Posted on March 21, 2023

Actic Gear toys by Takara-Tomy

Debuting in July 2005, Actic Gear was by far the biggest line of Votoms toys made by anyone, culminating in more than 50. By rendering them in 1/48 scale (just over 3″ tall), they landed in a sweet spot for maker and user alike: they were small enough to keep the price down and still posable enough to allow for versatility. For example, this was the first A.T. smaller than 1/35 that could go into “downform” mode. 1/48 scale also brought support vehicles into range, since anything larger would be prohibitively expensive.

One of the pitfalls of developing Votoms toys, as Takara already knew from experience, is that Scopedog variations wear thin pretty quickly, and if your sales aren’t robust enough you can’t afford to delve into the other designs that require different tooling and molds. Here again, Actic Gear broke through and got the green light to keep going. As a result, some A.T.s were released as toys for the first time, like the Fatty and the Zwerg.

The line lasted over three years with multiple sub-categories and unique accessories. In order to encourage the “gotta catch ’em all” mentality, each one came with its own file card for placement in a mini-storage booklet meant to serve as a keepsake. There was also an 80-page book from Mediaworks titled Scopedog Actic Gear Special (July 2006) that covered the first year of products, presented techniques for customizing them, examined anime designs, and offered brief interviews with the development team.

Six months later, Mediaworks published a more comprehensive book titled Votoms Real Toy Collection that documented products from many different manufacturers (there was quite a wave happening back then) and revisited the Actic Gear team for the following interview…

Actic Gear developer interview

Hisashi Yuki and Syunichi Okusa

“Actic Gear is something you have to play with” – Yuki

“Votoms is an important asset for Takara” – Okusa

Hisashi Yuki Profile

Takara/Tomy hobbies marketing group, boys character team. Born in Oita Prefecture. His first character toy for boys was Electric Light Superhero Gridman. After that, he was in charge of many transforming robot toys such as the Yusha series and Transformers. He is also one of the founding members of Actic Gear.

Shunichi Okusa Profile

Team expert for Takara/Tomy CS planning. He has been involved in the prototype design of character toys for boys in various departments. He is in charge of marketing of Actic Gear in collaboration with Mr. Yuki and others.

Interviewer: In Scopedog Actic Gear Special, we asked you about the process of development, which was based on the assumption of large sizes such as 1/24 and 1/35. In the end, you finally settled on a scale of 1/48. Could you tell us a little more about the specifics?

Yuki: I’ve loved Votoms since it was first broadcast. In terms of Sunrise’s robots, it definitely has character power second only to Gundam, and I always thought it had the same number of strong fans. When various adult affairs were settled, I started saying, “I think we can finally do Votoms,” but the initial reaction within the company was mixed. It was hard to express what’s good about Votoms in digital form, and it was also hard to express it in words.

The only person who knew about Votoms at the time of its broadcast was my boss at the time, Hiroyuki Azuma (current boys hobby team leader). Moreover, he used to be in sales and was an older staff member who had experience selling Votoms at the time. Thanks to his him saying, “Let’s give it a try for now,” we were able to get the idea off the ground and start working on the first Actic Gear prototype.

When I saw it, I had a gut feeling that we had a chance to win. I knew that the first [Scopedog] mold would not be wasted because we could produce variations. When we actually launched the product, it sold better than planned, thanks to you. (Laughs) In terms of timing, the release of the DVD Box and Yamato’s 1/12th toy was a tailwind for us. To be honest, I don’t think we would have been able to do as well without those other companies’ products.

Interviewer: The subsequent lineup was very provocative. You quickly released the AT Fly and the Fatty. On the other hand, how is it that you haven’t released a Standing Turtle/Tortoise yet?

Yuki: I wanted to release the Fatty at the start. (Laughs) First of all, in the first year they let me try out the AT Fly, which I also wanted. I thought if it did well, the series could continue. It sold as well as I hoped it would, so I was convinced, “The Fatty is next!” (Laughs) In the beginning, there was no one on the team who was familiar with Votoms other than myself. But I was encouraged that Mr. Okusa came to join us in the midst of the project. He also knows Votoms very well.

