Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts -Shinkocchou Seihou- Ultraman Gaia [V2] Effect Parts Set

Release Date: June 2024

RRP: 4400 yen

While Ultraman Gaia might not have had a series to celebrate its 25th anniversary that doesn't mean Bandai Tamashii Nations aren't taking that milestone seriously, with the titular character's S.H. Figuarts Shinkocchou Seihou release coming alongside something that could definitely be considered a rarity for the range. The S.H. Figuarts -Shinkocchou Seihou- Ultraman Gaia [V2] Effect Parts Set is the first effect part set to be released for a Shinkocchou Seihou figure, the only one in the Tiga/Dyna/Gaia Heisei era trilogy and one of the few effect part sets in the Ultraman range as a whole. Not to mention it's the only one to come as a standard retail release rather than a Tamashii web exclusive, so as far as toys are concerned it's definitely not looking bad for Ultraman Gaia.

Much like Gaia himself the Effect Part set comes in S.H. Figuarts Shinkocchou Seihou style packaging, only given its contents the box itself is much larger. Length-wise its double the size of the standard Shinkocchou Seihou box, but retaining the same height and depth to at least keep some consistency. The top side/lid of the box features a nice big image of Gaia posed with the included impact effects. It's a nice change from the usual bust shots as it instead gets to show off the figure in a cool action pose. The full name of the set is then printed on the sides in silver foil lettering, whilst the underside of the box shows off all of the parts in all their glory. Inside the various parts are neatly stored on a tiered moulded tray. While the tray itself simply houses the alternate head and various beam parts, the larger impact effects are then stored on top of the clear plastic lid that holds them in. The impact parts then have their own lid on top which keeps everything together. A small fold-out instruction leaflet is also included to properly explain how to assemble and use the beam effects.

First out of the box are a pair of translucent brown ground impact effect parts, or as Bandai call them on their website "an overwhelmingly voluminous light effect". The parts are supposed to represent shots from the Ultraman Gaia movie and have been done in a dark brown plastic that moves up in a lighter gradient towards the top. They also feature (painted) rocks rising up each piece to properly simulate the look of an impact. Bandai have been doing similar pieces for years (even producing ones for the Ultra-Act Gaia and Agul figures) but rarely have they been done at this size and/or quality. They look fantastic, immediately adding so much to a display as well as conveying the size of an Ultra – something that's easily lost when dealing a line where all the figures are around the same height. These parts are particularly good too as they aren't designed to work solely with Gaia, so if you've got a figure you want to make a proper impact then you'll want these in your collection.

The remaining pieces in set are all beam parts, and to properly use those Bandai have included an alternate head piece that they can clip onto securely. The head is almost exactly the same as the standard version, only a small notch has been taken out of the central fin. All three of the included beam parts pegs in here, each with a 'flash' piece surrounding the base which covers the peg hole and gives the illusion of a seamless connection.

The first of these three beam effects is Gaia's Photon Crusher attack, which of course originated as Ultraman Agul's attack. The effect is a long beam similar in shape to that of a typical Ultraman beam attack, a translucent white beam erupting from a pinkish 'flash' that becomes a light blue further down. However although the shape may be similar to standard Ultra beam the Photon Crusher shoots from Gaia's head rather than arm, hence the need for a replacement head for it to plug into. Unlike the other beams included in this set both the beam and 'flash' base piece are connected, making assembly extremely easy. Simply pop the piece onto Gaia's head, pose the figure in a way that it can balance the long beam and you're all set. The Photon Crusher looks fantastic and far less fiddly than the Quantum Stream effect, even if the colours aren't quite as nice. The beam emerging from his head also makes for a far more dynamic display (especially when combined with those impact parts), not to mention a nice variation from the usual Ultraman beam attacks/poses. 

Next up is the Photon Edge, Gaia's own variation on the attack which is a long translucent pink/white beam which curves up into a knife-like point at the end. Here the base piece and beam effect are two separate pieces, so in order to assemble them the base has to be slotted over the plug of the beam, which then slots comfortably into the head with the base piece covering any obvious connections. Other than the shape and colour of the beam it works very much in the same way as the Photon Crusher, which again makes a nice change from the standard cross beam attacks. The colours generally just work with Gaia's overall colour scheme much better as well.

But if a straight beam effect isn't what you're looking for (or alternatively takes up too much space in your display) then Bandai have you covered with an alternate version of the Photon Edge - a curved whip-like version which is how it appears when it is first emitted. Though there are several curves in the beam to give it that unique shape, unfortunately it is fixed in this position and can't be shaped as you please. To attach, simply plug the beam into the base piece also used for the straight Photon Edge attack and then plug the two pieces into Gaia's head. This version of the Photon Edge is definitely a lot more unique among the huge collection of Ultraman effect parts now available and takes up less room in a display, but can be a little more awkward to pose naturally.

More Tamashii Nations Effect sets are never a bad thing and the S.H. Figuarts -Shinkocchou Seihou- Ultraman Gaia [V2] Effect Parts Set has come just as they seem to be having a bit of a renaissance. Why exactly Ultraman Gaia of all characters was lucky enough to get a character-focused set is anyone's guess (maybe someone at Bandai just really likes Gaia), but he's certainly been done justice in a way many Ultras could only dream of. While the execution of the various beam parts is top notch the set could have perhaps done with a couple more universal parts like the impact pieces to give it wider appeal, especially as the beams have been done in such a way that they only work with Gaia. Definitely a worthy pickup for hardcore Gaia fans, but more casual collectors would probably be just as satisfied with the figure's Quantum Stream part and using that money on some of the other great effect parts Bandai have to offer.