Favourite Toys of 2025

And before the year is out there's just enough time for one more tradition - the annual countdown of my top ten favourite toys of the year! There's been a lot of great releases in 2025 but there's no doubt that (for me) it was truly the year of S.H. Figuarts Shinkocchou Seihou, with that line taking up half the spots in the list! In fact with me largely out of the Star Wars Black Series loop now and no Transformers quite reaching the top spots (although collecting the Constructicons and forming Devastator was A LOT of fun, and I look forward to doing the same with Bruticus next year), it was very nearly a clean sweep for S.H. Figuarts in general. As usual I've adhered to my own personal rule of only counting figures first released in 2025, which discounts both reissues and the handful of 2024 figures I hadn't reviewed at the beginning of the year. It also discounts some figures I haven't quite gotten around to receiving and/or reviewing yet (mostly November and December releases), so if you think something significant is missing and it came out in those months, that's probably why! 

But without further ado, onto my top ten favourite toys of 2025!

Top 5: Toys I'm Looking Forward to in 2026

I've come to enjoy all the little traditions I've created doing this website over the last decade or so, but these end of year lists are definitely my favourites. As always I'll be ending the year with a rundown of my ten favourite toy releases, but before then I like to look forward to some of the figures coming in 2026 first. Bandai definitely continue to dominate here, but I like to think there are a few surprises in the list in amongst the usual Figuarts fare. With a few of the figures on last year's list ending up of my forthcoming "Favourite Toys of 2025" piece, I've got high hopes these will also be similarly impressive in-hand.

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

Release Date: October 2025

RRP: 9900 yen

While the order in which Bandai Tamashii Nations are introducing Heisei-era Kamen Riders into the S.H. Figuarts Shinkocchou Seihou line seems to be random, when it comes to the Showa era the pattern is a little more predictable. For the last couple of years we've been treated to a new addition to the roster each year, with 2025 finally seeing the completion of the original "Seven Legendary Riders" with the long-awaited release of S.H. Figuarts -Shinkocchou Seihou- Kamen Rider Stronger. However despite the character's popularity and significance of the show itself he, along with V3, Riderman and X, was still inexplicably a Tamashii web exclusive release rather than general retail.

Movie REVIEW: No.1 Sentai Gozyuger: Resurrection of Tega Sword

Given the fact that it will also soon be going on indefinite hiatus, one might think that Super Sentai had some extra special planned to celebrate its 50th anniversary. However instead it seems like business as usual for the franchise, with No.1 Sentai Gozyuger's first movie outing the usual Summer release. But if there's one thing you can be certain with about the 50th Super Sentai team, it's that they'll celebrate things in their own unique way regardless. Released alongside Kamen Rider Gavv the Movie: Invaders of the House of Snacks, No.1 Sentai Gozyuger: Resurrection of Tega Sword was written by series showrunner Akiko Inoue and directed by Ryuta Tasaki.

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts -Shinkocchou Seihou- Akarenger (Super Sentai 50th Anniversary Ver.)

Release Date: November 2025

RRP: 13,200 yen

It's hard to believe that Super Sentai S.H. Figuarts have been back for a whole five years now, having previously made their return during the franchise's 45th anniversary with the release of Zenkaizer. From then the range has continued strong with a great selection of red and sixth heroes (sadly no more teams as of yet), as well as fan favourites like Gokai Red and Kyoryu Red joining the prestigious Shinkocchou Seihou line. For the 50th anniversary naturally we've seen Gozyu Wolf join the main line, but it wouldn't be a proper celebration without the original red also joining in on things. S.H. Figuarts -Shinkocchou Seihou- Akarenger (Super Sentai 50th Anniversary Ver.) is the third entry in the Sentai Shinkocchou Seihou range, and an extra special one at that.

