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The Birth of Revoltech and Technological Innovation | How Revolver Joint Changed Action Figures

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The Birth of Revoltech and Technological Innovation | How Revolver Joint Changed Action Figures

The Birth of Revoltech and Technological Innovation | How Revolver Joint Changed Action Figures

In 2006, Kaiyodo created the Revoltech series, which revolutionized the action figure industry with its unique Revolver Joint technology. This article thoroughly explains the background of the birth of Revoltech, the technical mechanisms, the establishment of "Yamaguchi-style articulation" by Katsuhisa Yamaguchi, and the evolution leading to Amazing Yamaguchi.

【Related Articles】: Complete Guide to the History of Kaiyodo

The Eve of Revoltech's Birth | The Action Figure Market in the 2000s

In the early 2000s, the action figure market faced significant challenges. At that time, action figures primarily used ball joints, but the "sagging" problem became serious as joints loosened over time, making it impossible to maintain poses. Collectors and fans sought figures that balanced aesthetic beauty with a wide range of motion, but existing technologies had limitations.

Challenges of Existing Action Figures

The traditional ball joint method relied solely on the friction between the sphere and the receiving part to hold poses. As a result, repeated movement wore down the contact surfaces, leading to a structural defect where holding power gradually diminished. For users who wanted to enjoy action poses, the phenomenon of arms and legs drooping under gravity was a significant source of stress. Additionally, there was a dilemma where trying to expand the range of motion sacrificed sculpting, while prioritizing sculpting limited movement.

Kaiyodo's Goal of Creating "Non-Sagging Action Figures"

In response to these market challenges, Kaiyodo pursued the ideal of "joints that do not sag no matter how many times they are moved". They embarked on the development of products that would allow for the enjoyment of free posing while maintaining the beauty of the sculpt. This challenge led to the birth of the "Revolver Joint," which would later redefine the history of action figures.

Prior to this, Kaiyodo had been shaping figure sculpting and collector culture through 【Related Articles】: The History of Garage Kit Culture and Wonder Festival. It was this background that paved the way for the development of Revoltech.

2006: The Birth of the Revoltech Series

In May 2006, Kaiyodo proudly launched the innovative action figure series "Revoltech." This series, equipped with the "Revolver Joint" invented by Yasuhiro Naito and Kuniyuki Jinguji, became a hot topic among action figure fans upon its release. The first figure chosen was "Shin Getter 1" from Go Nagai's classic robot anime "Getter Robo." This choice was ideal as it embodied the "dynamic action poses" that Revoltech aimed for.

The Impact of the First Release "Shin Getter 1"

Shin Getter 1 made a shocking debut that fully showcased the potential of the Revolver Joint technology. With Revolver Joints placed throughout the body, including the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees, it achieved bold action poses that were impossible with traditional figures. It had expressive capabilities reminiscent of "moving super alloy," with dynamic poses evoking aerial battles and signature poses wielding the Getter Tomahawk. Priced at around 2,000 yen, this product, which balanced sculpting and mobility, quickly became popular, leading to shortages in many stores.

Initial Lineup and Robot Anime Route

Following the new Getter 1, Revoltech will rapidly expand its lineup of robot anime characters. A carefully selected lineup from classic robot anime masterpieces ranging from the 1970s to the 2000s has been introduced, including the Evangelion Unit-01, Gaiking, and Zieg. In particular, the Evangelion series has seen multiple variations released, establishing a solid position as a flagship product for Revoltech. This initial rollout allowed Revoltech to establish its brand image as "the must-have articulated figures for robot anime fans."

Revolution in the Articulated Figure Market

The birth of Revoltech had a significant impact on the entire articulated figure market. The clear value proposition of 'joints that don't wear out' prompted other manufacturers to reconsider their articulation mechanisms, resulting in an overall increase in the industry's technical standards. Additionally, by achieving high sculpting quality and mobility at a relatively affordable price point, the articulated figure market itself expanded. Revoltech was not just a single product; it was a revolutionary presence that popularized the culture of articulated figures.

The background of this market expansion can be attributed to the sales channels cultivated by Kaiyodo during the food toy boom, as detailed in 【Related Article】: The Truth Behind the Choco Egg and Food Toy Boom. Without the established sales network from the success of food toys, Revoltech would not have penetrated the market as widely.

