Updated: June 30, 2023
Ultraman Toy Blog Vol. 58 Blazar Brace 24 Secrets / Part 3 Development techniques to make toys more realistic
Hello everyone.
My name is Nno, and I'm in charge of planning and development Ultraman Blazar toys.
Well, everyone, the broadcast start of Blazer is fast approaching!!
This weekend, on July 1st (Sat), "Ultraman Blazar Pre-release Special" will be broadcast on TV Tokyo from 9am.
There may be some unexpected new information, so don't miss it!!
So, in this article we bring you the third installment of "The 24 Secrets of the DX Blazar Brace"!
In the past two blogs, I have talked a lot about the "EL gimmick", so
This time, I would like to review the various details that have been put into the product itself.
In fact, the DX Blazar Brace is featured in the newly released "Figure King" this week.
This special feature is quite deep, delving into the background of how Blazar Brace came about through discussions with Tsuburaya Productions and Director Taguchi.
If you read Figure King together with this blog, you may be able to get a deeper understanding of "What is the concept behind Blazar Brace?" and "What techniques and methods are used to bring this to life as a toy?"
So, this time we'll be talking about some pretty nerdy topics... but please stick with us until the end!
24 Secrets of Blazar Brace <9/24: Grained finish>
First, let me introduce you to the graining process that is applied to both Blazar Brace and Blazar Stone.
This "embossing" technique was introduced in the previous "Earth Garon" article.
This involves applying a special process to the mold, which allows a specific pattern to be engraved into a specified area.
▲In Earth Garon, it helps express the mesh pattern around the neck!
For Blazar Brace and stones, our aim was to "make them feel real within the world of realistic science fiction," so we used an embossing process to add a mineral-like roughness to the surface of the molded product.
If you look closely at the surface of Blazar Brace again, can you see the tiny bumps on the surface?
I think that the ability to express a calm matte texture overall makes a big contribution to reducing the toy-like feel.
There is one more thing, but there is a part that has an embossed finish in an unexpected place...
That's this “bracelet belt”!
Typically, the PVC belts that come with these types of bracelets are shiny, but this belt has a fine embossing that gives it a matte texture overall, creating a more mature look.
We expect that the Blazer will be popular with discerning adult fans as well, so we are aiming to create something that "adults will think looks cool when they pick it up," so we hope you will pay attention to the details.
The Secret of Blazar Brace 24 <10/24: Heavy Painting>
Next, let's talk about the metallic red and blue line decoration on the bracelet itself.
These red and blue lines are a distinctive motif taken from the Blazer's own design, so we've put a lot of effort into commercializing them...
To bring out the striking metallic color even more, we applied two coats of paint to the base and the surface!
Specifically, the technique is to paint a base coat of silver, then paint a metallic color on top to create an even more brilliant color.
The effect may be easy to understand for those who paint plastic models and the like.
On top of that, Blazar Brace is particular about the "metallic color applied on top,"
According to a factory staff member, they have arranged for special paint to be used, which costs "a level of money that we would never normally be able to use."
The result is a metallic red/metallic blue that combines depth and vividness beyond what you would normally get with just two coats of paint.... this is something I'd like you to take the time to carefully observe and appreciate when you get the actual product in your hands!
24 Secrets of Blazar Brace <11/24: Hot Stamp>
Next is "hot stamping," which is used to decorate Blazar Stone.
This is a technique known as foil stamping, and its defining feature is the ability to produce a plated shine that cannot be reproduced with ordinary paint.
One of the design sources for this Blazar Stone is the familiar shadow puppets from Ultraman series. The aim is to emphasize the silhouette by creating a semi-three-dimensional shadow puppet design with concave and convex parts and then applying hot stamping to the convex parts.
One of the benefits of hot stamping is that it can transfer not only metallic colors but also a variety of patterns, so it goes beyond just creating a shadow picture and adds a flashy look.
- Irregular holographic pattern used for regular line stones
・Aurora-style gold leaf used on special stones for campaign prizes, etc.
- A fine gold holographic pattern that is currently only used on "Glitter Tiga"
The pattern also changes depending on the stone used.
We think there will be many different hot stamping patterns in future developments, so be sure to check them out while collecting stones!
