Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Black Sun

Release Date: November 2022

RRP: 6600 yen

Of all the Kamen Rider 50th anniversary projects that were announced, Kamen Rider Black Sun was possibly the one I was most looking forward to. A 10-episode series that was made available on Amazon Prime, it is a remake of 1987's Kamen Rider Black that reimagines the series in a contemporary political landscape. While it may anywhere near as toy-driven as a mainline Kamen Rider series, there's still plenty of potential when it comes to S.H. Figuarts releases. Kicking things off is the titular hero himself, S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Black Sun! As well as being the first Black Sun release, it is currently the only one that is a mass-release figure as opposed to a Tamashii web exclusive.

S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Black Sun comes in some rather unique packaging, which is something becoming more common in the line but I don't believe has ever been seen on a Kamen Rider release before (correct me if I'm wrong though!). Rather than feature a big transparent window on the front of the box, it instead features a nice big glossy image of the figure alongside the Kamen Rider Black Sun series logo and various Bandai Tamashii Nations/S.H. Figuarts logos. Then instead of the usual array of images you'd find on the back of the box there's a circular window (cleverly done as the "Black Sun" eclipse) from which the figure peeks out inside. Inside the figure is neatly laid out on the usual moulded plastic tray. Note that the ends of the grasshopper legs that wrap over the shoulders are disconnected in-package, and you'll need to clip them on once opened.

Kamen Rider Black Sun reimagines the titular hero in a more monstrous form, drawing inspiration both the mid-transformation form the original took as well as how he appeared in the manga adaptation. The end result is a great looking design with plenty of SIC vibes, keeping the obvious design cues of the original costume but also incorporating all manner of grasshopper/locust detailing. Even with the majority of the figure being cast in black plastic with minimal paint detailing, all of the insectoid sculpting is visible and looks absolutely fantastic. In terms of additional colouring, there's some orange highlights running down the face and arms as well as the Sun Driver belt. Given how detailed the belt design is, Bandai have down a pretty good job shrinking it down to this size without losing any of the core detailing. On top of that you also have the silver mouth plate with some great mandible detailing, as well as those vacant black compound eyes. While perhaps not as striking as the more familiar red, they still look great and help evoke the tone of this reimagining. Some collectors have pointed out there are some minor inaccuracies with the head sculpt, but overall I think it looks great. 

Articulation on the figure is very good, and easily on par with most other modern S.H. Figuarts releases. Altogether Black Sun features;

- Ball jointed head, neck, shoulder pads, upper torso, waist and wrists

- Swivel hinge shoulders, hips and ankles

- Butterfly joint shoulders

- Double hinge elbows and knees

- Single hinge toe sections

- Bicep and thigh swivels

As far as limitations go the only area I found was a little restricted was the head, which doesn't really seem to move independently of the neck very well. That said, the neck itself has an excellent range of movement so it isn't all that noticeable unless you want to turn the head completely to the side (which the suit itself probably can't do either to be honest). Everything else moves wonderfully, although the spikiness of certain areas will probably want to make you exercise a bit of caution when posing (both for fragility concerns and not wanting to impale yourself on the figure). Even with the raised sections on the legs, the hips are able to provide plenty of movement to convey action poses. The ankle movement is great too, allowing the figure to remain flat-footed in when posed. While perhaps not exceptional in terms of S.H. Figuarts articulation, meeting the bar for what's expected of the line is certainly good enough as well.

Despite the figure being revealed long before the series was released, it still comes with a pretty good selection of accessories. Included here are four additional pairs of hands (giving Black Sun open hands, closed fists, weapon-holding hands and two pairs of posed hands), the "Century King Black Blade" sword, and a number of replacement chest parts. The Black Blade is a pretty unique and arguably one of the most hardcore pieces of Kamen Rider weaponry, comprised of a grasshopper leg that Black Sun ripped from his own body. Once he does this, the leg does not grow back, so the alternate chest piece is necessary to faithfully recreate this look from the series. Completing this look requires removing both the breastplate and leg tip, and then replacing it with the smooth breastplate. If you want to keep things screen-accurate you should be swapping out the right breastplate, however alternate pieces are included for both sides so that you can also give the figure the look he takes on later on in the series after Shadowmoon rips out the other leg. The sword is relatively simple but nicely detailed, and rather curiously includes an alternate hilt with a missing spike so that it's easier to have the figure hold it without breaking anything. 

All things considered that's a pretty good selection of accessories, but in true Tamashii Nations fashion things that could have also been included here were held back for a different release. Black Sun's "revived" form he takes at the end of the show sees him adopt the familiar red eyes as well as the classic Kamen Rider Black emblem on his chest, both of which are parts are included with the forthcoming S.H. Figuarts Battle Hopper. Maybe if Battle Hopper was more prominent in Black Sun I'd feel differently about these parts being packaged elsewhere, but since it doesn't I'm inclined to consider it the way I consider most modern Kamen Rider bikes - forgettable. Again there's an argument to be made that the toy designers simply weren't aware of these parts when the figure was initially revealed, but that's why I'd be happy to wait a little longer for a collector figure rather than have its release coincide with the series itself. Alternatively, the parts coming with S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Shadowmoon would have been more preferable too since it seems fair to assume that more collectors will buy that over the bike.

Kamen Rider Black is easily one of the most iconic characters in the whole franchise, so a reimagining immediately has some pretty big shoes to fill. S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Black Sun is a wonderful new take that doesn't lose the essence of the original, but also turns it into something new as well. The detailing that's gone into the figure is superb, and the swappable parts do a wonderful job of recreating this Rider's unique weapon. With full knowledge of the series in mind it's a shame that it doesn't give you the full Black Sun package, but that's no reason not to pick what's otherwise a fantastic figure (and besides, even in this form I'd wage Battle Hopper is one of the more desirable bikes out there). As a big fan of alternate takes on classic Kamen Rider designs, Black Sun is a great addition to my collection and I look forward to Shadowmoon joining him.