Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Ultraman & Emi [Ultraman: Rising]

Release Date: July 2024

RRP: 7700 yen

The Ultraman franchise's global expansion plan took a big step forward this year with the release of Ultraman: Rising - the long awaited Netflix animated feature film. Having largely been received positively by newcomers and Ultraman fans alike, only time will tell if the film did well enough to receive a sequel. But in the meantime, Bandai are on hand to make sure there's plenty of merch to look forward to. On top of various action figures aimed at younger fans, older collectors are also covered with the release of S.H. Figuarts Ultraman & Emi [Ultraman: Rising], the first of a number of characters from the film to join the line. In addition to this Japanese release, a more affordable bare-bones edition was released in US stores shortly after the film's release a month earlier in June.

Although still fairly standard S.H. Figuarts packaging Ultraman & Emi come in a box that slightly differs from the usual Ultraman ones in terms of layout, adopting a dynamic black and red colour scheme which nicely fits the aesthetic of Ultraman: Rising. The front of the box is mostly take up with CG images of the characters lifted from the film, with a window section on the side which does give you a partial look at the figures. One side of the box continues that window section, while the other features the usual bookend/spine style imagery seen on all of the Ultraman releases. On the back of the box you'll find a selection of stock imagery showing Ultraman off in various poses, and then inside everything is neatly laid out on a moulded plastic tray. Instructions on how to swap the various parts on the figure are printed on the inside flaps of the box.

From it's very first images it was clear that Ultraman: Rising was going for a very unique aesthetic, and it's fair to say it's one that isn't going to be to everyone's tastes. Looking to move away from the look of a man in a suit the film debuts a slender, more exaggerated and elongated look for the giant of light - one that puts the efforts of the Shin Ultraman rendition to shame. At the same time though, it also features the defined muscles more commonly associated with Western superhero media, as well as more expressive face through the use of properly defined pupils in the eyes. You only need to take one look at it to see that it's quintessentially Ultraman, but it's also a unique take that definitely helps the film stand out all the more. However seeing it in animation is one thing, translating it to a fully articulated action figure is another. Much to their credit Bandai have done an excellent job with this release though, sculpting a figure that perfectly recreates those unique proportions without feeling cheap or flimsy. Naturally it's a little lighter than your average Figuarts release, but it's just as sturdy. The sculpting on the torso captures all that muscular detailing, while the paint job is so vibrant that it even stands out amongst other versions of Ultraman. Another big difference on the Rising version are the eyes, which are a bright blue instead of the usual white/yellow. Not only do they work a lot better with the overall design through being the same colour as the colour timer, but they're also perfect for making those added pupils stand out. Ultraman in general is a fairly simple (yet incredibly effective) design, but the changes made here really help this one stand out whilst at the same time being comfortingly familiar.

Given the rather unique proportions of this Ultraman, articulation was a real concern when his Figuarts rendition was first announced - what good is all that poseability if the figure can barely balance on those spindly legs? However it seems all those fears were completely unfounded, because Bandai seem to have worked miracles when it comes to this release. Structurally Ultraman isn't actually all that different to your usual S.H. Figuarts Ultraman figure, with a body featuring;

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

- Swivel hinge shoulders and ankles

- Butterfly joint shoulders

- Double hinge elbows and knees

- Single hinge toe sections

- Bicep and thigh swivels

Okay so it's actually a little more than your standard Ultraman Figuarts as bicep swivels don't always come standard, but the more important thing to note would be how pretty much every joint here is half the thickness of a typical figure. Nevertheless, Rising Ultraman reveals himself to be a surprisingly sturdy figure. Everything here moves just as you'd expect it to, and not once does it ever feel that the figure is fragile enough to suddenly break. In fact some things are a little too stiff - both the torso and waist joint have very limited movement, and despite the aforementioned sturdiness it's not the kind of figure you'd want to apply force to. The elbow bend is quite limited for a double joint too, most likely due to its smaller size. Still, none of these things seem to greatly affect the amount of poses you can get out of the figure. Particular praise has to go to the feet, not because they do anything special (although the ankle tilt is very good) but more because you'd never think they'd be able to balance the figure as well as they do on first glance. Overall it's a really pleasant surprise.

Ultraman's accessories included four additional pairs of hands (giving him closed fists, relaxed open hands, knife-strike/flight hands, posed/grappling hands and posed/fingers splayed hands in total), an alternate red colour timer and two alternate eye pieces. Comparatively, the basic Emi-less version of the figure only comes with two additional pairs of hands (the relaxed and flight ones) and the red colour timer. While the hands and colour timer are pretty standard Ultraman accessories, the eye pieces are more unique as it isn't often we get an Ultraman with moving pupils. The alternate eye pieces look slightly downward to the left and right (whereas the default ones are centred), and can be swapped by removing the silver face piece of the head and switching out the piece accordingly. Visually it's a little creepy, but on the plus side the face plate also makes a rather nice Ultraman mask accessory. Switching the eyes makes the figure seem that little more expressive, which is definitely what you're looking for on a more exaggerated design like this. Naturally a Specium Beam effect part hasn't been included here because it's a big moment tied up with this father (and so is packaged with the forthcoming Ultradad figure instead), but an Ultra Slash piece might have been nice given that's a move he also uses in the film.

But of all the accessories included here, obviously the most important one of all is Emi - the baby kaiju Ken adopts in the film. Despite her small size this Emi figurine is actually fully articulated, with a ball jointed head and rotating arms and legs. A small clear plastic piece (similar to those included with gashapon figurines) has also been included that sits under the tail to help her balance. Scale-wise she's perhaps a little undersized comparing the set to images from the film, but it's not so noticeable that it spoils any poses. Ultraman can quite comfortably hold her in his hands, as well as cradle her or even have her ride on his back mid-flight as per the bonding montage from the film. The figurine is really nicely detailed too, not just with the correct paint apps but also scaly detailing across the pink body as well. Small as she is she really helps make the set that little bit more special, and the version of Ultraman that comes without her would just feel lacking in comparison. That all said, it's a real shame Bandai didn't include Mina with the set as well, as that would have really completed Ken's little family. One can only hope they think to include her with a future Ultraman: Rising figure, because not only is she a key member of the cast but also she really wouldn't be that difficult/costly to sculpt either.

Much like the film itself S.H. Figuarts Ultraman & Emi [Ultraman: Rising] is another solid entry to the Ultraman franchise, and it's that "familiar yet different" feel that makes it into something special. Given the character design there was plenty that could have gone wrong with this release but Bandai have delivered their usual high standard of action figure, and rather than it but a fragile mess that can't hold it's weight the only real complaints are a couple of overly tight joints and some missed opportunities when it comes to accessories. Great as both a standalone release and alongside a bigger Ultraman collection, between Ultradad and the also revealed Mecha Gigantron I can't wait to see what else Bandai have to offer from the Ultraman: Rising universe.

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