It may be one of the most famous statues in the world, but that doesn’t mean ‘The Thinker’ is unique. There are actually around 28 versions of Rodin’s masterpiece bronze sculpture, and those are just the ones we know about.
That list of Thinkers is about to get a little bit longer, as a research team in Japan has just unearthed a fully flexible, articulated version of ‘The Thinker’. Coming in at less than a tenth of the size of Rodin’s original(s), this incredible bendable figure is only 15.5cm tall!
As these pictures from the team at Figma shows, this Thinker’s got some moves.
Uniquely, the sculpture is actually made of two kinds of plastic, called ABS & ATBC-PVC. That’s even more amazing when you think that until now, it’s been thought that there was no plastic in Rodin’s time, seeing as the first synthetic polymers were invented in the early 20th century.
▼ Take that, Bakelite!
The researchers at Figma anticipate that even more miniatures of this kind will be discovered, and that their flexi-Thinker will end up as just the first in a line of “Table Museum” pieces.
In fact, Figma currently have so many little articulated Thinkers, they’ll actually be selling them off from May 31, 2015. You can contribute towards the team’s vital work for 4,298 yen (US $40).
Source: Netolabu, Amazon
Images: Figma
Featured image: Figma (edited by RocketNews24)
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
We asked our Japanese team of writers how they deal with seasonal allergies in Japan
Japanese convenience store sandwiches get extra protection from new business backpack
Starbucks Japan opens new Kyoto store in Place of Scenic Beauty
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
We asked our Japanese team of writers how they deal with seasonal allergies in Japan
Japanese convenience store sandwiches get extra protection from new business backpack
Starbucks Japan opens new Kyoto store in Place of Scenic Beauty
What’s inside the McDonald’s Japan fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
Studio Ghibli now sells Ursula’s backpack from Kiki’s Delivery Service at its anime shop in Japan
One Piece creator has hidden secret of anime treasure’s identity in chest at bottom of real-world ocean
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
University of Tokyo announces new department with all classes taught in English
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan opens new cafe and art gallery in top Tokyo tourist neighbourhood
Is Japan’s Crab-shaped Cup Ramen Timer worth the hype?
Pizza Hut Japan teams up with creator of one of the country’s best kinds of ramen for ramen pizza
Komachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tokyo
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
Starbucks Japan releases a new Cream Puff Frappuccino for a limited time
The top 10 graduation songs in Japan as chosen by current Japanese high school students
Pikachu and Eevee become handmade Lladró porcelain sculptures to celebrate Pokémon’s 30th birthday
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
What’s inside the McDonald’s Japan fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
Studio Ghibli now sells Ursula’s backpack from Kiki’s Delivery Service at its anime shop in Japan
One Piece creator has hidden secret of anime treasure’s identity in chest at bottom of real-world ocean
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
University of Tokyo announces new department with all classes taught in English
Häagen-Dazs Japan releases new ASMR ice cream called “Rocky Crunchy!”
New Jimmy Choo x Sailor Moon collaboration brings anime magic to bags, shoes and accessories
Japan’s Top 10 Scenic Train Trips–according to two “densha otaku” train guides
Calling all reincarnated princesses! Sailor Moon’s “Princess Serenity dress” up for grabs
Princess Serenity negligee and pajama uniforms for core Senshi set to join Sailor Moon lingerie
New Takoyaki Burger from Wendy’s Japan makes us rethink Osaka’s specialty food
Drink hot sake at Tokyo train station’s “phantom platform”