First of all huge thanks to Polo901 for bringing to my attention on my previous post on Air Anime Limited from Kotobukiya this series of vids from Youtube. Basically, it brings to you the entire tutorial, from start to end, in the making of that particular figure alone. Also gratitude goes out to Sleepylafiel for bringing us these vids.
I highly urge anyone who is a figure collector to watch this series of 9 vids (each is roughly ten minutes long, you have been warned), from start to end. The detail, the sculpt, the amount of attention paid, all of it is truly amazing. Zou, Nanu, Hynavian and Ken were all watching, and some of them still are as I make this post early in the wee morning hours.
I am not going to embed them here, so here are the direct links to each vid.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Part 8
Part 9
Now the whole thing is in Japanese, so for those of us who are unable to understand how it all works, and why they did this or that, I hope that this post can also be a Q&A post using the comments area. I would ask, I have lots of questions, but I am watching the whole series from start to end without stop so I might forget some important things. I will leave it up to others who are watching and who remember parts to ask first.
If you are going to ask a question, do quote the part it appeared in to help others who can answer it.
I have to say, after seeing this series, a figure is truly a work of art, and something not at all easy to pull off. I mean, this shit was just incredible. Of course I hope to understand all of it, but wow, just looking at it, you get the sense of wonder as to how a figure is actually pulled off, especially one as elaborate as Air. The amount of work, the amount of effort, it requires more than just skill, it also needs passion to pull this off.
Once again thanks to Foo-bar-baz’s review for the picture, I mean yeah, I should stop using his, but I cannot come up, in so short a timespan, with another picture I think, of Air.
And as Ken put it, I got a figure with quite the story. This was also aired in 2005. And Air was only just released this month.
Now back to the series, I intend to finish this before I sleep. It is currently 3:50 AM. Again, I hope that this post will be used as a helpful discussion or start thereof where you can ask what the hell is going on and why they did what they did at certain parts. I think it should make for an interesting talk.
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Angel on 
YuKi-To on 
I started to watch this a bit ago and its really amazing to see all the work involved with a figure.
Ill ask some questions after i finished this
amazing process. the attention to detail is just unbelievable ^^
@k -
Deshou deshou?
I got a question about the nekomimi part. Though I think I am right after watching part 9. They were holding it up to the light to test out how real it would feel with shadows and light shining behind the ears right? It was to make the ears look real, since real ears like that would indeed show light shining through them.
yeap! it’s a perfect partnership between the molder (he made it as thin as possible) and the finisher (who colored it).
@k -
Insane. I know they were using vernier calipers just to measure out the differences and get accuracy on the minor details.
amazing video; Although I don’t think I will ever build one from scratch myself, it is still good to know how they do it ^^
I haven’t finished the whole videos, but the most interesting part for me will be how it is re-assemble and paint. and guess what, I got myself a GK, it will be arrived next week or the following. These videos really come at the right time ^^ thanks
Hey Panther, thanks for the linkage.
I love behind the scenes footage. The process seems about as involved than I thought, and was worth the viewing.
I agree, the attention to the ears is superb. I guess you can get away with material thinness if it only temporarily tapers before flaring thicker near the edge, as in this case.
I have a more tangible respect for figure makers, though when comparing the standard of promos to the mass production, it makes sense that cost could go up exponentially to meet 80% of “promo quality.”
So that’s why finishers do not get credit publicly associated with a given figure like the sculptor does; people would often be upset to find painting flaws done by Chinese laborers ^^;
@Lsio -
That would be difficult, I mean making a GK takes a lot of time…and money. Are you going to get an airbrush and stuff too?
@nanu -
Yeah finishers are only for the sample, the good ones. That is why the final product can differ from the original, just like some recent figures *cough*.
@Panther,
yes, got some money and want to waste more on this hobby ^^; I bought airbrush already. Just waiting it to get here. Got paint and other tools ready. Probably still need few more things, but gonna wait my kit arrive and see what else I need.
@Lsio -
That is cool. Would have to take a long time before it is done though, I can see. Plus you might want to ask around for tips and advice on making the figure. You got it from E2046?
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