While manga fans collect posters, carddass and other media from their favorite licenses, the figurines market is progressing, notably by offering new, larger and more expensive statuettes. How do their manufacturers choose which licenses to work with? Which character to highlight, and how? All the answers with Mohammad Shanab, founder of Figurama Collectors.
The shelves of manga fans are already overflowing and yet they still somehow find the place to add the figurines of their favorite licenses. Statuettes are the objects whose quality has progressed the most over time: the quality of the molds, the materials used and even the incorporation of joints have allowed this market to explode. From 1 euro figurines in surprise pull tabs (gachapon) to Figma figurines featuring the iconic poses of favorite heroes, they are everywhere.
For a decade, collectors have also been interested in more luxurious models, paying for it from 400 to 1,500 euros. For these, the manufacturer no longer reproduces an isolated character, but dioramas illustrating scenes that have marked manga readers or fans of Japanese animation. The market leader, Tsumehas also achieved a turnover in 2019 which was close to 10 million euros.
Mohammad Shanab, founder of Figurama Collectors, deciphers this phenomenon for LInternaute.com.
Linternaute.com: Why did you start a large size figurines ?
Mohammad Shanab : I myself am a big collector of figurines. I own more than 800. I have always been passionate, not by this industry, but by the humans who make it up and keep it alive. I wanted at that time to offer the community a typology of figurines which – in 2015 – was absent from the offer. Figurines with dynamic poses did not exist then. And yet it is the type of pieces that collectors like me most want to highlight on our shelves. It is from this premise and this passion for the community of collectors that the spark was born to create Figurama Collectors. In fact, the large models come to fill an absence of proposal. And, as far as the so-called “dynamic action” figurines are concerned, I find that the details are more appreciable on a large format. Especially since an iconic scene deserves a work of its size.
How do you choose which license to adapt into dioramas?
It mostly depends on what we think fans and collectors want. We specialize in licensing niches that by their nature appeal to a select group of fans. Of course we also work with major IPs. Quite often, we learn about a license suggested by our fans, and connect with the agent who owns the rights to it and explore how we can honor them.
Once this work has been chosen, how do you decide on the scene or the characters to highlight?
For each series, we look for the most emblematic scene, the climax of the show, or one of the most iconic fights. In general, the climax of a work offers the richest elements and evokes an incredible background. We love recreating these challenging scenes that combine dynamic, detail-rich poses that make each room feel like it’s frozen in time.
Of course, these types of dioramas are usually centered around fan-favorite characters. And if by chance a key figure is missing from one of our statues, then maybe it’s because we have other plans for the latter…
Why make your dioramas in limited editions?
We respect collectors. Thanks to limited editions, the value of our figurines increases over time. Moreover, without a limit on the number of parts manufactured, our quality control would be less and we would lose our added value. This is what differentiates a collector figurine from a lamba toy.
How do you achieve this quality control?
We have implemented a system at each stage of the creation and manufacturing process. From the first day, all the teams become familiar with all the details of the statue, so the slightest anomaly can be detected as quickly as possible.
We carry out checks during molding, manufacturing and assembly. Of course the paint is also checked. And we don’t stop at production, we answer any questions from our customers after delivery. We want every figurine we’ve created to shine on your shelves.
These figurines have a certain price. Can you explain the main lines (design, material, royalties, etc.)?
Very good question, unfortunately we cannot give this information because it varies from model to model. But we can guarantee you that our production costs and production time are the highest in this segment of figurines. We do everything we can to keep the prices as low as possible.
Between the first teasing of a figurine and its availability, it can take several years. Can you explain these deadlines to us?
Each statue is the result of passionate work. We want to make sure we create the best possible object. Each step takes some time, choosing the scene, creating the concept art, doing the 3D modeling. We don’t want to rush through any of the steps. At each stage we proceed to a validation with the rights holders, and it may happen that they ask for an adjustment or just that they are busy and take time to validate.
Lupine the third is an extremely rich license. With adaptations to distinctive styles. How did you choose which version to adapt?
We wanted to pay tribute to our European fans with a statue which, like Lupine the third, will leave them speechless. We found a scene that allows us to highlight 3 members of Lupin’s team, and which highlights his iconic yellow Fiat 500. A dynamic scene, colorful, and with details that enrich the whole. What fan of the Lupine saga wouldn’t want a figurine where Fujiko drives a car?
Of the three members of the team, only Goemon is missing. Why ?
We love Goemon, and we know that his samurai skills and his Zantetsuken are essential for the balance of the team. But in this scene, you couldn’t add that character without missing some of his personality. I’ll let you in on a little secret: we’re planning something just specifically for Goemon!
How can you resist the iconic scene where Zenigata and an army of policemen run after Lupin?
When we thought about which scene to adapt, we hesitated for a long time, as the license is so full of key moments. But soon enough we decided to put forward the yellow car of the gentleman burglar for our first statue on this license. Our journey into the world of Lupin has only just begun.
Speaking of creative steps, can you describe the key steps?
Once the scene has been chosen, we always produce a series of 2D illustrations, to properly isolate the key elements of the diorama. Once validated we move on to 3D modeling, which is much more complicated than you might think. Succeed in keeping the balance of a scene and everything it contains, while being stable on its base. I take my hat off to our 3D artists. Then we make a first prototype, to check the balance in situ and improve everything that can be improved.
When do you know that you are at the end of these improvements?
This is actually a trick question. We do not start production until we are 100% satisfied with our prototype. But in order not to fall into the trap of the dissatisfied artist, I always stop when a prototype makes me think: “Wow, no doubt, our fans around the world are going to love this model”.
What is your best memory of this project?
The charm of Lupine the third accompanied me at all stages of creation. I am happy every time I look at our statue. I think my warmest memory is when the teams brought me the first assembled prototype. Holding the fruit of our hard work in my hands and realizing that it is close to perfection is a moment of indescribable joy. Almost magical.
What was the biggest challenge for this figure?
The faces of Lupin and his comrades. We have many possible approaches in the character guidelines. Both in the manga and in the anime versions. We wanted to find a point of balance that allowed us to pay tribute to both media while being as realistic as possible, which is the signature of our brand. We had many joyful and passionate debates before we succeeded in obtaining the result that you see today.
This diorama was printed in 950 copies. How do you choose this number?
Many factors come into play when choosing the size of a print. Of course the popularity of an IP, the demographics of its fans, the originality of the figurine, the authenticity and the importance of the scene selected and other things. It is a very complex process.
For the Yuyu Hakusho license, you chose a fight scene. What are the particularities to respect for this type of diorama?
The first step is to visualize the dynamism of the scene in the concept art. Then when we transpose the concept to the 3D model we make sure to give the impression of movement to all possible objects. Whether it’s clothing, debris, and even special effects. All the pieces of the puzzle must sublimate the movement in an organic and natural way.
Speaking of special effects, a trend in luxury dioramas is the addition of LED components. Have you thought about it?
There will be LEDs in the base of this statue. It is also the first time that we have shared this information. I love the rendering that LEDs allow, they perfectly transcribe the magic of animation.
Do you have a date to communicate for this Yuyu Hakusho statue?
Not yet, but it will be shortly.