Prometheus Rising Studios   Ben Mininberg's models, toy customs, and design work.

The newest PRHI 3D printed toy was inspired by a sketch done by Minoru Sashida, Head Art Director at Namco Bandai and longtime Microman expert.  Sashida-sama had envisioned the RX-78-2 Gundam in the style of other robots released as diecast figures in the Microman line, such as Kotetsu Jeeg (鋼鉄ジーグ) and Magnerobo Gakeen (マグネロボ・ガ・キーン).  These diecast figures came about because the original toys for both series were made by Takara, so they were able to release these characters under the Microman banner as well.  Sashida-sama’s illustration is a ‘what-if’, rendering the Gundam in the same style as the other Micro robot diecasts.  I loved the drawing, and could immediately see how well it work would as a real toy.  I started with that sketch and ended up here, with a fully articulated Micro-sized Gundam.  I worked in the mecha’s classic accessories, as well as some design inputs from the original Clover toys that were released alongside the anime.  For the Micro Moving Mecha’s (MMM) debut, I had to go with the iconic black and white RX-78-1 Prototype paint scheme.  This fully painted one-off debuted at FOE Gallery’s LOOK5 show and will be available on their site here if it hasn’t sold yet: Shop FOE Store.  The first regular release of the PRHI MMM is in the works, and will be a printed in color version in blue and silver to look like a diecast metal figure.  Stay tuned for details!

Here’s the PRHI MMM alongside a Real Type Micro buddy!

More pics after the fold: