Go Jump in a Lake! Freshwater Fish!

[sbell]

So rather than create a whole other walkaround, I will post this compare-and-contrast walkaround here.

This is my second First-release Yujin Freshwater fish model; the first was the Willow Shiner. As with the shiner, if it is representative, Yujin made some significant, positive changes for the second release. The molds are the same, but the paint schemes are generally stronger and more detailed. Between this figure and the Willow Shiner, it has helped me decide that my collection will be complete if I don't have a complete run of both First and Second releases. There are a few that, if I get, I would be okay with because of the different paint schemes (the mudskipper is one of the most different, and eventually I may find an eel or snakehead) but for the most part the differences (based on the papers) don't vary enough to go through the struggle!

This figure is the first release of the Barred Mudkskipper, Periophthalmus argentilineatus . As with the second release, it is number 29.

The overall colour of the Release 1 mudskipper is a light brown with irregular dark brown saddles and stripes on the sides—the markings do not match in any way on the two sides of the fish. The body is then overlain with numerous white dots along the dorsal margin and across the entire head. The sides have thin white vertical stripes from behind the gills to the base of the tail. All of the fins are translucent yellow-orange, except the dorsal fins, which are folded onto the body, and coloured like the body. The face and head is uniformly olive-brown, with the aforementioned white spots. The pupil of the eye is a dark red circle, ringed by black. The belly is a light yellow to white; the pelvic fins are white like the body.

The most notable colouration in this figure is in what it is missing—it does not have the prominent, dark black bars along the sides (as seen in the Release 2 version). This is odd, as the black bars are what gives the fish its common name!

Still overall a nice fish figure, and different enough from the Release 2 that it could be seen as a unique individual.

Like the Release 2 Mudskipper, this is one of the few figures with no base at all.

PICTURES:
I have a few different ones—the model, of course, followed by a few companion shots with the Release 2 Mudskipper!









The major difference between the Release 1 and 2 figure is that the second release has a lot more detail in the paint job—more colours, more defined paint schemes, and a higher degree of sophistication in the paint application. Even the eyes are painted differently, with the Release 2 having a more complex pupil and colouring. Although I have only seen the other Release 1 figures in pictures, many of them seem to reflect the same differences in paint jobs compared to the 2nd releases.

Comparison between the Barred Mudskipper Release 1 and 2 (Release 2 on the right in the first 3, on the left in the last one--it's pretty clear which one is which):

[postsaurischian]

  Love the Mudskipper ... and the whole series.
I'm glad I bought a lot of them for very cheap prices a few years ago.
One of the best fish series of all time!

[sbell]

Love the Mudskipper ... and the whole series.
I'm glad I bought a lot of them for very cheap prices a few years ago.
One of the best fish series of all time!

Tell mw about it, they're great figures. Years ago I bought a near-complete set, missing only two species (and, of course, a lot of the variants).I have since managed to track one of them down, but stillneed a carp. Not even the overpriced, rare koi-colourings. Just a carp. Which is proving frustratingly difficult.

[brontodocus]

It's great to see you post so many of the Yujin Freshwater Fishes, Sean! Since they're becoming increasingly rare it's very helpful to get all this comprehensive information (my Yujin fishies count is still zero). Have you thought about making a separate thread that includes the entire series (e.g. in the Animal toy lines section)?

[bmathison1972]

It's great to see you post so many of the Yujin Freshwater Fishes, Sean! Since they're becoming increasingly rare it's very helpful to get all this comprehensive information (my Yujin fishies count is still zero). Have you thought about making a separate thread that includes the entire series (e.g. in the Animal toy lines section)?

...or maybe do what I did for some of the insect sets and do it all as a Review (rather than individual walkarounds), still here under 'Yujin'. This review would, of course, complement your detailed walkarounds

[sbell]

I will do that, yes--but only once I've got the last stupid fish of the series. I never thought I'd chase after a silly carp figure so much--ot have it prove so difficult. There are really expensive options, of course, but unless someone wants to buy the rest of a $150 set or something, I'm just going to have to be patient.

Then, when they are all at least represented (it's unlikely I can ever complete the set with all of the colour variant koi, char, cherry salmon, and gold eel) then I can lay them out properly.

Until then, I will move on to other fish! The Marmit series needs some attention. Maybe. They aren't really as nice...

[sbell]

I have now done it! I have at least one figure of every fish in the Yujin Freshwater Fishes series! Interestingly, the carp may be the hardest one to get (at a reasonable price)—especially on its own. If you are starting a collection of them, there are large lots of them that sometimes include the carp—and they always seem to go for fairly high prices. And if the carp is one of the 3 domestic varieties (tricolor, silver, gold) then the individuals alone are really expensive. But I eventually came across a lot where the carp wasn't obvious, and it snuck through.

Now, I just need to find the variants! A task which, to be fair, I could do if I were willing to spend a year's worth of figure collecting on 8 figures...!

