Max Factory Office Tour

Today we look at the Max Factory offices that I visited with Mikatan from Good Smile.
The Max offices were more dedicated to figure creation hence the lack of administrative staff. They work very closely with Good Smile and is a great example of how sharing and working together can bring about good things.

My jaw dropped to hear that this was going to probably be binned. When sculptors work with the yellow putty stuff, they get bits left over which they usually wipe on the edge of the table or behind their ears. This sculptor has the habit of using the leftovers to sculpt cutie figures. Can anybody name this character?

A room at the back of the building holds more sculptors. More teasing as I Mirai mark the nekkid body in the middle of the table - me wants that nao!

When the sculptors finish their work, the figure has to be duplicated a few times. One is the master copy and the other copies get sent to China.
The figure is cut up into pieces and then placed in these plastic containers. some molding liquid is poured into the container.

The containers are then placed into these machines which get rid of all the air bubbles in the liquid. The container is taken out of these machines and left to dry. The end result is a mold for that figure part.
The first thing I ask is "what happens when you put a cat in there?"
Answer is "A mess."

The painting room. The grooves in the wall have a constant flow of air sucking out the paint - I would just love a place like this to make Gundams.

And a ton of airbrushes. Wasn't surprised to see that the staff use the facilities to make their own Gunpla in their spare time.

"Kao wa Inochi" is a term to express how important the face of a figure is - sales of a figure shift tremendously based on how the face ends up looking. These are the guys who paint those faces. The room is completely silent apart from the hum of the air flowing through that grooved wall.
For me, its all about the face too and you may find it hard to believe but the eyes (the soft n bouncy variety) are not a deciding factor. Take a lookie at my Melissa for example - not much to hold on to but has an incredibly sweet face and gorgeous v-zone. If the figure has a face that I like, I usually get it - paid or as SAFS.
What do you consider to be the most important thing when deciding to buy a figure?

The Max bunch know how to have fun. If its not karting its having internal only competitions to see who can make the most interesting item.

The pics you see is the master copy that was sculpted. This will be replicated and sent off to the respective departments for production.

And the Figma Haruhi which I got to play with a lot last weekend.

