So, hanging with Japanese Sofubi Maker Kikkake at Design Festa last week resulted in this little collaboration, which I was SUPER psyched to be able to do!

Kikkake is making these little Sofubi Elephants, based on some old cermaic elephant he found! Super Fun!

Anyway, this first run (hopefully more are to come!) will drop in my shop this Friday (Black Friday... but that wasn't really my aim...) around 10AM EST. They will only be $25 (plus shipping) each, and there are only 5 of them available. Here are some pics (also on my Flickr):

Cool work Jon. These would look great next to some Shik bunnies!

Got a new batch of vinyl coming - a larger run coming up this time. Bears will drop at Sufes and Elephants to follow in January.

Aw man I'd kill for an unpainted set.

Nice. Are painting the kellermans too? Might have to ask you to set one aside for me.

... but what about the Kellerman?!

Edit: Jinx, kind of.

I'll be painting a couple Kellerman too . I'll see if Kikkake has any extra blanks when I see him at Sufesu.



I think we will make a few blanks available . I'll post up here when I get the figures and have all the info.

Here is the run of "Kuma-chan" (little bears) that I painted for Superfestival 58. There are 9 of these guys. After Superfestival any remaining will go up in the shop. I will also paint 10 elephants, and then release those along with some blanks of each figure.

dude those bears game out awesome. Your paint apps get better and BETTER. I hope I can pick it up so fast when I finally have my own vinyls in hand!

I wholeheartedly agree! Once again, I think you did right by the sculpt and I love what you do with the eyes. Hope I can snag one!

Thanks guys! I really enjoy painting these toys (can't wait to paint the elephants... just a bit too busy to get them together for Sufesu... darn - they'll have to be released on-line ). There is something about the random texture and 'imperfections' that just makes them pop when you add a few sprays/fades and details!

Those look really nice -- Lovely color choices! Any plans on the paint application for the Kellerman? Same colors? I'm dying to see!

Colors are awesome on the bears, nice little addition with the brush work.

Thanks fellahs. I really like these colors too - really bring out the 'cute' in these dudes!



Not so sure... I'll meet with Kikkake in a couple weeks and see what he has for me. I'm getting 10 more bear and 10 more elephants, so there will be blanks and customs available when I drop the 10 painted elephants in January. Not sure how many Kellermans I get to do, but I doubt more than 2 or 3.

Here's some new (and better) pics of the bears. So much fun to photograph!

Hey Guys - so, the run of bears for SF58 sold out, but I did get more turquoise bears and 10 MORE elephants! I'll be painting the elephants and and also offering a choice of a painted OR blank bear for the 10 I have.

The whole bundle will be available probably next week and probably on Friday.

Pics once I get the brush back up and runnning

So with the painted option on the bear, will it be the same paint scheme as the SF58 bears? (I hope yes!)

Alas, the SF58 bears were each signed and numbered. So... no. The paint will be different. I have two different (but similar) ideas at the moment. They will also have some brushwork (like the SF bears), so I think they should put a smile on most people's faces

Painted Elephants are ready to go! And I painted a sample Bear as well. Release will be this Friday AM, and will look like this:

-10 painted Elepahants are available: "Starburst Clan Zouchan"

-10 blank Elephants are available (for those who either LOVE blank vinyl, or who want to paint one themself )

-10 more bears are available - each person can choose ONE - either painted or blank.

And pictures

"Starburst Clan" Elephants



Example Bear - "Strawberry Ears" - I only painted one for now - I'll paint however many painteds get ordered (up to 10 of course...)



And there will be some of this as well:


Discussing the next color of vinyl with Kikkake! Probably looking at Apri - for the next Sufes. Also working out something with a couple Kellerman figures... so busy though... Anybody 100% want a Kellerman?

Hope I can get a Starburst Elephant to go with my SF bear.

Hope I can get a starburst Elephant to go with my Kodama.

I was nervous that the new bears would not be as cool as the first batch, but man, you nailed it!

I love those tiny pips on the nose. I need to clear my Friday schedule

Very nice! Here's a pic of a set Anraku painted.

Thanks for the comments everyone! I'm glad I didnt let you down (Blake) . These figures are a BLAST to paint - I already can't wait for the next batch!



Those are pretty! Dig the metallic spray! The way I understand it, Yamomark also has a set of these molds. Seems they also have a turtle! Kikkake only owns the bear and elephant molds - I'm thinking of nosing around a bit, and seeing what's available

They are up now - painted and blanks

Thanks Jon! Looking forward to meeting my new bear