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Nendoroid Customization Beginner's Guide | Modification Techniques for Beginners

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Nendoroid Customization Beginner's Guide | Modification Techniques for Beginners

Nendoroid Custom Beginner's Guide | Modification Techniques That Even Beginners Can Do

While collecting Nendoroids, have you ever thought, "I want to create my own original character" or "I want to make my own because my favorite Nendoroid doesn't exist"? Nendoroid customization is a creative activity that allows you to create a one-of-a-kind figure by modifying existing products to your liking.

This article provides a thorough explanation for beginners who are interested in Nendoroid customization but don't know where to start, covering everything from the necessary tools to basic modification techniques, painting methods, and tips for posting on social media. We will introduce steps that are less likely to lead to failure for customization beginners, so by reading this article, you can start customizing right away.

【Related Articles】: Good Smile Company Complete Guide

What is Nendoroid Customization? The Charm and Possibilities of Modification

Nendoroid customization is a creative activity that involves modifying and customizing the Nendoroid series sold by Good Smile Company to your liking. It has been gaining popularity, especially on social media, as it allows you to create characters and expressions that are not officially released.

Basic Concepts of Nendoroid Customization

Nendoroid customization can be broadly divided into three types. The first is "part exchange customization," which involves combining parts from multiple Nendoroids to create a new character. The second is "painting and repainting," where you repaint existing parts to change hair color or clothing. The third is "sculpting customization," which involves serious modifications using putty or plastic sheets to carve or add parts.

For beginners, it is recommended to start with part exchange and then challenge painting and sculpting as you become more accustomed. Nendoroids are originally designed with high part compatibility, so you can enjoy a certain level of customization without tools. Don't be afraid of failure; start by rearranging the parts of the Nendoroids you already have.

Ways to Enjoy Nendoroids Expanded by Customization

The charm of Nendoroid customization lies in the ability to shape your own original character. It is a great joy to create popular characters from secondary creations or your favorite characters that are not officially recognized with your own hands. By posting your completed works on Twitter or Instagram, you can interact with others who share the same hobby and exchange customization techniques.

In the Nendoroid customization community, events such as part exchange meetings and customization workshops are held, providing an environment where even beginners can easily participate. When your work is appreciated by other fans or when you teach each other modification techniques, your motivation for creation increases. Through customization, you will discover a joy of creation that cannot be experienced just by collecting Nendoroids.

Complete List of Tools and Materials Needed for Customization

To start Nendoroid customization, it is important to gather the appropriate tools and materials. It is recommended to start with the minimum necessary tools while keeping initial investment low, and then gradually increase your tools as your skills improve. Here, we will introduce in detail the basic tools that beginners should first gather, materials for painting, and convenient auxiliary tools.

Basic Tools to Gather First (For Beginners)

The basic tools needed for part exchange and simple modifications are a design knife (cutter), sandpaper (sets of 400, 600, and 1000 grit), instant adhesive, nippers, and tweezers. The design knife is used for removing burrs from parts and for fine carving work, so choose a precision knife for models rather than a cutter from a 100 yen shop.

By having sandpaper in coarse to fine grits, you can smooth out the areas you have carved. Instant adhesive is essential for fixing parts and repairing damage, but please choose model adhesive that is compatible with the ABS resin of Nendoroids. Nippers are useful for cutting parts from runners, and tweezers come in handy when handling small parts.

These tools can be purchased at model shops, home centers, Amazon, etc., and you can get everything for about 3,000 yen. It is economical to start with inexpensive items and then upgrade to high-quality tools as your skills improve.

Materials and Tools for Painting and Repainting

If you are going to try painting, you will need acrylic paint, a paint tray, brushes (two types: fine and flat), paint thinner, and masking tape. Acrylic paint is water-based and easy to handle, and for beginners, Tamiya and Creos acrylic paints are recommended. Purchase paint in small quantities, starting with basic colors like white, black, red, blue, and yellow, and mix to create the colors you need.

Brushes from 100 yen shops are fine, but using model-specific brushes with well-shaped tips will significantly improve the finish. Use fine brushes (0 and 00 sizes) for detailed painting and flat brushes (around size 4) for larger areas. Paint thinner is essential for adjusting the paint to the proper consistency, and choosing a thinner from the same manufacturer as the paint will reduce the chances of failure.

If you are going to paint seriously, you might consider introducing an airbrush, but it is safer for beginners to master brush painting first before stepping up.