Too cute for words. I think I'm going to need a few - one for the car, one for the office and one to hang off my belt or left earlobe.
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Student and full-time otaku
Really nice to see how things actually go down at a sculptor's facilities, tnx for the footage Danny.
I always look at the face for my figures, but also if they 'have something' that makes them a little unique; a pose, a look, whatever makes you want to keep looking at them for other things than just eyes.
Pianist, Writer, Teacher
http://www.doctorfugue.com
Thanks Danny, Max Factory is my favourite.
That's Rin, not Saber!!
Student and full-time otaku
BTW is that big Mirai-marked image what I think it is?
Full-Time Developer
http://xero-vlade.deviantart.com
Ok now i'm curious with that hidden picture...
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
Doctor,
Thanks for the correction ^^;
Evil King,
Not sure ^^;;;
NEET
http://hobbyjapan.blogspot.com/
The face is pretty much the deciding factor for me too. The Figma Haruhi and Rin looks amazing. Also saw that the Saber was out sold everywhere, they seem really popular these days.
I want these 2 now!
Artist/Flash Programmer
http://wcloudxkumo.wordpress.com/
Wow, nice workshops they have there ^^ Wish I have those facilities for my Gunpla building ;_;
That "messy" yellow putty figure, my guess would be that main heroine from "Air"...forgot her name though ( > _ < ) and that Haruhi with the mech...just too awesome for words!!
I probably could guess on some of the "Mirai Mark"-ed figures ^^; One of them I think it's Figma Kyon, which due this May ^^;
Looking forward to the video!!
Student
http://www.lsioblog.com
to me, face is an important factor when buying a figure. the character is a factor too; I normally won't buy a figure which I don't know about. But above all these, the price is always the first thing I look at. I can't afford more than 60USD for a figure even I like so much.
Techie
http://squeejunkyard.blogspot.com/
Most important point for my figure buying would be to like the character.
Another point is the costume, I can buy figures of characters I never ever seen before if their costume looks good
Animation Student
http://kazenomise.net/
Max Factory Tour woot!
I own a few of their figures, the quality is very good, and I like it. I'm hoping a good release from them again~
Waiting for the video tour ^^
Student
http://bakaaaa.wordpress.com
AH! the nendroids in the mech is so kawaii!!
Otaku Webmaster
http://www.gamekult.com/blog/sbebiwan/
Thanks for the insider pictures, it's always nice to see how everything is done ^^
For the question, I don't ofcus on one part, but on the global look, and the quality of the figure. And with Max Factory, I'va always be happy with their products !
University Student.
http://www.hirito.blogspot.com/
Haruhi and gang with that mecha is way tooo cute!! and I'm really interested in what's behind that giant Mirai-marked image...maybe Danny will eventually reveal it in time to come? Can't wait to see the Figma Fate ^^ (Fate fanboy), need her Riot Zamber though.
Artist/Flash Programmer
http://wcloudxkumo.wordpress.com/
For me the most important one for a figure definitely the face, especially the expression, since I really want it to really look as close as the original.
Second is the paint job and the pose they use ^^; Then maybe the costume and other misc stuffs. Price is last for me XD but if it's too expensive, I won't get it either ^^;
Editor
http://cavalock.blogspot.com/
Thanks again for another great tour! Can't wait to add some of those upcoming figures to my ladies/booze pix collection.
Animator
http://ewen-nguyen.blogspot.com/
Overall pose should be another option. Face doesn't really make a figure worth buying, but it can certainly ruin a figure with otherwise good qualities.
Usually I get figs of characters that I know and like with cool poses, but recently I preordered that Chua Churam (a character I don't know) figure that was posted a while back, because everything seemed great in that figure, most notably its dynamic pose.
NEET
http://www.dannychoo.com/images/photo/14004.jpg
Must be Misuzu from Air.
http://www.dannychoo.com/images/photo/13999.jpg
Cute with Konata riding on that cat-thingy. ^^,
Psychology student
http://www.wolfhurricane.com
Hm hm. That Misuzu will be an insta-get as soon as pre-orders go up. =)
Otaku
http://lolimaru.blogspot.com/
Woot, I'm with you on that one bro >=D
vendor
http://www.friendster.com
To me its the Face because it look great posture to get the description of a character especially the eyes.
anime/cosplay events organizer
http://www.cosplay.ph
wow! thanx for the insider tour of Max Factory office ^^
if it is not much of a trouble, may you ask Max Factory what's the name of yellow putty that they are using ^^
WOW! a fate figma! can't wait for that figure to be released ^__________^
HANYAAN~!!! KAWAII HARUHI AND RIN FIGMAS *heart heart heart*
must...save...money...for...figures
lolz XDDD
Everything
http://www.happysoda.com
I don't buy a figure because of the face, but I will avoid one if the face is bad. Usually it's the overall sculpt and design that gets me to buy. Knowing the character is nice, but not that important.
