Sculptor Daniel Yu Turns Disney’s Donald Duck into ‘Jiangshi’ Collectible

Among the many beloved Disney characters, a handful of classics stand out. Of course, there’s Mickey Mouse, arguably Walt Disney’s most iconic character. There's also his friends, of whose success no one can discount. All of them together have entertained generations – and continue to do so today.

Starring in multiple movies, TV shows, and series, Mickey is often accompanied by none other than Donald Duck, his mischievous, short-tempered friend, who’s become as much of an icon as Mickey himself.

Introduced six years after Mickey’s first appearance on “Steamboat Willie”, Donald Duck has captured the hearts and imaginations of many. Among these is Daniel Yu, a renowned Singaporean toy artist and sculptor. This year, he’s transformed Donald – who’s celebrating his 90th birthday this year, in fact – in a well-known style, sculpting Donald in a traditional “jiangshi” costume.

A popular character in Chinese folklore, the “jiangshi” is often presented as vampire that is mobilized by hopping. It is traditionally spooky, but when combined with the charm of Donald becomes something both nostalgic and, quite frankly, adorable. “The juxtaposition between celebrated, well-loved and a character from traditional folklore [is what makes the toy so popular],” mused Daniel.

Coming as a limited edition 6.5-inch figurine, the Donald “Jiangshi” is cast in high-quality vinyl and features five points of articulation with regular joints. In 2022, Daniel had, in fact, also reimagined Mickey Mouse as a “jiangshi”, establishing that there is a strong market for such designs.

“I grew up in the 80s and 90s, when offbeat and campy shows, gritty comic books, and outlandish and wacky action figures were all the rage,” Daniel recalled. While the artist has no formal background in art – having pursued a business education instead – it become obvious that his childhood is exceptionally impactful. “I started [out sculpting] by ‘Frankenstein-ing’ parts of different toys together to make a new character, and eventually progressed into learning how to sculpt to make the figures more authentic,” he said.

Now a bona fide toy sculptor, Daniel has seen firsthand how the demand for toy collectibles has boomed. Backed by Alex Baillie, the Vice President and General Manager of Disney Consumer Products across Southeast Asia, India, and the Middle East (SAMENA), Daniel pointed to nostalgia and pop culture as a main trendsetter when it comes to collectibles such as his. “Art toys represent a generation that values individuality and the creative spirit, set in a backdrop steeped in popular culture,” Daniel explained.

Alex further added that there’s been a growing demand for two types of collectibles: replicas and reimagined designs. No longer are collectibles and character merchandise niche pieces, they’ve become accessible forms of art that anybody can enjoy. “Replicas appeal to fans who are looking to celebrate iconic moments or characters while reimagined designs – like the Donald Duck-themed ‘jiangshi’ figurines – offer a fresh take on beloved Disney characters,” explained Alex.

Working with artists across different countries, Alex points to a variety of collections that have reimagined Disney characters in different art styles. These include works done by cult brand, tokidoki, and homegrown Singaporean label, Musoka Club, ranging from collectibles to apparel.

While different people collect for different reasons, there seems to be a central theme as to why people love these items: sheer joy. “Value is subjective and everyone collects for their own reasons,” Daniel points out. While some people may see collectibles as a pecuniary hobby – owning collections worth incredible sums – others see it as an experiential one. Alongside memories, friendships are built on common interests and collectors may find rich experiences connecting to others who are like-minded.

For himself, Daniel sees toys and collectibles – like his Donald Duck “jiangshi” creation – through an emotional, and deeply personal, lens. “Like a good piece of art, a good collectible is something that resonates with the viewer. It should elicit a response, a feeling of some kind,” he shared. “Your collection is a physical, tactile reminder of your personal identity and is also an accessible way of showing others ‘this is who I am.’”

The Donald-inspired Jiangshi figurine is currently available for pre-order at ActionCity’s website, retailing at SGD208 before shipping. You can also visit their stores to pre-order.