Name of Series:

ANA Uniform Collection

 Manufacturer:

ANA, Figures produced by Kaiyodo

 Date of release (estimated):

May 2005

Price (singly in ¥):

400¥

Sculptor:

1st Generation: Abe Takumi; 2nd Generation: Miyagawa Takashi (T's System); 3rd & 7th Generation: Bome; 4th Generaion: Ano Megano; 5th Generation: Toda Satoshi; 6th, 8th & 9th: Enoki Tomohide

No. of Pieces in the series:

10 (2 variants for the 9th Generation Uniform)

Secret (SP)/Chase:

None

Variants:

None 

Size:

Around 9-10 cm

Availability (in Singapore):

La Tendo; Toy Frenz

Other Remarks:

On the 1st of May 2005, ANA celebrates their 50th year anniversary with the unleash of their 9th and latest uniform for their beautiful stewardess. To commerate the event, they enlisted the help of Kaiyodo and it's band of merry, talented super sculptors such as Bome, Enoki Tomohide & Miyagawa Takashi to create the entire uniform history in this set of nicely sculpted and elegantly painted figurines. It is exclusively available only on internet purchase (limited to 300 per login) or purchase at Narita Airport in the ANA summer fiesta fair on May 1st. Collectors in Singapore ran amok, looking for a viable source to bring this in. Luckily local retailers managed to bring in some for sale, and I duly got mine from the good people of La Tendo. Each box came with a packet of Maggi Beef consommé and a individual catalogue which also gives a recipe of some of the dishes served on the All Nippon Airways flights. 

1st Generation (1955)

This classic 1966 1st Generation uniform is sculpted by a relative unknown sculptor to me, Abe Takumi. This really got the style of the good days of the 1950s and it is fitting that Abe sensei created a model which looks as demure as the legendary Audrey Hepburn. I love the little salute with the gloved hands and the facial sculpt is very pleasant. 

2nd Generation (1958)

T's System's Miyagawa Takashi has been churning plenty of Cardcaptor Sakura figurines for Clayz over the years, thus you would not be faulted to find the stewardess looks a bit like Sakura. I was simply mesmerized by the face that I would actually forget to look at the uniform which looks like the 1st Generation except shorter skirt. Love the hair, the pose and the included black handbag.

3rd Generation (1966)

The expert of garage kit and his own figurine line, Bome's 1st if this set is this stern looking stewardess from 1966, donning a nice black and gold 3rd Generation uniform. Love the pose with her arms arching & resting on her hips and legs crossed. The eyes have a feline factor in it and the blonde hair is very nicely styled.

4th Generation (1970)

Ano Megano is yet another fresh sculptor to my knowledge, and he did a pretty noteworthy job here for the 1st uniform into the 1970s and really signaled by the use of the brown-beige color combination. The pose is also very original with the stewardess trying to keep her hair and head-dress well in place. The blue iris color sure suits that ash-gray colored hair. The handbag resembles a mini laptop.

5th Generation (1974)

I called this generation of uniform the "Safari Generation" as the design and the yellow coloration reminds me a lot of those uniforms African wild parks rangers would don. Toda sensei really draws out the friendly and hospitality the ANA stewardesses are renowned for. Here she is seen keeping her hat in place. The details like the wavy long gray hair, the ANA emblem on her hat and the scarf tied around her neck are all very well done.

6th Generation (1979)

My fave piece of the set is by one of my fave sculptor, the very hard-working and efficient Enoki Tomohide. This 6th edition of the ANA uniform though shouldn't be one they would be proud of. The khaki jacket really doesn't go well with the blue checkered dress. But I really like the pose with the stewardess trying to support her heavy luggage which is exquisitely done by Enoki sensei. The face is really cute as well, surely more rowdy than the rest.

7th Generation (1982)

Bome's 2nd figurine in this set is much more of his usual style with a bright-eyed, flat face, pink-hair stewardess. You can see as we enter the 1980s, you can start to see the elegant black/blue formal suit, complete with white loves, golden buttons and nicely folded neck scarf. This style really reminds me of the a helpful Japanese policewoman. Nice head-dress, handbag and luggage included as well.

8th Generation (1990)

Basically the 8th Generation stewardess resembles a lot like her predecessor with white stripes on the suit, and larger gold buttons. But Enoki sensei's rendition is much more alive than the Bome's more subtle stewardess. The pose is one of the kind and that magenta hair looks really ahead of time, especially the beginning of the 1990s.

9th Generation (2005)

The new uniform unleashed and fittingly done by Enoki sensei with a gentle looking and youthful stewardess saluting the passengers as she carries the future of ANA on her shoulders. Some would say it's a despicable ploy by ANA and Kaiyodo to replicate this 9th Generation with just a different coloration on the head-scarf that's all. But this endearing piece sure would be christened by fans and collectors despite replicated into millions clones...except me of course.