Head Lackey and Scape Goat
Precisely. I've seen figures with a great face and bad sculpt or vice versa and that's killed it for me.
Having said that, I will still purchase the figure if the quality / craftsmanship is high, even if I don't know the character or series. I'd say that about 1/3 of my meager collection fall into this category.
ひきこもり/Hikikomori. Suits my current state more than a 大学生/University Student. ^^
Like the character.
Well, although, I don't really buy figures, but if I am to buy one it'll be a figure of a character that I favour, Louise is a good example.
Raven, AMV & MAD maker, Otaku
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=last0raven
like the character
lol danny your mirai picture thats covering the photo is really making me wonder how much it means
銀河帝国五〇一軍团 TK/TD 8316 M.E.P.D. Police Sergeant
http://gordonator.com/
there's no "pose' in the poll. >.<
other than the face, whether or not the figure comes with a cool pose is also one of my main deciding factor when it comes to parting with my hard earned money.
Service desk support
http://lookingglass.kokidokom.net
*agrees with super rats*
I won't pick up a figure with a good face but I will avoid one with a bad one.
There are lots of factors I consider when purchasing, such as cost, pose, etc so it's hard to say which one I will get, but I will avoid kits if I feel they don't look right.
I decided agains an excellent Yoko kit because I thought the Face was too sharp and angular while I avoided an adult fate Testarrossa kit cos her butt was huge!!!
Student
Pose and character likeness to me. Both of which arent in the poll xD
But then again I bought the Hikaru death cloth figure without knowing the char and after comparing them, the figure doesnt have character likeness at all. It's just really cute tho xD
The new Kino figure has a great character likeness and pose imo. It'll probably be my next fig once I manage to finish all my school papers =/
and and plus like the char... so i guess I'll vote on that one *clicks*
オタク all day long
http://www.nekomagic.com
To me, face is really important. The second is I like the character.
But of coz there is some exception! e.g. Q-Joy. LOL. No matter how good the face look and how I like the character. I'll not buy Q-Joy figure!!!
Online Shop
http://wildarms.egloos.com
Thanks for inside look in one of my favorite companies :D
Student Otaku (ITM Student) and ACG NA Staff
http://koiaichaku.com/
It's Max Factory this time. Your a really lucky guy to go to all these places. I wish I can get these chances like you...
part time illustrationist, doll clothing seamstress
http://puppy52art.com/
haha that's one huge mirai face there :P so cuuuute LOL I want the cute flying blob thing LOL!
Student, Otaku, She-Geek(Sheek lol)
http://meimi132.wordpress.com/
That cute flying blob is from the digimon movie!!(not sure which one since the western digi-movie was a mix of several lol)
Cocomon I think it was called!! The brother/sister of Terriermon!!
Graphic Designer / Illustrator
http://www.elmaycol.deviantart.com
wish i knew what that yellow thingy was called, so i can sculp something of my own
Biomed student
http://atashi.wordpress.com
Oh god, Lopmon! I never would've thought that someone in MF is a fan of Digimon Tamers!
Secretary
http://figured.wordpress.com/
I think I am going to get Figmas from now on (not including the Pocco I already preordered, oh well). I recently got a Fraulein Revoltech Rei and her limbs keep falling off!! Although she has a lot of poses, it's so fiddly and annoying. Funny enough though, my normal Revoltech Yotsuba!& has no problems. I am waiting for my Figma Yuki Nagato to make any claims for Figma, but I know I like Max Factory figures and I am disappointed in the Fraulein Revoltechs so I'm sure I'll like it better. I just want a really good figure to play with! I LOVE looking at my other figures, but when you have the urge to play with something it's good to have something around :0
Gunpla Enthusiast
must get figma haruhi and rin. must get 3 of each, one to look at, one to preserve, and one as a backup
Student
http://mrshawn16.blogspot.com
LOL. I like the figure were Mirai covers up the whole shot!
I think is not Just the Face... is The Whole Figure
Hey1 Thanks1 Max F. is Amazing1 But They didn´t do too well in Male Characters like Kiritsugu from Faate/Stay night.
I think companies in general should produce more male characters, to complete the whole cast from an Anime.
Graphic Design
http://www.chromaengine.com
Like mentioned before, I also preordered Chua Churam because of the pose. Everything on that figurine is a perfect storm of money flying out of my wallet and I barely even know the character. Usually I only buy characters I like and if they're done well but lately I've been staying away from figures that just sort of stand there.
The figma Rin is coming along great, glad I didn't order a Fraulein Rin. Maybe Max Factory will turn it into an absolute dog fight between companies by producing Idolm@ster ones as well? >:D
