Toybox REVIEW: Power Rangers Lightning Collection In Space Blue Ranger Vs. Psycho Silver Ranger

Release Date: October 2021

RRP: $41.99/£45.99

While Power Rangers in Space might be the series with the most figures in the Lightning Collection outside of Mighty Morphin, collecting them all is certainly no easy task. Between the single box releases, deluxe figures, double packs and even multi-figure sets the price can add up quite quickly – and that even applies when only picking up the core team itself. The Power Rangers Lightning Collection In Space Blue Ranger Vs. Psycho Silver Ranger set was initially the only way to get T.J. (however he has since been also made available in a deluxe set with his Galaxy Glider), as well as the second In Space Ranger to be part of a double-pack. The set pays homage to episode 34 of Power Rangers in Space, where Silver Ranger Zhane disguises himself as a sixth Psycho Ranger to confuse and defeat the evil ranger team.

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Ultraman -First Contact Ver.- (Shin Ultraman)

Release Date: May 2023

RRP: 7700 yen

With Shin Ultraman proving to be a hit in every sense of the word it's no surprise that Bandai Tamashii Nations have jumped on it when it comes to S.H. Figuarts releases. Even with a limited number of characters in the film there's plenty of ground to cover when it comes to variants, with one such example being S.H. Figuarts Ultraman -First Contact Version- (Shin Ultraman) . This Tamashii Web exclusive release is based on Ultraman's initial appearance in the film when he first arrives on Earth and battles Neronga (prior to merging with Shinji Kaminaga).

Toybox REVIEW: Star Wars Black Series Clone Commander Jesse

Release Date: June 2023

RRP: $27.99/£29.99

If there's one thing Hasbro will never run out of when it comes to Star Wars figures in both the Black Series and Vintage Collection, it's clone trooper variants. And while they've certainly been pumping them out over the last few years (particularly since they have an all-new body to work with), it's been nice to see some of the named troopers from Star Wars: The Clone Wars as well as the different coloured battalions. One such example is clone trooper CT-5597 aka Jesse - an ARC Trooper lieutenant that served as part of 501st Legion. Fighting many battles alongside Anakin Skywalker, Captain Rex and Ahsoka Tano, sadly Jesse was one of the troopers that succumbed to Order 66's brainwashing - turning against Ahsoka before perishing when their ship crashed into a moon. Black Series Clone Commander Jesse was released as a Walmart exclusive in the US and via the Hasbro "fan channel" in other territories.

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts -Shinkocchou Seihou- Kamen Rider 1 (Old Version)

Release Date: November 2022

RRP: 8250 yen

A lot of the time Tamashii Nations event exclusives can be fairly predictable. For example, if there's an all-black form in a series it's more than likely to show up here. But sometimes Bandai Tamashii Nations like to throw fans absolute curveballs, and much like Kamen Rider Diend back in 2019 the Kamen Rider S.H. Figuarts Shinkocchou Seihou entry for 2022 is a bit of a head-scratcher. Very nearly coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the franchise, it's fitting to go all the way back to the beginning with S.H. Figuarts -Shinkocchou Seihou- Kamen Rider 1 (Old Version), but surely this is something that would have sold like hotcakes as a retail or standard Tamashii web exclusive? This figure is based on the first appearance of Takeshi Hongo as the original Kamen Rider, from the very first episode of Kamen Rider back in 1971 all the way up until its 13th episode.

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Absolute Tartarus

Release Date: May 2023

RRP: 7700 yen

If you've been following the Ultra Galaxy Fight web miniseries/specials for the past few years you'll know that the Ultras currently have their hands full fighting against the Absolutians - a race of powerful aliens looking to subjugate the Land of Light and turn it into their new home. Their story first kicked off in Ultra Galaxy Fight: The Absolute Conspiracy, and has continued on into The Destined Crossroad, Ultraman Trigger, Ultraman Regulos and more. With how much of a presence it has in current Ultraman continuity, it was only a matter of time before the release of S.H. Figuarts Absolute Tartarus. The fact it's also a retail release just shows how much confidence both Bandai Tamashii Nations and Tsuburaya Productions seem to have in it.

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man

Release Date: March 2023

RRP: 8800 yen

The Multi-Verse is set to play a big part in the Marvel Cinematic Universe going forwards, but arguably it's already peaked by bringing together three different eras of web-slinger together in Spider-Man: No Way Home. The climax of the film saw both Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield's iterations of the hero join Tom Holland in a battle against Spider-Man's enemies from across the Multi-Verse, renewing interest in both actors and their respective films. Of course it also means brand new merchandise too, with Bandai Tamashii Nations among the first to announce all three versions as part of the S.H. Figuarts line. Kicking off with the original, S.H. Figuarts Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (also dubbed "Peter 2" in the film) was released as a Tamashii web exclusive.

Toybox REVIEW: Doctor Who 'The Regeneration Set' Two Figure Collector Set

Release Date: January 2023

RRP: £29.99

The Power of the Doctor saw Doctor Who fans bid farewell to the 13th Doctor (as played by Jodie Whittaker), with her incarnation of the iconic Time Lord regenerating and the 14th Doctor mysteriously taking the face of his tenth incarnation (both of course played by David Tennant) once more. This mystery will soon be answered in the forthcoming 60th anniversary specials due to air later this year. Character Options were even able to mark the occasion with an extremely quick announcement of 'The Regeneration Set' - a special two figure collector set made available exclusively on their website. This marks the first release from newly released episodes of Doctor Who in some time, as well as Character working closely with Russell T Davies and the production team behind the series to release the set on such a quick turnaround and ahead of the 14th Doctor's full debut.

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts -Shinkocchou Seihou- Gokai Red

Release Date: June 2023

RRP: 9350 yen

The return of Super Sentai S.H. Figuarts in 2023 was exciting enough, but the news that the franchise would also be joining the prestigious S.H. Figuarts Shinkocchou Seihou range was proof enough that Bandai Tamashii Nations might be dedicated to bringing them back as a full-time thing (even if there's no sign of a full team in sight). While its release comes a little late to celebrate the show's 10th anniversary, given both the popularity of Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger and its place within the franchise there seemed no better choice for Sentai's first Shinkocchou Seihou outing. S.H. Figuarts -Shinkocchou Seihou- Gokai Red was a mass release figure, initially teased back in 2021 when the line returned with the release of Zenkaizer.