Garage kits by Project Hurricane
Let’s say you built all the 1/20 Votoms models released by Bandai (see them here) and this still didn’t scratch your itch. Where would you go next? Simple: you’d leap into a hurricane!
That’s Project Hurricane, one of the most respected garage kit companies in Japan. Starting in 2008, they began to release modification parts that allowed you to turn a Bandai Scopedog into one of the many variants seen on screen. As time went on, complete models joined the lineup. As of this writing, the company has released almost 40 kits with no end in sight.
Thanks to help from a friend on the “inside” (hi, Nagi!), I was able to make direct contact with Project Hurricane’s Chairman Nitta to find out more about his work…
Please explain how Project Hurricane started.
Our activity started in 1995 under the circle name Project Hurricane. The first doujinshi I published were based on video game books and original manga. Then, in 1997, we began to publish the fanzine called Mekasenda, based on robot anime.
What was your mission with Mekasenda?
I started it with the theme of talking passionately about my favorite robot anime. I am currently settled on Armored Trooper Votoms, but when I have time I would like to cover other works.
How does Mekasenda relate to Project Hurricane garage kits?
Currently, Mekasenda publishes under the title Votoms Connection. Project Hurricane garage kits, which are sold at Wonder Festival, are presented in Votoms Connection. I hope that people who buy the garage kits will use it as a reference or see it as three-dimensional content for their A.T.
How did you begin to make garage kits?
In 1983, Votoms plastic models were made by Takara, so Bandai’s 1/20 Scopedog, which appeared in 2007, was a huge shock. We started by making modification parts for the Fox Custom from Armor Hunter Merowlink and exhibited it at the Wonder Festival.
What attracted you to Votoms as a subject for garage kits?
The three-dimensional products of Votoms represent the history of garage kits. Those that were not made into plastic models after the mid-1980s were displayed as garage kits in specialty model stores. I was still a teenager, and the Votoms garage kits were not something I could easily afford. I believe that the frustrating memories of not being able to buy them at that time is the driving force behind my current activities.
How are your garage kits different from those made by others?
The main difference is in scale. Project Hurricane is being developed in 1/20 scale. Right now, 1/35 scale made by Wave is very active at Wonder Festival.
What is your philosophy of garage kit making?
The mechanical design of the A.T. is by Kunio Okawara. Whenever I build a garage kit, I always work on a piece of paper with a copy of the mecha design on the wall. We make every effort to follow the design as closely as possible. Sometimes there is a difference between 2D and 3D mechanical design, so it is a process of interpretation, but I try to create an Okawara design style without showing my individuality.
Are all of your models still in production, or are some no longer made?
As long as Sunrise, the copyright holder, gives us permission, we will try to re-release them if there are many requests from fans. But if the prototype is broken over time and cannot be restored, it will be discontinued.
What would you like to say to Votoms fans around the world?
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the original broadcast. I am glad to see that there are still fans all over the world.
Follow Project Hurricane online:
Twitter page | Booth page | Nitta’s Blog
The Models
Project Hurricane publications
Mekasenda started out as a general-interest mecha ‘zine with a Votoms bias and went 100% Votoms with issue 8. Their mission is not only to pay tribute through news reports, illustration and product reviews, they also began profiling their own products in issue 9. This led to the spinoff magazine Teihen Chronicle, also shown below.
Mekasenda
Aug 1997, 34 pages
Mekasenda 2
Jan 1998, 58 pages
Mekasenda 3
Aug 2000, 58 pages
Mekasenda 4
December 2002, 40 pages
Mekasenda 5
Aug 2003, 58 pages
Mekasenda 6
Dec 2004, 78 pages
Mekasenda 7
Aug 2007, 50 pages
Mekasenda 8
Aug 2008, 58 pages
Mekasenda 9
Dec 2010, 58 pages
Mekasenda 10
Dec 2012, 58 pages
Mekasenda 11
Aug 2015, 58 pages
Mekasenda 12
Dec 2018, 58 pages
Teihen Chronicle Vol. 01-06
This entry is categorized as Mekasenda 9.5. Roughly once a year, Project Hurricane publishes an 8-page pamphlet examining their latest garage kits. Here, they collected their first six pamphlets into a single volume, ranging from 2008 to 2016.
Dec 2018, 38 pages
The name Teihen can translate to “Lowlife,” which is in keeping with the original wordplay concept of “Votoms” as “Bottoms” to describe people in the underbelly, the dregs of society. Unfortunately, the English language wasn’t fluid enough to let that one through.
Teihen Chronicle 07
Aug 2019, 8 pages
This was the first pamphlet to be published after the collection of 1-6. Each of these is a continuing record of new kit releases and hobby shows where kits were sold.
Votoms Press DX
Dec 2021, 16 pages
This appears to be an expanded edition of Teihen Chronicle, picking up where issue 07 left off.
Teihen Chronicle 08
Aug 2022, 8 pages
Coverage of kits 37 & 38 with related news
Teihen Chronicle 09
Aug 2023, 8 pages
Coverage of kit 39 with exhibition news
Votoms Press DX 2
Dec 2023, 20 pages
Coverage of kit 40, garage kit maker interview, event news