Convenient Auxiliary Tools and Storage Supplies

To improve work efficiency, it is convenient to have a work mat, parts tray, loupe or magnifying glass, and LED work light. A work mat prevents your desk from getting dirty and stops small parts from rolling away. A parts tray helps organize disassembled parts to prevent loss, and you can also use small containers from 100 yen shops as substitutes.

For storing completed custom works, use figure cases or acrylic cases. Painted Nendoroids are prone to fading in direct sunlight, so a case with UV protection is ideal. When storing, avoid moisture and include silica gel to prevent mold and deterioration.

Compatibility and Exchange Methods for Nendoroid Parts

One of the great attractions of Nendoroids is their high compatibility of parts. You can enjoy original combinations by swapping parts between different characters. However, not all parts are compatible, so it is important to understand the basic rules and exchange procedures.

Basic Rules of Nendoroid Parts Compatibility

Nendoroids are generally divided into head (front hair, back hair), body (upper body, lower body), arms, legs, wrist parts, expression parts, and accessory parts, and parts with the same connection standards can be exchanged. In particular, expression parts (face plates) are almost universally compatible across all Nendoroids, allowing any character's face to be attached to a different body.

Many body parts also have compatibility, but some special body types (mini characters or heavily deformed models) may have different standards. Wrist parts include "gripping hands," "open hands," and "holding hands," and are generally compatible with any Nendoroid's arms. Hair parts have a common connection point at the head, but depending on the hairstyle, they may interfere with other parts, so caution is needed.

The most reliable way to check compatibility is to actually try fitting the parts together. Information from official sites and communities can also be helpful.

Specific Steps and Precautions for Part Exchange

The basic procedure for part exchange is to first place the Nendoroid in a stable location and gently pull the part you want to remove. When removing the head, support the neck connection with one hand while lifting the head with the other. Pulling suddenly may damage the neck joint, so work slowly and carefully.

When removing arm or leg parts, similarly support the connection point and gradually change the angle to remove them. In particular, the ball joint of the arm is prone to breaking if too much force is applied, so warming it to soften the resin before removal is safer. Applying warm air from a hairdryer for about 10 seconds makes it easier to remove the parts.

When attaching new parts, check the orientation of the connection point and push firmly until you hear a "click" sound. Do not force it; if it is difficult to insert, double-check that the orientation is correct.

Tips to Avoid Mistakes in Part Exchange

Common mistakes in part replacement include damage to the joint parts and loss of parts. To prevent damage, it is important to warm the parts before work to soften the resin and never apply excessive force. If the connection is tight, applying a small amount of silicone spray to the connection can improve the sliding.

To prevent loss of parts, use a work tray and store removed parts sorted by type. Small wrist parts and expression parts are particularly easy to lose, so it is reassuring to manage them in small bags like zip-locks.

How to Use the Nendoroid Face Maker [Official Tool]

The Nendoroid Face Maker is an official customization tool provided by Good Smile Company, allowing anyone to easily create original expression parts. Even without special painting techniques, you can create professional-quality faces just by sticking printed sheets, making it an ideal tool for custom beginners.

What is the Nendoroid Face Maker?

The Nendoroid Face Maker is a product that comes with a dedicated face part plate and expression sheets that can be printed at home. It can be purchased at Good Smile Company's official online shop and some model shops, with a price of around 1,500 yen per set. The set includes two white face plates and template data for expression design.

The official site also offers a digital tool that allows you to select combinations of eyes and mouths, enabling you to choose your favorite design from hundreds of expression patterns and print it. Additionally, for those who can use image editing software like Photoshop, it is also possible to create completely original expressions. This tool is very convenient for creating secondary creation characters or expressions that are not officially available.

Steps to Create Face Parts with the Face Maker

The steps to create face parts using the Face Maker start by selecting or uploading an expression design on the official site and downloading it as a PDF file. Next, print the expression on dedicated transparent sticker paper (OHP film) using a home inkjet printer. Be sure to select "high quality" mode for the print settings and take care not to let the colors fade.

Carefully cut out the printed sheet and stick it onto the surface of the white face plate. The trick is to press from the center outward with your fingers to avoid bubbles. If bubbles do occur, you can release the air by making a small hole with a needle. Finally, trim the edges of the plate with a design knife to complete it.

As a finishing touch, spraying topcoat (matte or semi-gloss) will protect the printed surface and improve durability. Unlike painting, you can reapply the sheet if you make a mistake, so beginners can confidently take on the challenge.

