Fair figure

Art object

Advertising object

Sculpture

From 2D Fantasy to 3D World – How a Manga Figure Becomes an XXL Exhibit

In close coordination with mangaka Ban Zarbo and Altraverse publishing house, the character of the protagonist "Sami" from her manga "Cold" was created.

A great hero deserves a grand stage

From a fictional character to a tangible, 2-meter-tall sculpture – we bring characters, action heroes, mascots, and more to life with the help of 3D printing, so they capture people's attention at the POS, your exhibition stand, or your advertising space.

“Cold” – that’s the name of the latest work by the talented mangaka Ban Zarbo, in which icy creatures threaten the world and only a brave protagonist offers hope to humanity. The manga publisher Altraverse, behind “Cold,” has already trusted our expertise once before: Back then, we brought “Scarecrow” the main character from the manga “The Secret of Scarecrow” (by Gin Zarbo) impressively to life. Now, “Sami” is also set to make a grand appearance – as a two-meter-tall XXL exhibit.

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The cover image for the manga "Cold" by Ban Zarb

From 2D to 3D – Challenge accepted!

Among the biggest challenges in creating a life-sized manga figure is the interplay between typical 2D stylistic features and a credible 3D realization. Large eyes, simplified anatomies, and exaggerated proportions are essential elements that define the charm of comics and manga. Furthermore, in a manga, it's completely normal for eyes to vary greatly or be deliberately distorted depending on the scene and perspective.

For a life-sized figure, however, it's crucial to strike a balance between stylized fidelity to the original and realistic proportions, so that Sami is convincing in the third dimension as well. No matter how many templates may exist – ultimately, it's always an interpretation that arises from many small and large artistic decisions. The task, so to speak, as a 2D to 3D translator, is to preserve the essence of the character while also making it dimensionally coherent.

About the Project

Size:
approx. 2.00 m

Weight:
approx. 50 kg

Print time:
600 printing hours

The views from every side came directly from the author. It's no easy task to draw consistent views of such a figure.

Achieving the Goal Through Close Collaboration: How Mangaka Ban Zarbo and Creative Polymer Bring “Sami” into the Real World

To ensure that "Sami" as a 3D figure precisely matched the spirit of the manga, close collaboration with its creator was essential. Together with Ban Zarbo, we exchanged sketches, intermediate steps, and feedback multiple times to gradually approach the final look. This way, we could ensure that every fold in the clothing, every facial line, and the exact pose turned out precisely as envisioned by the artist.

The balancing act between manga style and realistic 3D representation proved to be a significant challenge, requiring several design iterations.

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An early version of Sami, which Ban Zarbo received for review. Especially the face underwent significant changes in the next iteration.

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Two artists collaborating. This is what constructive feedback looks like in action.

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The face has changed significantly. Eyes, nose, teeth, and hair are now much more clearly identifiable as being in the manga style.

Do you also need an oversized figure?

With 'Sami,' Altraverse, in collaboration with Creative Polymer, has once again demonstrated how a manga figure can be transformed into an impressive, life-sized 3D sculpture.

If you also wish to bring your characters, ideas, or brand ambassadors into the third dimension, we are happy to assist you with our expertise and passion for unique projects.

The finished printed head of Cold Sami

Designed for large scale: From 3D model to 2-meter figure

Once the digital 3D model has taken shape, the next exciting step follows: large-format 3D printing with our specially developed FDM printers. But before the printing process can even begin, several questions need to be answered:

· Into how many individual parts do we divide the figure?

· Where do we make the cuts?

· Should the figure be disassemblable later?

· What is most sensible for good transportability?

Although we considered all these points in advance, things are now getting concrete. The cuts are defined, feasibility is checked, and adjustments are made if necessary. To ensure the sculpture is not only impressively large but also safe to transport, we plan a multi-part construction even at this stage. This way, even a two-meter-tall character can be divided into manageable segments and later assembled with precision.

For Sami, the decision ultimately fell on three main segments: an upper body, a lower body, and the tail. Whether at trade fairs, events, or as an eye-catcher in the publisher's foyer – Sami will amaze everyone wherever it goes.

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From Paper to the Spotlight – Sami from 'Cold' Takes Over the Exhibitions

After months of work, the time has finally come: Sami makes his debut! As an imposing, two-meter-tall exhibit, he immediately draws all eyes at trade fairs and events. For Altraverse Publishing, the XXL figure is a very special highlight that impressively presents the new manga 'Cold'. This is already the second major project after 'Scarecrow' created in close collaboration with Altraverse – and the enthusiasm is greater than ever.

Mangaka Ban Zarbo herself is particularly delighted with the successful exhibition appearance. Seeing her manga protagonist take shape in the real world fills her with pride and motivation for further stories. Fans were thrilled by the detailed craftsmanship and seized the unique opportunity to take photos with "Sami" and share their experiences on social media.

At the exhibition, the figure served not only as an eye-catcher but also as a central hub for community activities, autograph sessions, and exclusive manga previews. This clearly demonstrated how a life-sized 3D figure not only brings characters to life but also acts as a powerful marketing tool.

Since both 'Scarecrow' and 'Sami' were a complete success for Altraverse, it is already clear that more 3D printing projects will follow in the future to bring new heroes and heroines to life. Sami has impressively proven that manga characters can exude unparalleled charm not only on paper but also in the real world.

Start Your 3D Adventure Now!

With 'Sami,' Altraverse, in collaboration with Creative Polymer, has once again demonstrated how a manga figure can be transformed into an impressive, life-sized 3D sculpture. If you also wish to bring your characters, ideas, or brand ambassadors into the third dimension, we are happy to assist you with our expertise and passion for unique projects.

Vibrant and Icy – The Striking Paintwork of the Half-Human, Half-Ice Monster
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One of the most rewarding moments in creating an XXL exhibit is always when we finally see the figure in all its vibrant splendor and with all its effects. From the outset, it was clear to us that Sami's "ice monster side" in particular had to shine with a convincing ice effect.

We also took a strategic approach to dividing Sami: separating it into multiple individual parts not only improved printability and subsequent transportability but also significantly simplified the painting process. For instance, we deliberately painted the head, skin, and ice parts separately, allowing our painting professionals to work on more manageable segments in the booth and minimizing the risk of errors through clearly defined areas.

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3D-gedrucktes Messe-Exponat. Sitzbank in künstlerischer Optik aus dem 3D-Druck. 3D-Druck in Übergröße Creative Polymer.

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