Art of Form; From Small Plastic Model Shop to World Famous Company

Kaiyodo Figure Museum Kurokabe

(Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture)

【Zokei（造形）】 refers to the creation of tangible forms based on a certain concept or idea, include sculptures, paintings, buildings, and crafts. Shapes are expressed through tangible materials that appeal to people’s visual senses. The beauty of the formative art attracts across all generations.

Kaiyodo, a unique figurine company, was established in 1964 with the concept of bringing the joy of creation to everyone. Their products feature a realism that captivates fans all over the world. The company began as a small plastic model shop in Osaka Prefecture. The owner didn’t just sell plastic models; he attracted many children with his innovative ideas, providing a space for them to play with the models. His shop was always filled with local kids, and his passion drew plastic model enthusiasts around him. They weren’t satisfied with merely assembling models. Their uncompromising pursuit of formative (zokei) beauty led them to create their own models, ultimately founding a world-famous company.

In the heart of Nagahama’s Black Wall Square district lies the Kaiyodo Figure Museum. It showcases a compilation of their more than 60 years of work. It traces the history of Kaiyodo, from when it was still a small model shop to the creation of the immensely popular toy figures included with snacks that sparked a major boom in the 2000s.

As you step inside, you’ll be greeted by larger-than-life figurines of characters from Hokuto no Ken (Fist of the North Star). Kenshiro, the main character, stands motionless, his piercing gaze and imposing aura embodying power and justice. Raoh intimidates from atop a black, bulging, unfazed muscular horse. Yuria, the heroine, wears a melancholy expression yet exudes strength and determination. The realism and power of these three figures represent Kaiyodo’s commitment to the high art of form.

The museum’s second floor houses an impressive collection of Kaiyodo figurines and stunning dioramas. These meticulously crafted figures span various genres, including movies, animation, insects, dinosaurs, wild animals, and even Buddha statues. Their lifelike quality makes it feel as though you’re witnessing a scene from a story right before your eyes. Truly, these figures seem to have stepped out of the screen. Time flies as you look at piece of artworks one by one.

This figurine fuels my desire to own it as a piece of art. They seem like residents of a world different from my own, each with a unique background and a will of their own. The ability to imagine such stories is one of the most interesting and captivating aspects of formative (zokei) art.

* Please refer to Kaiyodo official site for full story here.