Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Phase Variation Batta-Augs

Release Date: March 2024

RRP: 8250 yen

When producing a remake of the original Kamen Rider series there are usually some essentials that have to be hit, and one of those is the concept of the Shocker Rider. These mass-produced versions of the titular hero are Shocker agents that successfully underwent brainwashing, originally appearing in episode 92 of the series as well as the original manga. The Shocker Riders were also featured in both the Kamen Rider Spirits manga and 2007's Kamen Rider: The Next. For 2023's Shin Kamen Rider they were slightly reimagined again as the Phase Variation Batta Augments, 11 mass-produced warriors created by Ichiro Midorikawa to take down the Double Riders. Bandai Tamashii Nations have continued to expand their Shin Kamen Rider range with the release of the Tamashii web exclusive S.H. Figuarts Phase Variation Batta-Augs, their seventh figure from the film.

As another Tamashii web exclusive (once upon a time only one retail release for such a notable piece of Kamen Rider media would be surprising, but these days it's par for the course), the Batta-Augs comes in windowless packaging designed in the same style as the other Shin Kamen Rider figures. This features a nice full body picture of the figure on the front against a grey backdrop, with the figure name and Shin Kamen Rider logo printed on top. Both sides of the box feature further images of the figure (one of which is a very nice front-on shot which would look great in a book-end/spine style display), with a few more then thrown on the back for good measure. Inside the figure and accessories are neatly stored on a moulded plastic tray, and the parts instructions printed on the inside flap of the box.

The Batta-Augs is an extensive retool of the Double Riders mould, taking the base Kamen Rider body/armour and twisting it into a more uniform and militaristic look. The colour scheme is predominantly black and grey, with the only bits of bright colour coming from the red compound eyes and the bright yellow scarf (a staple of the Shocker Riders). The armour itself has also had a more tech-like overhaul, adding a network of pipes along the torso that connect to the Driver. This is also a little different to that of the Double Riders – a more refined version known as the "Simplified Typhoon". One other key difference to the Double Riders (as well as previous versions of the Shocker Riders) is that the scarf does not hang down from the neck, instead only being visible wrapped around the neck. With their appearance in Shin Kamen Rider having been almost completely shrouded in darkness this is the perfect way to appreciate all the additional detail that went into the Batta-Augs' suit, which has been beautifully recreated by Bandai here. From all that aforementioned detailing to the added elbow/knee guards, this really looks like a Kamen Rider that's been mass-produced as a military fighting force.

Being largely the same figure as Shin Riders 1 and 2 articulation and poseability are also pretty much the same, although the changes made to the sculpting do affect certain areas. Overall the Batta-Augs features; 

- Ball jointed head, neck, torso, waist and wrists 

- Swivel hinge shoulders and ankles 

- Butterfly joint shoulders 

- Drop-down swivel hinge hips

- Double hinge elbows and knees 

- Single hinge toe sections 

- Thigh swivels 

One key change here is that thanks to all that pipework connecting all the armour plating on the torso the figure loses the pectoral articulation present on the Double Riders, which isn't a massive loss to poseability overall but does limit the butterfly movement of the shoulders a little. Similarly although the pipes connecting the torso to the Driver are flexible and will move in tandem with the waist joint, they're still restricting the movement and potentially at risk of breaking if you force the joint too much. They aren't so fragile that they're at real risk of breaking, but it is a case of being careful with the figure at first so you know what it's capable of. Finally the new elbow pads are a little strange in that they prevent the joint from moving back to a straight position, so they're always at a slight bend (which in one respect might look a little more natural). Anything else here is pretty much the same as it was on the Double Riders – short of the lack of bicep swivel it's a great figure that meets the usual expectations for a S.H. Figuarts release. Based on how they were depicted in the film they might not need quite as much articulation as the Double Riders for screen-accurate posing, but for the most part it's all there if you want to get a little more dynamic.

The Batta-Augs comes with a relatively small selection of accessories, but it is one that feels a little unusual for a Kamen Rider figure. Altogether it includes two additional pairs of hands (giving him closed fists, weapon-holding and open hands overall) as well as the machine gun they are seen brandishing in the movie. Said gun is notable because it isn't particularly unique or Kamen Rider-like in any way, instead being a standard-looking firearm which ties in perfectly with the more militaristic feel of the Batta-Augs. The gun fits comfortably in the designated hands, and when posed properly really completes the look of the figure. Given their limited screen time in Shin Kamen Rider this about as much as anyone would expect the Figuarts release to come with, however an alternate unmasked head revealing their zombie-like insectoid face would have been a great addition too. But just in case you did want a little extra to add to your Batta-Augs, their mass production version of the Cyclone was also released as a Tamashii web exclusive at the same time as the figure itself.

The S.H. Figuarts Phase Variation Batta-Augs is another great entry into the Shin Kamen Rider range – a really cool militaristic take on the classic Shocker Rider design that has all the cues of the original design whilst bringing something unique as well. Forget about all the minor quibbles about articulation or whether the figure should have come with more accessories, really there's only one problem with this release – it feels very hard just to stop at one. Given that there are 11 of these in Shin Kamen Rider, it's a release that has "army builder" written all over it. In an ideal world this would have been perfect as a retail (and thus cheaper) release, but failing that some sort of multi-pack might have been nice too. Naturally not everyone is going to want more than one, but the option to make it a little easier/cheaper to get more might have been nice too? But Bandai's practices aside, this really is another great figure and the perfect way to round off the Shin Riders in S.H. Figuarts form.