Movie REVIEW: Bakuage Sentai Boonboomger vs King-Ohger

Although it seems like this may be it for Super Sentai (for some time at least) following the announcement of Project R.E.D., there's no denying that the last few years have been a particularly interesting time for franchise. This period of experimentation yielded some rather unique shows, as well as arguably making Bakuage Sentai Boonboomger stand out all the more when it adopted a more "back to basics" approach. But what happens when they cross over with one of the most unique Super Sentai shows in terms of setting and format? Bakuage Sentai Boonboomger vs King-Ohger is 30th entry in the long-running series of VS films, written by Boonboomger head writer Atsuhiro Tomioka and directed by Hiroyuki Kato.

Movie REVIEW: Kamen Rider Gavv the Movie: Invaders of the House of Snacks

Parallel worlds are a staple of Kamen Rider movies. From the “completely unrelated to the main series” movies of the early Heisei era to the newer “main character from the series travels to an alternate world” take, it’s an effective way to tell raise the stakes and tell a self-contained story without being confined by the parameters of the main story. With the format working well for last year’s Kamen Rider Gotchard: The Future Daybreak, it isn’t all that surprising to see Kamen Rider Gavv’s movie offering to do a similar thing – swapping the alternate timeline setting for a more straightforward parallel world. Kamen Rider Gavv the Movie: Invaders of the House of Snacks was written by Junko Komura, directed by Teruaki Sugihara and released in cinemas alongside No.1 Sentai Gozyuger: Resurrection of Tega Sword. It’s also notable for being the only Gavv movie release, with Fuuto PI: The Portrait of Kamen Rider Skull previously taking the spot of the usual Winter team-up film.

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts -Shinkocchou Seihou- Kamen Rider Gaim Jimber Lemon Arms

Release Date: November 2025

RRP: 13,750 yen

Once upon a time Tamashii Nation event exclusives were reserved for the most unique of Kamen Rider forms - movie exclusives, one-off variants, that sort of thing. But when Shinkocchou Seihou Kamen Rider Diend was revealed as an event exclusive in 2019 it was a sign of things to come, and now its fair to say that anything outside of key characters and final forms could be an exclusive. So appears to be the case for Kamen Rider Gaim, with S.H. Figuarts -Shinkocchou Seihou- Kamen Rider Jimber Lemon Arms selected as the Kamen Rider representative for 2025. With Bandai Tamashii Nations debuting the Gaim range in 2024 its selection as a series doesn't come as a huge surprise, but seeing a form that was once a Tamashii web exclusive back in 2014 reappear in an even more limited form just goes to show how the market has shifted.

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts -Shinkocchou Seihou- Kamen Rider 1 (Legendary Showa Masked Riders Edition)

Release Date: November 2025

RRP: 11,000 yen

If there's one thing you can guarantee about Bandai Tamashii Nations (or any toy company that has any sort of business sense really) is that if a particular release is popular, they're going to milk it. The original S.H. Figuarts Shinkocchou Seihou Kamen Rider 1 figure released all the way back in 2017, but returned once more (albeit it with a slightly altered colour scheme) in 2021 as a "50th anniversary editon". Now it's back once more in the form of the S.H. Figuarts -Shinkocchou Seihou- Kamen Rider 1 (Legendary Showa Masked Riders Edition), once again slightly updating the deco whilst bringing it more in line with some of the more recent Showa era Kamen Rider releases. 

Toybox REVIEW: Shokugan Modeling Project Magiking

Release Date: June 2025

RRP: 8580 yen

While there hasn’t been an obvious pattern as such to which Super Sentai mecha join the Shokugan Modeling Project line, Bandai certainly aren’t ones to pass up an anniversary tie-in. 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of Mahou Sentai Magiranger, so despite only being partway done with Seijuu Sentai Gingaman the model kit range has now jumped forwards a good few years with the release of Shokugan Modeling Project Magiking. A particularly interesting mecha due to its unique components and combination sequence, this general retail set offers fans a model kit that enjoys all the advancements in moulding, engineering and articulation that have come in the two decades since the series first debuted.

