Fan Creates Custom Figures of Final Fantasy IV Characters, Faux Show Collectibles Q&A
Final Fantasy is arguably one of the most influential video game franchises ever conceived. To me personally, Final Fantasy has inspired me since first seeing Cloud and Avalanche fight polygonal soldiers and panthers on PS1. Since then, I have been a huge fan of the entire pantheon of games, artwork, everything. This is why I frequently enjoy FF fan spaces online, which is where I discovered a hobby toymaker who had created some truly stellar figures of several of the Final Fantasy IV cast. A quick chat with the mind behind these creations led me to want to bring it up as an article.
I connected with Kevin of Faux Show Collectibles to get a better idea of how and why he decided to create these figures. This interview was conducted in mid-July over Facebook Messenger and email. We did some light editing for grammar.
WHAT GOT YOU INTO MAKING CUSTOM FIGURES?
About two years ago, I was getting back into collecting after many years of not owning any figures at all. Problem was, the figures that I wanted, no one made! They literally never existed. I wanted to own a representation of the movies, shows, and games that I specifically loved in figure-form. For example- Unsolved Mysteries, The Running Man, Bloodsport, Final Fantasy IV & Final Fantasy VI. I started searching for someone to make custom figures for me and quickly realized how ridiculously expensive it was going to get. I thought to myself, “Why can’t I just make the things that I want?” So, I did a little research and put together my first figure- Detective Lenny Briscoe from Law & Order.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO MAKE FIGURES FROM FF4?
Final Fantasy IV has, and will likely always be, my favorite game of all time. It had a profound impact on what I wanted to be as an adult: a storyteller. While I had obviously watched a ton of television and movies up to that point, Final Fantasy IV was the most expansive storytelling experience I had ever seen, and it also had this beautiful blending of genres- mostly fantasy, but also sci-fi, romance, action, adventure, and comedy. To get back around to your question though, every single character in that game made an indelible impression on me, and they were never given their proper due in action figure form. From the moment I started into custom figure making, I knew I had to make figures for FFIV (and eventually FFVI as well) but I didn’t feel like my skill level was at the proper place until about a year-and-a-half in.
WHAT SORT OF TECHNIQUES DO YOU USE TO CREATE THESE?
My figures are a mix of a few techniques- I’ll source the most appropriate legs, arms, bodies, and heads for any particular figure and basically Frankenstein together the best possible base figure I can manage. From there, there’s a handful of fantastic parts/accessories guys out there that I get stuff from. Think everything from jackets to belts, holsters, headpieces, you name it. Whatever I can’t find from a pre-made source I’ll sculpt on my own, and then everything gets painted. Hopefully, at that point, I have a finished product that I’m happy with.
As for the cardbacks, I was lucky to get into graphic design in the ’90s as a hobby, and it’s been a huge part of making my figures look professional. One thing I was adamant about when I began customizing was that the whole package look like something you could buy in a store. Hence, why I always design the reverse side of the cards. I know most customizers don’t do that, and I know some customers wouldn’t care one way or the other, but I know if I were to throw down money for a custom figure, I would want it looking the best it could possibly be.
WHAT IS IT ABOUT FF THAT YOU ENJOY THE MOST?
I’m going to provide two answers for this one- a specific moment and a broad reasoning. Specifically, in Final Fantasy IV, early in the game you lose Rydia at sea to the Eidolon, Leviathan. MUCH later in the game, as you are about to die at the hands of Golbez, she saves the party- and is now a young adult, having been raised in the Feymarch where time flows differently (hence her advanced age). That moment still blows my mind 30 years later. Just a killer combination of excitement, revelation, happiness, and poignancy. Love it! From a broad perspective, I think the characters are what make Final Fantasy games stand out amongst a sea of RPGs. Square Enix has rarely fallen short in developing dynamic, beloved characters that each have their own well-defined, exciting journey. Except for Gau. No one likes Gau. (Apologies if you are the one person out there that likes Gau).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Find more of Kevin’s projects on his Instagram page, Faux Show Toys. Several pop-culture icons have been captured in toy form through his hands and he’s also done some video game cartridge designs too. Those who would like to own one of his pieces should take a look at his Etsy shop.
For more information on toymaking, check out our interview with the founder of Symbiote Studios.
Last year thousands of layoffs beat down the spirit of the games industry. Despite this tumultuous state, some of the best games we’ve seen in most genres released and that’s worth celebrating. We only hope that 2023 will hopefully be a turning point for everyone involved in the games industry.