Good day to you all.

Kaho-tan, here!  ( ＠gsc_kahotan )  And even though I eat plenty of sweets every bit information technology is, I'm agape of looking at the scale for the adjacent few days.

But as they say, you lot abound a bit more than with each passing year!  (Be that in width.)

Well and then, today is the very last mail service of 2014!  (｀・ω・´)

I'd like to cheers all for reading the Kaho-tan weblog this year!

Nosotros'll do something a bit different than last year, and cease off this year's weblog with the interview of 3 certain individuals.

We'll take a expect back at the superlative ranking blog entries and best selling products next twelvemonth!

So, on to the starting time interviewee!

Here he is, supporting Good Smile'due south very first domestic factory (Lucky Manufactory), and with a magnificently croaking voice!

【Tori-Bird】 （Lucky Factory, GSC Manufacturing Dept.）

1　Please share with us again your thoughts on beingness stationed at Lucky Factory!
 Up until now, effigy production was entrusted entirely to Chinese factories.  We want to thoroughly manage the manufacturing process, to continue making a consistent finished product – we practise accept a lot of assurance in our factories now, just we've also begun to realize that at that place are technological constraints. In gild to go along making figures in the futurity, nosotros've got to be able to control every aspect of the manufacturing process.  In improver to understanding the costs and turnover time, we must as well continue improving production quality.  The talk of Lucky Factory couldn't have come at a better time, and I immediately asked to be transferred.In guild to prove myself to the people at Practiced Smile who trusted me with the position, as well as to everyone who has high hopes for the domestic factory, I promise to put all I've got into creating products you tin can be proud of!

Tori-bird Senpai… You're serious most this! (´□｀｡)

Tori-bird：

I'm always take things seriously! lol

But it'south also due to the fact that I have to talk in front of so many people recently!

Of course, taking something on like this means you have to do be diligent about a myriad of things.

Tori-Bird has such a smoothen style with words that at the Manufactory Thousand Opening live webcast, someone fabricated the comment, "Is he some Tv personality!?"

And though I wish I could have his eloquence, I promise I can learn something from him as a senpai.  (whispers)

Let'south move on to the next question.

２　Lucky Factory has finally opened!  What'south it like in that location now? Though nosotros continue to railroad train people for the product of our very first product, the speed at which the factory workers gain skill is a total surprise! Gradation painting in particular is incredibly hard, so I thought it would be an uphill boxing, but fifty-fifty people who had never touched an airbrush earlier in their life can now beautifully execute brushwork.  Nosotros only have about xl people, which is still on the low side, only they continue to substitution ideas on how to improve product quality, then it's a very passionate atmosphere.

That's for certain!

I met all of the workers at the Factory G Opening, and they were all similar, "Nosotros're all in this together, to brand this a factory from the ground upwardly!"  A sense unity and mutual agreement seemed to come naturally to them. ε=(｡・д・｡)

Tori-Bird：

The factory manager, Mr. Kakuda, and Haryu and I may form the core, simply all of the manufactory workers are out at that place putting in a lot of effort, too, and so there'southward this feeling that we're all working hard together, which makes me quite happy.

Now for i concluding question. (｡･ω･)ﾉﾞ

three　It looks like you'll take a challenging year ahead of yous, but what hopes do you have for 2015? First off, I want to brand certain that Nendoroid Sakura Miku: Bloomed in Nippon ships out in March without a hitch. This volition be the very kickoff product manufactured in Japan, and so nosotros're finalizing the production schedule to make sure that everyone can accept a production they'll be satisfied with.


Next up they'll be manufacturing the figma Equus caballus (Anecdote), and figma Equus caballus (White), but futurity items are already in consideration and underway.  I hope that Lucky Factory products arrive with a standard of quality plenty to be recognized as a brand in their ain correct this year!

Based on the idea that "no matter where you are in the globe, you always come across the same moon," every factory established past Skilful Grin upwardly until this point has had the word "moon" in it.  (Even our domestic factory – the "Tsuki" in "Rakutsuki" Lucky Manufactory is this very moon.)

Even if we're separated by neat distances, "We want to distribute superior products around the world, and bring smiles to as many people equally possible."  This core principle has never changed. (｀・ω・´)

We hope you're looking forrard to what'due south in store at Lucky Factory, too!