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Ultraman Cosmos Luna Mode

Release Date: September 2025

RRP: 8800 yen

Bandai Tamashii Nations' journey through the Ultra Series has landed firmly in the Heisei era, and although collectors were treated to a trifecta of Shinkocchou Seihou releases for the Tiga/Dyna/Gaia trilogy the mainline S.H. Figuarts range seems like a comfortable place for the rest. And following the release of Ultraman Gaia last year, naturally the obvious place to go next is S.H. Figuarts Ultraman Cosmos Luna Mode. Star of the 2001 series of the same name, Ultraman Cosmos was a general retail release and one step closer to a complete range of "core" Heisei Ultras in the Figuarts line.

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts -Shinkocchou Seihou- Kamen Rider Ryugen Budou Arms

Release Date: September 2025

RRP: 11,000 yen

Kamen Rider Gaim's introduction to the Shinkocchou Seihou line came as a bit of surprise - not one that was by any means unwelcome but there are arguably much far dated figures in the S.H. Figuarts repertoire more deserving of a spot in Bandai Tamashii Nations' "true bone carving" line. That said - Gaim and Baron quickly justified their existence with not only improved sculpts and proportions, but also the implementation of the "Arms Change" gimmick that brought a whole new level of play and display to the figures. Although an additional Pine and Ichigo Arms Change set for Gaim released earlier in the year, it's not much fun only having two Riders to use the gimmick with - especially when Gaim has such a big roster. 11 years after the release of his original figure S.H. Figuarts -Shinkocchou Seihou- Kamen Rider Ryugen Budou Arms is the third Gaim Rider to receive the true bone carving treatment, though this time coming as a Tamashii Web exclusive rather than a standard retail release - a sure sign that it isn't 2014 anymore.

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Gozyu Wolf (Sentai Ring Limited Edition)

Release Date: October 2025

RRP: 9900 yen

The 45th anniversary of Super Sentai saw the franchise make its grand return to the S.H. Figuarts line, and even though Bandai Tamashii Nations still don't seem confident enough to release full teams at the very least it seems established enough to have become a mainstay. Every red hero from the current series has been released since (with a few sixth rangers and Shinkocchou Seihou figures thrown in for good measure), and this has carried through to the 50th anniversary and No. 1 Sentai Gozyuger. Though a standard retail release, S.H. Figuarts Gozyu Wolf feels particularly special as it's billed as the "Sentai Ring Limited Edition" and includes the aforementioned gimmick item from the series itself. Together with all the rumours circulating about the future of Super Sentai and its transformation into Project R.E.D. going forwards, there are a lot of reasons to consider this a pretty notable release.

Top 5: Tamashii Nation 2025 Reveals

Bandai's annual Tamashii Nation events are always a good time but the 2025 edition felt particularly stacked in regards to reveals, particularly if you're a fan of tokusatsu. While there were a lot of great reveals from the worlds of anime, live-action, video games and Western animation as well (Star Wars: The Clone Wars S.H. Figuarts has got to be a contender for one of the most unexpected reveals of the weekend), if you are a fan of Kamen Rider, Super Sentai and Ultraman then there was A LOT to salivate over. As always I've picked out my personal favourite reveals from the event, but I have to say it was much tougher to narrow down than usual.

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

Release Date: August 2025

RRP: 9900 yen

It doesn't seem like all that long ago that simply having all the Heisei era Kamen Riders in the S.H. Figuarts line was a big achievement (who can forget the agonising wait for Kiva?), but suddenly we're also one step away from having all the Heisei Phase one Riders as part of the S.H. Figuarts Shinkocchou Seihou line as well. Last year we saw Bandai Tamashii Nations kick off a big multi-Rider series with the release of Kamen Rider Gaim figures, and in 2025 they're doing it all again with the original big multi-Rider series - Kamen Rider Ryuki. S.H. Figuarts -Shinkocchou Seihou- Kamen Rider Ryuki kicks a whole new range off for S.H. Figuarts' premium line, and if you're planning to get them all - you better strap yourself in for an expensive commitment. Ryuki himself is a retail release, but based on Bandai's current release patterns it seems unlikely the others will follow suite.