Seeing the scrapped putty figure and knowing it's being binned, it makes you think "wow what a waste" but at the same time "they're good enough to bin something like that without a second thought.". At least that's what it seems like to me.
Student
http://www.cyworld.com/DiectX10A
Just out of curiosity i wonder how much money they make and if its enough to make a career out of it..because that is one sweet job~~
http://yuuwaku.wordpress.com
another nice romp through figure heaven :P I love that mecha haruhi nendoroid bunch lol
Can anybody tell me what the figures are on the bottom shelf of the collection cabinet? The very left one and the very right one.
Left one is some devil girl that I'm pretty sure I've seen before but don't know what it is.
Right one is some kneeling purple haired girl.
Student and Miku Guardian
http://kyourankyodai.com
Danny, thats a great tour at Max Factory.. I wonder how lucky you are to visit one of the best companies in Japan..
So what is behind the big Mirai picture? I wonder...
.NET/Web Developer
http://scrumptious.animeblogger.net
Argh!!!! those teasers are killing me.
Lol at the haruhi in the mecha with the other chars. XD
Dropping computers, starting all over again at Journalism
http://xspblog.com
Mirai marks covering Mirai-chan figure everywhere!
Great stuff. Danny, you chose (or where chosen) one of the best companies for Mirai figure. Really. I'm a huge fan.
Congrats!
http://www.marvinryan.com
Danny, I was wondering, do you think max factory would come up with mecha figmas?
Deadend Job
http://www.geocities.com/redoct2000
I having funny feeling. Mirai will pop out of Max Factory. It just a matter of time. Mmmmm!
Student (for-ev-er)
Common Danny, whatcha' got against cats?
Art/Media
http://sgallen.wordpress.com/
DIGIMON!! Lopmon rules.
I like Lopmon, even the new Greymon and Garurumon... aw, I miss Digimon.
I like that sculpt of the Digimon, Wish it was like sold at a larger scale lol... *Saves*
hee hee..Di...Digi...Digimon!
medicine student & otaku
woooaaaa =o!! it sure looks that sculping it's not easy!!
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
I never get tired of those factory-related posts. Thanks Danny.
Do they recycle the putty? I mean by collecting all the bits and putting them to melt or whatnot?
Otherwise than that, the Haruhi nendoroids are too cute to be true and I do like those Figma figures.
and last but definitely not least:
Mirai-chan figure, definitely!
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Oh, forgot to add that for me when the face is well done (the hardest part in a figure, in my humble opinion), the rest eventually flows in a much natural manner.
Drawing or sculpting a face is a pure pain, as you can disfigure it (pun intended) with a simple displacement of one or two millimeters.
Accountant, CPA, CIS, and Gundam Painter
-,- face...? be honest ppl lol....52% face...? 2 percent eyes...think its reversed lol!
IT TechGuy
http://starboykb.blogspot.com
I really love the Haruhi and the group raiding the Zeon mecha. That was the nicer figures I really see in productions.
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
adamjlx, I would reinforce my statement by saying that it is much easier to add lumps in the thorax part of a figure than carving a decent face.
I also wonder how good a figure would look if she has big, nice "eyes" but Medusa's look (or even worse, a scrambled up face, Picasso-style)...
(Reminds me of the mini-post that could be summed up as "Mermaid or She-fish, which would you fancy more?")
Artist/Flash Programmer
http://wcloudxkumo.wordpress.com/
I think they might throw away those unused yellow putties.
Won't those stuffs harden after a period of time? or I might be wrong ^^;
Polytechnic Junior, Bronze Lifesaving Trainee, Mech Designer In-training.
http://thehangerbay.wordpress.com/
I'm starting to think that people who work in this industry must be gifted just like Eyeshield's Agon; I mean, making scrap putty look THAT good? That was already 95% to a completed figure!
That cute blob thing is a Digimon; forgot the name. :P
Finally, the Guinness World Record for the biggest Mirai Mark goes to this article. XD
Servicing National Services
http://www.funanimestuff.com
Until now, I can say that I have seen about 90% of figures that I want to have but can't afford it^^
Would love to work in this company and would not mind the position in as I like to work in an environment full of figures. I will be able to sort of feel an increase in spirit to work while surrounded by figures.
Anime Retailer
http://www.otakufuel.com
While the face is the most important, if I don't even know who the character is, or don't care for the character in the first place... I don't usually take one for me. That being said, I usually don't say no to a figure inspired by the Art of Shunya Yamashita, and often it's the first I have seen of the character/art.
Student artist
http://www.requestview.wordpress.com
Heads are very important. In real life whenever you meet a person or someone meets a person they first look at thee eyes nose mouth hair and ocassionally the chest. I know this from head drawing. By the way can anyone tell me what kind of putty is that?
boss of zotaku!!!!
http://www.zotaku.com
lol the blob is digimon! It's from Digimon tamers, I think xD