Okusa: I was transferred to the marketing department just as the Berserga prototype was being developed. My first thought was, “Oh, it’s very well done.” As if it was someone else’s business. (Laughs)

But the fact that it’s so small and can descend [into downform] properly, I was amazed that the price could be kept low enough to make it easy to collect. Now I’m in a position to promote it. Thanks to you, it was easy for me to make appeals to sell products. But now that I know about Votoms myself, I’ve also been asking, “Why don’t you get into the Turtle type?” (Laughs)

Yuki: AT Fly and Fatty are products that will determine the future development of the company. If they sell well, it proves that AG can keep going. And it will also give users high expectations for the future. On the other hand, if they don’t sell well, it will be difficult to launch vehicles and A.T.s in the latter half of the program.

The same goes for the Turbo Custom. If it had failed, it could have been the end of OVA-related products. OVAs were a bit of a hurdle item for users at that time. However, all the products were cool as could be, and I myself had no problem with them. However, when asked about the reason for my confidence, I can only answer, “It’s my instinct as a Votoms lover.” (Laughs) Internally, I persuaded them by saying, “We can reuse half of the molds.”

Okusa: The Turbo Custom is really well done, isn’t it?

Yuki: When the prototype of the Red Shoulder Custom was completed, I was convinced that it would be coolest if it was armed. The first prototype was a normal Scopedog with only a gun. I felt like it wasn’t enough. So when I saw how well-armed the Red Shoulder Custom was, I thought the Turbo Custom could definitely be a good choice.

Interviewer: Mr. Okusa, I heard that you also have a strong attachment to Votoms.

Okusa: When I joined Takara, it was right around the time Votoms aired. Votoms is one of the origins of “real robots.” I think the reason it hasn’t faded away is because it’s a unique work. Moreover, now that Votoms is available on DVD, rental, and broadcast on GyaO, there are more and more opportunities for people to watch it. It’s rare to see a work that’s been around for 20 years get a second boom, so Votoms is a very important asset for Takara.

The items I’d like to release in Actic Gear are all more obscure, but I’d like to do all of them. I’m also thinking about the lineup in terms of “What else can we continue to offer?” I want to continue this series for a long time, so it’s natural to think about the lineup. We’re trying to create a lineup that will satisfy the user’s craving. It’s a difficult task. (Laughs)

Interviewer: How do you feel about the past year and a half since the launch of Actic Gear?

Yuki: As I mentioned in the Actic Gear Special, I really wanted to make it larger in size. However, when you think about collecting and modifying them, I realized that this size was the right choice. If it were a high-end toy, it would be nice if you could buy a large one and display it in a way that it would not get dusty. But I don’t think Votoms is like that.

In fact, every time we finish a prototype, it still looks like it lacks detail to Votoms lovers like us. Because of this, fans who like the product will want to make modifications, which will naturally be a good thing. Actic Gear is something you have to play with. Just by tweaking it a little bit, it can be made better. The A.T. is the best material. Now it remains to be seen if this idea can be conveyed to users.

I think many people still think of Actic Gear as a “toy” and are reluctant to paint it or modify it. But if you give it a try, you’ll see that it’s actually a lot of fun. For those who aren’t comfortable with painting toys, there are lots of high-end model kits out there. Modelers are cutting, pasting, and painting them. (Laughs)

Interviewer: What about you, Mr. Okusa?

Okusa: I’ve learned not only about Actic Gear, but also about the strong-rootedness of Votoms fans. I’m grateful that the series is able to continue with this much support. We’ve heard that the DVD box is selling well, and judging by the performance of related products, we’re pretty sure the Votoms wave is coming back. Considering that other makers have released a variety of products, and that novels have also started, it’s the right time for us.

In addition, Director Ryosuke Takahashi is also very eager to start a new work. I have the impression that seeds that have been planted are beginning to sprout. I’m sure we’ll be able to deliver more enjoyable lineups in the future. At the same time, we’ve heard from some survey participants, “I can’t buy it when I want it,” so we’re thinking about making it possible for people to buy them in the future. We’re now able to offer a large selection of products at our stores.

Interviewer: Disappearing from stores isn’t a good thing for a manufacturer, is it?

