Nariki Eigajidai - Wada Kunibou (Yoshimoto Art Factory)

This palm-sized figurine from Yoshimoto Art Factory depicts Wada Kunibou, a caricatured figure originating from the Nariki Eigajidai era of Japanese history. Released in 2022 under the supervision of the Kyuman Museum of Art in Zentsuji, Kagawa Prefecture, the statue became an unexpected internet sensation in early 2024. The figure is based on a well-known painting familiar to generations of Japanese students from their history textbooks. It depicts a gentleman who suddenly amassed immense wealth during World War I, famously shown flashing a 100-yen bill and setting it alight to help a woman locate a pair of shoes in the dark. Curator Miki Nishitani of the Kyuman Museum of Art noted that the beloved man is difficult for anyone to hate, and consumers were drawn to seeing the familiar 2D character realized as a 3D figurine. Manufactured by Yoshimoto Art Factory in Kobe, the statue was reproduced using a full-color 3D printing system in exquisite detail. It stands approximately 5 centimeters tall and comes with an acrylic stand. Priced at 5,000 yen tax inclusive, the figurine saw skyrocketing demand after going viral on social media, with production running at full capacity to keep up with orders.