Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts -Shinkocchou Seihou- Kamen Rider V3

Release Date: December 2022

RRP: 8250 yen

Bandai Tamashii Nations are renowned for announcing new S.H. Figuarts at their events and then taking forever to release them (if at all), but the wait for the original line-up of Showa era Kamen Riders in the S.H. Figuarts Shinkocchou Seihou line has been particularly painful. After seeing V3, Riderman, X and Stronger joining the previously released Ichigou, Nigou and Amazon on that amazing mountain diorama the desire has been great. We may have got Kamen Rider Black in the interim as some Showa representation, but the want still remained. However Bandai ended 2022 with a bang, finally releasing S.H. Figuarts -Shinkocchou Seihou- Kamen Rider V3 into the wild. That said, why they decided to make such a popular (not to mention iconic) character a Tamashii Web exclusive is anyone's guess. Naturally the initial December run for the figure sold out almost immediately, prompting a swift second run the following month.

S.H. Figuarts Shinkocchou Seihou Kamen Rider V3 comes in the usual two-piece box reserved for the line, with a white lid and underside surrounded by black sides with "Masked Rider V3" written along them in silver foil lettering. The front of the box features a great profile image of the figure, while the back features some further images of it in some of V3's most iconic poses. Inside is the usual Shinkocchou Seihou arrangement – the figure is neatly laid out on a white moulded plastic tray, while a second shallower tray is underneath housing all of the accessories.

Straight off the bat Kamen Rider V3 is another Shinkocchou Seihou triumph when it comes to sculpting. This figure is an absolutely superb representation of the onscreen suit, whether it be the 1973 original or one of his subsequent reappearances. From the colours of the suit to the careful spacing on the torso armour, this is a figure that's strived to be as accurate as possible. Even the antennae have been correctly shaped to give them more detailing, rather than the simple cylinders they were on the original release. But one of the most exciting things about Shinkocchou Seihou V3 is the use of wired cloth for his twin scarf pieces, giving the buyer a far wider range of poseability than plastic scarves could ever offer. We previously saw a pliable cloth scarf on the Tamashii event exclusive first appearance Kamen Rider 1 but this is the first time it's been done on a more widely available figure (even if this is a web exclusive). It just adds so much to the figure in terms of realism, and I really hope it's something Bandai stick to going forwards with future Showa Riders. Other highlights on the figure include the fantastic detailing on V3's Double Typhoon Belt, as well as the vibrancy of those huge compound eyes. 

The original S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider V3 was released all the way back in 2012 (with reissues in 2013 and 2015) and previously I thought it had stood the test of time pretty well. The only thing I was a bit unsure about was the shade of green they'd chosen. Putting it side by side with the Shinkocchou Seihou though shows just how many inaccuracies there were with the original figure though, as well as just how far Bandai Tamashii Nations have come in the last decade. The most immediate different between the two is the proportions – not only does the "true bone carving" method offer up a more realistic body, but elements such as the size of the helmet have been vastly improved as well. Because of this, elements such as the size and shape of the eyes are significantly better as well. The shade of green used for the body suit is much closer to that of the onscreen costume, while little details such as the zippers on the boots are far more pronounced (not to mention painted). The original V3 is still a great figure and perfect for collectors on a tighter budget, but the different between the two really is night and day.

And of course it wouldn't be an S.H. Figuarts Shinkocchou Seihou release without that fantastic articulation to go with it. Altogether Kamen Rider V3 features;

- Ball jointed head, neck, 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.

If you've bought a Shinkocchou Seihou release before you almost certainly know the drill by now, but even still this line never fails to impress. Like Riders 1, 2 and Amazon this figure also has articulated breastplates, which give the arms a little bit of extra leeway when it comes to using the butterfly joints to bring them forward. Admittedly getting the perfect V-symbol pose isn't as easy as it was with the original release because of the extra bulk, but it's no harder than it is to get Ultraman into a good Specium Beam pose. With great leg articulation there's also plenty of mobility for Rider Kick poses, which as we know is a crucial aspect for any Kamen Rider figure. V3 isn't really introducing anything new to the line in the way previous releases have, but it is using everything great the line has done so far to it's full potential.

Accessories are very similar to that of the original S.H. Figuarts release, albeit with a little bit less. There's no need for removable scarf pieces this time around, so altogether this Kamen Rider V3 comes with a pair of replacement antennae, five pairs of alternate hands, the V3 Hopper and a replacement empty belt pouch for the Hopper. The replacement antennae have been a staple with all of the Showa era Riders (with the exception of Amazon) and even though I haven't needed them yet I am eternally grateful they exist – those things are fragile and the last thing you want to do is break a figure this expensive. The hand selection includes default open hands, a variety of posed hands and a pair of open fists to hold the V3 Hopper – pretty much the same as the original release. Finally there's the V3 Hopper, which a little mini-satellite he can launch which then relays images back to his matrix eye. It's only a small silver cylinder, but it's detailed with the V3 logo and given its small size looks pretty good. The key thing lacking here which was included with the original release is the Rider Kick effect part, which doesn't come as a big surprise given that effect parts aren't really a thing in the Shinkocchou Seihou line. It would be pretty cool if Bandai could do a set of Rider Kick/Punch effects (like their recent Dragon Ball effect set) but until then it is what it is. Nothing particularly out of the ordinary here, but nothing V3 is sorely lacking either.

While the decision to make this a Tamashii web exclusive will forever be baffling, S.H. Figuarts -Shinkocchou Seihou- Kamen Rider V3 is one release not to miss out on. As my all-time favourite Rider I'll fully admit there's some bias here, but nevertheless the Shinkocchou Seihou line continues to make little improvements with each and every release. V3 has all of the amazing sculpt and articulation qualities that made the other Showa Riders must-have releases, with the addition of those brilliant cloth scarves. It may only be a small change, but believe me it makes a hell of a difference. Thankfully it won't be long before Riderman joins him, and then hopefully X and Stronger can follow suit to get the Shinkocchou Seihou Legendary 7 lined up at long last.