Monday 5 August 2013

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Akiba Blue (Season Tsuu Ver.)

SH Figuarts Akiba Blue Season 2 Tsuu Bandai Tamashii Nations Luna Akibaranger

Tamashii Nations must be pretty bold when it comes to the Akibaranger S.H. Figuarts. Not only are the original Akiba Blue and Yellow figures the only Sentai girls to have received a mass release in the line, but almost a year later they're getting released again. They aren't quite the same figures though, as these are in fact Season Tsuu (or 2 depending on your opinions on Japanese puns). So you're not buying another Mitsuki Aoyagi, in fact you're getting the first S.H. Figuarts representation of Luna Iwashimizu!

SH Figuarts Akiba Blue Season 2 Tsuu Bandai Tamashii Nations Luna Akibaranger

SH Figuarts Akiba Blue Season 2 Tsuu Bandai Tamashii Nations Luna AkibarangerSH Figuarts Akiba Blue Season 2 Tsuu Bandai Tamashii Nations Luna Akibaranger

Since it's Akibaranger merchandising the packaging is all sunshine and rainbows (well, the latter certainly) - a colourful explosion with Luna displaying one of her trademark idol-in-training poses on the front. The window features more Japanese writing, different from that included on Super Akiba Red's packaging. Unfortunately I still have no idea what it says - maybe I'll work it all out in time for the S2 Akiba Yellow review!

SH Figuarts Akiba Blue Season 2 Tsuu Bandai Tamashii Nations Luna Akibaranger

SH Figuarts Akiba Blue Season 2 Tsuu Bandai Tamashii Nations Luna AkibarangerSH Figuarts Akiba Blue Season 2 Tsuu Bandai Tamashii Nations Luna Akibaranger

So here we are again - another year, another Akiba Blue. The overall sculpt hasn't changed in any way at all save for the few minor changes I'll go into in the next paragraph, but at least this one came assembled properly in the box. The translucent blue on the chest looks as good as ever, and the combo of blue, white and black really works for a striking colourscheme. And with the cut-off skirt means all that glorious leg articulation isn't in any way hindered.

SH Figuarts Akiba Blue Season 2 Tsuu Bandai Tamashii Nations Luna Akibaranger

SH Figuarts Akiba Blue Season 2 Tsuu Bandai Tamashii Nations Luna AkibarangerSH Figuarts Akiba Blue Season 2 Tsuu Bandai Tamashii Nations Luna Akibaranger

Of course, Bandai aren't so heartless to make you buy the same figure twice so there are a few cosmetic differences between the season 1 and 2 Akiba Blues. The most obvious of these is the helmet, with the hair section now fashioned into a single ponytail. The bear print pants are now gone too, replaced with black suspenders running up the thigh area. Sexy.

SH Figuarts Akiba Blue Season 2 Tsuu Bandai Tamashii Nations Luna Akibaranger

SH Figuarts Akiba Blue Season 2 Tsuu Bandai Tamashii Nations Luna AkibarangerSH Figuarts Akiba Blue Season 2 Tsuu Bandai Tamashii Nations Luna Akibaranger

And of course, to further differentiate Luna from her predecessor this Akiba Blue also comes with a new set of accessories. We have a total of 14 different hands, 2 mufflers and the MMZ-01 in both gun and doll modes. So that means she's beating the original in the hand department by two, and omitting one muffler in exchange for the wonderfully detailed MMZ doll is a very fair trade off. Of course, if you have the original Akiba Blue, her unique pieces will also work here for even more variety.

SH Figuarts Akiba Blue Season 2 Tsuu Bandai Tamashii Nations Luna Akibaranger Zyuranger BucklerSH Figuarts Akiba Blue Season 2 Tsuu Bandai Tamashii Nations Luna Akibaranger Zyuranger Buckler

With the official Super Sentai heroes coming with their own Akibaranger goodies related to the stories they appeared in, Bandai have changed things up a little when it comes to the inordinate powers. To make sure fans are willing to shell out for the same two figures (with minor changes) once again - the three inordinate powers for the season have been split between the Akiba girls. For whatever reason (I like to think it's because she's the new character), Blue is the one that comes with two - in this case the Zyuranger Buckler and Hurricane Ball. There isn't a whole lot to say about the Buckler other than it's a giant belt that can clip onto any of the three Akibarangers via the holes in their belts, but the Hurricane Ball is a much more interesting piece.

Surprisingly, the Hurricane Ball comes on a real metal chain, which is long enough to reproduce some pretty good action shots. Better still, the Tamashii stand claw can wrap around the ball nicely to keep things stable.

SH Figuarts Akiba Blue Season 2 Tsuu Bandai Tamashii Nations Luna Akibaranger Red Hurricane BallSH Figuarts Akiba Blue Season 2 Tsuu Bandai Tamashii Nations Luna Akibaranger Red Hurricane Ball

Aside from the fact that this release comes with two inordinate powers, I wasn't expecting a lot from this iteration of Akiba Blue. After all, I already have the first release right? I don't know if it's because Luna eventually turned out to be the better character, but somehow I just found myself having so much more fun with this release. To sweeten the deal, the accessories are far more impressive even without the inclusion of the powers. So while I can't give the new improved Akiba Blue full marks because it IS the same figure, it deserves the same because it tried damn hard to make it hard to pass on it.

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