Attack on Titan fans can enjoy the franchise’s newest – and strangest – form of merchandise.
Released as part of the “Indie Study Series” or “Independent Study Series,” this new Attack on Titan-themed beetle model set combines the popular animated series with realistic replicas economics of insects. The Survey Corps variants of these toys represent the rhinoceros beetle (in beige and white) and the deer beetle (white and red). Likewise, there are also beetle models for the giant villainous Titans, with pure Titans represented by deer and rhinoceros beetles. In contrast, the Colossal Titan features a Hercules Beetle model kit, its wings open to reveal disturbing colors underneath.
These Attack on Titan beetles are expected to release in December 2023, with the Hercules Beetle priced at 5,500 yen (about US$37) and the other models priced at 4,950 yen (about $34 America). All models can extend their wings, adding to the sense of bionic playability. While their color scheme is of course unrealistic, their other anatomical details make them perfect pieces of entertainment. Other Independent Study Series characters were similarly styled across various Japanese media series, including Neon Genesis Evangelion, Ultraman, and the insect-themed series Kamen Rider.
Attack on Titan is written by Hajime Isayama, with the original manga running from 2009 to 2021. Centering on Eren Yeager, the series is a post-apocalyptic epic in which the remnants of humanity fight against giant, muscular humanoid known as a Titan. Opposing these Titans is the Survey Corps, which Yeager joins. Titans are depicted with a variety of body styles and designs, as featured in the Independent Study Series model kits.
Although the idea of trading beetles may seem strange, beetles and insect collecting in general is a fairly popular hobby in Japan, and beetles appear frequently in Japanese media. , especially products aimed at children. One example is Kōchū Ōja Mushiking, a collectible arcade card game that has seen tens of thousands of tournaments held. Likewise, bug collecting has also been a big source of inspiration for franchises like Pokémon. In contrast, model kits are another popular pastime among consumers of all ages, as demonstrated by the growing popularity of Gunpla plastic model kits, also known as Gunpla.
The Attack on Titan anime raised the manga’s popularity even further, with adaptations continuing years after the manga’s completion. Currently, the show is in the final stages of its fourth and final season. Titled The Final Chapters, the final television special is scheduled to air in Japan on November 5, 2023. The series can be streamed on Sling TV, Funimation, Hulu, and Crunchyroll.
Source: Animeanime.jp