And with Wonder Festival rapidly approaching, there seems to be something special in the works that involves Lucky Factory, likewise… !!

Go along you're optics open for it!  (●´ω｀●)

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Moving on to our adjacent subject!

The 2nd person we'd like to share a few words with is this person, (in conversation fashion rather than Q&A) ♪

Head of the company that boasts such notorious members as Nitohei Kaneko and IG Sakai, it'southward the President of Max Manufacturing plant!

【Max Watanabe】 （President and CEO of Max Mill）

【1st Topic】What kind of year was this for you?

I suppose this was a year we were able to release a lot of figma.  Equally for statues, we had quite a few challenging ones, including Yamato Kai: Heavy Armament Ver. but despite all that difficult piece of work, there were notwithstanding a few complaints most how things take gotten so expensive…  And handling that concern will be a priority for usa side by side yr.

Kaho：　You likewise invested a lot of work into the development of Dougram and other plastic models this year.

Equally far equally plastic models are concerned, yes.  Equally one who's besides known as a "Modeling Superstar," yous could say it's my passion.  I recall our projects at present are ones where y'all can use the modifiers "at concluding" and "long awaited!"

Kaho：　Would you say that the addition of Taishou Shimizu (@shimizu_mxf)  (from the plastic model field) to Max Manufacturing plant was a pregnant contributing gene?

From kit development all the way to afterward intendance, essentially moving forth product planning, he definitely has a lot of pride in his work.  And as a comprehensive hobby manufacturer, we want to slowly expand into other fields via our products.  We have a long and close relationship with the plastic model field, and based on that nosotros wish for this to be one of mainstays moving forward.

Kaho：Would you say that y'all laid the foundation for that mainstay this twelvemonth?

To be honest, I'd that still lies alee of us.  Fifty-fifty amongst plastic models there are various categories, but for now we're simply focusing on lineups.  Some from this serial, some from that – that's how nosotros're moving forward.  Merely our very first series, the "Fang of the Sun Dougram" serial was well received, which gave u.s.a. momentum.  Still, I still call back we have a long way to go. We're currently developing a product for release at Wonder Festival next year, so I'd say that nosotros're continuing to move forward 1 pace at a time, building our lineup.

Kaho： Aside from the visitor, how was the year for you personally?

I call up you could say that I built way too many models!  I actually threw myself into it – and though this kind of bleeds into side by side year, I hope to cut down a bit in 2015.  We had the Dougram of course, but as I made a lot of appearances in hobby publications this year, and it seems that I'm known even more widely every bit "That former guy who likes plastic models"…  Just yet, I plan to tone information technology down a flake side by side year!

【2nd Topic】figFIX debuted this year? What was the idea behind information technology… ?

The idea backside it…  there were so many elements that spurned the nativity of the figFIX, to become into details would take forever… lol  Only one of the reasons I mentioned before, which is the price of "static" figures.  With the continued cheapening of the Japanese Yen, production costs all of a sudden rose, and it'south impossible foresee how long it will continue.

Kaho ：　Simply if that's the example, and so in that location's still the possibility for static figures to become less and less attainable.

We've got to eliminate that concern, and offering them at an affordable price, but we also want to accept a statue series with remarkable quality and loftier collect-ability now more than ever!  And it's the vibe we've been getting from fans, too.  This has been in product for a while, but it's only now coming to light.

Kaho ：　There really are all kinds of people getting into figures nowadays, too.

Nosotros've e'er put a lot of thought into people who are so-chosen "lite-users," so to exist honest, nosotros've never solely made products for core fans.  This especially goes for fully-assembled and painted products, similar scale figures and figma – we make things that people can enjoy and play with today that will still be there tomorrow, so I don't remember we're losing focus on that cadre concept at all.

Kaho ：　Does that utilise to plastic models as well?

That'due south a practiced question.  We try to make them so that they assemble apace and easily, but if that doesn't appeal to some I promise they at least like the box art.  Of form, in that location's also a well-established group of people who accept plastic models to the extreme, and nosotros desire to accept a product that they'll savour, too!

