It’s time to look at another Kaiyodo CapsuleQ dinosaur figure, and like the last time, it is the ‘chase’ or special figure. This particular model is from the Ceratopsia series, I believe released the year after the Tyrannosaur series. Like that series, it included the ‘star’ dinosaur (Triceratops), the associated skull and skeleton, a single other less familiar species (in this series, Diabloceratops), and all with a scale model human (or skull/skeleton). The tyrannosaurs came with white humans, the ceratopsians with black. And like that tryannosaur set, the ‘star’ species was also released in a different paint scheme; unlike that series, the ceratopsian only saw a paint revision for the Triceratops. But it is a very eye-catching revision!
Like Tyrannosaurus, Kaiyodo has visited the Triceratops design several times (also true of many companies I suppose).This model is an overall improvement on their earliest capsule attempt (seen here), with a much more active and upright figure. Given the long face, it is possible that a different species is being depicted (but the associated info papers are not specific). If so, it is possible that the Dinotales is T. horridus whereas this CapsuleQ model is T. prorosus but again, nothing specific is certain. It also does a better job demonstrating the breadth of the frill and the horns, plus it has far more presence. The feet are more clearly depicted as more than just elephant foot stumps. The colour choices, however, are fantastic–possibly far brighter than could be expected in the real world, but as a show piece it really stands out and the colour application is great. As I’ve said before, I don’t normally seek out ‘chase’ figures but I was able to get this one in a pretty decently-priced lot when first released…and then another in a random ‘job lot’ later. At least I think so. I might still have both!
As with the tyrannosaur series, this figure was only around for a limited time (and the green model would have been even more uncommon). They can still be found in auctions, etc, but of course it’s been almost a decade so they become less common over time. The best way is probably trades or purchases. Fortunately, it’s not like Triceratops figures in this or any other scale are particularly rare, but for fans and collectors of Japanese capsule and gashapon prehistoric figures, it’s definitely worth trying to get (or maybe settle for the ‘regular’ brown version if you can find that!)
