As if Nintendo needed any more ideas on how to cash in on its insanely popular Pokemon characters, an artist has now made tiny pocket-sized sculptures of the iconic creatures and nicknamed them Pennymon.
Made out of clay and small enough to stand on a penny, this collection of Pennymon figures was created over the course of a single summer by the artist and Reddit user known as Ninjazzy.
To make each figure as authentic looking as possible, the right color of clay for each part of a particular Pokemon needed to be carefully selected. And, when the right color clay wasn't available to purchase, Ninjazzy had to mix different colors together until the perfect shade was obtained. Some of the more intricate models also contain small pieces of wire to help them hold together.
Included in the series are all 151 of the original generation one Pokemon; however, Ninjazzy is expected to start work on generation two in the near future.
Pint-Sized Monster Models
Pennymon are Tiny Handcrafted Pokemon That Can Fit on a Penny
Trend Themes
1. Pennymon Craze - The rise of Pennymon figurines may present an opportunity for artists to leverage the popularity of Pokemon to create miniaturized sculptures and merchandise.
2. Hyperrealistic Miniature Art - Artists can replicate the success of Ninjazzy by creating miniature versions of popular characters, objects or scenes that are both visually appealing and practical.
3. Art as an Investment - As the value of collectible art continues to rise, the Pennymon craze may create an opportunity for investors to identify and purchase undervalued works of art before their value appreciates.
Industry Implications
1. Handcrafted Merchandise - The rise of Pennymon figurines presents an opportunity for the handcrafted merchandise industry to expand and increase their product offerings.
2. Fine Arts and Collectibles - The Pennymon craze may create a new niche market for the fine arts and collectibles industry, especially amongst Pokemon collectors and enthusiasts.
3. Toy Manufacturing - Large toy manufacturing companies have the opportunity to create their own miniaturized versions of their popular characters and brands to capitalize on the trend set by Pennymon figurines.