Top 5: S.H. Figuarts Shinkocchou Seihou Kamen Rider Remakes I'd Like To See

Bandai Tamashii Nations' recent announcement of Kamen Rider 1 (The Next) being the 100th Kamen Rider release in the S.H. Figuarts Shinkocchou Seihou line was just about the perfect choice for the coveted top spot – while there are plenty of unreleased characters deserving of figures, there's just something poetic about the very first S.H. Figuarts release finally getting an updated figure. In fact much of that Shinkocchou Seihou line-up is updates of characters previously released in the standard Figuarts line, which isn't all that surprising given how long it's been going for now. Which got me thinking – what Kamen Rider figures present in the main S.H. Figuarts line would I like to see redone for the Shinkocchou Seihou range? Read on to find out!

5. Shocker Rider

If there's one thing Tamashii Nations have done since starting the Shinkocchou Seihou line, it's milk the Double Riders mould for everything its worth. The "Shin" versions, 50th anniversary editions, Rider 1 old and (now exorbitantly expensive) Sakurajima versions, that weird all-black version…let's just say there are more than a few options on the market. Yet for some reason they still haven't done the most obvious thing and put the original evil Rider on the market. A very easy repaint that could comfortably fit a retail or web exclusive slot, the timing of which would also be good right about now with the recent release of the Shin Kamen Rider Batta Augs. Should they release it with all the different coloured scarves like the original it'd also make a great army builder, though if I had the preference I'd much rather a soft goods yellow scarf than a rainbow of soft plastic ones.

4. Tackle

Given his regular appearance at events and the release of Kamen Rider X later this year, Shinkocchou Seihou Kamen Rider Stronger is an inevitability at this point. What isn't however is the character most deserving of the "Kamen Rider" title that isn't one already – Electro-Wave Human Tackle. Last year's Riderman release was a great example of a partially exposed face sculpt on a Seihou figure, and what better character than to be the first woman to enter the Shinkoccchou Seihou range? While the skirt might be a bit limiting, it would be interesting the see the line experiment with soft goods for it like they have with capes and scarves in recent years.

3. Kamen Rider Fourze (Base States)

It's getting to the point now where most of the Heisei era Riders have already had the Shinkocchou Seihou treatment, and those that haven't aren't really in need of it any time soon. So out of the three most needing it (Ryuki, Blade and Fourze), Fourze is probably the one with the most outdated figure even if there isn't much to improve upon with the gimmick. Proportion and articulation-wise Fourze definitely needs an upgrade though. The only thing worth mentioning is that it seems unlikely Shinkocchou Seihou would go as wild with the various Modules as the original line did – especially as those Module sets were on clearance for YEARS after their release. That said, as long as it hits all of the essentials I don't think anyone is going to really care.

2. Kamen Rider Black RX

The original Kamen Rider Black is so popular that Tamashii Nations have remade him twice (once in the standard line, and then again in Shinkocchou Seihou), so how about the same for the follow-up series? While Black RX might not be as popular as its predecessor, it's still a great series in its own right that would probably fare better with fans had it not been a sequel. The Black RX suit also fantastic – a super sleek rendition of Kamen Rider as an insect-themed hero. While the original figure is still pretty good, I'd love to see it redone with those screen-accurate Shinkocchou Seihou proportions. Plus it would be a good opportunity to redo Robo Rider and Bio Rider while they're at it as well – Robo Rider especially could do with a better figure.

1. Kamen Rider 2 (Old Version) 

Almost certainly not the answer you were expecting for the number one slot, but definitely the suit I want to get the Shinkocchou Seihou treatment most at the moment. Words cannot express how much I love the original Rider 2 suit – it isn't just the darker colours, it's also that its debut marks the point I really fell in love with the original series. Hongo might be the face of the franchise (and deservedly so), but I'm an Ichimonji fanboy through and through. Words also cannot express how much I love the Shinkocchou Seihou Kamen Rider 1 (Old Version) figure – so much so that should I ever get rid of my entire collection it would be the one figure I would want to keep. So combine the two and naturally you'd have a figure that would be the pride of my collection. Though it's definitely the kind of figure best suited to being a Tamashii web exclusive or even a Tamashii Nations event exclusive, it just feels too important not to happen at some point.

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What Kamen Rider characters would you like to see redone in the S.H. Figuarts Shinkocchou Seihou line? Please share in the comment section below, as well as any suggestions you have for future Top 5 features like this!