Dinosaur Stuffed Models that are more than just “cute”
This Giganotosaurus plush captures its large head and slender silhouette in a cute, stylized form. It can stand upright on two legs, offering a variety of ways to play and display.
GiganotosaurusGiganotosaurus
Classification: Saurischia / Theropoda / Carcharodontosauridae
Size: Total length 12–14 meters
Period: Late Cretaceous
Giganotosaurus was a large carnivorous dinosaur that lived in South America during the Late Cretaceous. Its fossils were first discovered in 1993, making it a relatively recently identified dinosaur. Its skull alone measured about 1.8 m. Although it was larger than Tyrannosaurus, its body was relatively slender, and its bite may not have been powerful enough to crush bone. Fossils of several individuals have been found together, leading to the suggestion that it hunted in groups and may have preyed on large sauropods such as Argentinosaurus.
Interview with Supervisor Hirokazu Tokugawa
- Five new dinosaurs and prehistoric animals have joined Favorite’s Stuffed Model plush series. To begin, could you share your overall impression of the new additions?
- Each of these five species has different features to express as a plush toy, so the design work brought challenges that differed from those of the first five. This release also adds two prehistoric animals that are not dinosaurs: Mosasaurus and Pteranodon. Together with the original five, the ten models broaden the range of the collection and, I think, make it feel even more distinctly Favorite.
- As with the previous release, you supervised a wide range of work, from the initial illustrations to the expression of each dinosaur’s and prehistoric animal’s distinctive features. Could you tell us about the key points and highlights of each species?
- Because Giganotosaurus lacks obvious features such as horns or fins, it was unexpectedly difficult to convey its identity in plush form. I refined the size and shape of the head repeatedly to get the proportions right.
- As with the previous release, the colors are subdued so the models fit naturally into everyday spaces. Were there any images or motifs that inspired the color choices for each dinosaur?
- As mentioned in my answer to Q2, it was difficult to express the identity of Giganotosaurus with such a simple design. I wanted the color to convey the weight and presence of a large carnivorous dinosaur, so I chose a more subdued palette than the other Stuffed Models.
- Finally, do you have a message for people who will be choosing a Stuffed Model?
- I thought the experience of developing the first release might make the second go more smoothly, but it proved unexpectedly challenging. I was reminded of the huge variety of dinosaur and prehistoric animal forms, and how difficult they can be to adapt into plush designs. Even so, the process was just as enjoyable as before. I hope everyone finds a favorite among these five new models.
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.
