First Impressions: Ultraman Omega

As the Ultraman franchise enters its sixth year of delivering worldwide simulcasts with multi-language subtitles via its ULTRAMAN Official YouTube Channel, there isn't a shadow of a doubt that Tsuburaya Productions are leading the way when it comes to making their shows available on a global scale. For its 2025 entry (and 35th mainline series), we enter a brave new world with Ultraman Omega. The series compositors are Toshizo Nemoto and Junichiro Ashiki (both veteran writers for the New Generation era), while its main director is Masayoshi Takasue (who previously held the same role for Ultraman R/B and Ultraman Decker). Unfortunately unlike previous entries Ultraman Arc and Ultraman Blazar it seems an English language dub won't be available on the day of release, but is said to be coming at a later date.

Toybox REVIEW: Transformers Studio Series 86 Galvatron

Release Date: January 2025

RRP: $54.99/£55.99

Even though the Studio Series 86 line is running out of core Transformers: The Movie characters to feature, there are still some characters that have not appeared in the line itself despite having a recent toy. One such example is Galvatron, who despite being synonymous with the movie has been overlooked by the line until now due to his War For Cybertron: Kingdom toy coming out around the time the line was starting. However Studio Series 86 Galvatron has finally arrived, and while it might not be a brand new figure (ala Ultra Magnus), it does however fill a void that Transformers fans have noted in Galvatron toys for decades.

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Valvarad

Release Date: October 2024

RRP: 9900 yen

If there's one thing you can almost be certain of in a modern Kamen Rider series these days, it's that most of the principal characters will become Riders at some point. When Kurogane Spanner was first introduced in Kamen Rider Gotchard as the "masked warrior" Valvarad, it created the surprise dynamic of having a transforming protagonist that wasn't necessarily a Rider. However it didn't take long for Spanner to cast this transformation aside - confronting his dark past and, with the help of a new Driver, evolving into Kamen Rider Valvarad. Released as a Tamashii Web exclusive toward the end of 2024, S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Valvarad rounds off the core trio of Gotchard's Rider roster.

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Alien Hipporit

Release Date: May 2025

RRP: 11,000 yen

One of the greatest feelings one can experience as an S.H. Figuarts collector is when a figure revealed at a Tamashii Nations event finally escapes Bandai purgatory and gets an official release date. First revealed all the way back in 2019, S.H. Figuarts Alien Hipporit was never heard or seen from again until the lead up to the 2024 event, when it was announced that he would finally be released in 2025 as a Tamashii Web exclusive. First appearing in episodes 26 and 27 of Ultraman Ace, Alien Hipporit is notable for successfully capturing all five Ultra Brothers as well as even fighting Father of Ultra to a standstill - the latter only securing victory when he tore out his own Colour Timer to revive Ultraman Ace.

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Shanks & Monkey D. Luffy -Childhood-

Release Date: March 2025 

RRP: 11,000 Yen

When Bandai Tamashii Nations revealed that they would be going back to the very beginning of the series with the One Piece S.H. Figuarts line, they really meant it. In addition to the first appearance “Romance Dawn” looks of the Straw Hat crew, we’re also going all the way back to when Luffy first dreamed of becoming King of the Pirates with the S.H. Figuarts Shanks & Monkey D Luffy -Childhood- set. This Tamashii Web exclusive release continues to expand the roster beyond that of just the Straw Hats, Red-Haired Shanks being a firm fan favourite and driving force behind the series despite his fleeting appearances overall.

Movie REVIEW: Thunderbolt Fantasy: Sword Seekers -The Finale-

Thunderbolt Fantasy is available to stream on Crunchyroll

All good things must eventually come to an end, and after four series and two movies that time has finally come for Thunderbolt Fantasy. The collaboration between Gen Urobuchi, Nitroplus, Good Smile Company and Taiwanese puppet production company Pili International Media has wowed fans for the past nine years with its mesmerising story and incredible production values, so the idea that this will be the last we ever see of Shāng Bù Huàn, Lǐn Xuě Yā and the gang is a difficult one to accept. Though originally planned for five full-length seasons, Thunderbolt Fantasy: Sword Seekers -The Finale- was instead condensed down into movie format – rounding off all the plot threads that have developed over the last decade in a swift 90 minutes.

Series REVIEW: Chouriki Sentai Ohranger

Despite it being common knowledge that the Super Sentai franchise started in 1975 with Himitsu Sentai Gorenger, that wasn't always considered the case "officially". Legal issues with Ishinomori Productions in 1987 actually saw both Gorenger and its successor JAKQ Dengekitai discounted from the franchise for just under a decade, and it wasn't until 1995 that they finally returned to the Super Sentai banner - making the series for that year a celebration of its 20th anniversary. And that is exactly what Toei did with Chouriki Sentai Ohranger - a series that returns to the franchise's roots with a team of professional soldiers whilst also embracing the evolution it had undergone in the years since. As well as marking the first time "Super Sentai" as a franchise was fully formed, Ohranger is also significant for the introduced of the "Versus Series" crossover movies - Chouriki Sentai Ohranger: Ole vs. Kakuranger beginning an annual tradition that continues on to this day.

Toybox REVIEW: Shokugan Modeling Project BullTaurus & Galaxy Decisive Battle Set

Release Date: December 2024

RRP: 8000 yen

2024 was the year Seijuu Sentai Gingaman stormed onto the Shokugan Modeling Project scene, and despite a brief stopover to round off the GoGoFive range with Victory Mars, Bandai made sure to return to the 22nd Super Sentai series to round off the year in suitable fashion. And of course the next obvious port of call is the show’s sixth (or extra depending if you’re going by Gokaiger categorisation) hero Black Knight – or more specifically the Shokugan Modeling Project Beast Combination BullTaurus & Galaxy Decisive Battle Set. This Premium Bandai exclusive release goes a little bit further than simply Black Knight’s Starbeast partner – covering off other aspects seen in both Gingaman and its follow-up crossover movie KyuuKyuu Sentai GoGoFive vs. Gingaman.

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Mecha Gigantron [Ultraman: Rising]

Release Date: March 2025

RRP: 22,000 yen

An Ultraman S.H. Figuarts range just doesn't feel complete without a monster or two, and for the most part Bandai Tamashii Nations are quick to deliver. So much so that even Ultraman: Rising has been able to get in on the action, with the third release from last year's film being the biggest yet - S.H. Figuarts Mecha Gigantron [Ultraman: Rising]! After Gigantron is captured by the Kaiju Defence Force, the KDF enslave the monster in mechanical armour - using her to battle Ultraman and reclaim her child. It is only with the combined strength of Ultraman, Emi and Ultradad that they are able to bring the monster back to her senses and fight back against the KDF. A figure that very much lives up the monster's name, Mecha Gigantron is a Tamashii web exclusive release.

Special REVIEW: Kamen Rider Majade with Girls Remix

Amongst the weird and wonderful specials that find their way onto the Toei Tokusatsu Fan Club, Kamen Rider Jeanne & Kamen Rider Aguilera with Girls Remix was a particularly special gem. Celebrating numerous women from across the Kamen Rider universe whether they were Riders or not, the three-part miniseries was exactly the kind of crossover that the streaming service should be investing time into. So it’s extremely pleasing to see that (some of) the gang are back once again for a follow up release – Kamen Rider Majade with Girls Remix. This time simply taking the form of a one-off special, it’s Rinne Kudo taking the spotlight as her story continues beyond Kamen Rider Gotchard: Graduations – bringing with her some new members to the group as well as the established roster.