We’re saddened to report the passing of Shunsaku Tamiya, the man behind the Tamiya line of models. What was surprising about this, though, is how many of our readers and writers alike felt touched by the Tamiya model company. I mean, they made great models, and they’re definitely a quality outfit, but the outpouring of fond memories across a broad spectrum was striking.
For example, we originally ran the story as breaking news, but our art director Joe Kim spent a good part of his childhood putting together Tamiya kits, and felt like he absolutely had to do a portrait of Mr. Tamiya to pay his respects. I presume Joe is more on the painting-the-models end of the spectrum of Tamiya customers, given his artistic bent. Jenny’s writeup is absolutely touching, and her fond remembrances of the kits shines through her writing.
Myself, I’m on the making-small-robots end of the spectrum, and was equally well served. Back in the early ’90s, the “twin motor gearbox” was a moderately challenging and tremendously rewarding build for me, but it was also the only variable-ratio small motor gearbox that we had easy access to for making small bots to run around the living room.
Indeed, the Tamiya line included a whole series of educational models and components that were just perfect for the budding robot builder. I’m sure I have a set of their tank treads or a slip clutch in a box somewhere, even today.
It’s nice to think of how many people’s lives were touched by their kits, and to get even a small glimpse of that, you just need to read our comment section. We hope the company holds on to Mr. Tamiya’s love for quality kits that inspire future generations, whether they end up becoming artists, engineers, or simply hackers.
While I was at the age of building plastic models, western products (including Tamiya) were not available where I was living. Yet when I see the remenants of my work on top of the furniture in my parents house (russian models and a memory of a L410 built with my father that is lost in time), I understand what mr. Tamiya did for the lucky children that had his products. He sold them dreams, the most important food for imagination. While I did not enjoyed Tamiya products, I regret his passing, hoping that the people continuing his job understands why it is important.
Still got some plastic models hidden somewhere for “when I’ll have time”.
Farewell japanese creator of dreams.
The age of building plastic models? I started with my dad’s help at 7 years old. I am now 67 and still build plastic models and have won competitions at the local, state, regional, national and international levels all in IPMS competitions. I’m certain you meant that only kids build models, but there are lots of us old farts that still do, while our eyesight lasts. Tamiya has long been my “go to” kits and have always enjoyed their accuracy and ease of assembly. I hope that Mr. Tamiya’s passing does not hurt the company he so painstakingly created.
I tried again during Covid.
But plastic models just don’t do if for me now that I’d go to adult court for my preferred disposal method.
I once saved my allowance for a year+ to buy a Titanic kit and the paints, it ended up in my friends aquarium, artfully broken and bent with a soldering iron.
I had no interest, once completed.
Making it into the wreck, years later, was fun though.
Flying models just so much more fun.
Tamiya did make great kits, expensive but worth it.
More than models…Tamiya is still the go-to for quality paints, adhesives, tools, etc., etc. for the model-builder.
I’ve only put together a couple of Tamiya kits, but their paints and etc. are always top of the line. RIP Tamiya-san 🕊❤️
Im 60 and i absolutely adore building tamiya rc kits, so rewarding and mentally stimulating, really sad mr tamiya died , but what a legacy to leave, making hundreds of thousands of people happy.
Yep, Tamiya is quality all the way :-).
I have that gearbox shown above running a tracked bot :-). Works a treat.
Mr Tamiya, you gave the world and model hobbyist great treasures, you have well earned your rest!!!
I have fond memory of the TGX-MK1TS Tamiya race leagues… so much fun…
When Tamiya anounce a new product everyone in the model kit world stops and takes notice that’s what Mr Tamiya has achieved.
I was unfamiliar with Tamiya, so I did a search for that term on eBay. I now know of which you post.
I’m not a fan of Tamiya models (most I’ve done is potter with the occasional Gundam kit before realizing there was no space for it around my place). But these were ubiquitous around my childhood in Southeast Asia, and I knew many friends who really got into this particular rabbit hole.
An interesting tidbit I reflected on, and what made me want to comment, many of these friends in later years ended up becoming engineers or in some sort of science-focused vocation later on in life. Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not, but just thought it worth a shout. Definitely something to be proud of, RIP Tamiya-san.
Models don’t make future engineers, but future engineers can be spotted young.
In addition to early tool use and puzzle focus, they have two extra psycho social development phases, pyromania and explosive pyromania.
If your kid is playing with matches, good news!
If your middle schooler is buying glycerin, nitric and sulphuric acid, even better news!