Toybox REVIEW: Transformers Studio Series Devastator

The individual Constructions have some good scenes in Transformers: The Movie (arguing with Soundwave over rule of the Decepticons, flexing their trumpet skills at Starscream's coronation), but when it comes to memorable moments nothing quite compares to them uniting to form Devastator at the Battle of Autobot City. After effectively bringing the city to its knees, it's only the arrival of Optimus Prime and the Dinobots that turns the tide in favour of the Autobots. After carefully analysing the pros and cons of each individual figure, it's now time to bring them all together and see what Studio Series Devastator has to offer. Five releases and around $200 later, does the gestalt live up to expectations?

Individual figure reviews can be found below;

Studio Series Scrapper

Studio Series Bonecrusher

Studio Series Hook & Long Haul

Studio Series Scavenger

Studio Series Mixmaster

Toybox REVIEW: Transformers Studio Series Mixmaster

Release Date: August 2025

RRP: $42.99/£34.99

2025 has been a pretty great year for Transformers, with two full Combiners completed in its Generations lines, a further one kicked off for completion next year and a fourth successfully backed via Haslab. But while most of this is off happening in the Age of the Primes line, Studio Series (or more specifically, the range formerly known as Studio Series 86) has been busy with the show's first gestalt team and only one to appear in Transformers: The Movie - the Constructicons. It's been a fun few months slowly picking these up piece by piece, but now it's time to round things off with Studio Series Mixmaster - the last Voyager Class-sized piece of the puzzle.

Special REVIEW: Girls Remix in Halloween Party

The Toei Tokusatsu Fan Club pulls from all corners of the Kamen Rider franchise when it comes to inspiration for its specials, and one of its most deserved and overdue offerings in recent years is Girls Remix - a celebration of the heroines of Kamen Rider. Whereas the first Girls Remix special in 2022 was a largely self-contained crossover, when it returned in 2025 with Kamen Rider Majade with Girls Remix it hinted towards a much bigger storyline. Luckily fans haven't had to wait too long for the next instalment, as it gets into the spooky season with Girls Remix in Halloween Party. Key cast members Akiko, Rinne and Hana return once more, this time bringing in new characters from Kamen Rider Kiva, Kamen Rider Wizard, Kamen Rider Geats, Kamen Rider Gotchard and Kamen Rider Gavv.

Toybox REVIEW: Doctor Who The Master & TARDIS (Vortex Edition)

Release Date: October 2025

RRP: £44.99

The Doctor Who toy line's move to (predominantly) B&M exclusivity has allowed for the reissue of figures long out of production, but among them there's always been one significant adversary that's been curiously forgotten. Despite being the longest serving incarnation and the only one to face off against all seven classic Doctors, the Anthony Ainley version of The Master has only ever had one release - a Planet of Fire two-pack alongside the Fifth Doctor all the way back in 2010. Even more curious is that the figure isn't even of his standard costume, instead being the three-piece suit he wore in that story. For years fans have wondered when a new Master would join the collection, and now 15 years later the wait is finally over. The Master & TARDIS (Vortex Edition) set is the latest figure to join the Character website exclusive range - sporting a "higher specification deco applied over base colour plastics for extra detail" to their general retail counterparts.

Toybox REVIEW: Transformers Studio Series Scavenger

Release Date: August 2025

RRP: $24.99/£24.99

Several years in and Studio Series 86 (even if it’s not technically called that anymore) still has a few surprises up its sleeve, debuting its first combiner figure in 2025 with the release of Devastator. That said, being the only combiner that appears in Transformers: The Movie means there isn’t a great deal of choice either. Hasbro have ensured fans haven’t had to wait too long to complete their Constructicons, with the team steadily releasing over the course of the year. Studio Series Scavenger is part of the final pair to release, coming as a Deluxe Class figure alongside the Voyager Class Mixmaster – mirroring how Scrapper and Bonecrusher kicked the team off earlier in the year.

