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

Release Date: August 2023

RRP: 8800 yen

2023 marks the 20th anniversary of Kamen Rider 555, and given the immense popularity of the series in Japan there was no way Toei and Bandai weren't going to make it a big occasion. On the live-action side of things next year will see the release of Kamen Rider 555 20th: Paradise Regained, a sequel film which will also debut a brand new form for its titular Rider - Next Faiz. Bandai Tamashii Nations are so on the ball with this that they've already announced an S.H. Figuarts Shinkocchou Seihou release for next year, but before then they've also delivered a base form S.H. Figuarts -Shinkocchou Seihou- Kamen Rider Faiz for fans to enjoy in the meantime. Another main Rider for the "true bone carving" series of figures, and one step closer to completing the first phase Heisei series lineup in the line too - with just Ryuki and Blade left to go.

S.H. Figuarts Shinkocchou Seihou Kamen Rider Faiz comes in the standard two-piece box that has been a staple of the line since day one, using the same base design and colour scheme as the other Kamen Rider releases. The lid of the box features a nice close up image of the figure alongside the usual Bandai logos, with its matte black sides sporting "Masked Rider Faiz" (remember, any Rider pre-Kamen Rider W is marketed as "Masked Rider" rather than "Kamen Rider") in silver foil lettering. The bottom/underside of the box features a selection of images showing the figure off in further poses, as well as some of the other features it has. Open it up and you'll find Faiz comfortably housed on a moulded plastic tray, with a second shallower tray underneath storing all of the accessories.

The original S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Faiz was released in a number of different flavours over the years (including one particularly impressive version that glowed under UV light), but having been first released back in 2010 it was definitely beginning to show its age alongside more recent releases. So along comes the Shinkocchou Seihou version with improved sculpting, proportions and paintwork - reminding fans why this really is one of the best base form suits the franchise has ever put out. The design keeps things relatively simple when it comes to the silhouette but makes every single detail count, starting with that striking silver and black colour scheme that sees solid red lines coming throughout it. Even if this version doesn't glow in the dark, the design proves to be just as effective - that bold red standing out against the shiny silver body armour beautifully. The head sculpt is another example of simplistic elegance, those giant yellow eyes dominating the design with their swirling circular patterning despite being flanked by some other impressive elements - namely those bold fin-like antennae and the toothy mouthpiece. The etched detailing running between the two eyes is also impressive given how thin that strip of space is. Even the boot soles on this figure look incredibly, not only sporting all of the moulded detailing of the suit itself but also all of the paint work as well. To go that for with something you aren't even going to see in most poses just shows how high quality these Shinkocchou Seihou figures really are.

Functional Drivers have become a staple of the Shinkocchou Seihou line and given that the Faiz Gear is some of the most gadgety Kamen Rider arsenal of all it's no surprise to see that continued here. The set features two versions of the SB-555P Faiz Phone - one with the Faiz Mission Memory moulded onto the front and a second one without (for use when the Mission Memory is being used elsewhere in Faiz's arsenal). Both flip phones can open up to reveal an array of painted buttons and a tampograph phone screen, and be slotted comfortably into the front of the SB-555B Faiz Driver. The Driver also sports a moveable front section so that the phone can be displayed both horizontally and vertically. On either side of the belt are holstered versions of the SB-555C Faiz Shot and SB-555L Faiz Pointer, which can be removed should you choose to pose Faiz wielding them. While it might not have quite as much going on with it as some of later Heisei Riders the line has done, the simplicity of it all is very satisfying. The paintwork and detailing on such small parts is also extremely impressive.

Given the 13 year gap between the two figures articulation is another element that's a significant improvement over the original, with this Faiz falling comfortably in line with what Shinkocchou Seihous have been currently offering collectors. It isn't one that attempts to make any bold alterations or additional to the layout, but given how good these figures generally tend to be that isn't always something that's necessary. Altogether Faiz 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

In a move that's unusual for Figuarts these days the shoulder pads are connected to the torso via strips of plastic rather than being a separate (articulated) piece connected solely to the arms. This means while Faiz can't quite raise his arms quite as much, the silhouette of the shoulder pads is a lot less awkward and there's also less chance of them suddenly popping off whilst posing. Even with that little bit of limitation, the shoulder articulation is still very good here and likely able to pull off everything you'll need it to do. Other fans have been quick to point out that you should be careful to raise the head before turning the neck just so you don't scuff the paintwork on the raised collar piece, and while this is true it's perhaps not so much of an issue as people are making out. If you're careful when posing you can see that the parts are obviously going to clash and it's not the first Rider suit/figure to be designed in such a way either. Everything else here is just your typical high quality S.H. Figuarts articulation, which is just as well because Faiz is a character that really needs it for that iconic crouching pose. Upon receiving the figure I was worried that it was still going to be difficult to pull off despite the improved articulation, but much to my surprise the figure slips into it perfectly. 

Being a heavy technology and gadget-based Rider there are so many accessories that this figure could have come with, and while Bandai may not have covered all of the bases (they rarely do) they've certainly done a good job covering all the major ones. In addition to the two versions of the Faiz Phone mentioned earlier in the review the figure also comes with five additional pairs of hands, the Faiz Phone in Phone Blaster Mode, the Faiz Shot in Knuckle Mode, the Faiz Pointer in Kick Mode and finally an alternate holster piece for the Faiz Driver that does not have the Faiz Shot inserted in it. The hand selection includes the usual array of closed fists, weapons holding hands and various posed hands - covering all of Faiz's most iconic poses nicely with full painted details - there's no chance of getting a Faiz without painted silver fingertips here. Each weapon is beautifully detailed and painted, with each one fitting into their corresponding hands comfortably and securely. The Faiz Pointer in Kick Mode plugs directly into a socket on the figure's right shin, giving it an accurate look for his distinct Rider Kick. The detail on everything here is really impressive, the moulded Mission Memory looking especially with all its intricate paintwork. 

Really the only glaring omission here is the SB-555H Faiz Edge sword, which while admittedly being part of the Autovajin was included with the original S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Faiz. It seems unlikely that Bandai just completely forgot about it though, so they probably do have plans for it elsewhere - it just would have been nice not to have to buy another figure to get all of Faiz's core weapons. 

Kamen Rider Faiz is one figure where I never got around to picking the original version up, because by the time I was ready to add him to my collection the Shinkocchou Seihou line was starting up and it just seemed easier to wait for a new and improved version. Granted it's been a longer wait than I anticipated, but S.H. Figuarts -Shinkocchou Seihou- Kamen Rider Faiz has definitely not disappointed. As I mentioned earlier this really is one of my all-time favourite Rider suits (even with my rather conflicted opinions on the series itself), and Bandai really have given it all in making it the best representation they possibly can. Between the sculpt, paintwork and interactivity of the various parts this figure just has so much to offer. Now that the line has finally hit Kamen Rider 555 I can't wait to see what it has in store for Kaixa and Delta, as well as Faiz's other forms and any other figures from the series they may have planned. While I might not get them all, I expect they'll all be spectacular.