Kaiyodo – Bust Collection Nanto Rokuseiken

The six stars of Nanto

The collection brings together Rei, star of justice of Nanto Suichō Ken, Yuria, Last General of Nanto and star of the loving mother, Yuda, bewitching star of Nanto Kōkaku Ken, Shin, star of martyrdom of Nanto Koshū Ken, Souther, star of the general of Nanto Hōō Ken, and Shû, star of benevolence of Nanto Hakuro Ken. On the boxes, each character is introduced under his school and his star, which sets this line apart from all the others.

The six were released in two waves, Rei, Yuria and Yuda on 25 August 2006, then Shin, Souther and Shû on 15 September, at 4,500 yen per bust. The collection is co-published by Kaiyodo and Happinet Robin.

The repainted version

In May 2007, the six busts returned in a new colour scheme, at the same price. It is signed by Yatake Yoshinori, a professional model finisher whose personal painting technique Kaiyodo puts forward. The sales pitch announces the meeting of two crafts, sculpting and painting, brought together in a single object.

The approach itself changes, and that is what sets the two editions apart: where the first follows the look of the anime, with flat skin tones and drawn shadows, the repainted version goes for realism.

A display stand to complete

The line’s main selling point is its modular base, each bust coming with a fragment of the display stand. It is by bringing all six characters together that the full display stand takes shape, a semicircular base on which the five masters gather around Yuria. The maker highlights the promise on every box. A device that pushes collectors to complete the set and reassemble the whole Nanto Rokuseiken on a single base.

Sculpting and finish

These painted polystone busts are the work of sculptor Matsuura Ken, credited as 原型制作 on the product listings. He had already produced the four brothers of Hokuto in 2004, and would sculpt the 1/6 busts of Kenshiro and Raoh in 2007, along with the Seikimatsu Gekitoroku. Polystone was chosen for its ability to render the master as closely as possible.

Sources

• AmiAmi product listings: sculptor and colourist credits, volume numbers.
• Hokuto no Ken merchandise list, Kaiyodo section, Character Goods Kenkyūjo: release dates, prices and co-publisher.