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Galactron

Release Date: July 2025

RRP: 19,800 yen

The Ultraman franchise has lots of legacy aliens and kaiju that first debuted during the Showa era and have continue to appear to this day, but arguably most of its newer offerings haven't reached the same iconic status. However if there's one kaiju that's come close, it's undoubtedly Galactron. First debuting in some of Ultraman Orb's strongest episode, variations of the robot superweapon have gone on to fight numerous other Ultras in the New Generation - including Geed, Taiga and Decker. Its origins were even explored in the Orb/Geed crossover movie Connect the Wishes!, where we learned they were created by the artificial intelligence Gillvalis. Put simply, Galactron is a pretty big deal as far as modern Ultra kaiju go. And at long last Bandai Tamashii Nations have FINALLY recognised this with the release of S.H. Figuarts Galactron, based on the orginal MK1 model that appeared in Orb. Galactron is a Tamashii Web exclusive release.

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Ultraman Omega

Release Date: August 2025

RRP: 6600 yen

These days Bandai Tamashii Nations have gotten very good at announcing the titular characters from the latest Ultraman and Kamen Rider series as soon as the show begins to air, even if fans do still have to wait a few months for their actual release. Thankfully though we haven’t had to wait too long for S.H. Figuarts Ultraman Omega, who kicks off a new range of figures from the 2025 Ultraman series. Ultraman Omega comes as a general retail release figure, and although Bandai tends to offer “introductory” (i.e. lower) prices on these titular characters Omega’s 6600 yen price tag is rather middling compared to other recent Ultra releases – cheaper than Ultraman Blazar’s 7150 yen but a considerable step up from Ultraman Arc’s 4400 yen last year.

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Vram Pudding Custom

Release Date: August 2025

RRP: 8800 yen

While we certainly don't get as many alternate forms from a Kamen Rider series as we used to in the S.H. Figuarts line (and even less as retail releases), Bandai Tamashii Nations still do a good job at least at making sure all the Riders featured in the most recent shows are represented. Kamen Rider Gavv may have reached its conclusion onscreen but there's still plenty to look forward to in regards to figures, with S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Vram Pudding Custom releasing hot on the heels of Kamen Rider Valen. Both the third release and third character to appear in the Gavv range, like Valen before him Vram is also a Tamashii web exclusive release.

Movie REVIEW: Ultraman Arc the Movie: The Clash of Light and Evil

As the Ultraman franchise continues to grow in global recognition, it's 2024 entry Ultraman Arc is perhaps the most accessible it has ever been to an international audience - not only was it simulcast on YouTube alongside its initial airing on Japanese television, but it also had a variety of dubs available immediately on release as well. This isn't the only thing that makes Arc unique amongst its contemporaries either, with its subsequent movie outing also bucking the trend when it comes to what fans have come to expect from such things. Rather than act as an epilogue to the series, Ultraman Arc the Movie: The Clash of Light and Evil instead mixes things up by taking place during the main story (specifically episodes 21 and 22). However despite that, the film was not released in Japan until a month after its conclusion - making it best viewed with the whole series in mind.

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts -Shinkocchou Seihou- Kamen Rider 1 Sakurajima Ver. (Legendary Showa Masked Riders Edition)

Release Date: September 2025

RRP: 9900 yen

While any veteran S.H. Figuarts collector will tell you that preordering can often be a bit of a nightmare, for the most part most figures aren't too difficult to track down (or expensive) on the aftermarket following their release. There are some exceptions though, with one of the best examples in recent memory being S.H. Figuarts -Shinkocchou Seihou- Kamen Rider 1 Sakurajima Ver.. Originally a Tamashii Nation 2018 event exclusive, this costume variant of the original Kamen Rider quickly became a highly sought after item - with a price tag to match. Last year it even won a poll of which Shinkocchou Seihou figure should be reissued the most, despite event exclusives rarely ever getting second runs. However Bandai Tamashii Nations could clearly see there was money to be made, and eventually revealed (the lengthily titled) S.H. Figuarts -Shinkocchou Seihou- Kamen Rider 1 Sakurajima Ver. (Legendary Showa Masked Riders Edition) - a brand new edition of the figure with some slight upgrades. Of course there was no way they were going to make this version easily obtainable either, with it originally released as a Tamashii Nations Live Action Figure Expo and Club Tamashii lottery exclusive item. A second run of the figure will also be made available early next year, again as a Club Tamashii lottery item.

