GamesCom 2018 has come and gone and is now in the history books, but before I can close the book on talking about GamesCom 2018 myself, I’ve got a few more things I want to discuss. One is the most anticipated First4Figures reveal of all from the show—the new Okami Amaterasu PVC that will go up for sale on the F4F website around the end of 2018. And the other is a quick look at the layout of the F4F booth from those who couldn’t attend the event…

Even though it was one of only two of the eight newly-revealed F4F pieces at the 2018 GamesCom that collectors were told would definitely be debuting at the show, that didn’t stop the new True Form (TF) PVC of Okami’s Amaterasu from winning a poll in the First 4 Figures Official Collector’s Club Facebook group for the most looked forward to statue that debuted at the event.

And with a quick glance at the PVC Amaterasu, it’s easy to see why: she’s gorgeous.

Although the original Amaterasu resin statue shattered expectations and sold far better than anyone would have guessed, there was still a huge unfulfilled demand out there from collectors who missed that piece (and also from those who didn’t but would still like another Ammy).

First4Figures sought to satiate that hunger with an Okami PVC of Amaterasu, but when retail support looked weaker than necessary, they made the creative decision to develop the new Ammy design with the intent of using it for two different sculptures: the smaller PVC version, and an eventual much larger 1/4 resin version of the sculpt (with added details and changes).

Using the same design for two different scales and materials will basically allow sales of the new resin 1/4 Amaterasu to “subsidize” the expensive cost of creating the steel tooling for the PVC version, thus making it a feasible project. Without a larger resin version of this Ammy being produced, tens of thousands of the PVC would have to be sold to break even, which the retail support just doesn’t seem to be there for.

We’re still quite a long way from seeing the next quarter-scale version of Amaterasu, but the small PVC sculpt made its world premiere at GamesCom—where it looked mighty fine!

Now, the painted PVC-sized Ammy on display at the F4F booth was made of resin, but the actual unpainted PVC Tooling Model was on-hand also so that fans could see the steel tooling separation that will be present on the final PVC.

And honestly, even for those who don’t care about the differences from the separation, seeing the unpainted prototype is just super cool in and of itself.

An informational sheet detailing the PVC to Resin tooling differences (and the reason for them) was also displayed–the kind of “behind the scenes” bonus info I totally eat up. Also, it confirms that as many collectors guessed, the F4F Exclusive Amaterasu PVC will feature an additional box and a light-up Solar Reflector to make it stand out from the regular version of the figure.

The piece is in a slightly smaller scale than the SD PVCs and the TF Spyro PVC, but is physically about the same size as they are. It will retail for $99.99 when it goes up for order toward the end of 2018/start of 2019. Amaterasu is TF 002, and will be released after the TF 001 Spyro the Dragon PVC that officially kicks off the True Form PVC series.

But wait—there’s a couple more GamesCom tidbits I wanted to talk about! I was pretty melancholy that I couldn’t make the trip to Germany to see the First4Figures booth there for myself, but fellow admin Celine Gardier was kind enough to take some beautiful photos of the empty booth in all its glory prior to the floor opening on Saturday (as well as that scale shot of the PVCs above)!

These photos give us a good look at how and where everything was displayed at the F4F booth, and also show off some items I didn’t talk about like the new GNZ Toyz Boom8 Sonic PVCs of Classic Amy Rose, Shadow the Hedgehog, Super Sonic and more.

Celine has taken a multitude of other hi-res photos, which will be posted on her blog—DIMIC—later this week. They’re some of the most breathtaking and impressive photos I’ve seen of any of the statues displayed at the show, so definitely check out her blog and those photos if you’re interested! (And thanks for sharing, Celine!)

And with that, this concludes my armchair GamesCom 2018 coverage of First 4 Figures. Be sure to check out the other articles I wrote regarding all the other new figures revealed at the show if you’re interested, and come back on Friday for the return of the beloved F4F Q&A with Chocks & Alex #84!