X-Plus is releasing the Large Monster Series Daiei Special Effects Gamera 1999, this figure features two heads (Ric version) with open and closed mouths. This figure stands 19cm tall and retails for 14,040 yen ($117 US). It can be pre-ordered now from X-Plus on both the Japanese and US Ric sites, with release scheduled for Dec 2018.

Yesterday we posted about the  X-Plus Irys figure design and the man behind it, Dopepope, now we had the privilege to ask him a few questions about this awesome calibration.

​Check out the interview below and his Artstation and DeviantArt pages (links at the bottom), and a big thank you to him for his courtesy.

Kaiju Battle: How did you and X-Plus come together to work on the Irys figure? 

Dopepope: A representative of X-Plus reached out to me via email. He mentioned they saw my work on Artstation and were very impressed with my kaiju work. They offered me a project right then. 

KB: Did you have a choice in the monster you would do?

DP: No, they had IRYS in mind from the start. 

KB: Were there any requirements in designing the figure (size, stance) from X-Plus and did X-Plus direct you to do a design based on something specific?

​DP: They wanted a movie accurate model, something that would be more proportionate to the suit, and a stance that would be possible for the suit actor. They provided wonderful reference for the model. Ultimately the model needed to be approved by Shûsuke Kaneko, the director of the film ‘Gamera 3 : The Revenge of Irys’. So, no pressure there, lol.

KB: Will the figure be made direct from your digital version or will it be sculpted traditionally based on it?
​
DP: I’m not exactly sure. I do think they’ll 3D print my digital file, use it to create molds. But there can always be unforeseen circumstances that require something to be re-worked traditionally. But that’s speculation.

KB: You have done some commissions and such that are meant for 3D printing recently, is this something you may get into yourself directly or will you stick with designing them only?

DP: I’d love to eventually create my own kaiju designs for production. I have several ideas for some cool monsters. Having them be released by X-Plus would be amazing, but maybe my own company would be pretty cool too. I do work with a few other designers and companies tho. So, we’ll see. 

KB: Is there a possibility we will see more of your designs getting released as figures down the line from other companies like X-Plus?

DP: Recently, at the 'Son of Monsterpalooza’ convention in California, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet with Mr Gee, the owner of X-Plus, and it seemed to open up doors for us to work together on projects in the future. I’m very eager to do just that. 

KB: Do you have any favorite monsters or particular designs you have done, that you would want to see in figure form?

DP: I do have a Shin Godzilla concept that I would love to see as a large statue. I’ll be looking into how I can get that manufactured. Let's hope that works out. it’s very cool.

Dopepope on ArtStation here.
Dopepope on DeviantArt here.
Thanks to John from Kaiju Addicts for a couple of question suggestions.

X-Plus was at Super Festival 78 this weekend and while there wasn't much new there was one interesting new item, a Favorite Sculptors Line Irys figure from Gamera 3 (1999). What makes this figure interesting is that it is the first digital inspired figure, created by Dopepope a digital artist who we have featured here on our site in our Saturday Showcase feature multiple times. All the FSL figures before were created from statues, kits, etc. from various artists but never a digital design. X-Plus had put out a call for sculptors a while back, this could have come from that call. The design is a typical awesome design by Dopepope, it will be quite interesting how it gets from digital to physical form, he has offer digital files for sale to use in 3D printer. Fans seem to be quite excited about this figure in general as are we, and the potential to have more digital inspired figures.

Yuji Sakai is releasing the Sakai Yuji Modeling Studio 25th Anniversary Gamera 3 Resin Kit, our apologies we missed this when it was announced, it will be released any day now. This awesome kit stands 42cm tall (almost 17 inches), is 35 pieces, and retailed for 89,000 yen (approx $800 US, plus tax). This was originally shown at Winter Wonder Festival 2018 in February.

A magazine scan revealed a new S.H. MonsterArts Gamera figure was coming now we have official pictures and info (updated). The figure will come with a plasma fist, replacement parts for flying pose (arms, legs, and tail) and fire base stand for flight pose. It stands 16cm tall (20cm in length head to tail) and will retail for 10,800 yen. It is scheduled for release Oct 2018 and will be available at most general retailers. 

X-Plus is releasing the Real Master Collection Plus Gamera 1995 Poster Version, this resin figure features a paint scheme to simulate the poster for the film. It also features a light to give the effect Gamera is about to fire his weapon from his mouth. It stands 27.5cm tall and is 28.5cm in length, and will retail for 29,700 yen. This is a Ric exclusive limited to 100 pieces and can be pre-ordered now with release in June 2018.