First Impressions: Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider

While the (nearly) worldwide streaming of Kamen Rider Zeztz on YouTube may be the most notable way the Kamen Rider franchise is making waves across the globe this year, it isn't the only way newcomers may be enticed into giving it a try. Among Crunchyroll's simulcast shows for the Winter 2025 season is Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider, based on the ongoing manga series of the same name by Yokusaru Shibata. Produced by Linden Films (whose work includes Cells at Work! CODE BLACK, among others) in collaboration with Toei, it poses the question surely every Rider fan has considered at least once in their lives - what if I could become Kamen Rider?

Toybox REVIEW: Trasformers Studio Series Hook & Long Haul

Release Date: June 2025

RRP: $89.99/£91.99

Even though Hasbro are slowly running out of key Transformers: The Movie characters to bring to the Studio Series line, leaving the Constructicons towards the end was a very good way of keeping fans interested. Particularly when they're not wasting any time in getting the whole team out, which means collectors won't have to wait long to form Devastator on their shelves. While most of the Constructicons are getting standard single releases, the Studio Series Hook & Long Haul set mixes things up a bit - featuring two members of the team in a single Commander Class set alongside some of the extra parts needed to make up the original Decepticon combiner.

Anime REVIEW: New Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt

In 2010 Gainax released Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt, a series that could be argued was the swansong of the once great studio. Parodying "adult" American cartoons with its own brand of crass humour, Panty & Stocking not only won the hearts of its fans - it also left them with the most painful (yet hilarious) cliffhanger ending possible. In the years that have passed since, Gainax is no more and the show's creators went on to create the powerhouse that is studio Trigger. The future of Panty & Stocking seemed bleak, until it was revealed it would finally be returning just in time for its 15th anniversaries. With the series rights now safely in the hands of Trigger, New Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt brings a whole new series of adventures starring the titular foul-mouthed angels. Was it worth the wait?

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts -Shinkocchou Seihou- Wingman

Release Date: August 2025 

RRP: 12,100 yen 

One of the surprise tokusatsu hits of 2024 was the live-action adaptation of Wingman, based on the 1983 manga by Masakazu Katsura. Like the manga itself the 12-episode series was a love letter to all things superhero and tokusatsu, with plenty of references and homages to classic series. Main character Kenta Hirono was even played by Maito Fujioka, son of original Kamen Rider Hiroshi Fujioka. Despite seemingly like the kind of show that could easily come and go without any merchandise, Bandai Tamashii Nations pulled out the biggest surprise of all by announcing a S.H. Figuarts -Shinkocchou Seihou- Wingman figure! A very rare example of the line moving outside of long-standing franchises (with the exception of perhaps Gridman, and even that’s grown into a franchise in recent years), Wingman was released as a Tamashii web exclusive.

Toybox REVIEW: Doctor Who History of the Daleks #21 Set

Release Date: August 2025

RRP: £21.99

Despite seemingly having all odds against it, the B&M exclusive Doctor Who figure range has now continued on for several years. A big part of that range has been the "History of the Daleks" sets, and with Character Options now having run out of classic stories to cover things are starting to get a little more interesting. The modern iteration of Doctor Who may have less variants in terms of design and colour, but that doesn't mean it isn't without its surprises. Arriving in stores unannounced and to everyone's surprise was History of the Daleks #21, featuring two Executioner Daleks (or Death Squad Daleks if you'd prefer) from 2022's Eve of the Daleks. Not only is this the first time the Thirteenth Doctor era has been covered in History of the Daleks, but it's also the most recent story the range has represented.

First Impressions: Kamen Rider Zeztz

With Tsuburaya Productions having simulcast Ultraman on YouTube for several years now, Toei have been sorely lagging behind with their tokusatsu offerings. The US is being well-served by various releases of older series on blu-ray as well as a handful of shows on streaming, but when it comes to the newest shows fans have still had to resort to more clandestine means. Until 2025 that is, as Toei finally bring the latest Kamen Rider series to a (somewhat) worldwide audience with Kamen Rider Zeztz! The seventh series to debut in the Reiwa era will have its episodes released on the TokuSHOUTsu YouTube channel with English subs, live-streaming on a continuous loop for the following five days. Franchise veteran Yuya Takahashi (Ex-Aid, Zero-One, Geats) returns once more to write the series, with Kazuya Kamihoriuchi directing this first episode - "Case 1: Start".