The Secret of Blazar Brace 24 <12/24: Aurora Molding Color>
Another decorative feature I'd like to introduce is the aurora-style molding color used on the crystal and stone cover parts of the bracelet.
These are not just clear parts; by adding a certain ratio of pearl to the material, they achieve a unique texture that changes color depending on the reflection of light and the viewing angle.
I, Nno, really love this Aurora molding color, which, while merely an expression of molding color, has the unique effect of "changing color depending on the angle you look at it from."
When I first used it on the wings of the "Ancient Spark Lens" two years ago, it had a fantastic effect, so I decided to use it as a main item next time, and this time it was an element that was incorporated from the design stage.
Blazar Stone reflects light with a slightly pink hue,
Similarly, the bracelet cover is made of clear material, but has a unique metallic reflecting effect.
The aim is to combine this mysterious aurora molded color with the base of the bracelet and stone, which is inspired by "minerals that exist somewhere in space," to create a sense of mystique that goes beyond just being realistic.
24 Secrets of Blazar Brace <13/24: Ultrasonic Bonding>
Well, at this point, it's all about the kind of nerdy stuff you'd find in BANDAI internal development documents...
If you look closely at Blazar Stone, you'll see that it's not immediately clear how the clear parts and base are attached.
Not only are there no screws, but no adhesive is used to secure this part (as adhesive may affect the clear parts and cause them to turn white).
So how is it fixed in place? The answer is "ultrasonic bonding," as the title suggests.
This works by using a special tool to apply ultrasound to Blazar Stone, which is made up of clear parts and a base, causing an extremely large number of vibrations at the points of contact between the parts, creating friction and welding the parts together in an instant.
When you hear "vibration" and "friction," you might think that the product might get scratched or leave noticeable marks, but rest assured. The marks left by the processing are not noticeable at all.
Rather, this method allows us to recreate the silhouette of the design without leaving any unnatural marks on the exterior.
What did you think?
In addition to the main topics such as "versal writer" and "cast voice", various technologies have been poured into the development of the DX Blazar Brace.
All of this was achieved by creating an item that would fit in with the Blazer's challenging worldview,
To bridge the gap, even just a little, between the "real thing" that appears in the film and the toys...
The product's release is fast approaching next week, so we hope you'll take the time to get your hands on the actual product and take note of the attention to detail!
So that's it for today's update.
Next week is just before the release date, so we will be revealing the remaining topics!
Until the end Thank you for reading!
<Development Blog Back Issues>
■The Secret of DX Blazar Brace 24
・First
Ultraman Toy Blog vol.52 Blazar Brace 24 Secrets / Part 1 Unveiled! This is Blazar Brace! | Ultraman TOY WEB | BANDAI Official Site (bandai.co.jp)
・2nd
Ultraman Toy Blog vol.55 The Secret of Blazar Brace 24 / Part 2 Why this Versalighter is so great | Ultraman TOY WEB | BANDAI Official Site (bandai.co.jp)
■ The story behind the development of Earth Garon
・First
Ultraman Toy Blog vol.53 DX Earth Garon Development Story①/Overwhelming "movable" body with 20 points of articulation! | Ultraman TOY WEB | BANDAI Official Site (bandai.co.jp)
・2nd
Ultraman Toy Blog vol.57 Earth Garon Development Story 2 + Secret Information Revealed at the Tokyo Toy Show! | Ultraman TOY WEB | BANDAI Official Site (bandai.co.jp)
< Ultraman Blazar toy information>
■ Ultraman TOY WEB
Ultraman TOY WEB | BANDAI Official Site (bandai.co.jp)
■ Ultraman TOY WEB Official Twitter
https://twitter.com/bandai_ultratoy
■ "DX Blazar Brace" product PV
[Ultraman Blazar] Lightning Transformation DX Blazar Brace Product PV - YouTube
■Banmani! "DX Blazar Brace" Special
[Ultraman Blazar] [BANDAI Official] Fastest!! Introducing all the transformation items for Ultraman Blazar!! Introducing the "DX Blazar Brace" and "DX Blazar Stone"!! [Banmani!] - YouTube
■Banmani! "DX Earth Garon" Special
[Ultraman Blazar] [BANDAI Official] Recording of in-movie sound! Introducing "DX Earth Garon"! Plus the powerful soft vinyl "Ultra Kaiju Advance" with new monsters Bazanga and Taganular! Also a soft vinyl Blazer! [Banmani!] - YouTube
My name is Nno, and I'm in charge of planning and development Ultraman Blazar toys.