MI Manager, Blogger and Newswriter
http://cutkillavince.com/
Very interesting, thanks for thepics Danny ^^
Graphic Art/Pre-press/3D animator/wannabe hikkikomori
http://moeidolatry.com
Oh!
Nice and interesting post Danny, I always wanted to see a working office of something like Max Factory.
"A cute blob thing as part of the competition" - It's Lopmon from Digimon Tamers!
Hikikomori in the making
http://supermariabros.deviantart.com/
Mirai marks sure are fun, aren't they? Yea...
Engineer by day, Otaku by night
I try to have a have a small factory at home too.
I like how the office there seems to have a laid-back homey atmosphere to it.
Processing Executive
I want that figure with the SOS-dan using a suit. That is so sweet! Love Haruhi and Tsuruya...
Merchant
Is that the real size of Mirai? ooh now i want her.
Graphic designer
Whoa! interesting to see.
Love the yellow goo sculpture actually, I would buy it in a wink of an eye if it was for sale.. even in that state.
student during the day, otaku at night
Nice insight
my vote:
1) face
2) character
3) eyes
Designer, Trader
http://piratesotaku.blogspot.com/
Usually I look at their pose first before I look other things like face, legs, etc. before I decide to buy a figure.
http://akari-nyan.deviantart.com/
Character and face are both high factors to me...
Vampire
http://feeout.blogspot.com/
me thinks that Danny should get in trouble and show us that hidden picture ^.^
Claymation-ator
Articulation.
Student, part-time slave
http://yakuri.wordpress.com/
I always wondered what does it get to work in one of these companies...
Claymation-ator
Articulation.
http://tenori-taiga.blogspot.com/
blowing it out of the water? :)
I also own both, and to me it looks more like copyright infringement, :heh:
one thing about the tohsaka rin figma is that it may have been mass produced with bad quality control
nevermind the missing details, mine has two white blotches of paint on her face
what ever machine that was used to paint her eyes apparently is leaking
another issue is her sleeveless arm. I purchased the figma just because of this neat feature.
for whatever reason the white stripes are not painted white, they are barely visible. looks more like
bad fluorescent green. were they trying to give her a day glow look?
despite these gaping flaws I still love my tohsaka figma very much. her interchangeable face and arm gives her a HUGE edge over the revoltech.
however, considering I own only two figma and both of them were produced with quality issues that really have no excuse for happening other than being produced poorly I cant say figma is A+ yet. I understand that keeping the price down is a huge issue for most people's consideration in purchasing, but spilling paint? come on now, even the 5$ toys made in hong kong dont have this issue anymore.
I hope they focus more on quality control soon. I heard they were having production problems, which may be part of the reason for the low production run of the Fate Testarossa figma. Anyway, I hope they continue to move forward and release more great items in the future.
Humanitarian worker slash undergraduate student
wow i'd like to work there one days ^,^
Information Security
Thanks Danny, very interesting. Recently I have started to make figures. I'm interesting in all information about it ^__^
Painting eyes is really very difficult, I painted it 5 times but eyes look awfully...
Information Security
My first figure:
http://piccy.info/view/9ecbd1f305d2705eeb7f492181d84d6d/
http://piccy.info/view/f681d16e24fa7843ef4a24206d2608c5/
http://piccy.info/view/0bc14d2707b5ecc9b618622be03dc7fb/
But she looks bad therefore I have cleaned paint and now paint her again...
Call Center Rep
Woe, now I see how they made those excellent Guyver figures a few years back.
Anime Figure Collector
http://www.facebook.com/people/Alex-Isdaman/1007891658
I would never leave the place. lol.
Web Developer
http://www.asdeporte.com
So all the production figures are handmade?
Happy New Year Everyone!
Student (lol rite.)
That's awesome.
UT Student - Linguistics
Lopmon is a cute blob thing
Customer Service
http://www.shewsbury.com
Wow... I always wonder how they make those figmas and other figurines. This coverage from Danny is awesome... it's always nice to buy original stuff to "pay back" those guys in Max Factory who have been outstanding and working so hard to make us happy spending our hard earn cash for our lavish hobby ^_^
Mechanical Engineer/Traveling Kamen Rider/Dollfie Dream Hunter
http://tcwenterprise.com/wordpress/
Neat coverage, I wonder if they do any environment testing for they figures. Like temperature humidity cycling? GSC is usually pretty good with their product, but there are bound to some leaning figures. I recently wrote an article about it in my own blog.
Grocery Store Clerk
Pretty cool. It is almost how i imagined that it would be like an artist studio.
anime + games collector
sweet image of the max factory tour danny
also btw in that pic for the comp it was a digimon if i remember correctly.
High School Student
http://4kura.wordpress.com
Ahh i hope someday they make Eyeshield 21 Figma
student
http://agito786.deviantart.com/
i wish i could've gone on that tour! T.T