The Oniwaban is a new Infinity unit, an awesome addition for the future Japanese Sectorial Army of Yu Jing. This Ninja master is very Close Combat focused and is the most lethal and aggressive stealth operative of the Yu Jing Army forces.

But how can an invisible Ninja master become reality?

Once the background for the Oniwaban was written by the Infinity developer, Gutier Lusquiños, and the Corvus Belli staff tested and approved its game stats, the Concept Design Team started its work.

Initial Concept Designs. The first step was a design brainstorm performed by Carlos “Bostria” Llauger with some fast sketches, just to define a design structure to work on. Some of these first concepts show a more heroic Ninja, while others have a lower technology profile and the final ones have more ergonomic equipment.

Designs 1, 2 and 3. The Design Team decided the Oniwaban must show human anatomy, covering his muscles with an intelligent weave which provides him with Thermo-Optic Camouflage. This new design focus, emphasizing the musculature, confers on the Oniwaban a more manly and tough appearance.

To integrate the traditional Japanese hakama was an early decision. Previous Yu Jing Ninja wore stretched, fitted clothes, so the addition of a loose garment differentiates this new design. However, the helmet is not defined as there is no convincing design put forward, so the Oniwaban still has no face.

Designs 4, 5 and 6. The special high tech weave that covers the anatomy is further defined in this design series. At this point, flexible surfaces are separated from more rigid ones. Carlos Torres, the concept design director, draws a helmet with a bulky forehead.

Then, he decides the tough look must be kept all along the weaves of the body, adding more details. Volume is added to strengthen the neck (as seen in the designs 9, 10 and 11) and some straps and belts to provide a greater sense of movement to the mini if desired.

Back views 7 and 8. View number 7 from the back corresponds with front view number 5. Back view number 8 corresponds with the final version designed by Carlos Torres.

The colour scheme shows green and black, like the other Ninjas of Yu Jing, with some white areas, as the colour white is the main color for the Japanese Sectorial Army of Yu Jing. The bright green of the synthetic anatomy is directly related to the Thermo-Optic Camouflage of this stealth trooper.

Once the concept design was finished, it was sent to the sculptor who turned it into reality. The Oniwaban miniature was modelled by Juan Navarro, who took special care in recreating the highly detailed design. Juan Navarro sculpted the Oniwaban in a spectacular martial arts pose, holding its katana in a ninjutsu high guard.

When the first series of any metal figures are made, one is given to the always amazing Corvus Belli painter, Ángel Giráldez, so he can work his magic with it. You can see in the pictures the final result: the state-of-the-art of Infinity Ninjas in full color, ready to silently eliminate the enemies of the glorious EmpireState of Yu Jing.

This is a design process article that was published in Ravage Magazine in France, and also was published on the Infinity website only for registered users.

Written by Carlos Llauger.