Okusa: That’s right. Recently, many hobby products are produced only once and sell out. It’s very difficult in this day and age to make a product that can be produced repeatedly and stake out its own corner in a shop. Actic Gear is a good product, and we want it to be available in stores all the time. Of course, this doesn’t mean that it will remain unsold forever. (Laughs) The hardest thing from a marketing point of view is not getting a product into the hands of the customers who want it.

Interviewer: Let’s get back to a product, the Big Carry that you’re about to release. It’s an unprecedentedly large item, isn’t it?

Yuki: Together with another developer, Kobayashi, we made it with Dougram plamo in mind. We were able to create this item because it’s 1/48 scale.

Interviewer: You also added the “diorama series” to your lineup, didn’t you?

Okusa: We conducted a user survey and found that there were requests for this product from people in their 30s and 40s. In other words, this is the generation that used to watch the program in real time. As I mentioned earlier, Actic Gear is a cool product that can be used to capture a scene, or even just to smudge up. Even a little bit of dirt makes it look cooler. But, I heard that even a little bit of work like painting with a small stylus is difficult for them for various reasons.

By creating a “diorama” package, it’s possible to add figures, which isn’t possible with a single product. Gotho, Vanilla, and Coconna are difficult to include in the regular edition or EX because they’re characters who don’t pilot A.T.’s.

Interviewer: What are your future plans?

Yuki: I’m aiming to create an Actic Gear with a high degree of perfection, which requires little modification. It’s an extension of the previous item, but a more complete version. No weathering or smudging is required for this one. (Laughs) For those of you who started with the recent Votoms boom, this is the kind of product you can buy and get completely immersed in.

Interviewer: Is it like a Version 1.5?

Yuki: More like a Version 3.

Okusa: It’s already jumped over 2.

Yuki: The size is the same as the conventional Actic Gear. Of course, it’s difficult to produce all the A.T.s with these specs, but please enjoy it in combination with conventional Actic Gear.

Okusa: We’re including parts that we wanted to do in the first version of the Scopedog, but couldn’t. I think it will satisfy those who want something high grade, but don’t want to modify it themselves. In other words, the concept is to make an industrial product that looks like a modified example you would see in a modeling magazine.

Yuki: But that’s all we can say. Until now, we’ve been working in the dark like Wiseman, manipulating lineups and directions (Laughs), but from now on, we’ll be working with Kazutami Yasuhiko and Kensuke Akagi of the DMZ team. So as of now, Wiseman is dead. (Laughs) I’m stepping back and just offering opinions. I’m going to enjoy it as a user myself, while keeping an eye on what’s going on.

Okusa: I don’t consider myself an acrobat, but I’ve been working in the direction I was aiming for. It may become a legitimate style from here on.

Interviewer: I guess it was because the two of you were in charge that the Liman Squad came out (Laughs).

Yuki: That’s right. That item selection was because of us. (Laughs)

Okusa: Normally we wouldn’t put out a product like that. (Laughs)

Yuki: I’ve said a lot of selfish things, but the truth is that when we started up, we had a very detailed system diagram in place. “We’ll put out XX at this time, and if it sells the next one will be XX. Then the next one, and the next one, and the next one.” We had a system chart. However, I really wanted to release the Bloodsucker while we were still in charge. I’ll leave the rest to the next team. I’m excited to see when they will release it. (Laughs)

Interviewer: Lastly, please give a message to your fans.

Yuki: I’ve said it many times, but I want you to tweak the Actic Gear as much as you can. Even a small modification can make a big difference. It’s easy if you use a marker for smudging. Tamiya also has a paint that makes it look like it has mud on it. Please give it a try.

Okusa: I’m proud to say that Actic Gear is a wonderful product. It works properly at this size and also has a lot of gimmicks and accessories that are consistent with the settings. I hope you’ll not just display it, but also enjoy it in various poses and create scenes with it. It’s a product that contains the best of both hobby and toy.

I dare you to lend it to kindergarten and elementary school kids and let them play with it in the sandbox. I like seeing pictures of them buried in sand and dirt. (Laughs) I hope you’ll find something out of the ordinary, that we would never have thought of.

(October 23, 2006 at Takara/Tomy headquarters)

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