"Too Adorably Cute" Gunpla 'Frau Bow Customized Gym' Receives Enthusiastic Acclaim on SNS - "Isn't the Plumpness Just Like Frau Herself?"
■The Fascination with Adoable Poses: "Even when operating an MS, the usual movement habits might come out"
—The color scheme of this machine is very striking, especially the pink. Can you tell us about your color choice?
ToMoS: I wanted to create a pink color that gives a youthful and energetic impression compared to the 'Artesia Custom Gundam' I made before. By the way, I didn't aim to make the Gym itself look like Frau, so the color scheme remains true to the Gym's design.
People often say, "The thigh color is different from Frau's," but the head and leg colors' are meant to respect the original Gym (laughs).
—Please tell us what you focused on most in the production of this work.
ToMoS: It would definitely be the poses. I've made slight modifications to extend the range of motion in the neck, ankles, and hip joints, but other than that, I've utilized the kit's existing range of motion. The old 1/100 Gym kit that served as the base has a structure that allows for considerable movement in the shoulders and elbows. I've taken advantage of that to make it assume adorable, even lovable poses, like crossing its arms behind its back.
—Indeed, the "calculatedly cute" feel is conveyed through the poses.
ToMoS: Thank you. I intended to replicate the subtle gestures that an ordinary girl occasionally exhibits. Even when operating an MS, I wonder if these everyday movements or habits might show up (laughs).
If you look closely, you'll see a beam saber held in its crossed behind hand. What this means is up to the viewer's imagination (laughs).
—Once upon a time, Gundam was synonymous with masculinity, but it's nice to see adorable MS like this one.
ToMoS: That's right. There's no gender to an MS, so it's truly uncertain whether it should always assume a masculine pose. If it actually “existed”, it might have felt like this model (laughs).
—Thinking that way, it's indeed true that "Gunpla is Freedom". By the way, what kind of works are you thinking of creating in the future?
ToMoS: I get interested in many things and sometimes I get bored faster than others, so I want to take on various challenges. I aim to continue creating interesting and cute works. I love old kits, so I think I'll continue using them as a base.
—We're very much looking forward to your future works, as they always expand the possibilities of old kits. Lastly, as a modeler, could you share your future goals and aspirations?
ToMoS: I don't really have any grand ambitions since I am enjoying this as a hobby, but I would like for them to regularly reissue old kits so I can continue with my hobby. This is my second request following our previous interview (laughs).