This figure is the Se-Kin Dragon Arowana AKA Malyasian Golden Highback Arowana, Scleropages formosus, although some researchers have split up the species into four, and the Gold Malaysian variety may belong in S. aureus if the species are valid—and most researchers are not yet convinced (edit–and continue not to be). Like the Yujin chili red arowana before, the figure is number 15 from the second release, but is stamped with model number 15. This variety (species?) is in most ways like the previous Red Asian Arowana, but is found only in waters of Malaysia. Like all Asian arowana, the IUCN lists them as Endangered, although captive breeding occurs in many parts of Southeast Asia.
The Highback name comes from the pattern on the dorsal surface—where the scale colour does not ‘cross the back’ (in which case, this would be a cross back), leaving the dorsal black or silver. In this variety the ‘Golden’ part of the name comes from the shiny gold colour of the scales. The Gold Crossback varieties are especially popular as the color and shine is considered a good omen for wealth—which means that they are highly sought after, but most varieties are quite rare (and expensive). They are also often crossbred with red varieties to combine the best aspects of the luck of red and fortune of gold–meaning that there are a lot of varieties of Asian arowana!
Most aspects of the model are the same as the Asian Red Arowana. It is about 7.2cm long, giving a scale of 1:13. The main difference is colour—instead of reds, the scales are more of a greenish-gold or silver colour. The front margins are dark grey, and the posterior margins of some are more yellow. Along the dorsal row of scales, the colour is primarily the dark grey colour with a silver posterior border (hence the Highback variety). This colour extends across the top of the head. The fins are all somewhat translucent, with reddish washes. The cheeks are the same yellowish-gold colour as the scales. The base that I received is different from the other Asian Arowana, being the coloured-gravel—with-plant style. I am never sure if these are the ‘correct’ ones or not (I didn’t get the paper for this one). It is possible that the bases are random.
Like the Red Asian Arowana, this model is a two-part model, with a head that separates behind the opercula.
In comparing the two figures, the most obvious difference is the different colours. The Malaysian Gold Highback is a nice departure from the far more common red varieties that are produced by most figure makers (edit – there are a number of figure makers that have expanded this). The only other difference between the models is the curve at the tail—in the Red Arowana model, the caudal fin is in a straight line with the dorsal fin, pointing straight back. In the Gold Highback, the tail is distinctly curved to starboard compared to the rest of the body. I doubt that Yujin would have made two different sculpts for the model (without making more significant changes). More likely it is a variation in the molds—or maybe it is actually from the original First Release (since there is no easy way of knowing).
And with this, to reiterate, I have now reposted all of the Book 1 walkarounds (and updated them where appropriate into more proper blog posts). Note that this is the last of the Book 1 figures to move over! (there are a few secrets I don’t have…and don’t expect to have because $$$ but who knows?). Next up…the wild variety of Book 2!
Starting on the 14th of January, 2024, I migrated my first Yujin Freshwater Fish Pictorial walkaround post from the Animal Toy Forum to this blog, with the intention of moving all species’/figures’ walkarounds here. The initial post contained a lengthy explanation of the series (both the original and updated) that I don’t think should be repeated each time! For those details, the post can be seen at the first post. Then we can just get to the fish. Most of the details and writing will come from the original post, although I may supplement/add where appropriate.
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