Kaho ：　Would you say that figFIX is a mainly product for figma fans?

I would say just that – it's a product for figma fans to take home and look at and collect dust.  I want them to say, "It'southward so cute even if it isn't poseable!"  I want them to have poses that a figma tin't do, to manifest the dazzler of a statue but at an affordable price – and therein is the merit of the figFIX.  Nosotros know there were customers out there saying, "I've really been wanting this," and I hope nosotros've been able to strike a chord with them.

Kaho ：　I'm sure they're looking forward to where you take this series next twelvemonth!

This is ultimately a product for the customer; information technology's up to them to decide, but nosotros here at Max Factory are really committed to it and desire to go along!

【third Topic】What do you think side by side year holds in store?

With the figFIX and plastic models, I recollect we're able to prove everyone products that were a flake out of the ordinary this year, only we want to go along in this management moving forrard, offering slightly unlike products equally well as product categories.  I remember in 2015 we'll have people saying, "I had no idea you could do that!" with the products nosotros take in store, and then delight stay tuned!
As for me personally, I think I desire to practise everything I can to cooperate with and support Lucky Manufacturing plant in Tottori Prefecture.  This is one project that absolutely cannot fail, then I want to do my part and lend them all my energy. More saying that information technology'southward "Made in Japan," showing the earth that we tin make these products at this this toll, and with this level of quality is something that we as a manufacturer desire to say with unwavering confidence.  Even domestically, manufacturing requires a loftier level of attending and is hard work.  Which is exactly why I desire every bit much a hand in it as possible.Who knows – I may even exist in Tottori myself next year! lol

I never really have the opportunity to speak much with Mr. Max, so I really enjoyed the conversation!

Thank y'all and so much for your time.

We've all seen Max at Lucky Factory wielding an airbrush but…

You lot never know, perhaps we'll see him inside the manufactory next twelvemonth after the product lines are really moving… !

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Now for our final interviewee!

Y'all may not exist able to recognize him with his new pilus cut!

Information technology's none other than our eccentric President and CEO, who also appeared this Halloween as that "sure plumber!"

【Takanori Aki】 （Good Smile Company President and CEO）

【1st Topic】 What kind of yr was this for yous?

Kaho 　：　Actually?!

The effigy industry has been undergoing a gradual shift since sometime last twelvemonth.  For example, people aren't after this-and-that a figure, but now they want "something with extra features."  We ourselves have united with blitheness teams, and thought upwardly various experiments nosotros can attempt together, and have taken a new look at the industry to figure out the best way to movement forward.  Maybe you lot could say that nosotros're still in grooming, or that nosotros're going into preservation fashion. And then there wasn't really a lot of output this year – doesn't that brand it rather boring?

Kaho ：　Simply we had so many new projects this twelvemonth… !

"Let'south found a domestic manufacturing plant!"  "Let'due south try the Red Bull Air Race!"  I told you about these projects, right?  Nosotros actually wanted to do something that was totally original and unique, but none of these things have reached fruition… Even the factory won't release any products until side by side spring, and the Red Bull Air Race is next May.  That feels similar a long way off.

Kaho ：　I guess yous could say that most of these things won't be realized until 2015.

Yes, exactly! This is related to what I was talking about earlier, we've recently crossed the premises of the figure world, and have increased our friends in the animation earth via USP (Ultra Super Pictures).  We joined forces with various teams this twelvemonth, and then I judge you could say it was a year of beginnings.  And through the blessings of all these new friends, many of those projects are near to take off.

Kaho ：　I guess you could say you have more people at your side, watching your back?

I would.  And thanks to these associates, we're able to conduct trial projects on a big scale.  Some projects that have been underway for many years are finally condign a reality.  Talking to everybody and taking a await at what'due south out there in the world, I think we're well-nigh to head out and say, "Alright, this is it!"  And I remember this twelvemonth was one of those years where nosotros laid the groundwork.

Kaho ：　I get the feeling that more than and more than projects are on the move!

What would y'all say the yr was like for yous personally?

I really went then many dissimilar places this year… I think I traveled farther and met more people than ever before.

Kaho ：　At that place were quite a few stretches where you were out of the function!

