In the summer of 1998, a drama series titled "Konya, Uchuu no Katasumi de" (Tonight, in a Corner of the Universe) aired on Fuji TV. The screenplay was by Koki Mitani, and it starred Masahiko Nishimura, Naoko Iijima, and Takaaki Ishibashi. It was a romantic comedy set in Manhattan (though there were hardly any on-location shoots in the city itself), where Nishimura had feelings for Iijima, but Nishimura was also interested in Ishibashi... The enjoyment came more from the witty dialogue than the actual story. The dinosaur in question was a Stegosaurus skeleton model that Nishimura bought at the New York Museum of Natural History (?) to give to Iijima for her birthday, and he was painstakingly assembling it. In reality, it was a 1/20 resin kit made by Kaiyodo, which is quite challenging to assemble. I remember thinking, "It can't be that easy!" as I watched it come together so smoothly on screen. And that Stegosaurus is still in my closet to this day... So, following the last entry, this is "Dinosaurs in the Closet" Vol. 2.
The sculptor who created the original, Shigeru Yamazaki, has been a long-time friend from the Dinosaur Club, and I've known him since he was an amateur. He is a pioneer and the only sculptor of dinosaur skeleton kits in Japan, because even now, apart from Gakken's supplementary items (some sold commercially) and small collectible toys, the only skeleton kits that exist are Kaiyodo resin kits based on Yamazaki's original designs. Skeleton kits have many delicate parts and are literally "bones" to build, but they are very rewarding. I'd love to try assembling one of Favorite's skeleton kits in its kit form someday... though there's a good chance it would end up as "Dinosaurs in the Closet" Vol. ?.
Now, the biggest challenge with this Stegosaurus is the dorsal plates. The instructions are very particular, stating, "The dorsal plates are not attached to the spine, so drill holes in the plates with a pin vise and connect them with aluminum wire to make them float above the spine." It sounds troublesome. Complaining about wishing for an easier method, like using clear parts, is taboo when it comes to garage kits. The ribs also look thin and difficult to glue (Photo 1). This might also be something to defer until retirement.

Yamazaki-san's works are full of dynamism (despite being skeletons!). There's a Tyrannosaurus running like Gregory Paul (Photo 2), a Triceratops standing up to stomp on an enemy (its head looks heavy, but even elephants stand up, so it's plausible) (Photo 3), a Velociraptor leaping (Photo 4), and a Futabasaurus depicted as a 1/1 juvenile (Photo 5). And for some reason, the Stegosaurus is walking on a fallen tree. I love Yamazaki-san's uninhibited style, full of such ideas. (Photo 6) shows other works by Yamazaki (Arsinoitherium and Velociraptor skulls, Ceratosaurus, etc., all from Kaiyodo).

Yamazaki-san later left Kaiyodo and doesn't seem to be making dinosaurs anymore. I haven't seen him at the club recently, but I sincerely hope for his return to the craft.