Time for a review of the four volumes of the Insects of Japan by Yujin. I was thinking of putting all four series into one thread but it would have been a lot of images/species in just one thread, so I will break them up as they were released. There was a publicity photo for a potential fifth set, but to my knowledge it never materialized (it may have been sidetracked during the Yujin-Takara transition). As the name suggests, all species are Japanese/Asian.

The sets vary in the number of figures in each set, and each set seems to have a taxonomic focus to some degree. Each set also has one 'secret' figure. Volume 1, reviewed here, has 12 figures (11 and 1 secret), and if I had to put a focus on it, I would say Coleoptera (beetles).

All of the figures in each series appear to be molded after actual specimens. As such, all figures are 1:1 in size (also explains the exquisite detail in each of these!!!). All figures require some degree of assembly, and given they are molded after actual specimens, it means legs and antennae can be very thin and delicate. Care must be taken with assembly; it also helps to secure some with glue. Several figures also come on habitat-style bases, which if you follow my posts, know I am a high fan of.

On to the figures, in numerical order on the accompanying papers:

1. Japanese rhinoceros beetle, Allomyrina dichotoma.
It's only fitting that the first species in the first set would be the quintessential insect figure. If I remember correctly, I have 40 figures by 18 different manufacturers, and this is one of the best!



2. Lucanus maculifemoratus.
Another species that is no stranger in figure form, I have 20 figures by 12 manufacturers.



3. Sawtoothed stag beetle, Prosopocoilus inclinatus.
This species, along with the first two, are among the most commonly-made Japanese species. I have 19 figures (including a couple females and a pupa) by 12 manufacturers.



4. Golden-ringed dragonfly, Anotogaster sieboldii.
This common large Japanese dragonfly has also been made by Furuta (incl. a nymph), Hayakwa Toys, Kaiyodo, and Rement. The secret figure in Volume 3 of the current series will be the nymph of this species!



5. Summer skimmer, Sympetrum darwinium.
Ah! A unique species (although Kabaya made a second species in the genus).



6. Oncotympana maculaticollis.
This ornate cicada was also made by Furuta (Insect Science) as an adult and nymph.



7. Platypleura kaempferi.
This cicada in a unique species.



8. Jewel beetle, Chrysochroa fulgidissima.
This is not a unique species, but it is the only one I currently have. The Italian release of DeAgonstini's World Insect Data Book had a related species, C. limbata.



9. Hyposipalus gigas.
This is another unique species, and not surprising, as it is very rare to get weevil figures marketed at the species or even genus level. This is the smallest figure (not including base) in the set, keeping in mind they are all 1:1.



10. Asian giant hornet, Vespa mandarina.
Probably the most commonly-made Asian hymenopteran. Other figures are by Kaiyodo (twice), Rement, and Subarudo. Shineg made a larva!!!



11. Longhorned beetle, Rosalia batesi.
This species was also made by Kaiyodo for the Choco Q Animatales Series. Kaiyodo also did an additional species in this genus.



12. SECRET: Damaster blaptoides.
There are two versions of this figure. The original is on a base of leaves; the variant (also below) is depicted with a snail shell (D. blaptoides is a snail predator). Kaiyodo also made two versions of this species.



I will try to do at least one more volume this weekend...

There is one model that belongs to this series that was released. Also colour morhps of the weevil, the cicade and of some dragonflies, which I will add later.

13. Golden-ringed dragonfly, Anotogaster sieboldii (male).


folded legs under body.


The different tails, above male, under female.

Thanks Marcel; I hadn't realized they were different genders! Was that a secret? A later re-release? It was not part of the original set. By the way, the numbering of the figures in these sets is confusing and I do not think consistent...

Quote from: bmathison1972 on October 04, 2017, 08:50:10 PM
Thanks Marcel; I hadn't realized they were different genders! Was that a secret? A later re-release? It was not part of the original set. By the way, the numbering of the figures in these sets is confusing and I do not think consistent...

It was included in this collection box. This box (also the lobster and crab ones had an other species blue swimming crab) had it as a extra model with booklet but not as a 'secret'.
These are re-releases called 'renewed and revised' versions. You can see KOW on the box. That is the name of the sculpturer of the series.



also in this one:

Thanks Marcel

If I see them individually I might pursue them, but it's not worth the cost of a whole new set for a couple color and one gender differences (although the different gender of dragonflies is more tempting).

Although not being an Insects specialist, I simply adore the Yujin sets.
In my opinion some of the most beautiful figures ever done.
I should have bought at least all the dragon flies when they were easily available .

The three Yujin versions of the summer skimmer, Sympetrum darwinium. Representing the different colouring fases.

Quote from: bmathison1972 on October 04, 2017, 08:50:10 PM
Thanks Marcel; I hadn't realized they were different genders! Was that a secret? A later re-release? It was not part of the original set. By the way, the numbering of the figures in these sets is confusing and I do not think consistent...

Your female Anotogaster sieboldii is the first one by the way, mine has, like the male, translucent green eyes.

This is the backside of a booklet of an insect figurine of the original Yujin insect series 1



This is the backside of the booklet of the revised and renewed set of Yujin insect series 1

I knew about the two colour versions of the Platypleura kaempferi (which I have both) and the two versions of Damaster blaptoides (I have the one without the snail). But I surely didn't know about the different versions of the Sympetrum darwinianum and the Anotogaster sieboldii!