Custom figure: Manji from Blade of the Immortal





Hey peeps! Here's a custom I did a couple of months back but didn't get around to take photos of. He's a bad-ass, almost invincible swordsman known as "Manji" (which also happens to be the Japanese name for the swastika on his back - note that the swastika has origins in ancient Eastern culture and religion, and should not be confused with the version perverted by the Nazis). Manji is the main character from the manga "Mugen no Jyunin" which is also published in English as "Blade of the Immortal" by Dark Horse. The manga, written and illustrated by Hiroaki Samura, started in 1994 and is still ongoing, while an anime series was shown (and concluded?) in 2008.

More pics after the cut.



I've been a fan of the art (few manga artists give as much life-like detail to hands and feet as Hiroaki Samura does) and story for years, so I really wanted to do Manji justice and create something better than the official figure released years back. There's still lots of room for improvement though. His hair has too much volume, the clothing could drape better, and I'm not crazy about the exposed ankle joint on the Hot Toys body. Fact is I haven't painted scars on his chest yet because I'm uncertain about sticking with this body for Manji. I didn't sculpt the head either (it's from DID's Date Masamune figure), so it's not a perfect likeness but at least he's got a head full of "real" hair, lol.




All the weapons I've used are from the excellent set of official Mugen no Jyunin 1/6 miniature weapons. They have real metal blades, and painted weathering effects for added realism.

Eh?


What's up with the goldfish lantern you ask? It's a miniature prop I made recently for the Mid-Autumn Festival (also known as Mooncake or Lantern Festival over here). Seemed like an easy task before I started, but working on a miniature scale has its challenges. :P

17 comments:

Iwa said...

Great job there. For some reason I'm reminded of Haohmaru of Samurai Spirits. Must be the hair lols

Team of Dolls would love to mug Manji for his lantern. How do you make that, I've be trying to figure out tiny lanterns for a while now

Mizu said...

Thanks Iwa. ^^ And yeah, I remember playing Samurai Spirits back in the day. The hairstyle does look much more like Haoh Maru's, hehe.

As for the lantern - I started by drawing designs on paper, and modifying them as I got better acquainted with the malleability of the craft wire I was working with. Mine was a little thick for miniature scale, so it helps if you find thin yet really strong wire that'll hold its shape.

It takes a bit of trial and error creating the wire frame for the lantern, but after that it's an easy task of gluing on coloured cellophane and painting in the patterns. I'll be glad to show you how, or let your dolls use the lantern if you like. Gotta get as much mileage from my props as possible, hehe.

desmond said...

Did you make the japanese costume for this figure?

Mizu said...

I commissioned the kimono, but added the manji symbol myself.

Asrul "iLham" Sany said...

nice blog. added it to my blog list, would u mind do the same? Thanks

Anonymous said...

wow... nice... may i know where you buy the weapons??

Mizu said...

Asrul - Sure dude. Sorry for the late response, but I'll add ya if you add me. :)

Anonymous - I bought 'em from a store called La Tendo here in Singapore. If you're overseas, I guess you could see if it pops up on eBay?

Anonymous said...

well i'm from malaysia, check it on ebay but no luck... thanks anyway

Mizu said...

Anonymous - I've checked the store I bought them from (La Tendo), and they have one complete set of the Blade of the Immortal weapons at their store for SGD90, and they do ship overseas. Perhaps you'd like to make an enquiry at their email address?

Anonymous said...

Oh great!!! thank you... thank you very much!!! \(^O^)/

Anonymous said...

It was very interesting for me to read that article. Thanks for it. I like such topics and everything connected to them. I definitely want to read a bit more soon.

Anonymous said...

Rather nice place you've got here. Thanx for it. I like such themes and everything that is connected to them. I definitely want to read more soon.

radio fence said...

Is there Japanese costume in this figure?

invisible fence said...

nice costume... I like Dragon costume... funny.

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amazing figure, all the articulations and the move of the toy are totally incredible, beside the design of the same is to similar to the character of the anime.

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Nice action figure !! please post photos from your other figures!

Anonymous said...

are yous elling this let me know email me at kakurine1@yahoo.com thanks