So, the figure—this is the Common Carp, Cyrpinus carpio, number 20 from the second series, in the first releases. This is one of several cyprinids, including the goldfish, Langsdorff's goldfish and a few other dace and shiners in the Yujin collection. Carp are originally from freshwaters of Europe and Asia—and are apparently vulnerable to threatened in much of their original range. But, they have been domesticated for centuries, which has led to the species being introduced throughout most of the world, where it can become a very notable invasive pest. But, as a domestic animal, they are notable for their varied and distinct colours and scale morphologies (for example, the three special variants of this figure!), and are popular in ponds and fish tanks as Koi. But those tanks need to be large--the Yujin model gives a length of 80cm; Fishbase gives a maximum length of 120cm, with a common length of 31cm.

This model is about 6.2 cm long, making the figure roughly 1:13 using the Yujin length (If using the Fishbase lengths, the figure is as big as 1:5 or as small as 1:19). The colour is based on a wild colouration. The back of the fish is a dark olive-brown, fading down the sides into a lighter yellowish-olive, and finally to a white on the belly.  The scales are large and distinct, but do not carry all the way to the belly. The pose is overall basic, with the fish in a straight line, the tail bending somewhat. All of the fins are a uniform translucent olive. The head is primarily olive-yellow, fading to darker olive on the top. The eyes are large and gold, while the characteristic barbels on the side of the mouth are sculpted against the mouth rather than protruding out. The base for this one is a grey version of the mud & sticks. Unlike many of the fish in this series, there are plenty of carp figures, from Japan and elsewhere. New Ray in notable for including one, as well as a number of Kaiyodo figures, plus the occasional toy of carp-like fish. They are also a fish most likely to be seen in more artistic models and statues, usually as the Koi variants.

Pictures:










And some scale versions—

At 1:13 (an 80cm animal)


At 1:19 (120cm)


For 1:5 (a 31cm animal—I still don't have a 1:5 human, so here it is with other 1:5 fish)


So that's all of the species in the Yujin series. I do have a few other variants and First-Release/Second-Release comparisons to do, but that covers the 31 figures in the set!

[brontodocus]

Yay, seems you saved one of the best of them for last! Personally, I think there aren't that many carp figures representing a proper wild type, with original colouration, moderately elongate body, and full scales.

[sbell]

Yay, seems you saved one of the best of them for last! Personally, I think there aren't that many carp figures representing a proper wild type, with original colouration, moderately elongate body, and full scales.

That is true--most are 'just' koi. All of the Yujin are repaints of the same carp using various koi patterns, but it does look a little odd on a wild carp body. Not that I'll be getting them any time soon--they are so expensive!

[sbell]

So, with the [ûrl=http://animaltoyforum.com/index.php?topic=1707.0]Wild Carp figure I recently did as a walkaround[/url/] I mentioned that I had now collected and posted at least one of every fish in the series, but with this one, I kind of hit a grey area on how true that is.

When I did a walkaround for the Lates calcarifer I discovered that I actually had the juvenile figure—in the Second Release of series I, it was a secret figure, so I didn't know that there was a different one!

But in the same lot as the carp, I was surprised to discover that I also received an adult Lates calcarifer!

I won't do a full intro like I did the juvenile (I linked to it if it was missed!) since the figure is exactly the same as the juvenile one, just painted differently to reflect the unstriped adult coloration. I'll just include the photos, and some comparisons.

It is also a First Release version, so the paint is a little rougher, especially around the mouth. Interestingly, the juvenile Lates was not a secret figure in release I (based on photos, the eyes also weren't as deeply red).

Walkaround Pictures:







This is the figure in two parts. The figure number of 13 can be seen—same as the juvenile one:




And to compare with the juvenile paint job—it is subtle, but the 'adult' is clearly painted darker on the dorsal surface, with no striping. And, of course, the eyes aren't red!





Until the next one (just one more variant, and some release & 2 comparisons...!).

[Jetoar]

Yujin figures are really beutiful  .

[Jetoar]

It is the first time that I see a figure of this species 

[sbell]

It is the first time that I see a figure of this species 

Kaiyodo has made a few different versions of the species, but they are almost always the juvenile form, with the mottled or striped pattern. It probably looks better as a figure! I myself only have one (but two versions of it!).

[sbell]

I am finally getting to put this last 'second release' figure up—I kind of forgot!

This figure is the special version of the Carassius langsdorfii (or Carassius aurauts langsdorfii). Unlike the 'regular' figure, this one is the domestic version, in a bright orange, as would be expected in a fish tank.

It is otherwise the same model as the brown version. It has a brighter, golden eye, and the fin is more transparent.

Walkaround Pictures:







And to compare with the 'wild' paint job. It is clearly very different, with brown & grey compared to orange!





I have some release 1 & 2 comparisons all set to go, that I may add to other appropriate threads. And maybe someday I will get some of the really expensive rare ones! 

[sbell]

This is a photo set to compare the figures from the First & Second release of the Series II Japanese Spined Loach Cobitis biwae, number 22 in the series.

