Context

Flender is reimagined here as an alternative take on a classic character from the anime Casshern, produced by Tatsunoko in the 1970s and 1980s. The original design has been reproduced many times in models and statues that remain faithful to the source material. For this reason, I decided to create a variant, aiming for a reinterpretation in a cyberpunk and postmodern style: sharper mechanical lines, more angular volumes, and an overall look inspired by industrial devices.

Reference Research

To set up the project, I gathered several references. Part of this research was organized into a dedicated Pinterest board, available here: https://it.pinterest.com/ultramini/kyashan/. I also consulted some of my design books, including Dreaming in Mech by Nivanh Chantara, which offers valuable examples of complex mechanical forms and approaches to futuristic design.

Design Choices

Some elements from the original Flender were deliberately preserved: the pointed head with circular details near the ears, the canine-like nose, the segmented tail, and the static yet ready-to-move stance. The rest was reworked with a more geometric and functional approach, balancing recognizability with variation.

Project Evolution

The model was designed in Plasticity, a software that allows precise control of surfaces. This is the second version of the project, which introduced changes to the armor plating, the dorsal armor, and the tail structure.

Production

The model was printed in resin using the Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra printer, and the file preparation was done with Lychee Slicer.