Series REVIEW: Kamen Rider Black RX

While Kamen Rider franchise has always had some sense of continuity, direct sequels in a franchise that introduces a new hero each year is a rarity. But the popularity of Kamen Rider Black was that strong that in 1988 Kotaro Minami returned in a brand new form – Kamen Rider Black RX. The 47-episode series is notable for a number of other reasons as well, being both the final series in the franchise to have original author Shotaro Ishinomori involved but also the final entry in the Showa era period. Though the majority of Black RX may have technically aired at the beginning of the Heisei era, due to lengthy hiatus before the franchise returned in 2000 with Kamen Rider Kuuga it, along with movies Shin, ZO and J, are considered a much cleaner break.

Toybox REVIEW: MAFEX Spider-Man (Ben Reilly)

Release Date: November 2021

RRP: 7800 yen

The various Spider-Verse titles there have been in the past few years may have shown that there's much more to Spider-Man than just Peter Parker, but back in the 1990s when comic readers were introduced to a brand-new Spidey he wasn't that far detached from our original hero. Popularised during the infamous Clone Saga that ran between 1994 and 1995, Ben Reilly (combining Uncle Ben's forename and Aunt May's maiden name) is a clone of Peter Parker that originally fought as the Scarlet Spider before truly taking the mantle of Spider-Man in Peter's absence. His time as Spider-Man saw him bond with the Carnage symbiote as well as take part in the multiversal Marvel vs DC crossover, though Peter would eventually return when Ben took a fatal wound from the Green Goblin. Despite the Clone Saga's notoriety, the character's popularity makes him an obvious choice for Medicom's "miracle action figure" line. MAFEX Spider-Man (Ben Reilly) is the next in a long line of Spider-Man figures from the company, and it looks like they have no plans on stopping any time soon.

Movie REVIEW: Kamen Rider: Beyond Generations

First came Heisei Generations, followed by Heisei Generations FINAL and Heisei Generations FOREVER. From there we moved into Reiwa: The First Generation, and now the Kamen Rider franchise is moving…beyond. After a year off, the winter Kamen Rider crossover movie returned at the end of 2021 in conjunction with the franchise's 50th anniversary celebrations. Kamen Rider: Beyond Generations sees the casts of Kamen Rider Revice and Kamen Rider Saber reunite once more (with the Saber gang having previously met Revi and Vice at the end of their own series) in a time-travelling adventure that looks at both the past and future of the Kamen Riders.

Top 5: The Return of Super Sentai S.H. Figuarts

This weekend marks the official release of S.H. Figuarts Zenkaizer, and as such a day many fans thought would never come – the grand return of the S.H. Figuarts Super Sentai range. After a string of releases between 2011 and 2015, Bandai's line of high-end collector figures from Toei's other massive ongoing tokusatsu franchise seemed to die a rather unceremonious death. Since then Bandai's candy toy division has breathed new life into collector-focused Sentai toys with the Super SHODO and Shokugan Modeling Project (formerly Super Mini-Pla) lines, and following the show's 45th anniversary Tamashii Nations have found the perfect time to bring the Figuarts range back to life. But what should it do this time to stop the line dying a painful death once more? In this month's top 5 feature I'm looking at five things Bandai should be considering if they want Super Sentai S.H. Figuarts to thrive once more!

Toybox REVIEW: Transformers Generations Selects Cyclonus & Nightstick

Release Date: May 2022
RRP: $38.99/£44.99

Even as the Transformers toyline transitions from the War for Cybertron trilogy into the new Legacy line, the Generations Selects range still continues on strong. This unique little line has presented collectors with some of the more interesting corners from the franchise, ranging from obscurer characters to nostalgic repaints. Last year saw the release of Kingdom leader class Galvatron in his original G1 toy colours, and where the new Decepticon leader goes his loyal second in command isn't too far behind! Transformers Generations Selects Cyclonus & Nightstick pays homage to Cyclonus original 1986 toy, combining him with his Targetmaster partner to create a truly special release.

