This year, DesignerCon returned to California to put on a smaller sister show. A true throwback to the roots of where it all began, the convention’s notable artists and vendors were (to the delight of Kaiju United) independent artists and creators rather than huge designer brands that have set up in the past. One of the notable attendees was prolific sofubi painter, comic book artist, and designer Max Nagata, who has emerged as a major talent in the sofubi scene, continuing the legacy of Max Toy Co. after the retirement of his father, the legendary Mark Nagata. Kaiju United had the opportunity to speak with him at this year’s D-CON to discuss taking on that new legacy, some of his favorite pieces, and what else fans of his work can expect in the future.
Kaiju United: We’re over here in DesignerCon Pasadena hanging at at Max Nagata Art. How are you doing, man?
Max Nagata: I’m doing good!
Kaiju United: All right, we had to come check out your work because we are totally curious… what inspires you? That’s where we’d like to start.
Max Nagata: So right now, I’m continuing the tradition of my dad [Mark Nagata]. So a lot of the designs of the figures are his, but the paints and designs of them are all mine. Usually, my dad designs them, and we have them made in Japan, and then we have them pulled. (gestures to sofubi figure) These are all made of soft vinyl and we do it traditionally. After that, we have them shipped back here and me and my dad paint these, and then we sell them.
Kaiju United: We followed your dad’s work a while ago, too! How does it feel to take on his work and move forward with such a great legacy?
Max Nagata: Oh, it is a lot. I know that. (laughs)
Kaiju United: No pressure! (laughs)
Max Nagata: Right? (laughs) But my dad’s always been supportive of me and everyone’s been really positive about me moving forward. And I’m very happy that people love my work. I enjoy all the colors I can do….
Kaiju United: Is there a piece in here you’d like to highlight? One of your favorites?
Max Nagata: Okay, so a couple of things that I’d like to highlight: So right here I have Trixi-Lu and kind of have the eyeliner on them. They’re based on my real life cats. This one side is Trixie; she’s a little more hyper. And this one’s Lulu.
Kaiju United: Your cats have eyeliner?
Max Nagata: (laughs) No.
(gestures to another collectible) That one is actually designed by my mom! She just doodled that at my dad’s. Like, that’s perfect. So, something for my cats! Another thing that I really like…. this one! (grabs figure) This one is Original Xam; this came out when my dad started first making toys. And this is all the way back when we were still having them made in China.
Kaiju United: That’s gorgeous. I love, love the the color scheme on it.
Max Nagata: Thank you! The inner claw is UV glow, so hopefully the lighting is okay on that. I tried to make it look like he’s got kind of like..
Kaiju United: … a beam coming out?
Max Nagata: Yeah!
Kaiju United: That’s awesome.
Max Nagata: I also have a few figures that I’m making soon. The first one I have is Sammy the Sea Lion; it’s in the prototype phase right now. I don’t quite have a photo ready yet, but I’m hoping to have them made by the end of the year. It’ll be in this scale right here, about two to three inches tall. i want it to be affordable and to represent my home in San Francisco. I want it to be able to, you know, just have a little bit of cuteness. And I do also have, hopefully by next year, a kaiju related figure to put out that I designed myself. So I hope everyone looks forward to that.
Kaiju United: Awesome. Well, that pretty much squares it all up. Thank you so much, man. I appreciate your time. Love the work. I know a lot of people out there are looking forward to seeing what’s coming.
Max Nagata: All right! Thank you so much.
To keep up with the latest on what art Max Nagata is working on next, we encourage you to visit his official website and follow his official account on Instagram.
