Thursday 31 October 2013

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Kyoryu Red

SH Figuarts Kyoryu Red from the Super Sentai series Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger

September/October is a pretty good time for Super Sentai fans, as its usually when the red ranger of the current series finally gets released in S.H. Figuarts form. Following on from Gokai Red and Red Buster from the previous two years, 2013 is the turn of Kiryu Daigo aka "King" aka Kyoryu Red - star of Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger. The term "star" seems more relevant than ever as the show seems to practically revolve around him, but that's a discussion for a few month's time when the series review rolls around on this blog. For now, let's just take a look at this super articulated figure of "The Fanged Brave".

SH Figuarts Kyoryu Red from the Super Sentai series Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger

SH Figuarts Kyoryu Red from the Super Sentai series Zyuden Sentai KyoryugerSH Figuarts Kyoryu Red from the Super Sentai series Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger

Before we even get on to the quality of the figure, it's fair to say that Kyoryu Red has some of the best packaging the Figuarts line has to offer. Some may be put off but the extremely busy design, but it certainly captures the spirit and energy of the series perfectly. The window section has the same teeth pattern as the Kyoryuger suits' sash, while the rest of the box is made up by a rather lovely green/black/silver colourscheme. It's a rather universal pattern which I can imagine wouldn't get changed much for later Kyoryuger releases - that is if the rest of the main five weren't coming out in 2-packs and Web Exclusives weren't shifting toward non-windowed boxes.

SH Figuarts Kyoryu Red from the Super Sentai series Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger

SH Figuarts Kyoryu Red from the Super Sentai series Zyuden Sentai KyoryugerSH Figuarts Kyoryu Red from the Super Sentai series Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger

Though I by no means dislike the Kyoryuger uniform, I can't say it honestly wowed me when the official announcement of the series came around at the beginning of the year. However owning this Figuarts has made me appreciate its subtle nuances a whole lot more. While the helmet and sash may seem pretty flat when watching the characters onscreen, here there's a fair bit of layering - the silver mouthplate is slightly sunken into the helmet, while the yellow teeth of the sash are raised upwards from the base body. However the design of the upper body also makes it seem like a thicker vest than a one piece suit, giving it this strange thick collar. Despite this, the overall presentation is lovely and the red and yellow really work well against each other. I'm not quite sure the darker red is the perfect shade for the meshed arms, but the texture on them is great.

Kyoryu Red features the usual range of articulation for a Sentai Figuart, including a ball jointed head and neck, double-jointed shoulders, elbows and knees, swing-down hips, ball jointed wrists and ankles and finally hinged toes. The left shoulder plate lifts up so not to get in the way of the arm, but to be honest the shoulders don't allow a great deal of raised arm movement to get a lot of out of it.

SH Figuarts Kyoryu Red from the Super Sentai series Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger

SH Figuarts Kyoryu Red from the Super Sentai series Zyuden Sentai KyoryugerSH Figuarts Kyoryu Red from the Super Sentai series Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger

Kyoryu Red features an excellent range of accessories, and shows no signs of the diminishing accessory count people are believing Figuarts may be starting to suffer from (that being said, we'll see how his team mates fare). Provided are 8 alternate hands (including his roll call pose hands, which is always welcome), the Gabricalibur, Gaburevolver, alternated "Armed-On" right arm, the Gabutyra Fang and a TINY Zyudenchi in scale with the figure. The battery is just as small (if not smaller) than the Ranger Keys included with the Gokaiger releases, so a word of caution about that because one misplaced sneeze and it could be lost forever.

Of course there's usually at least one piece missing from Super Sentai releases these days, and it seems Kyoryu Red is no exception. If you had any intention of displaying the figure with the Gaburu Cannon (the combined form of the Gabricalibur and Gaburevolver), you're going to be awfully disappointed as it isn't included. At least not yet anyway...

SH Figuarts Kyoryu Red from the Super Sentai series Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger

SH Figuarts Kyoryu Red from the Super Sentai series Zyuden Sentai KyoryugerSH Figuarts Kyoryu Red from the Super Sentai series Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger

Eight hands may not seem a lot for a mass release Super Sentai (the average seems to have been about 12 lately), but it's quite easy to forgive Kyoryu Red considering he comes with a whole extra arm. The armed-on arm features two spiked plates attached to it, and the Gabutrya Fang (complete with opening jaw) can be attached to the end just like a normal hand.

