Palm-sized Aquatic Animal Figures
A PVC Mini Figure of the Bluefin Tuna, popular in Japan and around the world as sushi and sashimi. Its compact size makes it easy to display on a desk or shelf. An information card is included.
Pacific Bluefin Tuna
Classification: Perciformes/Scombridae/Thunnus
Size: Body lengthapproximately 60-300cm
Habitat: Waters near Japan and temperate to tropical waters of the Northern Hemisphere
Bluefin tuna migrate rapidly in schools from the surface to midwater in the open ocean. They can reach speeds of about 70 km/h, and their streamlined, spindle-shaped bodies allow them to swim long distances at high speed. They swim continuously to keep water flowing over their gills. Overfishing driven by rising prices has severely reduced populations, and the species is sometimes called the “black diamond” because of its dark coloring and rarity. Full-cycle aquaculture, once considered difficult, has now been achieved.
Interview with Supervisor Kazuyuki Mori
- The individuality of the many fish that give us the pleasure of observing, catching, and even eating them continues to fascinate us. The Aqua Fish Series, featuring aquatic animals such as these as its motifs, is a new addition to Favorite.
Moa supervised the sculpting and painting of this series. What do fish mean to you personally?
What concept did you use as the basis for sculpting the master models? - I find the appearance of animals living in nature extremely fascinating. Regardless of the series, expressing the beauty of wild animals through sculpture is the most important concept for me.
For this series in particular, my goal was to capture animals swimming beautifully, powerfully, and gracefully—in other words, to express them in motion. I believe I was able to capture beautiful moments of these animals in action, as if they had been cut from a photograph. - The diverse individuality of the animals can also be seen in the paintwork. What kinds of individual animals did you have in mind?
- As mentioned above, the figures represent fish living in the wild.
For details, please refer to the description of each species. I used as references the stages of each fish’s life that I consider particularly distinctive and beautiful. As a result, most of the models are based on mature forms or mature individuals found in nature. From the perspective of a viewer, I imagined specimens that would make me happy to encounter. Perhaps this is somewhat subjective, but they represent an ideal of how I would like them to be. - What are the highlights of the Bluefin Tuna Mini Model, and what would you like people to notice?
- I imagined it powering its way through the endless ocean, like the king of bony fishes, and sculpted it with a confident, imposing posture.
When you pick it up, look at it from different angles. Its body captures the functional beauty of a fish built for speed. Each fin is shaped for a particular purpose, and although it may look simple at first glance, it has remarkable depth and complexity.
Bluefin tuna usually fold most of their fins close to the body as they power through the sea. I designed the base to evoke the swirling water created as the fish moves forward. - As a palm-sized figure series, these models can be easily displayed anywhere and enjoyed in a variety of settings. Do you have any recommended display methods or presentation ideas?
- I currently have the entire series lined up in front of me, and it looks spectacular. Since the models are compact and we paid particular attention to the design of their bases, they look especially good when many different species are displayed together.
It could also be fun to place natural objects such as driftwood or coral beside them, or display them near houseplants.
There are souvenirs from overseas featuring glass bowls placed on driftwood, which have become easier to find in Japan as well. I like placing fish figures beside them. It creates a very nice atmosphere. - Are there any fish species you would like to create for the Aqua Fish Series in the future?
- There are far too many! (laughs)
Although it is called the Aqua Fish Series, it is broad enough to potentially include animals other than fish. While expanding the fish lineup, I would also like to create other animals. There may even be room for deep-sea creatures... It is exciting to think about!
If I had to choose one, perhaps a lionfish or one of its relatives. I have liked them for a long time and have even kept them before.
If I were to choose something other than fish, how about a crocodile? This series mainly depicts animals swimming, so a sculpted figure of a swimming crocodile would be quite unusual. I think there would be many people who would want one.
Supervisor Profile
Kazuyuki Mori(Kazuyuki Mori)
Natural history model artist.
His work is based on the concept of a “private tropical world.”sculpting、working across both three-dimensional and two-dimensional media,、and has held numerous solo and group exhibitions.。
He was responsible for the sculpting and Supervision of the Aqua Fish Mini Models.