As the technology grows, 3-D printing is starting to really come into its own. You can make nearly anything with it–from spaceship engines to incredibly ugly pistols. And while it’s still going through growing pains, the appearance of the 3Doodler, a handheld 3-D printing “pen,” signals that we might not be far from Star Trek-like replicators and holodecks. Okay, maybe that you won’t be able to go swashbuckling with Riker any time soon, but you might be able to join Luffy and the rest of the One Piece gang!
While many people were understandably skeptical of the 3Doodler, this video by Aimi Sekiguchi shows just what the device is capable of…and it’s quite a lot actually. Watch as she builds the entire Going Merry ship in miniature!
While the 3Doodler looked impressive in demonstration videos, we have to admit we doubted it could ever be quite as cool in reality. After all, in a lot of ways, it seems like a glorified glue gun–which is not to disparage the inventors, because, honestly, “glorified glue gun” sounds like an awesome toy! However, all of our skepticism has been washed away by Aimi, a model, idol, singer, talent, and, apparently, 3Doodler artist. With this single short video, Aimi proves that the 3Doodler is everything it was promised to be.
Cosplaying as Boa Hancock, Aimi whips up a pretty spectacular version of the Going Merry from One Piece. Even if you’re not a fan ofthe show, you’ll probably still find yourself wishing you could get your hands on that model…or at least commission one of your own.
▼As with most things in life, we start with the foundation.
Not exactly very merry-looking yet.
▼Here’s the basic frame. Heck, this is better than we could do with a regular
3-D printer and some support for NASA. And she’s doing it free-hand!
▼As a testament to how versatile the 3Doodler is, Aimi’s able to pick it up and
continue working without the whole thing collapsing in her hand!
▼It’s really starting to take shape now!
▼Working on the mast…
▼At this point, it looks like the project is two pieces: The mast…and everything else!
▼Adding the finishing touches…
▼And it’s finished!
▼A close up of the Going Merry…it kind of looks as if it were made out of yarn.
As impressive as these screenshots are, we have to admit that actually seeingher work on it is even more inspiring. Check the video out below!
If you’re interested in seeing more of Aimi’s 3Doodler videos, you can check out her playlist on YouTube. Here are few screenshot of her greatest hits.
▼Jiro-stlye ramen! The Ramen Jiro chain is known for their extra-large portions.
▼Jibanyan from Yokai Watch
▼Finally, the eternal favorite of Japanese children and adults: Doraemon!
In case you’re wondering who the heck this Aimi Sekiguchi is, the simple answer is that she’s an idol/model/singer/actor with a substantial online following. However, her first brush with fame came after she was featured on the news in a brief 2005 interview about the new women-only train cars. When asked which car she was going to ride, she replied, “Whichever is fine with me.” Netizens were apparently taken with her remark since she was a pretty young model while most of the other women who insisted on using the new, special cars were…not. However, her success seems to be almost entirely unrelated to the interview–in fact, she had apparently forgotten about the meme generated by the interview until she spotted it on Twitter in 2013. However, she has credited the meme with her increase in popularity online.
▼Five women explaining why they were taking the women-only car
and Aimi (bottom-right) just not giving a poop.
Memes and train cars aside, Aimi has clearly taken her 3-D pen art to a whole other level. And we’re not the only one’s impressed–her art will appear in an upcoming 3Doodler event hosted by the MOMA in Omotesando. The event will not be limited to the art of Internet personalities though–anyone from the public can submit entries as well!
If you think you have what it takes, you’ll need to get your submission turned in by July 10. It will obviously have to be made using a 3Doodler as well–which is unsurprising considering that the MOMA helped back the original creation of the 3Doodler and sells the device in its shops.
Now, we just have to figure out if “pile of melted 3Doodler sticks” counts as an entry…
Sources: ITMedia, YouTube, Wikipedia
Images: YouTube (Going Merry), YouTube (3Doodler playlist), Seesaa Blog
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