While I am very happy to see the inclusion of the armed-on pieces, overall the execution of them is a little iffy to me. The arm isn't the easiest thing to switch around securely, so it slipping off the shoulder joint was a common problem with mine (the same happened when changing my Gokai Red's arms funnily enough). Getting it to fit properly isn't helped by the intrusive spiked plates, and while it may not be a widespread problem the elbow joint was ridiculous tight in comparison to the normal arm. Finally, the Fang isn't the lightest of weapons, so without proper shoulder support getting it into outstretched poses can be a bit of a pain.

(A Tamashii stand would probably help, which means I really need to go and buy some spares)

SH Figuarts Kyoryu Red from the Super Sentai series Zyuden Sentai KyoryugerSH Figuarts Kyoryu Red from the Super Sentai series Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger

I've made sure my obvious character bias doesn't get in the way of this review (I REALLY don't like Kyoryu Red), so I'm happy to say that Kyoryu Red is another fantastic entry to the S.H. Figuarts line. The sculpt has made me appreciate the Kyoryuger suits all the more, and the accessory count is plenty enough for me. That being said, the minor niggles I have with the armed-on parts (particularly attaching the arm itself) keep me from calling it a perfect figure, especially when the last three Sentai have indeed felt perfect to me. So while I can't rate him to the standard I hold those, you can still do a lot worse than what will be the only mass release Figuart from Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger.

Friday 25 October 2013

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Kiba Ranger

SH Figuarts Kiba Ranger Dairanger Super Sentai White Ranger Power Rangers Bandai Tamashii Web Exclusive

I don't think there has been any S.H. Figuart I've been more excited for than this one (well, maybe Oh Red/Zeo Ranger V, but who knows when that will get made). Our final Akibaranger-related Super Sentai is a lot of things - a sixth hero, a Tamashii Web Exclusive and the first child hero in the franchise. Sentai fans will know him as Kou of Howling New Star aka Kiba Ranger from Gosei Sentai Dairanger, but more many he will always be Tommy Oliver the White Ranger from Mighty Morphin' Power Ranger. Regardless of who the character is to you it's the same figure, so here's the review!

SH Figuarts Kiba Ranger Dairanger Super Sentai White Ranger Power Rangers Bandai Tamashii Web Exclusive

SH Figuarts Kiba Ranger Dairanger Super Sentai White Ranger Power Rangers Bandai Tamashii Web ExclusiveSH Figuarts Kiba Ranger Dairanger Super Sentai White Ranger Power Rangers Bandai Tamashii Web Exclusive

In what is perhaps become a trend for future Tamashii Web Exclusive releases, Kiba Ranger is the first Super Sentai figure (excluding villains) to feature windowless packaging. While the front is a rather plain box with a picture of the figure, gold lettering and appropriate logos, the back naturally features a similar aesthetic to the previously released Ryu Ranger. The grey background features a rather nice tiger print, and the Akibaranger image isn't obtrusive from the rest of the design. Since there's no window the box does feature some rather nice spine images, and the figure is inside on a single plastic tray.

Meanwhile Bluefin's White Ranger release features standard window packaging more akin to what they've been doing with the other Mighty Morphin Power Rangers releases. You can see pics of that packaging HERE.

SH Figuarts Kiba Ranger Dairanger Super Sentai White Ranger Power Rangers Bandai Tamashii Web Exclusive

SH Figuarts Kiba Ranger Dairanger Super Sentai White Ranger Power Rangers Bandai Tamashii Web ExclusiveSH Figuarts Kiba Ranger Dairanger Super Sentai White Ranger Power Rangers Bandai Tamashii Web Exclusive

So here we have it - one of the most iconic Super Sentai designs on a worldwide scale. It's pretty impressive that despite being a Dairanger character the Kiba Ranger suit goes well enough with the Zyuranger suits for kids not to notice (as an adult it's a little more obvious). But enough nostalgia, let's talk about the figure itself! True to Kou's appearance in the show, Kiba Ranger is a slightly shorter than the usual Super Sentai body. Rather than be flat white, the figure has a really nice pearly white finish, which shines nicely against the matte black and gold accents on the suit.