Series REVIEW: Kamen Rider Gavv

Of all the weird and wonderful bits of Kamen Rider merchandise out there, one piece that's easily considered the stuff of legend are the Kamen Rider Gummi. Ask anyone who's been following the franchise for the two decades, and they'll fondly recall the adverts of the child who can't get enough of them, crying out his catchphrase of "juicy!" With how much of a tradition they became over the years, it's amazing that it took until 2024 for an actual series to adopt them as its motif. While not strictly about the franchise's particular brand of gummies, sweets, confectionary and all things sugary take centre stage in Kamen Rider Gavv - the sixth main line Rider series of the Reiwa era and 35th overall. Junko Komura (best known for her work on Super Sentai series Zyuohger, Lupinranger vs Patranger and Zenkaiger) led the series as its main writer, Teruaki Sugihara as main director, Hiroshi Butsuda as SFX director and Satoshi Fujita as Action Director. The series ran for a total of 50 episodes, and is notable for being one of the few series since 2010 to not to have a crossover with its predecessor as a Winter movie release.

Toybox REVIEW: Meisho Movie Realization Daimyo Boba Fett

Release Date: January 2023

RRP: $124.99

Among all of Bandai Tamashii Nations' toy lines, the current state of the Meisho Movie Realization line is perhaps the thing that confuses me the most. After years of both retail and Tamashii web exclusive releases in Japan, this rather unique take on the Star Wars universe seems to no longer be a thing in the company's home territory - with the handful of releases since 2021 seemingly exclusive to the US and Europe. Nevertheless as Star Wars continues to grow on Disney+ so does the line itself, with a brand new Meisho Movie Realization Daimyo Boba Fett figure released on the former bounty hunter's title role in The Book of Boba Fett. While the Movie Realization line usually has to bestow a title upon its figures, here the work had already been done for them - with Boba Fett taking up the role of Mos Espa's "daimyo" in the series itself.

Toybox REVIEW: Star Wars Black Series Nightsister Merrin

Release Date August 2025

RRP: $24.99/£24.99

With the number of different Star Wars video games there have been over the decades, Hasbro are unlikely to run out of character choices for its "Gaming Greats" range of Black Series figures any time soon. But then again, they don't really need to look to the past either when there are so many popular characters from recent memory deserving of a place. The line has been steadily building up the cast of Respawn's Jedi: Fallen Order and Jedi: Survivor games, but outside of lead character Cal Kestis the rest of the Mantis crew have been inexplicably absent. Until now that is, as Black Series Nightsister Merrin has finally been released - giving Cal a helping hand in what's mostly been a sea of rogue Jedi, Inquisitors and endless trooper and droid repaints.

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Valen Chocodon Form

Release Date: June 2025

RRP: 8250 yen

It feels like a missed opportunity that just as Kamen Rider Gavv is beginning to wrap up as a series, we're only now getting the rest of the cast in S.H. Figuarts form. Bandai Tamashii Nations released Kamen Rider Gavv Poppingummy Form all the way back in February, so why the four month wait until a second release from the series. But that release did finally come in the form of S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Valen Chocodon Form, the second Kamen Rider to appear in the series. Of course Valen is also a Tamashii web exclusive as well, because despite the line still seemingly going strong we're long past the days of anyone other than the titular Rider getting a retail release. How things have changed.

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Imit-Ultraman (Shin Ultraman)

Release Date: April 2023

RRP: 7700 yen

While certainly not covering everything in the film, Bandai Tamashii Nation's Shin Ultraman S.H Figuarts range still proved to be fairly extensive - something it's very easy to be when you can release multiple versions of the same mould with only slight variations. Just as well then the film featured Imit-Ultraman, a disguise used by Alien Zarab to try and discredit Ultraman as part of his plan to take control of the Earth. S.H. Figuarts Imit-Ultraman (Shin Ultraman) was the first Tamashii Web exclusive release from the film, the third release overall AND the third use of the Ultraman mould. Case in point really.