What is the Revolver Joint? | Mechanism of Innovative Articulation

The core technology of Revoltech, the "Revolver Joint," is a unique articulation mechanism invented by Yasuhiko Naito and Kuniyuki Jinguji. Its name is derived from "revolver (a type of rotating handgun)," named for the way the disc-shaped joint rotates. The most significant feature of this technology is the realization of "joints that don't wear out," which maintain their holding power no matter how many times they are moved. This mechanism, born from a completely different concept than traditional ball joints, has etched a new page in the history of articulated figures.

Basic Structure of the Revolver Joint

The Revolver Joint has a structure that combines convex and concave disc shapes. The convex side has multiple protrusions (teeth), while the concave side has grooves to accommodate them. By connecting the two parts with flat discs instead of spheres like a ball joint, a clear rotation axis is established, allowing for easily controlled movement. The joint part is designed to be detachable, making it easy to swap parts and adjust angles. This structure allows for a wide range of motion, accommodating both large movement areas needed for parts like shoulders and hips, as well as fine adjustments required for areas like wrists and ankles.

Holding Power through Ratchet Mechanism

The secret to the Revolver Joint's "non-wearing out" feature lies in the ratchet mechanism. A ratchet is a type of stopper that locks at certain angles with a click. The teeth on the convex and concave sides of the Revolver Joint interlock, allowing it to maintain poses not just through friction but also through physical engagement. Therefore, as long as the teeth do not wear out, the holding power is maintained no matter how many times it is moved. While traditional ball joints supported poses on a "plane," the Revolver Joint hooks on a "point," achieving durability that withstands long-term use.

Joint Compatibility and Customization Play

One of the major attractions of the Revoltech series is the standardization of joint specifications, allowing for customization play. Even figures of different characters can swap joint parts to mix and match arms, legs, weapons, and more. For example, you can have an Evangelion arm wielding Getter Robo's weapon or create your own custom figure with original combinations. This compatibility provides a new value as a "customizable creative toy" that goes beyond mere articulated figures.

Comparison with Traditional Articulated Joints

Compared to conventional ball joints, the superiority of the revolver joint is clear. While ball joints allow for free movement in all directions, they have the inevitable fate of losing holding power over time. On the other hand, the revolver joint achieves long-term holding power and reliable angle fixation by limiting the directions of movement. Additionally, due to its structure that makes the joint part easy to detach, the risk of damage is low and repairs are also easy. This design philosophy of "freedom within constraints" creates the unique charm of Revoltech.

Yasuhiko Naito & Kuniyuki Jinguji | Inventors of the Revolver Joint

The inventors of the revolver joint are Yasuhiko Naito and Kuniyuki Jinguji. They devised a new joint mechanism with a completely different approach to solve the challenges of movable figures. This invention did not remain at the idea level but was completed as a practical and precise mechanism design, and patents were also obtained. The passion and ingenuity of these two engineers laid the foundation for the Revoltech brand.

Development History and Patent Acquisition

Yasuhiko Naito and Kuniyuki Jinguji were acutely aware of the limitations of existing ball joints. In particular, the "sagging" problem was the biggest challenge they needed to overcome as engineers. After much trial and error, they arrived at the idea of combining a disc-shaped joint with a ratchet mechanism. This innovative mechanism was officially registered as a patent and became a technology that Kaiyodo can use exclusively. With the acquisition of the patent, the revolver joint became a legally protected proprietary technology asset of Kaiyodo, serving as a clear differentiating factor from other companies.

Collaboration with Kaiyodo

The realization of Revoltech was made possible by the combination of the inventions of Naito and Jinguji and the productization capabilities of Kaiyodo. Kaiyodo possesses years of accumulated know-how in figure sculpting and understood how to incorporate the innovative technology of the revolver joint into products. Through the close cooperation between inventors and manufacturers, they succeeded in balancing technical ideals with practical usability as a product. This collaboration model has become a case study in the figure industry as an ideal form for delivering technological innovation to the market.

Katsuhisa Yamaguchi and the Establishment of "Yamaguchi-style Movement"

The one who maximized the innovative technology of the revolver joint and opened up a unique realm is the sculptor Katsuhisa Yamaguchi. The "Yamaguchi-style movement" he established is recognized as a new expression style that transcends the mere category of movable figures, merging sculptural beauty and action at a high level. Yamaguchi's works continue to redefine the common understanding of "movable figures can express this much" and are still evolving today.