Rather than have the shoulder articulation limited, the shoulder pads are both hinged and can be lifted up to accommodate any raised arm poses. While the broken shoulder pad look is technically inaccurate to the actual suit, it's far preferable to having the shoulders be able to do very little despite being capable of plenty. The usual array of Figuart articulation is all present and correct, including double jointed knees/elbows, swing-down hips, hinged toes and a ball-jointed neck, wrists and ankles.

SH Figuarts Kiba Ranger Dairanger Super Sentai White Ranger Power Rangers Bandai Tamashii Web Exclusive

SH Figuarts Kiba Ranger Dairanger Super Sentai White Ranger Power Rangers Bandai Tamashii Web ExclusiveSH Figuarts Kiba Ranger Dairanger Super Sentai White Ranger Power Rangers Bandai Tamashii Web Exclusive

Unfortunately, accessory count is where this guy really disappoints. In grand total we have four alternate hands, Byakkoshinken (or Sabba to Power Rangers fans) with an alternate extended blade and (if you're buying the Japanese release) an Akibaranger accessory. That's it. Initial disappointment aside, Byakkoshinken is really well detailed, and can be stored in the holster by taking apart the sword (as if you were changing the blades), and then slipping the pieces into it before reconnecting.

While admittedly there isn't a whole lot accessory-wise that Kiba Ranger could have come with, its the hands that are the biggest problem with this release. The two additional hands aren't identical (the right is a gripping hand that the left is splayed open) so Kou can't even hold the sword in either hand. Not to mention that there is PLENTY of potential for great hands with the character. He can't pull off the roll call pose, there's no cocky pointing hands, not even any hilarious groping hands. Considering the amount the other recently released Super Sentai figures have been coming with, this really feels like a half-hearted attempt. Of course you COULD use some of the other Super Sentai hands as a substitute, but thanks to the pearly finish they aren't going to be a perfect match either.

SH Figuarts Kiba Ranger Dairanger Super Sentai Bandai Tamashii Web Exclusive

SH Figuarts White Ranger Power Rangers Tommy Bandai Tamashii Web ExclusiveSH Figuarts White Ranger Power Rangers Tommy Bandai Tamashii Web Exclusive

As you can see, Kiba Ranger fits comfortably in both a Dairanger and Power Rangers display. Though there is a bit of height discrepancy to keep the figure accurate to the character's appearance in Dairanger, this is easy to hide among the slightly taller Zyuranger figures with a bit of posing trickery. I'm sure many people will want to display the Green and White Rangers together, so you'll be pleased to know they look pretty spiffy side by side.

Of course if you've bought the Japanese release of the figure then you also have an added bonus in the form of an Akibaranger accessory - an Akibaranger logo badge for the chest to turn the character into (A)Kiba Ranger, the additional hero from Gosei Sentai Akibaranger who never saw fame thanks to the show's premature cancellation. Changing over the emblems may seem like an impossibly difficult thing to do at first because there isn't any space to pry them out, but its actually pretty simple. All you need to do is press down on the right-hand side (the figure's left) and the piece should just pop out with ease.

SH Figuarts Kiba Ranger Dairanger Super Sentai Akibaranger Bandai Tamashii Web ExclusiveSH Figuarts Kiba Ranger Dairanger Super Sentai Akibaranger Bandai Tamashii Web Exclusive

The White Ranger is my childhood hero, and this S.H. Figuarts release certainly does the character justice. The sculpt is superb, the pearly white finish lovely and the "shield" implemented in a nice way that it's actually part of the figure and not done like the Green Ranger shield. However simply because of the horrific accessory count, I refuse to call Kiba Ranger a perfect release. They could have easily thrown a few more hands in with this guy, and foreign buyers are clearly going to be getting a lot less while paying more (unless you in the US and buying the Bluefin release, but then no Akiba piece for you!). Make no mistake this is a wonderful figure and absolutely deserving of being in anyone's Super Sentai and Power Rangers collection, but with how good Sentai Figuarts lately I have to draw the line on perfection somewhere.

Wednesday 23 October 2013

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Abyss

SH Figuarts Kamen Rider Abyss Decade Ryuki Blade Bandai Tamashii Nations

I'm sure many will agree that S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Abyss qualifies as Tamashii Nations' "Most unexpected release of 2013". Though the Kamen Rider Decade exclusive Ryuki Rider was seen at a Tamashii event some time ago, there was no word on release for a long time. Then all of a sudden he comes out of nowhere as a mass release figure. This is especially strange when you consider that there are still legitimate Ryuki riders to comes out, but then Blade came out this year too so its oddly fitting for a Decade character who's an AU Ryuki Rider whose identity is in fact an AU Blade monster. The Decade relevance? I don't know - Tsukasa was in the last episode of Kamen Rider Wizard? Yeah, let's just go with that...

