Slender, hard-bodied anime figure skaters get turned into soft, roly-poly versions.
The producers of hit figure skating anime Yuri!!! on Ice recently got fans’ hearts all aflutter with the announcement that they have a brand-new theatrical feature in the works. However, aside from that tantalizing tidbit, not a single piece of information has been released.
As such, Yuri!!! on Ice fans may find themselves needing to cling to something for emotional support as they wait for further details regarding the franchise’s continuation, and what better to cling to than a gigantic plushie of one of the series’ stars? And if said plushie should be almost entirely all head, well, that’s just icing on the cake.
Online anime merchandiser Premium Bandai has just announced the second collection of plushies (or should they be called cushions?) in its Yuri!!! on Ice Munimuni (“Soft and Squishy”) Marshmallow Mascot Big Version line. The original batch, released last fall (and long-since sold out) consisted of the series’ three highest-profile skaters: protagonist Yuri Katsuki, love interest Victor Nikiforov, and childish child prodigy Yuri Plisetsky.
The new lineup, which currently exists only in concept drawing form, retains the big three, although with different facial expressions and hair styling. Yuri K. gets a joyous smile, Victor opens his eyes, and Yuri P. switches his grimace for a smirk, while seemingly retaining the exact same glaring look in his eyes. Joining them are plushie newcomers Otabek Altin and Phichit Chulanont.
Bandai isn’t kidding when it calls these “Big Version” plushies either. The company lists them as being approximately 27 centimeters (10.6 inches) in length, or, in more unique terms, “larger than a pork cutlet bowl.”
Pre-orders for the new plushies, which are priced at 3,780 yen (US$34) are currently being taken here through the Premium Bandai website, with shipping scheduled for August.
Source: Premium Bandai
Top image: Premium Bandai
Insert images: Premium Bandai (1, 2)