Katsuhisa Yamaguchi's Career and Sculpting Philosophy

Katsuhisa Yamaguchi is one of the leading sculptors representing Kaiyodo and has been at the core of the Revoltech series. Originally, he accumulated extensive experience as an analog sculpting craftsman, and was well-known for his sculpting techniques that maximally bring out the charm of characters. His sculpting philosophy is "sculpting based on poses". He pursues not only the beauty of a stationary figure but also the proportions and details that look most attractive when in motion. This attitude became the foundation of the "Yamaguchi-style movement," which maximizes the potential of the revolver joint.

Design Philosophy of "Yamaguchi-style Movement"

The greatest feature of Yamaguchi-style movement is its extreme pursuit of balance between range of motion and proportions. In general movable figures, expanding the range of motion tends to result in unnatural body shapes, but Yamaguchi prioritizes "looking most beautiful when in action poses". Therefore, even if the proportions appear slightly deformed in a standing position, they become surprisingly natural and dynamic when striking a pose. Additionally, he has unique preferences for the placement of revolver joints and the angles of movable axes, conducting optimal movement designs for each character. This meticulous design philosophy is the reason it is called "Yamaguchi-style."

10 Years of Challenge in Digital Sculpting

Another major challenge for Katsuhisa Yamaguchi was the transition from analog to digital sculpting. He began working on digital sculpting in the early 2010s, but it took him about 10 years to reproduce the sensibilities he developed in analog in a digital format. Mastering 3DCG software, establishing sculpting techniques unique to digital, and adjusting final outputs were all part of a continuous trial-and-error process. However, this challenge enabled the creation of more complex and precise sculptures, allowing the Amazing Yamaguchi series to achieve greater expressiveness than ever before. Yamaguchi's ability to utilize digital technology not just as a tool for efficiency but as a means to expand the range of expression can be considered his true essence.

Evolution of the Series | From Early Revoltech to Amazing Yamaguchi

Since its inception in 2006, the Revoltech series has evolved with the times. From its early focus on robot anime to the expansion of genres, technical improvements, and the birth of the pinnacle series named after Katsuhisa Yamaguchi, the approximately 20-year history can be seen as the history of the evolution of articulated figures. By looking back at the series from each era, we can see how Revoltech has grown.

Early Revoltech (2006-2009)

The early Revoltech from 2006 to 2009 was centered around robot anime works. Starting with New Getter 1, various masterpieces from the 1970s to the 2000s, such as Evangelion, Gaiking, Zieg, and Dunbine, were successively turned into three-dimensional figures. A characteristic of this period was that it was an experimental phase to establish the basic performance of Revolver Joint. They explored optimal joint placements and articulation designs for each character, accumulating know-how. While the early products have room for improvement by today's standards, they achieved groundbreaking mobility and sculpting for their time.

NEO Revoltech (2009) | Series Renewal

In 2009, Revoltech underwent a major renewal as "NEO Revoltech." This renewal included improvements in joints, advancements in coloring technology, and optimization of part configurations, utilizing the experiences gained from the initial series. It became possible to make finer angle adjustments, and the quality of paint texture expression improved. NEO Revoltech was not just a minor change but a significant turning point that elevated the overall quality of the series. This renewal allowed Revoltech to attract an even broader fan base.

Strengthening the Evangelion Line

Particularly emphasized in NEO Revoltech was the Evangelion series. Major units such as Unit 01, Unit 00, and Unit 02, along with various equipment variations and movie versions, were developed in a rich lineup. Evangelion was a popular work at the time and became a pillar supporting sales as a flagship product of Revoltech. This success confirmed the effectiveness of the strategy to delve deeply into specific works, influencing future series developments.

Special Effects Revoltech | Kaiju and Hero Developments

Following robot anime, Revoltech also ventured into the special effects genre. Characters representing Japan's special effects culture, such as Ultraman, Godzilla, and Kamen Rider, were turned into articulated figures. Especially with kaiju figures, the Revolver Joint enabled bold posing that was previously impossible, earning high praise from special effects fans. With the expansion of genres, Revoltech established its position in the market as "when it comes to articulated figures, it's Revoltech."

Amazing Yamaguchi | The Latest Series' Achievements

The "Amazing Yamaguchi" named after Katsuhisa Yamaguchi is the current pinnacle of the Revoltech series. This series features precision sculpting utilizing digital modeling technology, a design that can be said to be the culmination of Yamaguchi-style articulation, and an overwhelming quality that surpasses past series. It has developed around American comic characters such as Spider-Man, Deadpool, and Venom, carving out a market different from traditional Revoltech. Amazing Yamaguchi is the culmination of about 20 years of technological accumulation since the birth of Revoltech and can be considered one of the high points of articulated figures.