​Gamera Deluxe Statue
Prime 1 Studio is proud to present UDMG3-01DX: Gamera Deluxe version from Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris. Gamera is a giant, flying turtle-like kaiju originating from a series of Japanese tokusatsu films of the same name. Ayana Hirasaka, an emotionally troubled young girl who forms a psychic bond with a highly aggressive parasitic creature known as Iris that feeds upon her rage and hate for the giant fire-breathing turtle monster called Gamera, who had killed Hirsaka’s parents. Gamera later is defending Japan from a swarm of monsters called Gyaos when he is confronted by Iris. The film received positive reviews from film critics who praised its special effects with many praising it as one of the best in the Gamera film series. The Deluxe version contains several additional parts. A must have for all Gamera fans.
 
Statue features:
- Size approximately 26 inches tall [(H)66cm, (W)65cm, (D)68cm]
- One (1) interchangeable right-hand Burning Fist
- One (1) interchangeable Regular Right-Hand
- Three (3) alternate portrait
- LED light function on Burning Fist
- With Diorama base which reflects one of the scenes in Kyoto
- Limited Quantity Worldwide
- Made of Polystone Material
- Expected shipment: January 2019 – March 2019

Retail Price: $999 US

Edition Size: 500

Prototype samples shown.
Product details could be subjected to change without further notice.

Update: there are actually three versions the Deluxe (info above), regular, and vinyl (info below). The base figure is the same, different accessories/material. Sideshow Collectibles links added to order with payment plans.

Gamera Regular Statue
Prime 1 Studio is proud to present UDMG3-01: Gamera from Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris. Gamera is a giant, flying turtle-like kaiju originating from a series of Japanese tokusatsu films of the same name. Ayana Hirasaka, an emotionally troubled young girl who forms a psychic bond with a highly aggressive parasitic creature known as Iris that feeds upon her rage and hate for the giant fire-breathing turtle monster called Gamera, who had killed Hirsaka’s parents. Gamera later is defending Japan from a swarm of monsters called Gyaos when he is confronted by Iris. The film received positive reviews from film critics who praised its special effects with many praising it as one of the best in the Gamera film series.
 
Statue features:
- Size approximately 21.7 inches tall [(H)55cm, (W)38cm, (D)58cm]
- One (1) interchangeable Right-Hand Burning Fist
- One (1) interchangeable Regular Right-Hand
- LED light function on Burning Fist
- No base environment
- Limited Quantity Worldwide
- Made of Polystone Material
- Expected shipment: January 2019 – March 2019

Retail Price: $699 US

Edition Size: 500

Prototype samples shown.
Product details could be subjected to change without further notice.

​Gamera Vinyl Statue
Prime 1 Studio is proud to present UDMG3-01VS: Gamera Vinyl statue from Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris. Gamera is a giant, flying turtle-like kaiju originating from a series of Japanese tokusatsu films of the same name. Ayana Hirasaka, an emotionally troubled young girl who forms a psychic bond with a highly aggressive parasitic creature known as Iris that feeds upon her rage and hate for the giant fire-breathing turtle monster called Gamera, who had killed Hirsaka’s parents. Gamera later is defending Japan from a swarm of monsters called Gyaos when he is confronted by Iris. The film received positive reviews from film critics who praised its special effects with many praising it as one of the best in the Gamera film series.
 
Statue features:
- Size approximately 21.7 inches tall [(H)55cm, (W)38cm, (D)58cm]
- Made of Vinyl Material
- Expected shipment: August 2018 – October 2018

Retail Price: $499 US

Prototype samples shown.
Product details could be subjected to change without further notice.

While we were waiting on Kong Prime 1 surprised us with a Gamera statue, while this is a prototype it looks awesome. More info as we get it.

X-Plus is releasing two more Gamera coin banks, the Favorite Sculptors Line DefoReal Gamera '95 and Trauma Gamera '99. Both feature the figure and base (bank), they are 11cm/10cm tall (approx 4+ inches) and 16cm deep (approx 6+ inches) and retail for 3,974 yen (approx $35 US). Both can be pre-ordered now with release in Sept 2017.

As we posted previously X-Plus is releasing Favorite Sculptors Line DefoReal Gamera '66 and Barugon Coin Banks (mini figures), they have the figure with the base being the bank. They stand 11cm tall/long and retail for 3,974 yen. They can be pre-ordered now with release in July 2017 from X-Plus and possibly other retailers.