The Intimate Gaze of Toridamono Capturing Rikka and Akane in the COVERS Project

A New Vision for Familiar Faces

As a long-time admirer of high-concept figure lines, I must say the Good Smile Company‘s ‘COVERS’ project truly resonates with me. It’s not just about recreating a character; it’s about taking a beloved design and filtering it through the singular lens of a master illustrator. Following the excellent Shinjo figure, the announcement of “Rikka Takarada & Akane Shinjo feat. toridamono” is genuinely hitting me right in the nostalgia circuits for SSSS.GRIDMAN.

Inviting toridamono—whose work on the Atelier Ryza series is instantly recognizable—to tackle these two protagonists has resulted in a dynamic and emotionally layered piece.

The concept of artists reinterpreting established characters always brings a fresh perspective, and here, toridamono-sensei’s touch provides a softer, more intimate warmth to the pair, evident in their pose leaning against each other.

Detailing Toridamono’s Artistry in Three Dimensions

Scaling these figures to 1/7 scale (approximately 22 cm tall) allows for incredible fidelity to the original artwork. My focus immediately goes to the face sculpts. The way the features are crafted—the delicate handling of the eyes using gradient printing to capture the nuance of the original illustration’s irises—suggests a commitment to replicating that specific artistic charm.

The clothing is another area where the craftsmanship shines. The gentle shadows layered onto the fabric and the subtle rendering of the folds capture that soft light and shadow play unique to toridamono’s style. Even the small environmental details, like Akane’s tokusatsu-related accessories or Rikka’s bear charm, ground them in their world while maintaining this interpretive aesthetic.

However, the true stroke of genius—and where the unique design element surfaces—lies in the sneakers.

Rikka’s shoes are apparently styled after the imagery of Gridman (電光超人グリッドマン), while Akane’s incorporate elements of the antagonist, Akrevish-Khlue (アクリス＝クレ). Utilizing transparent parts for the soles and a pearl finish on the uppers merges the realistic texture of modern footwear with subtle science fiction nods. It’s these kinds of surprising, original design contributions that elevate a figure beyond a standard adaptation.

Option for the Dedicated Collector

For those who prefer to focus on a single character, the simultaneous announcement of individual releases—“Rikka Takarada feat. toridamono” and “Akane Shinjo feat. toridamono”—is very welcome. This modular approach is thoughtful, allowing collectors to choose their preferred focus, although the combined presentation speaks volumes about their relationship within the context of toridamono’s vision.

This release represents a fantastic confluence of source material, artist interpretation, and high-quality manufacturing. It’s a celebration of character design evolution.

🟢 Product Specifications 🟢

Rikka Takarada & Akane Shinjo feat. toridamono
✅ Reference Price: 37,620 Japanese Yen (including tax)
✅ Estimated Release Date: February 2027
✅ Product Specifications: Painted PVC Complete Figure, 1/7 Scale, Includes dedicated base, Total Height: Approx. 220mm
✅ Sculptors: Rikka / Honoka + Sparrow, Akane / Motoo + Sparrow
✅ Colorist: Kenji Ando

Rikka Takarada feat. toridamono & Akane Shinjo feat. toridamono (Individual releases)
✅ Reference Price: 19,800 Japanese Yen each (including tax)
✅ Estimated Release Date: February 2027

©円谷プロ ©2018 TRIGGER・雨宮哲／「GRIDMAN」製作委員会

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