Examples and Ideas for Utilizing the Face Maker

The Face Maker is widely used for creating faces of secondary creation characters from anime and games, VTubers, and original characters. It is a valuable means for fans of characters that have not been officially made into Nendoroids to bring their favorites into three dimensions. Many examples are shared on social media under the hashtag "#NendoroidCustom", providing a wealth of ideas for reference.

Easy Painting and Repainting Methods for Beginners

Painting Nendoroids offers a high degree of freedom among customs, allowing you to change hair color and clothing to your liking. Even beginners can achieve satisfactory results by following basic steps. Here, we will explain the painting process step by step, focusing on brush painting.

Preparation and Pre-treatment for Nendoroid Painting

Before starting the painting, disassemble the parts to make them easier to paint. Separate the head, body, arms, and legs, and protect the areas that will not be painted with masking tape. Next, wash the surface of the parts with a neutral detergent to remove any grease, and let them dry completely. Skipping this step will cause the paint to bead up and not apply evenly.

If there are fine scratches or burrs on the surface, lightly polish them with 1000 grit sandpaper to smooth them out. After sanding, wash them again to completely remove dust and shavings. As a primer treatment, spraying primer (undercoat) will enhance the adhesion of the paint and improve its color. Choose white primer for white or light colors, and gray primer for dark colors.

The working environment is also important; work in a well-ventilated area with newspaper or plastic sheets laid out. It is convenient to prepare a simple stand using toothpicks or chopsticks so that the parts can be propped up while the paint dries.

Basic Techniques for Brush Painting and Choosing Paint

The key to achieving a beautiful finish with brush painting is to properly dilute the paint and apply thin layers multiple times. The ratio of paint to thinner should be about 1 to 1, achieving a consistency that flows smoothly when picked up with a brush. Paint that is too thick will leave brush strokes, while paint that is too thin will have poor color development.

When applying paint, load the brush with plenty of paint, then remove the excess on a palette, and apply it thinly in one direction. Going back and forth over the same area will cause the paint to become uneven, so wait until it dries after one application. Acrylic paint dries to the touch in 15 to 30 minutes, but takes 24 hours to fully cure, so allow at least an hour between layers.

When painting complex shapes like hair, start with the shadowed areas using a fine brush and gradually move to the surface. To achieve sharp lines at color boundaries, protect them with masking tape before painting. If you make a mistake, you can wipe it off with water before the paint dries, so correct it immediately.

Simple Repainting Examples for Beginners

A simple repainting project recommended for beginners is changing hair color. For example, if you want to change a black-haired Nendoroid to blonde, first apply 2 to 3 layers of white primer to cover the existing black color. Once completely dry, apply a thin layer of a gold color mixed from yellow and orange. After 3 to 4 layers, you will achieve a vibrant blonde without unevenness.

Changing clothing color is also relatively easy, especially for solid-colored outfits. For example, to change a red outfit to blue, use white primer to completely cover the red, then paint over it with blue. If you want to add a gradient, after applying the base color, lightly brush a darker color onto the shadowed areas to blend.

Changing eye color is a detailed task, but it is possible for beginners using a fine brush. First, paint over the existing eyes with white, then draw the irises in your desired color. Adding a white dot for highlights will bring the expression to life.

Finishing and Coating After Painting

Once the paint is completely dry, spray a clear topcoat as a protective coating. There are three types of topcoats: glossy, semi-gloss, and matte, so choose one that matches the original texture of the Nendoroid. Hair and clothing typically use semi-gloss, while skin is generally matte.

Spray from a distance of 20 to 30 cm, applying thin layers multiple times. Be careful not to apply too thickly at once, as this can cause drips. After spraying, allow it to dry for more than 24 hours and fully cure before assembling the parts. Applying a topcoat will protect the painted surface from scratches and fading, keeping it beautiful for a long time.

Advanced Techniques for Nendoroid Customization

Once you are comfortable with basic part exchanges and painting, try your hand at more flexible sculpting customs. By mastering intermediate techniques such as part carving, adding shapes, and utilizing parts from other manufacturers, you can greatly expand your range of expression.

Part Carving and Shape Addition

To modify the shape of existing parts, use a design knife and sandpaper. For example, if you want to change a hairstyle, you can shave down the existing hair parts to shape them and sculpt a new hairstyle using epoxy putty or polyester putty. Epoxy putty is a sculpting material made by mixing two types of clay, and it begins to harden 15 to 30 minutes after mixing, so you need to shape it quickly.

The trick to working with putty is to apply water or a dedicated release agent to your fingers while shaping, which will result in a smooth surface. After it hardens, sand it down to refine the details, spray with a primer, and then paint. When adding small accessories or weapons, you can similarly shape them with putty or cut and glue plastic sheets.