SH Figuarts Kamen Rider Abyss Decade Ryuki Blade Bandai Tamashii Nations

SH Figuarts Kamen Rider Abyss Decade Ryuki Blade Bandai Tamashii NationsSH Figuarts Kamen Rider Abyss Decade Ryuki Blade Bandai Tamashii Nations

Though Abyss is technically a Kamen Rider Decade release (as denoted by the series logo on the front on the box), the packaging is in fact styled like Abyss' fellow Ryuki Riders. This includes the predominantly silver card and the shattered mirror look to the back complete with Advent Deck slogans. The foil blue goes really well with the silver, and while its not a box that's instantly striking the colours do sit comfortably together. The figure and its accessories all lie on a single tray, with the included Tamashii stand taped neatly to the back.

Of course, as is the case with any pre-W Kamen Rider Figuart, the box labels the figure as "Masked Rider" rather than "Kamen Rider".

SH Figuarts Kamen Rider Abyss Decade Ryuki Blade Bandai Tamashii Nations

SH Figuarts Kamen Rider Abyss Decade Ryuki Blade Bandai Tamashii NationsSH Figuarts Kamen Rider Abyss Decade Ryuki Blade Bandai Tamashii Nations

Just look at those wonderful blue colours, aren't they just beautiful? Though the suit perhaps looks a little lighter (and flatter) in Kamen Rider Decade, you can't deny that the metallic finish that Bandai have been giving the Ryuki figures does wonders for the multitudes of shades and tones. The suit is a rather busy one with all the vents and gold/silver/black accents, but also the colours work so well together that every detail pops and not a single thing is left unnoticed.

As a "Ryuki Rider" Abyss shares the same body type as his official brethren, which mean much more solid (and stable) hips as opposed to the usual swing-down variety. This also means diecast feet, which make balancing in those stretched out poses far less of a hassle. Articulation can get a little limited in the neck and shoulder areas because of the extravagant helmet and large shoulder pads, but not to the point where he can't do most poses. Just don't try any in the "flailing arms in the air" variety.

SH Figuarts Kamen Rider Abyss Decade Ryuki Blade Bandai Tamashii Nations

SH Figuarts Kamen Rider Abyss Decade Ryuki Blade Bandai Tamashii NationsSH Figuarts Kamen Rider Abyss Decade Ryuki Blade Bandai Tamashii Nations

While we're probably unlikely to see Abyss' dual contract monsters Abysshammer and Abyssslasher in Figuarts form (although after this I'm inclined to say anything is possible with time), that doesn't mean the Rider himself doesn't come with a wonderful amount of accessories. Included in this set are 11 alternate hands (the odd one is a card holding right hand), dual Abyss Sabers, the Abyss Visor, Abyss Smash weapon and four Advent Cards (Sword Vent, Strike Vent, Final Vent and a contract monster summon card). That's pretty much everything the character needs save for the two contract monsters and their combined form of the Abyssodon...but I feel that's probably going into addition figure/multi-pack territory there.

The Abyss Visors and Abyss Smash slip on to their respective arms with relative ease and then clip on via the vent ports on the forearms. Both have lovely hinged jaws, while the Visor also has an area where the cards can be placed should you so wish. Finally, Abyss is one of the few Figuarts lucky enough to come with his own unique Tamashii stage - a clear Act 4 stage with a Jaws-like logo and "Masked Rider Abyss" printed on it.

SH Figuarts Kamen Rider Abyss Decade Ryuki Blade Bandai Tamashii Nations

SH Figuarts Kamen Rider Abyss Decade Ryuki Blade Bandai Tamashii NationsSH Figuarts Kamen Rider Abyss Decade Ryuki Blade Bandai Tamashii Nations

Kamen Rider Abyss just about sums up everything I want in a Figuarts release. A flawless sculpt/finish, diecast feet, brilliant articulation, a heap of accessories, a personal stand and to top it off - a mass release of an obscure character. For a design that only appears in two episodes, its clear that a lot of love has gone into this figure and it gives me hope that we might see more wildcard releases one day. Go on Bandai, you know you want to make a mass release S.H. Figuarts Dark Red Buster...

