Insect Science (Furuta)

[bmathison1972]

Review of the complete set Insect Science by Furuta. This is an interesting set of eight figures, but marketed in four pairs; four main figures with one 'accessory' each (the accessory being prey, a mate, progeny, etc.).

Like most Japanese manufacturers, this set represents typical Asian fare, nothing unusual or uncommonly made. The figures are single piece (well, they came same piece, possibly they can be taken apart -- I certainly have not tried). The primary figures are slightly larger than most of the earlier Furuta/Kaiyodo Choco Q figures, being more inline with the Yujin Insects of Japan Series.

Each primary figure comes with a sturdy collectors card with lots of fun facts (in Japanese, of course) and a picture of the primary figure and its accessory.

On to the figures, in their numerical order:

1a. Asian swallowtail, Papilio xuthus.
This figure has a fine felt coating over its wings. This species has been made by Bandai, Kabaya, Koro Koro, and Rement as adults, and by Kaiyodo (twice, including Mega Sofubi Toy Box) and Shineg as larvae.



1b. Seven-spotted lady beetle, Coccinella septempunctata.
This figure, and the follow on which it is sitting, is the accessory to the swallowtail (above). I decided to display the beetle on the flower since it is so small (not too much larger than 1:1). This is probably the most commonly made non-scarabaeoid beetle. I have figures marketed as, or at least clearly attributable, to this species by 4D Master, Blip Toys, Heller, Kabaya, Kitan Club, plus several of unknown origin. It was also made by Bullyland (which I do not personally have).



2a and 2b. Sawtoothed stag beetle, Prosopocoilus inclinatus.
This figure and its accessory are the male and female of the same species. This is one of the more common stag beetles made in figure form, having also been made by F-toys, Hayakwa Toys, Kabaya, Kaiyodo (a couple times), Maruka, Rement, Sega (several times), Subarudo, Yujin, Takara Tomy A.R.T.S., and Wing Mau. I only have one other female of this species, however. Unfortunately, females of these scarabaeoid beetles are way less commonly made than the males.



3a and 3b. Golden-ringed dragonfly, Anotogaster sieboldii.
This primary figure and its accessory are an adult and nymph/naiad of the same species. This is the most commonly made Asian dragonfly, having been previously made by Hayakwa Toys, Kaiyodo, Rement, and Yujin (both adult and naiad).



4a. Giant Japanese mantid, Tenodera aridifolia.
This is the fourth primary figure, again the most common member of its group made. Other figures I have are by Bandai, Hayakwa Toys, Rement, and Yujin. In addition some of the Takara Tomy A.R.T.S. B.I.G. Insects mantids may be attributable to this species.



4b. Migratory locust, Locusta migratoria.
This is the accessory to the mantid (above). Not sure if they were lumped as orthopteroids or if this is a predator-prey pairing. Anyway, other figures of this species are by 4D Master, Funrise Toys, Kaiyodo (twice), Rement, Yujin, plus an additional figure by Furuta.

[Halichoeres]

Your posts alone make the atf a reference to rival the Animal Toy Wiki, as far as arthropod figures go!

[bmathison1972]

Your posts alone make the atf a reference to rival the Animal Toy Wiki, as far as arthropod figures go!

Thanks! One of the reasons I post them is also for my own personal reference, in case I need to go back and check something.

I wish specialists in other groups would do more similar things (Sean, fish; Stargatedalek, birds; postsaurician, reptiles, etc...).

[stargatedalek]

Your posts alone make the atf a reference to rival the Animal Toy Wiki, as far as arthropod figures go!

Thanks! One of the reasons I post them is also for my own personal reference, in case I need to go back and check something.

I wish specialists in other groups would do more similar things (Sean, fish; Stargatedalek, birds; postsaurician, reptiles, etc...).

Yah, I've definitely fallen behind on walkarounds, or even acquisitions for that matter. I have probably around a half dozen birds just from the past month that don't have any photos here period. Thanks for the reminder, I should get some new bristol and start catching up.

[sbell]

Your posts alone make the atf a reference to rival the Animal Toy Wiki, as far as arthropod figures go!

Thanks! One of the reasons I post them is also for my own personal reference, in case I need to go back and check something.

I wish specialists in other groups would do more similar things (Sean, fish; Stargatedalek, birds; postsaurician, reptiles, etc...).

Yah, I've definitely fallen behind on walkarounds, or even acquisitions for that matter. I have probably around a half dozen birds just from the past month that don't have any photos here period. Thanks for the reminder, I should get some new bristol and start catching up.

It really is a time thing...I have lots of new and interesting things, but not much time to do nice things with it. I'm also going through a review of the collection, revamping my entire database after a major purge/deaccession of a lot of figures (like, in the thousands 'a lot'). And still working.

But the fish remain safe...just it's all time consuming!