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts GUTS Wings 1 & GUTS Wings 2 Set

Release Date: January 2022

RRP: 2200 yen

In addition to silver giants battling against giant monsters and aliens, there's one aspect to the Ultraman franchise that's remained relatively untouched by the S.H. Figuarts line until now. Most Ultraman instalments feature some sort of science or military team that utilise technologically advanced vehicles - inspired by the likes of Thunderbirds and the other works of Gerry Anderson. The overwhelming popularity of Ultraman Tiga has once again convinced Bandai Tamashii Nations to break new ground with the range - introducing the S.H. Figuarts GUTS Wings 1 & GUTS Wings 2 Set. This accessory set features the two primary vehicles of the Global Unlimited Task Squad, with the GUTS Wings 1 also making an appearance in Ultraman Trigger: New Generation Tiga.

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Golza

Release Date: January 2022
RRP: 7150 yen

As if Ultraman finally breaking in the Shinkocchou Seihou range wasn't a big enough way to mark Ultraman Tiga's 25th anniversary, the landmark entry in the Ultra Series has now given collectors something else to cheer about – it's second S.H. MonsterArts-sized kaiju release! While Bandai Tamashii Nations previously dabbled in these larger figures back in 2017 with Gomora, subsequent kaiju releases have been on a much smaller scale – and these days few and far between. But what better way to continue the Tiga range than with S.H. Figuarts Golza – one of the first kaiju to appear in the series. Golza is also the first retail release kaiju to have been produced in some time – the previous having been Twin Tail all the way back in 2018.

Toybox REVIEW: Star Wars Black Series Tech

Release Date: October 2021

RRP: $22.99/£21.99

Even though we're still waiting for a release date for season two The Bad Batch still seem to be the main focus when it comes to Star Wars animation, so it's good to know that Hasbro aren't dragging their heels when it comes to completing the team in figure form. Following on from the initial release of Hunter and Crosshair as well as the deluxe release of Wrecker comes Black Series Tech, completing the initial line-up as they first appeared in their Star Wars: The Clone Wars debut. As the thinker of the team, Tech is rarely seen without his data pad but proves just as efficient in combat as his Clone Force 99 brethren.

Toybox REVIEW: Power Rangers x Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Lightning Collection Morphed Shredder

Release Date: December 2021
RRP: $31.99/£37.99

One of the biggest delights of the Power Rangers comics from Boom! Studios has been the opportunity for them to crossover with other heroes previously thought limited to the realms of fan fiction – including the likes of Godzilla and the Justice League. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles however they have some history with though, with Power Rangers in Space having previously crossed over with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation. This six-part comic series though saw the heroes in a half shell meet the original Mighty Morphin rangers, with the Turtles themselves even getting the opportunity to morph. To mark this fusion of childhood icons, Hasbro produced a series of Power Rangers x Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Lightning Collection figures – consisting of three two pack sets (featuring the four turtles, April O'Neill and a Foot Clan Tommy Oliver) and a deluxe Morphed Shredder figure. This figure is based on Shredder after he has harnessed the powers of the Dragon Coin to transform into his own twisted version of the Green Ranger.

Toybox REVIEW: Star Wars Black Series Aurra Sing

Release Date: October 2021

RRP: $22.99/£21.99 

One of the best things about the Star Wars universe is how a background character can not only become a fan favourite, but also develop into something far more than their original appearance. Palliduvan bounty hunter Aurra Sing originally had a blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearance in The Phantom Menace, but reappeared in various bits of expanded universe material before being fully characterised in Star Wars: The Clone Wars – mentoring the young Boba Fett as well as taking jobs from Cad Bane and teaming up with fellow bounty hunters Bossk and Dengar. Even in her limited appearances she's made quite the impact, and Hasbro have recognised her popularity with their Black Series Aurra Sing figure – a long overdue addition to their six inch collector range.