Well, everyone, the broadcast start of Blazer is fast approaching!!
This weekend, on July 1st (Sat), "Ultraman Blazar Pre-release Special" will be broadcast on TV Tokyo from 9am.
There may be some unexpected new information, so don't miss it!!
So, in this article we bring you the third installment of "The 24 Secrets of the DX Blazar Brace"!
In the past two blogs, I have talked a lot about the "EL gimmick", so
This time, I would like to review the various details that have been put into the product itself.
In fact, the DX Blazar Brace is featured in the newly released "Figure King" this week.
This special feature is quite deep, delving into the background of how Blazar Brace came about through discussions with Tsuburaya Productions and Director Taguchi.
If you read Figure King together with this blog, you may be able to get a deeper understanding of "What is the concept behind Blazar Brace?" and "What techniques and methods are used to bring this to life as a toy?"
So, this time we'll be talking about some pretty nerdy topics... but please stick with us until the end!
24 Secrets of Blazar Brace <9/24: Grained finish>
First, let me introduce you to the graining process that is applied to both Blazar Brace and Blazar Stone.
This "embossing" technique was introduced in the previous "Earth Garon" article.
This involves applying a special process to the mold, which allows a specific pattern to be engraved into a specified area.
▲In Earth Garon, it helps express the mesh pattern around the neck!
For Blazar Brace and stones, our aim was to "make them feel real within the world of realistic science fiction," so we used an embossing process to add a mineral-like roughness to the surface of the molded product.
If you look closely at the surface of Blazar Brace again, can you see the tiny bumps on the surface?
I think that the ability to express a calm matte texture overall makes a big contribution to reducing the toy-like feel.
There is one more thing, but there is a part that has an embossed finish in an unexpected place...
That's this “bracelet belt”!
Typically, the PVC belts that come with these types of bracelets are shiny, but this belt has a fine embossing that gives it a matte texture overall, creating a more mature look.
We expect that the Blazer will be popular with discerning adult fans as well, so we are aiming to create something that "adults will think looks cool when they pick it up," so we hope you will pay attention to the details.
The Secret of Blazar Brace 24 <10/24: Heavy Painting>
Next, let's talk about the metallic red and blue line decoration on the bracelet itself.
These red and blue lines are a distinctive motif taken from the Blazer's own design, so we've put a lot of effort into commercializing them...
To bring out the striking metallic color even more, we applied two coats of paint to the base and the surface!
Specifically, the technique is to paint a base coat of silver, then paint a metallic color on top to create an even more brilliant color.
The effect may be easy to understand for those who paint plastic models and the like.
On top of that, Blazar Brace is particular about the "metallic color applied on top,"
According to a factory staff member, they have arranged for special paint to be used, which costs "a level of money that we would never normally be able to use."
The result is a metallic red/metallic blue that combines depth and vividness beyond what you would normally get with just two coats of paint.... this is something I'd like you to take the time to carefully observe and appreciate when you get the actual product in your hands!
24 Secrets of Blazar Brace <11/24: Hot Stamp>
Next is "hot stamping," which is used to decorate Blazar Stone.
This is a technique known as foil stamping, and its defining feature is the ability to produce a plated shine that cannot be reproduced with ordinary paint.
One of the design sources for this Blazar Stone is the familiar shadow puppets from Ultraman series. The aim is to emphasize the silhouette by creating a semi-three-dimensional shadow puppet design with concave and convex parts and then applying hot stamping to the convex parts.
One of the benefits of hot stamping is that it can transfer not only metallic colors but also a variety of patterns, so it goes beyond just creating a shadow picture and adds a flashy look.
- Irregular holographic pattern used for regular line stones
・Aurora-style gold leaf used on special stones for campaign prizes, etc.
- A fine gold holographic pattern that is currently only used on "Glitter Tiga"
The pattern also changes depending on the stone used.
We think there will be many different hot stamping patterns in future developments, so be sure to check them out while collecting stones!
The Secret of Blazar Brace 24 <12/24: Aurora Molding Color>
Another decorative feature I'd like to introduce is the aurora-style molding color used on the crystal and stone cover parts of the bracelet.