How to Play with Revoltech | Posing and Customization

To maximize the appeal of Revoltech, it is important to know the tips for posing. By understanding the characteristics of the revolver joints and moving them in the correct order, you can create ideal poses while minimizing the risk of damage. Additionally, the enjoyment of recombination play utilizing joint compatibility is a unique way to enjoy Revoltech.

Tips for Basic Posing

When moving the revolver joints, first gently pull out the joint part to change the angle, then reinsert it to engage the ratchet. Trying to forcefully twist it can cause damage, so handle it carefully while understanding the structure of the joints. When creating dynamic action poses, it is important to be aware of the overall balance. For a one-legged pose, bring the center of gravity directly under the supporting leg; for a flying kick pose, lean the upper body forward. Considering the laws of physics will create a natural sense of dynamism. Additionally, the order of joint movement is important; starting from the core and adjusting the limbs in sequence makes it easier to maintain overall balance.

How to Enjoy Recombination Customization

A major appeal of Revoltech is the part swapping between different figures. Since the joint specifications are standardized, you can freely exchange arms, legs, weapons, and more from different characters. For example, you can have a robot figure wield a weapon from a special effects hero or combine parts from multiple figures to create your own custom model, showcasing your creativity. This way of playing goes beyond simple posing and provides the joy of creating your own original figure.

Storage and Handling Precautions

To enjoy Revoltech for a long time, proper storage and handling are necessary. It is ideal to avoid direct sunlight and high humidity, storing them in a case. Regularly moving the joint parts helps maintain smooth articulation, but leaving them in the same pose for an extended period can lead to paint adhesion. Changing the angle about once a month is advisable. If the joints become loose, applying a thin layer of super glue and allowing it to dry will increase friction and restore holding power.

The Impact of Revoltech on the Articulated Figure Industry

The emergence of Revoltech has had a significant impact not only on Kaiyodo but on the entire articulated figure industry. The clear value proposition of "non-floppy joints" has prompted technological innovation among competitors, leading to an overall improvement in market quality. Additionally, by providing high-quality articulated figures at relatively affordable prices, it successfully attracted new fan demographics, resulting in an expansion of the market itself.

Impact on Competitors and Market Expansion

After the success of Revoltech, many figure manufacturers embarked on developing their own articulation mechanisms. Companies like Bandai with their figma and Good Smile Company's action figure series have successively launched products claiming "non-floppy" and "high articulation." This competition has led to a remarkable growth in the articulated figure market, both technically and in terms of product diversity. By creating competition, Revoltech has ultimately expanded the overall market pie.

Current Position of Revoltech in the Articulated Figure Market

As of 2025, the movable figure market offers a variety of options, but Revoltech still maintains its unique position. In particular, the high level of completion of the Yamaguchi-style articulation and the precision of digital sculpting boasts an expressive power that others cannot match. Additionally, the long-cultivated know-how of the Revolver Joint technology is a unique strength of Kaiyodo that cannot be easily imitated. Revoltech continues to evolve as the "pioneer of movable figures."

Summary | How the Revolver Joint Changed Figure Culture

Born in 2006, Revoltech revolutionized the movable figure industry with the Revolver Joint technology invented by Taihiro Naito and Kuniyuki Jinguji. The "non-collapsing joints" enabled by the ratchet mechanism achieved long-term pose retention, which was previously considered impossible, thus redefining the common sense of movable figures.

The "Yamaguchi-style articulation" established by Katsuhisa Yamaguchi has reached an artistic realm that transcends mere technical application, merging movement and proportion at a high level. After a decade-long challenge from analog to digital sculpting, the current Amazing Yamaguchi series represents a significant milestone in movable figures.

The influence of Revoltech extends beyond Kaiyodo's products, raising the technical standards of the entire industry and expanding the market. With a history of about 20 years, this series continues to evolve and open up new possibilities.

The history of Revoltech is a particularly brilliant page in the 60-year history of Kaiyodo. For a detailed explanation of the overall picture of Kaiyodo and other innovative products, please refer to the Complete Guide to the History of Kaiyodo.

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The History of Kaiyodo | From Its Founding in 1964 to a Global Figure Brand