As will be seen in any of these 1 & 2 comparisons, the Release 1 figures tend to have a simpler paint job, with far less nuance to them. In many instances the patterns and details are simplified, in particular markings and the face region. The fins are also often left with less colour or pattern.

In the Spined Loach, the most obvious difference is the fewer number of dark blotches on the Release 1—to the point where there are none along the dorsum of the figure at all, while the R2 has a row of distinct brown patches along the back. The face of the R1 figure also has simpler markings, mainly simple brown dots, whereas the R2 has a variety of squiggles and dots.  And the R1 ventral fins are all marked, while the R2 fins are left unmarked. Finally, the R1 has a more distinctly defined dill by the operculum.

Comparisons (R2 on the left, R1 on the right):





And because Kevin hasn't been out for a swim for a while.

[sbell]

This is a photo set to compare the figures from the First & Second release of the Series II Northern Snakehead Channa argus, number 24 in the series.

As will be seen in any of these 1 & 2 comparisons, the Release 1 figures tend to have a simpler paint job, with far less nuance to them. In many instances the patterns and details are simplified, in particular markings and the face region. The fins are also often left with less colour or pattern.

In the Northern Snakehead, the overall pattern difference is striking. The R1 figure is more yellow, with less shading and bands of black; the R2 has marking of brown only, with a fine shading from dark to very light brown. The heads are especially different, with fewer, thicker black stripes on the R1 compared to the more detailed brown marking on the R2.

Comparisons (R2 on the left, R1 on the right):







And because Kevin hasn't been out for a swim for a while.

[sbell]

This is a photo set to compare the figures from the First & Second release of the Series II Roughskin Sculpin Trachidermus fasciatus, number 27 in the series.

As will be seen in any of these 1 & 2 comparisons, the Release 1 figures tend to have a simpler paint job, with far less nuance to them. In many instances the patterns and details are simplified, in particular markings and the face region. The fins are also often left with less colour or pattern.

In the Roughskin Sculpin, both have appropriately complex patterns. The most obvious difference is the great amount of white on the head of Release 1, which becomes more brown and black in Release 2, and the greater amount of markings and counter shading in Release 2.

Comparisons (R2 on the left, R1 on the right):





And because Kevin hasn't been out for a swim for a while.

[sbell]

This is a photo set to compare the figures from the First & Second release of the Series II Grass Puffer Takifugu niphobles, number 30 in the series.

As will be seen in any of these 1 & 2 comparisons, the Release 1 figures tend to have a simpler paint job, with far less nuance to them. In many instances the patterns and details are simplified, in particular markings and the face region. The fins are also often left with less colour or pattern.

In the Grass Puffer, the most obvious difference is the distinct white spots in the Release 1, which become subtler dark brown spots in Release 2, and the mouth area is painted more distinctly.

Comparisons (R2 on the left, R1 on the right):






And because Kevin hasn't been out for a swim for a while.

[sbell]

This is a photo set to compare the figures from the First & Second release of the Series II Starry Flounder Platichthys stellatus, number 31 in the series.

As will be seen in any of these 1 & 2 comparisons, the Release 1 figures tend to have a simpler paint job, with far less nuance to them. In many instances the patterns and details are simplified, in particular markings and the face region. The fins are also often left with less colour or pattern.

In the Starry Flounder, they are almost painted like different species (or, given some flounders' ability to alter their colours to suit a substrate, they are from different surfaces). The R1 has an even mix of dark brown with cream-colored margins and blotches with a smattering of small white dots. The R2, on the other hand, is more subtly colored with a range of browns and olive, and finer, smaller white markings throughout, along with a lot of black dots. This same patterning difference carries into the face. Even the dorsal and anal fins are very different. And on the 'bottom' of the fish (originally the 'right hand side') the paint is different.

Comparisons (R2 on the left, R1 on the right):





And because Kevin hasn't been out for a swim for a while.

[sbell]

This is a photo set to compare some distinct variants of the Second release of the Series I Cherry Salmon Onchorhynchus masou masou, number 03 in the series.

Unlike the other comparisons of Yujin fish models that I've done, this one does not show a Release 1 and Release 2. Instead, they are very distinct variants of the same figures from the same Release (I know they are both Release 2 because they both came sealed with their papers).

At first I thought the newer, brighter one may have been a chase variant—a figure of the Amago, a distinctly Japanese freshwater subspecies O. masou ishikawae or O. masou macrostomus. This does exist as a figure, although not necessarily as expensive as some of the chase variants can be. However, my newer one, like my original, has no small red spots alongside the scattered dark spots (which is characteristic of Amago). But it does have several distinctly different features. The most noticeable difference is the very deep, bright pink longitudinal band along the lateral line—it is far brighter and wider than my original, where it is very subtle. There is also some difference in the fins, with the newer figure having darker yellow fins than the original. The body is also shaped somewhat differently.

It's hard to say if these variations were intentional, or meaningful, of if it is just a quirk of the production and painting.

Comparisons (Original on the left, Newer on the right):






And because Kevin hasn't been out for a swim for a while.