Honda Power Products Plastic Models
Plastic Model of a Tiller?
Honda Power Products Meets Max Factory
Interview with Max Factory’s Yuki Takaku, developer of their first Honda Power Products plastic model, “Minori with Honda F90 Tiller”
About MAX FACTORY
MAX FACTORY is a manufacturer that designs and produces Japanese figures and toys. The company produces the popular “Plamax MF21 Minimum Factory” plastic model series of 1/20th scale anime and game characters.
The Making of minimum factory Minori with Honda F90 Tiller
Takaku
Max Factory’s PLAMAX MF21 Minimum Factory models are a product accompanied by a figure, and the key is to create a worldview for the character.
When we were thinking about creating a worldview by combining characters and machines, we decided that a tiller would be easy to envision, so we began our research. Then I saw the Honda F90 tiller on display at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show and thought, “This is it!”
The F90 was released in 1966, more than half a century ago, but it had a mechanical feel that was somewhat modern, and the image of a healthy girl operating a tiller came to mind, so we decided to go with it.
What is the difference between power products models and other models?
Takaku
Power Products plastic models have characters, and tillers and snow plows that help people visualize the world around them.
When we see users who have purchased this series creating numerous dioramas centered around the tiller and Minori, we feel that we have achieved the expansive worldview we originally envisioned.
Why is the Second Model a Snowblower?
Minori with Honda Small Snow Plow HSS1170n
When we see users who have purchased this series creating numerous dioramas centered around the tiller and Minori, we feel that we have achieved the expansive worldview we originally envisioned.
First a tiller. Then a snow plow. What is your aim?
We had been thinking about what to do with the second model while developing the first. I had an image of tillers being used in spring. Then, why not make a winter version for Minori? She could be dressed differently, and we thought we could create a completely different worldview compared to a tiller.
What did you focus on with the snow plow?
Takaku
Actual snowblowers are very delicately sculpted. We were particular about expressing this in a 1/20th scale model.
We did not omit any parts just because it is a 1/20th scale model. While reproducing the mechanical parts as much as possible, we were particular about the solid feel when assembled, and the overall mechanical integrity.
We also focused on the red body color, which is different from the F90.
Since five years had passed since the release of the F90 model, the production environment had also advanced, including the introduction of 3D scanning. For example, the 1/20th scale down jacket Minori wears was 3D scanned from an actual model wearing the jacket.
The Power Products Plastic Model’s Message
Takaku
I hope this plastic model be a part of people’s lives, bring them the fulfilment of making plastic models, whether it is their first, or they haven’t made any in a while.
When we exhibited our plastic model at Enjoy Honda, in response to Honda’s request, we were overjoyed to hear families say, “It's so cute!” It was the most gratifying moment for me.
The most valuable experience for me through this series was that I met people who were not interested in plastic models. I hope this series will help people become familiar with the world of plastic models.
Postscript
Interviewing people in the plastic model industry for the first time enabled this reporter to learn about their strong desire for users to create their own view of the world beyond just assembling and displaying models, and to expand their own world image.
It must have been an extraordinary feat to express the mechanical parts so intricately while devising a model that even those who have not had much experience with plastic models can build properly.
With the snow plow plastic model, the cross auger that removes snow has the same structure as the actual unit. Takaku was confident, saying “I designed it so that anyone can make the model. I hope that everyone will be able to experience our passion.”
Honda sold Minori with Honda F90 Tiller, Inaho with Honda F90 Tiller Cage Wheel Type, and Minori with Honda Small Snow Plow HSS1170n models during Enjoy Honda 2023, hoping that more people will share the joy of these power products models, filled with the love and care of its creators.
About Yuki Takaku
Plamax Team, President's Office / Planning Department, Max Factory
Creator of the Minori-chan series, which depicts a unique worldview by modeling Minori with tillers and snowplows. Takaku says that he would be glad if people could become familiar with plastic models through the series.