These are not just clear parts; by adding a certain ratio of pearl to the material, they achieve a unique texture that changes color depending on the reflection of light and the viewing angle.
I, Nno, really love this Aurora molding color, which, while merely an expression of molding color, has the unique effect of "changing color depending on the angle you look at it from."
When I first used it on the wings of the "Ancient Spark Lens" two years ago, it had a fantastic effect, so I decided to use it as a main item next time, and this time it was an element that was incorporated from the design stage.
Blazar Stone reflects light with a slightly pink hue,
Similarly, the bracelet cover is made of clear material, but has a unique metallic reflecting effect.
The aim is to combine this mysterious aurora molded color with the base of the bracelet and stone, which is inspired by "minerals that exist somewhere in space," to create a sense of mystique that goes beyond just being realistic.
24 Secrets of Blazar Brace <13/24: Ultrasonic Bonding>
Well, at this point, it's all about the kind of nerdy stuff you'd find in BANDAI internal development documents...
If you look closely at Blazar Stone, you'll see that it's not immediately clear how the clear parts and base are attached.
Not only are there no screws, but no adhesive is used to secure this part (as adhesive may affect the clear parts and cause them to turn white).
So how is it fixed in place? The answer is "ultrasonic bonding," as the title suggests.
This works by using a special tool to apply ultrasound to Blazar Stone, which is made up of clear parts and a base, causing an extremely large number of vibrations at the points of contact between the parts, creating friction and welding the parts together in an instant.
When you hear "vibration" and "friction," you might think that the product might get scratched or leave noticeable marks, but rest assured. The marks left by the processing are not noticeable at all.
Rather, this method allows us to recreate the silhouette of the design without leaving any unnatural marks on the exterior.
What did you think?
In addition to the main topics such as "versal writer" and "cast voice", various technologies have been poured into the development of the DX Blazar Brace.
All of this was achieved by creating an item that would fit in with the Blazer's challenging worldview,
To bridge the gap, even just a little, between the "real thing" that appears in the film and the toys...
The product's release is fast approaching next week, so we hope you'll take the time to get your hands on the actual product and take note of the attention to detail!
So that's it for today's update.
Next week is just before the release date, so we will be revealing the remaining topics!
Until the end Thank you for reading!
<Development Blog Back Issues>
■The Secret of DX Blazar Brace 24
・First
Ultraman Toy Blog vol.52 Blazar Brace 24 Secrets / Part 1 Unveiled! This is Blazar Brace! | Ultraman TOY WEB | BANDAI Official Site (bandai.co.jp)
・2nd
Ultraman Toy Blog vol.55 The Secret of Blazar Brace 24 / Part 2 Why this Versalighter is so great | Ultraman TOY WEB | BANDAI Official Site (bandai.co.jp)
■ The story behind the development of Earth Garon
・First
Ultraman Toy Blog vol.53 DX Earth Garon Development Story①/Overwhelming "movable" body with 20 points of articulation! | Ultraman TOY WEB | BANDAI Official Site (bandai.co.jp)
・2nd
Ultraman Toy Blog vol.57 Earth Garon Development Story 2 + Secret Information Revealed at the Tokyo Toy Show! | Ultraman TOY WEB | BANDAI Official Site (bandai.co.jp)
< Ultraman Blazar toy information>
■ Ultraman TOY WEB
Ultraman TOY WEB | BANDAI Official Site (bandai.co.jp)
■ Ultraman TOY WEB Official Twitter
https://twitter.com/bandai_ultratoy
■ "DX Blazar Brace" product PV
[Ultraman Blazar] Lightning Transformation DX Blazar Brace Product PV - YouTube
■Banmani! "DX Blazar Brace" Special
[Ultraman Blazar] [BANDAI Official] Fastest!! Introducing all the transformation items for Ultraman Blazar!! Introducing the "DX Blazar Brace" and "DX Blazar Stone"!! [Banmani!] - YouTube
■Banmani! "DX Earth Garon" Special
[Ultraman Blazar] [BANDAI Official] Recording of in-movie sound! Introducing "DX Earth Garon"! Plus the powerful soft vinyl "Ultra Kaiju Advance" with new monsters Bazanga and Taganular! Also a soft vinyl Blazer! [Banmani!] - YouTube
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