hedorah! It would probably be better had he been able to sculpt it by hand - but I'm glad it exists in any form, rather than not exist at all.
I don't really care if it's sculpted by hand or using 3D-software, it's just that AA seem particularly bad at it (3D modeling). I think his edges are consistently too soft. He could easily get someone to help improve his product and it'd still be his vision, or he should be able to just get better at using his software. When looking at newer AA-sculpts it's as if they are out of focus, and more so than others sculpting with 3D-software.
From what I understand AA still makes corrections to the wax prototypes by hand, he does seem to be frustrated with the fact he can’t produce his sculpts properly w the 3D technology. I think this was the case w the Gamera sculp. My issues r w the color choices. They could have gone done a classic Tokyo pain app or Hawaiian paint app w that pickled hedorah.
Does anyone in now, with this recent Medicom x AA lottery (Godzilla with the Mothra Larva), do you have to pay upfront (i.e. when you enter the lottery) and then they either keep the money or reimburse you if you don't win? Or do you just give them your info and only pay them if you win?
I like everything about this except for the matte pink and matte white teeth . Side profile is great but the mouth kills it for me.
@EtR_Wolf assuming it’s the same as the nose Goji lottery, then yes you pay upfront when you enter and are refunded if you don’t win.
I am sort of coming down on the fence with these latest AA sculpts. I can appreciate arguments on both sides of things, and ultimately as it is a question of aesthetic, everyone's opinion is equally valid and it is a matter of personal choice. I see the rounded nature and change in texturing, but it's not to the detriment of my enjoyment. These sit in their own place, and I don't think that is necessarily bad or good. These aren't my sculpts though, and if Mr. Anraku is content with them, that is just fine be me. Like others have said, I am just so happy to be able to live in a world where these exist, and would be even more thrilled to actually be able to win a lotto or have the chance to purchase one. I am loving the fun nature of all the Gojis so far, even in a world of Godzilla overload, and now seeing him lend his hand to Hedorah and beloved Gamera, it's sort of a massive win for fans of toys and the characters. Yes, maybe that cache of the uber exclusive AA 'art' stuff is lost, but I never gave one iota for any of that in any case. Ultimately, these are great lookin' - and most importantly, fun - toys, and I think there is a ton to enjoy from them as they are, without focusing too much on what might have been. It's easy to criticise from the sidelines, but I couldn't make these, in any medium I tried my hand at. Pump up the numbers and have these in people's hands, and they'll still be just as good. If I wanted a beef to gripe at, it would just be being able to enter some of the lotteries.
Hmm... I've entered every lottery after the first guignol ver. I've never had to pay anything until after I received a winning e-mail. EDIT: Now that I think about it, you're right. For the DesuGoji and DaisensoGoji they had you pay up front and the funds were in holding until winners were announced. Starting with the Cybot they began invoicing only after the fact.
@Kerk1 , thank you. I figured as much, but wasn't sure if they changed anything this time around. I'll have to wait a week or so to enter then. @HBCoffin , hmmm?? I wonder if it's the type of payment either of you used? Did you use PayPal or a different form of payment? (Same question to @Kerk1 .) A friend of mine also entered the finger godzilla lottery and also had to pay upfront.
Edited my first post. You are right about them asking for payment up front in the past. Maybe enough people complained or it was too much trouble for their accounting department.
I can’t think of the last time Sofubi spoke to me like this line. Totally agree that color and textures could be improved, but what you get for the price and size can’t currently be matched as far as I know for new Godzilla sofubi. These things make me smile and bring out the kid in me every time. I’m dedicated to getting every one! Just wish I could find that Baragon and the OG Mothra Larvas!
Yeah, the possibility of that Baragon being reissued is the only thing that keeps bringing me back to this thread.
It reminds me of the M1 Mire... except the M1 carries through with the sculpt detail. This one is kind of halfway between the simplified Anraku look and the more 'realistic' sculpts, and ends up looking bland as a result. The first Anraku Goji looked good (and I even have one), but subsequent sculpts seem a little phoned-in.
Sooo a pink/ purple Destroyer just sold on Mandarake! Any clue what it was? Early leak? An exclusive I missed?