Monday 21 October 2013

Anime REVIEW: Senki Zesshō Symphogear G

Senki Zesshō Symphogear G

Like I mentioned in my first impressions post a few months back, I was pretty surprised to hear that Symphogear was getting a second season. But despite its flaws, the series had definite potential and I was excited to see where a further 13 episodes could take it. Once again appearing as a joint production between animation studios Satelight and Encourage FilmsSenki Zesshō Symphogear G takes to the stage once again for more music, monsters and explosive battle action.

Symphogear G Hibiki Tachibana
Hibiki knows how to pull off the badass scarf look

The series continues with Hibiki, Tsubasa and Chris' battles against the Noise as part of the 2nd Division Mobile Response Disaster Corps. When a terrorist organisation naming themselves after the ancient Priestess Finé emerge, proclaiming to be saving the world from the incoming collision of the moon into the Earth (a result of the first season's final battle), the team find themselves with a new fight on their hands. Not only are there three new Symphogear users amongst them, but one of them is rising singer Maria Cadenzavna Eve - a user with a black Gungnir and calling herself the reincarnation of Finé herself!

As they struggle to battle them and their control over the Noise thanks to the evil Dr Ver, Hibiki's condition begins to change. Not only is she growing more powerful, but the Gungnir relic fragments embedded in her chest might just also be killing her...

Symphogear G Finé Maria Kirika Shirabe
Bad girls.

With a whole season of set up behind them, Synphogear G doesn't have to spend quite so long on establishing the mythos and can get right to the action. This is important to note as the show throws around a lot of names and descriptions for various relics, so if you aren't familiar with first season you may struggle to keep up. The main introductions are for our three new Symphogear wielders Maria, Kirika and Shirabe - girls brought up to be potential vessels for the reincarnation of Finé. With three team members on each side, it's nice to see how the relationship between the two sets of girls are paralleled. Though they may be "villains", there's a lot more to our new characters than that and they show just a strong a bond as our heroes, if not stronger. They are also joined by Nastassja and Dr Ver, whose backstories are a little thinner. Nastassja is simply a mother-like figure while Dr Ver is an utterly crazy bad guy (you should see the faces he makes) - that's all you need to know really.

Symphogear G Dr Ver
He's a maniac, maniaaac!

However as interesting as these new characters might be, our old favourites are also experiencing changes of their own. While Hibiki may be the same happy-go-lucky girl she always was on the surface, underneath both her mind and body are harbouring some pretty dark secrets. Meanwhile Tsubasa is becoming much more of an mentor and team player, while Chris struggles to accept that she now has a stable life and a proper place to call home. Chris especially is one to watch in Symphogear G, getting all the best moments and arguably the most satisfying character development to boot.

Symphogear G Miku
DUN DUN DUUUUUN!

Symphogear G continues it's predecessor's tale of good vs. evil, but more the most part the moral ambiguity between the two sides is played up (at least for a while anyway). The episodes also feature a lot more twists and turns, with plenty ending on either cliffhangers or jaw-dropping moments. The Symphogear battle suits have received some minor design tweaks, as well as some flashy new transformation sequences. Your opinion on this may vary, but the fan service element has also received a boost too.The first season had its fair share of butts and boobs, but here it's a lot more noticeable when Chris' giant bust is taking up half the frame. That being said, the fan service doesn't get in the way of the story telling so surely that makes it the good kind right?

Symphogear G Hibiki Maria Tsubasa Chris Kirika Shirabe
Obligatory final battle costume change

It's just a shame that for a series where music plays such a key part, that the soundtrack is rather forgettable. Don't get me wrong the thumping beats of the first Symphogear season are still very much alive and very fitting to the scenes they accompany, but none of the songs hold any lasting impression that will stay with you after completing the series. Symphogear G does have some nice little moments where the music isn't complimenting a fight (such as Chris' school performance), but if you're anything like me you'll only be remembering lyrics because you read the subtitles.

Despite still having a few flaws here and there, Symphogear G is still a massive improvement over its predecessor. The wider cast allows for a more diverse viewing experience, the plot has really been amped up and the animation is just as gorgeous as ever. While before I was indifferent to Symphogear getting a second season, now I'd quite like a third just to fix my issues with the music and make this a really perfect show.