S.F.3.D. Original Video Nutrocker

Any exploration of the Japanese science fiction scene of the 1980s would be incomplete without these four letters: SF3D.

SF3D was the creation of Kow Yokoyama, an artist and sculptor with a knack for imagining science fiction machinery that was simultaneously futuristic and retro. The story took place 1,000 years in the future, a tale of a war between the intergalactic Strahl forces and the Earth-based Mercenary army that opposed them.

Each month's issue of Hobby Japan Magazine would spotlight a new creation that he had cobbled together, using everything from leftover tank and aircraft model kit parts to common household items such as yogurt containers and plastic spoons.

The designs were a hit with readers, and soon after the series of articles began, model kit manufacturer Nitto Kagaku took on the task of mass-producing the SF3D designs.

In 1985, Hobby Japan and Nitto collaborated with Tsuburaya Productions to produce a 30 minute promotional video for the SF3D line. The video was titled SF3D Original Video: Nutrocker. It was released in VHS, Betamax, and VHD formats, and featured dialogue in English and German with Japanese subtitles.

The opening crawl read:

THE YEAR OF 2884 AD.

A BATTLE BROKE OUT BETWEEN THE MERCENALY TROOPS AND SHUTRL FORCES IN THE AUSTRALIAN DESERT.

SURROUNDED BY A STRONG ELECTROMAGNETIC ACTIVE WAVES.

WITHOUT ANY HOPE OF REINFORCEMENT, THE BATTLE WAS GETTING FURIOUS AND ALSO, IT WAS GETTING DARK.

Over 20 years later, SF3D is now known as Maschinen Krieger, or Ma.K for short. Kow Yokoyama's creation continues to capture the imagination of fans around the globe.

This web site has been created to provide information about the making of Nutrocker.