In plastic sheet work, cut plastic sheets with a thickness of 0.5 to 1mm using a design knife and secure the parts with instant adhesive. Thin parts like ribbons and belts are suitable for plastic sheets, and if you need to bend them to fit a curve, warm them with a hairdryer to soften them before shaping.

Techniques for Reusing Parts from Other Companies' Figures

By repurposing parts from figures other than Nendoroids, you can achieve even more diverse expressions. In particular, deformed figures like "Cu-Poche" and "Pico-Nemo" have compatible parts due to their similar sizes. Wrist parts and small accessories can be relatively easily reused, and if the connection sizes do not match, you can create joints using brass wire or plastic rods.

Commercial doll accessories and miniature items from capsule toys can also be utilized if the scale matches. 1/12 scale miniature furniture and food items work well with Nendoroids and can be used for diorama creation. When combining different materials, the possibilities are endless depending on your ideas, such as gluing fabric or leather with adhesive or making weapons with wire.

How to Use Decals and Stickers

If it's difficult to draw fine patterns or logos, using water transfer decals or homemade stickers can be efficient. Water transfer decals are thin sheets that peel off from the backing when soaked in water and can be applied to the surface of parts. Various patterned decals are sold at model shops and can be used for clothing patterns and emblems.

When making homemade stickers, use sticker paper (glossy paper or transparent sheets) that can be printed with a home printer. Create the design on a computer, print it out, cut out the necessary parts, and stick them onto the parts. After applying, coating the edges of the stickers with a topcoat can help them blend in better. Using gold or silver foil stickers can easily express luxurious decorations.

Tips for Posting Custom Works on SNS and Storage

Sharing completed custom Nendoroids on SNS allows many people to see them and connect with fellow hobbyists. Additionally, knowing the proper storage methods can help keep your works in beautiful condition for a long time.

Photography Techniques for Custom Nendoroids

To photograph custom works attractively, the three elements of lighting, background, and angle are important. Natural light is ideal for lighting, but if shooting indoors, using LED lights from two directions softens shadows and adds depth. Avoid backlighting and aim to light from a diagonal front.

For the background, using plain white or black paper or felt makes the Nendoroid stand out. You can easily create backgrounds with drawing paper or craft paper from a 100 yen shop. If you want to be more particular, you can create a diorama-style background or print and use free material background images.

For shooting angles, taking photos at the eye level of the Nendoroid (low angle) makes the character appear lively. Using the portrait mode on a smartphone can blur the background and emphasize the subject. Take multiple shots and choose the one with the best expression or pose.

Points to Note When Posting on SNS and Using Hashtags

When posting custom Nendoroids on Twitter or Instagram, it's important to pay attention to copyright and secondary creation guidelines. Customs based on official characters fall under secondary creation, so be sure to include hashtags like "#NendoroidCustom" and "#NendoroidModification" to indicate that it is fan art or a secondary creation.

Effective hashtags include "#Nendoroid", "#FigureCustom", "#GoodSmile", "#Nendoroid", making it easier for your work to be seen by many people. Additionally, tagging the original character's work name or character name can help reach fans of the same work. Writing about the production process, techniques used, and points of emphasis in your post can deepen interactions with other customers.

Proper Storage Methods for Custom Works

It is important to store painted Nendoroids away from direct sunlight and high humidity. Placing them in acrylic or glass cases with UV protection can protect them from fading and dust. Keeping silica gel inside the case can prevent mold and deterioration of the paint due to moisture.

When storing for a long time, inserting cushioning material to prevent parts from sticking together can help avoid paint peeling and color transfer. Special care is needed for painted parts, as they can easily peel off if pressure is applied even after full curing. Regularly dusting and checking the condition can help keep your work in beautiful condition for a long time.

Summary: Create Your Own Figure with Nendoroid Customization

Nendoroid customization is a creative activity that beginners can succeed in if they learn step by step. Start with part exchanges and gradually step up to painting and sculpting. The necessary tools can be gathered for around 3,000 yen, and using the official face maker allows you to create original expressions even without painting skills.

By challenging yourself repeatedly without fear of failure and sharing your custom works on social media, you can improve your skills while interacting with others who share the same hobby. Refer to the techniques introduced in this article to create your own special Nendoroid. Through customization, a new way to enjoy Nendoroids is sure to expand.

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Good Smile Company Complete Guide | The Charm of Nendoroid and Figma