In Japan and all over the world.  Only I remember the people I met will play a large cistron in what to come next twelvemonth and the year later on that.  And of course, I also visited the mill in Tottori!

【2nd Topic】Lucky Mill in Tottori Prefecture is officially open… !

Nosotros said we'd plant a domestic factory, and we did information technology!  It actually was a profound moment for me.  And the bear upon the Tottori Regional Governor had on me was surprising, besides – lol!

Kaho ：　I was there with him on the live webcast, but he was even more enthusiastic than the rumors!

Possibly you can say it's something of the local color, simply you actually become the sense that people there are good people.  I participated in the factory staff interview process, and everyone was hostage and hardworking.  It's but one more than thing that lets me khow Tottori was the correct selection.

Kaho ：　I think that Factory Manager Kakuda, likewise equally Tori-Bird and Haryu all adjusted to the motion very quickly.

The surrounding surroundings and people in that location have all been very kind to them, but all of them are extremely positive minded!  Specially Kakuda – he's been involved the establishment of many factories, so he'south reliable.  I remember we accept some not bad people on board.

Kaho ：　I call up everyone at Oshiage wants to work together with those at Tottori practise the absolute best we tin!

Speaking of working together, we're receiving the assistance of all kinds of manufacturers at Lucky Factory.  They fifty-fifty interviewed manufacturing plant workers with united states of america.  And are instructing them in diverse manufacturing techniques.

Kaho ：　Even in the interviews… !  You don't say!

When we said Good Smile will make a domestic mill, some said, "Whoa!"  Only I think others said, "Can you lot actually practise it?"  Of course nosotros tin can do information technology.  We have allies we can depend on (manufacturers who have been with united states of america for a long time).  Knowing that nosotros're not in this lonely is reassuring, even if being in the figure manufacture is a challenge… Even if there are pressures, I think one of our greatest strengths is turning that into a drive to work harder.

Kaho ：　It'south like everyone has a hand in creating Lucky Manufacturing plant… I await forrard to what the time to come holds in shop!

I do, too.  For one thing, at Lucky Factory nosotros're incorporating all of the know-how acquired from Chinese figure manufacturing, but what I'm really looking forwards to is what happens afterward that.

Kaho ：　Past which y'all hateful… ?

Figuring it out as we go along.  There will probably be things that we realize for the outset fourth dimension always manufacturing in Japan, and we may find that other aspects are more than hard.  Some of this may exist influenced by the start of a new year, but while preparing for industry and making all the last adjustments, we're moving frontwards into bodily product.  Some of it may exist a fumble at start, but because this is Lucky Factory I want it to be simply the best, most advanced place it tin can be.

【3rd Topic】What practise you remember 2015 has in store?

All sorts of things we've been preparing are about to make their way into the world, so I hope it goes well.  About of these things are totally new, and then there are unknown variables, but nosotros still want to pitch at full strength.  We'll be happy if they're received well, but if it doesn't work out nosotros'll try again.  And then many people take gotten involved in these projects, and for their sake we'll make no compromises.  And even though nosotros'll probably endeavor all sorts of new things next twelvemonth, nosotros still have fifty-fifty more new projects to undertake.  I invite y'all all to sit back and savor the prove!

Kaho ：　It all starts with Wonder Festival!  Nosotros're going to accept all sorts of new developments in shop!

…And then in that location you have it!

What did yous all think!?

At that place sure was an awful lot of text this time around.

If I ever take the opportunity, I'd similar to try this interview-style mail once again! (｡･ω･)ﾉﾞ

Let me say again one last fourth dimension…

Thank you lot all so much for an first-class year!

I hope you'll tune in once again to the Kaho-tan Blog in 2015!!!

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＜Kaho-tan's inner vocalism＞

　　　　∧＿∧

　　　 （ ・∀・）.｡oO（ I hope next yr）

　oノ∧つ⊂）

　　(　（ ・∀・）.｡oO（ is a wonderful year, also!）

　∪（　∪ ∪

　 　と＿_）__）

Thanks for tuning in!

I hope to run into you all once again next yr in 2015!

Planning Department・Kano-tan (Blog #338）twitterID：＠gsc_kahotan

※ The next update volition be on (Tue) Jan. 6, 2015