Dinosaur Stuffed Models that are more than just “cute”
Its cute, stylized form captures the distinctive sail and elongated head of a Spinosaurus plush. This “cute dinosaur” is designed to be enjoyed by children and adults alike.
SpinosaurusSpinosaurus
Classification: Saurischia/Theropoda/Spinosauridae
Size: Total length 13–15 meters
Period: Late Early to Late Cretaceous
Its most distinctive feature is the sail on its back, which could reach 1.8 meters in height and is thought to have been used for thermoregulation, intimidation, and display. It also differed from other theropods in having relatively straight teeth and a long, slender jaw. A fossil specimen excavated in 1912 was lost in an air raid during World War II, bringing research to a standstill, but fossils discovered in recent years have suggested that Spinosaurus may have had a semi-aquatic lifestyle similar to that of crocodilians.
Interview with Supervisor Hirokazu Tokugawa
- Plush toys have a distinctive stylized look, and their charm and soft feel appeal to people of all ages, from young children to adults. Favorite is adding a new plush series called Stuffed Model. What are your impressions of plush toys?
- I have long been interested in how to design dinosaurs and other animals to suit the materials and scale of plush toys. I enjoy looking at plush products in museum shops in Japan and abroad, and over time I developed many ideas about how I would approach them myself. The Stuffed Model series gave me the chance to try out the dinosaur plush concepts I had been developing for years.
- The concept was to create a “cute dinosaur” while still capturing the defining features of the real animal, allowing personality and charm to coexist. Mr. Tokugawa supervised the project from the initial illustrations through the expression of each dinosaur’s features. What details did you especially want to convey in Tyrannosaurus, and what are its highlights?
- Aside from the sail along its back and tail, Spinosaurus has slender proportions that are challenging to adapt into a plush toy. Its long, narrow face was also difficult to express, and required repeated fine adjustments.
- The dinosaurs use subdued colors that fit naturally into everyday spaces. Were there any particular images or motifs that inspired the Tyrannosaurus color scheme?
- To avoid overlapping with the colors of other dinosaurs, I chose a bright blue that also matches Favorite’s Spinosaurus Soft Model.
- Finally, could you share your overall impressions of the Stuffed Model series and a message for those who will be picking one up?
- My impression of developing the Stuffed Model series is that it was challenging but fun. Unlike reconstruction models, plush toys are constrained by their size and the fabric and materials used, so it is not always possible to achieve the exact shape you want. Finding ways to express both dinosaur character and cuteness within these limitations is difficult, but it is also a rewarding opportunity to rediscover what makes dinosaurs appealing.
Supervisor Profile
Hirokazu Tokugawa
paleoartist／prehistoric lifereconstruction model artist
A dinosaur reconstruction model artist who creates works that combine academic research with the appeal of three-dimensional art, he is also a leading specialist in prehistoric life reconstruction models.