This figure is the Largemouth Bass, Micropterus salmoides, model number 25 and figure 10 from the second series. These are large freshwater bass naturally found in the Mississippi River system of North America. However, they are popular sport fish and have been released in many parts of the world, including, of course, Japan.
Like the Northern Snakehead, Largemouth Bass are large, voracious predators, and if conditions are suitable, can become established and spread quickly. Once this happens, the effect on natural populations is intense. Interestingly, a related species, Micropterus dolomieu , the Smallmouth Bass, is also invasive in Japan, but Yujin didn’t make a model of this one (Kaiyodo recently did though!); it is not, however, the only Yujin centrarchid as we’ll see!. The Yujin model gives a length of 60cm, but several other online sources gave larger total lengths, including one (Fishbase) stating of 97cm (which seems insanely large)!
This model measures 6.5cm long, giving a scale of 1:9 with the Yujin value; using the longest length of 97cm, the scale would be more like 1:15. The colouring of the model is very complex, with a lighter crème base colour and a range of darker and lighter brown and olive green washes darkening from the dorsal surface to the belly. This is punctuated with several dark black bands down each side and lighter brown horizontal stripes across each cheek. The fins are a translucent dark olive colour. The most notable feature is the large, open mouth—a big cavern with white lips and painted pink inside. There is some sculpting of the roof of the mouth, but not much. Between the mouth and the big gold eye, this model is a small reminder of a powerful predator. The base that this one is on is the vertical rock face, except in light brown.
Largemouth Bass have shown up a few times as models, not only from other Japanese makers like Kaiyodo and Kinto-Favorite, but also ones with American connections (of course, given the natural range). These include Replica Toy Fish Company, New Ray, and a recent large figure from Safari Ltd, plus I’m certain of a few more generic bass-like fish from cheaper companies. Since the original post, several others showed up, including from Safari, ToyFishFactory, Wild Republic, and probably many others.
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.
From the original forum post:
- Brontodocus: Wonderful figure!
Both species, M. salmoides and M. dolomieu, have also been introduced to Europe. - Sbell: I live in a place where they’ve tried, but it’s just cold enough–so far–that they can’t get established. To the west of the Rockies, though, I’ve caught various centrarchids that don’t belong there, including largemouth bass.
- Jetoar: Awesome replica as always
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