Next Creative LLC, based in Fukuoka's Chuo Ward, has officially launched FIGURO, an AI-powered ecommerce service that turns a single photo into an original figurine. The company, led by Representative Yoshimi Shimizu, will mark the debut at the 'Life gooes on' Women Entrepreneur Work Expo on October 7, 2026, in Fukuoka. Visitors can view the first publicly displayed FIGURO figurines and try a free AI preview using their own photos.
Launch and Event Debut
The launch event takes place at ONE FUKUOKA CONFERENCE HALL in Tenjin from 10:00 to 18:00 on October 7, 2026. Admission is free with advance registration through the official event website. The exhibition is organized by Congre Inc. and the WOMEN TECH EXPO Executive Committee as an official link event of RAMEN TECH 2026.
How FIGURO Works
FIGURO is designed to let anyone create a custom figurine easily, with the concept 'From a single photo to your own original figurine.' Users can generate an AI preview in about 30 seconds without membership registration and compare anime, chibi, realistic, and semi-realistic styles for free. After approving the preview, customers can place an order with one free revision, reducing the risk of receiving a product that differs from expectations.
Production and Privacy
Production occurs at the company's Fukuoka studio using plant-derived PLA resin, and each figurine ships in a gift box. Customers can choose from small, medium, and large sizes as well as full-color or unpainted finishes. Submitted photos are automatically deleted 14 days after shipping, which helps protect customer privacy and reduce data retention concerns.
Applications for Personal and Business Use
The service supports personal keepsakes such as birthday gifts, wedding welcome figurines, graduation and farewell presents, and pet memorials. Companies and brands can also request custom production for mascot characters, event novelties, and exhibition displays. This flexibility positions FIGURO as a solution for both emotional personal gifts and commercial branding needs.
Founder's Background and Motivation
Founder Yoshimi Shimizu studied in China during university and joined NHN, a subsidiary of South Korea's NAVER, in 2008 to support its Japan launch from Liaoning, China. She later worked in Indonesia as a marketing director and founded a foodtech startup, gaining experience in building businesses from the ground up. In February 2025, she established Next Creative LLC in Fukuoka to help Japanese companies adopt digital technologies.
The Origin of FIGURO
Shimizu observed that many people keep thousands of memorable photos on smartphones but rarely revisit them. She felt that although memories were increasing, physical keepsakes were decreasing. This insight led to FIGURO, which uses AI and 3D printing to turn a single photo into a tangible, displayable figure that can be kept.
Company Background
Next Creative LLC is a digital agency based in Tenjin, Fukuoka, offering web and ecommerce development, social media marketing, AI assistant deployment, business automation, branding, and overseas expansion support. The company uses a bilingual Japanese and English team to work with clients until results appear rather than stopping at delivery. FIGURO is the agency's first in-house product and demonstrates its expertise in AI, ecommerce, and branding.
The launch of FIGURO introduces a practical way to convert personal photographs into custom figurines with a simple approval-based process and consumer privacy protections. By combining AI previews with local 3D printing production in Fukuoka, the service lowers the barrier for custom figures that were previously expensive and uncertain. Its public debut at the October 7 event will offer visitors a direct look at how the platform turns smartphone memories into physical keepsakes.