YOYOYO Marks Sonic the Hedgehog's 35th Anniversary With ¥1 Million Arita Ware Porcelain Figure
To celebrate Sonic the Hedgehog's 35th anniversary, the Japanese luxury porcelain brand YOYOYO has introduced a hand-painted porcelain figure titled Sonic the Hedgehog Arita Ware Infinite Blue. Only 50 units are available, each costing ¥1 million (approximately $6,322). At the SONIC the Exhibition – ACROSS GENERATIONS event held at Ikebukuro PARCO, five figures were sold, while the remaining pieces will be allocated through a lottery system. The design draws inspiration from Arita Ware, Japan's oldest porcelain tradition dating back to the 17th century. Sculptor Hizen Yoshida utilized a blend of traditional techniques and 3D printing, with artisans from Risou Kiln applying the pigment. Sonic is portrayed in motion, his blue hue created with Gosu pigment over classic patterns. YOYOYO envisions this piece as a future heirloom.
Key facts
- YOYOYO created Sonic the Hedgehog Arita Ware Infinite Blue for the character's 35th anniversary
- The edition is limited to 50 pieces at ¥1 million (about $6,322) each
- Five pieces sold first come, first served at SONIC the Exhibition – ACROSS GENERATIONS at Ikebukuro PARCO; the rest sold by lottery
- Arita Ware is described as Japan's oldest porcelain style, dating to the 17th century
- Hizen Yoshida of 224porcelain sculpted the design, blending 400-year-old methods with 3D printing
- Risou Kiln artisans applied Gosu, an 'eternal blue' cobalt-based mineral pigment
- Pigment was applied over Shippo, Seigaiha and Yagasuri geometric patterns rather than as a solid color
- A single craftsman can shape only one or two pieces per day
Entities
Artists
- Hizen Yoshida
Institutions
- YOYOYO
- 224porcelain
- Risou Kiln
- Ikebukuro PARCO
- My Modern Met
Locations
- Japan
- Arita
- Ikebukuro
- Tokyo