Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Ultraman -First Contact Ver.- (Shin Ultraman)

Release Date: May 2023

RRP: 7700 yen

With Shin Ultraman proving to be a hit in every sense of the word it's no surprise that Bandai Tamashii Nations have jumped on it when it comes to S.H. Figuarts releases. Even with a limited number of characters in the film there's plenty of ground to cover when it comes to variants, with one such example being S.H. Figuarts Ultraman -First Contact Version- (Shin Ultraman) . This Tamashii Web exclusive release is based on Ultraman's initial appearance in the film when he first arrives on Earth and battles Neronga (prior to merging with Shinji Kaminaga).

Styled in the same way as previous Shin Ultraman releases, S.H. Figuarts Ultraman -First Contact Ver.- comes in the usual web exclusive windowless packaging – replacing any trace of Ultraman's red colouring with a silver and white colour scheme. The front of the box sports an image of the figure (in a fairly generic but admittedly alien-looking pose) alongside the Shin Ultraman film logo, with further images across the sides and back. As this figure includes accessories meant for the standard Ultraman, there are also a couple of shots of that too. Inside the figure and accessories are all very neatly laid out on a moulded plastic tray, with the instructions on how to use the accessories printed on the (considerably wider than usual) box flaps.

Straight off the bat the "First Contact version" of Ultraman notably replaces the iconic red of his colour scheme with a dark grey, giving the illusion of an almost entirely silver giant. While a new trait for the original Ultraman, its execution does bear some similarity to Ultraman Nexus' Anphans form. Despite the closeness between the grey and silver, the glossy grey colouring plays off quite well against the shiny silver so the pattern remains visible. This is the fourth use of the Shin Ultraman mould (following on from the standard Ultraman, Zōffy and Fake Ultraman), however there is one significant change outside of the colours – a unique head sculpt to it apart from the standard version. The difference may seem subtle, but this head has been designed to more closely resemble the "Type A" version of the original costume – something that is particularly noticeable around the mouth. Naturally it's a little more polished than the 1966 suit, but it's a really nice touch that both highlight's the film's reverence to the original Ultraman series and the idea of the First Contact version being somewhat imperfect. With no other changes made to the rest of the body, there isn't much to say about the figure that hasn't already been said in previous reviews – the slender body with more elongated limbs is a small but brilliant shift toward making Ultraman seem more extra-terrestrial, and Bandai have done a great job in translating these proportions to an articulated action figure.

Articulation is generally the same as we've seen on previous versions of the mould, however it is worth noting that this is the slightly reworked version that improves the neck movement. Altogether it features;

- Ball jointed head, neck, torso, waist and wrists

- Swivel hinge shoulders, hips and ankles

- Butterfly joint shoulders

- Double hinge elbows and knees

- Single hinge toe sections

- Elbow and thigh swivels

Once again the overall quality seems to be a lot better on this variation of the mould, with no overly loose joints and plenty of fluid movement across that slender alien body. Although swivel joints just above the elbows are quite common across the Ultraman range they work here a lot better than they tend to do on most releases, making that iconic cross-armed Specium Ray pose a breeze to pull off. While his body productions do result in some of the more typical action poses looking a little more strange than usual, this Ultraman figure is still capable of pulling off nearly everything you could ever require of him.

With the release of the film comfortably behind us now Bandai have started included a lot more accessories with their Shin Ultraman releases, and this one contains one of the best selections yet. Among the pieces included here are five additional pairs of hands as well as the long-awaited Shin Ultraman Specium Beam effect part. The hand selection here includes all of the usual favourites, ranging from knife-strike and grappling hands to closed fists, accessory holding and Specium Beam pose hands. With both versions of Ultraman using the same mould and silver paint, these hands are also compatible with the original release as well (though most of them were already included with that figure). The Specium Beam is directly based on how it appears during Ultraman's fight with Neronga, taking the form of a long translucent blue beam that doesn't deviate all that much from its original design. It's a great looking part, but on its own not all that different from all the other beam effects we've gotten with Ultraman figures over the years. What makes this version special is that it also comes with a second part to achieve the full length of the beam as it appears in the film, with the two parts connected an impressive ten inches long. Though the two pieces fit together in terms of shape, they do not connect as such and so both need to be clipped into the included stand to achieve the full length – which is needed so that the figure can balance anyway. It's a display that takes up a fair bit of shelf space, but looks spectacular. Hopefully Bandai have a Neronga planned for the S.H. Figuarts line too to complete the display, otherwise the vinyl toy will have to suffice.

With the initial Shin Ultraman figure not including any accessories outside of extra hands, it was fully expected that these releases would go of the "mainline" Ultraman Figuarts and supplement it with accessories included with subsequent figures. It addition to its own accessories the First Contact version also comes with a second Specium Ray effect part as well as a miniature Beta Capsule accessory. Truth be told this alternate beam part is only slightly different to the other one, with the beam widening out as it is fired (as per a typical Ultraman beam attack) rather than remaining a straight beam of energy. Also as the shade of silver used on both figures is identical you can technically use either beam with either figure, but as the box shows off this one with the standard Ultraman we'll just assume it's meant for him. The Beta Capsule is also a nice little accessory - both due to the quality of moulding/paintwork on the piece but also just because of the prominence it has in Shin Ultraman in general - particularly during Ultraman's climactic battle with Zetton at the end of the film. Essential accessories being included with other figures remains an understandable and very valid complaint, but with Bandai doing it the amount they do it has just become part and parcel with the S.H. Figuarts line at this point. At the very least, it adds a little more flare to what would otherwise be a fairly standard repaint.

Despite the impact it has in the film itself, its fair to say that S.H. Figuarts Ultraman -First Contact Ver.- (Shin Ultraman) has somewhat limited appeal. Not only is it a form that only appears onscreen for a few minutes, but the grey/silver colouring isn't particularly exciting either. That said it is quite a unique take on the original Ultraman, and that in itself may be enough persuasion for some of the more casual Ultraman collectors out there. As the fourth outing for this mould it's fair to call it a fairly solid one by this point, and all the added accessories for both this and the standard Ultraman certainly sweeten the overall package. With the way Bandai have been churning out Shin Ultraman figures, I wouldn't be surprised if we see a green "low-energy" version announced before the end of the year just to complete the set.