Toybox REVIEW: Hero Action Figure Zone Fighter (Ver. 2)

Release Date: June 2025

RRP: 12, 980 yen

For Showa era tokusatsu fans, Evolution Toys' Hero Action Figure line has been a godsend for getting classic characters untouched by other companies - from Toei legends like Inazuman and Zubat, Tsuburaya greats like Mirrorman or Redman and even lesser known heroes such as Iron King. There is however one rather significant downside - the figures themselves aren't too great, especially when compared to some of their nearest competition. However just like the company's name the line continues to evolve, with many of their original releases now coming around again with improved "version 2" releases. Among this roster is Hero Action Figures Zone Fighter (Ver. 2) - the titular hero from the 1973 series of the same name (also known in Japan as Meteor Man Zone) and good friend to the King of Monsters himself, Godzilla. Have there been enough improvements to finally make HAF a credible rival to the likes of S.H. Figuarts?

Special REVIEW: Bakuage Sentai Boonboomger Formation Lap: Settlers of the Galaxy

Once upon a time a big multi-series Super Sentai crossover could be considered a special occasion, but with the arrival of Toei Tokusatsu Fan Club it seems more like an everyday occurrence. Nevertheless it's always fun to see which franchise alumni come back for these streaming service specials, and Bakuage Sentai Boonboomger Formation Lap: Settlers of the Galaxy offers quite the cast list. As well as serving as a prequel to Bun Violet and Byun Diesel's arrival in Bakuage Sentai Boonboomger, the one-off special also features returning cast members from Ohsama Sentai King-Ohger, Avataro Sentai Donbrothers, Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger, Uchu Sentai Kyuranger AND Engine Sentai Go-Onger. Just another day in this wild and wonderful multiverse we call Super Sentai.

Toybox REVIEW: Transformers Studio Series 86 Ultra Magnus

Release Date: September 2023

RRP: $89.99/£91.99

Even with several of the Transformers: The Movie cast receiving figures towards the tail end of the War for Cybertron trilogy in the Kingdom line, that didn’t mean they were off the table for Studio Series 86. Where there were improvements to be made in the name of screen-accuracy they have for the most part been taken, and there’s no better example of this than Ultra Magnus. Leader class figures are great, but why not go bigger? Studio Series 86 Ultra Magnus gives the Autobot City Commander a much needed boost by bringing him up to Commander class status, as well as the largest single figure in the range thus far.

Toybox REVIEW: Transformers Age of the Primes Vortex

Release Date: April 2025

RRP: $24.99/£24.99

The time of Transformers Legacy is over, and thus begins the Age of the Primes! 2025 marks the beginning of an all-new Generations line celebrating the mythical Thirteen Primes, but that doesn't mean Hasbro aren't including other popular faces from across the Transformers multiverse in for good measure. Two new G1-styled combiner teams have been confirmed for the range, and whilst its first year is more preoccupied with the Aerialbots and Superion we also have a sneak peek of what's in store for year two with Age of the Primes Vortex! Following on from Menasor in the Legacy line and Devastator in Studio Series 86, the Combaticons and Bruticus will be the third Decepticon combiner to join this modern iteration of toys.

Toybox REVIEW: HELLO! GOOD SMILE Panty & Stocking with See-Through

Release Date: July 2024

RRP: 6500 yen

In 2021 Good Smile Company launched the HELLO! GOOD SMILE line - a range of affordable figures from numerous franchises that all followed a distinct chibi style. This style comes from Shigeto Koyama, a prolific designer who's worked across a number of productions for both Gainax and Trigger (as well as designing Baymax from the Big Hero 6 movie). And if you're thinking this particular style looks familiar, then it's because it also matches the art style from Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt's iconic end sequence. But despite having run successfully now for four years, it is only now with the advent of New Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt that these characters are now joining the line. In addition to individual releases of Panty and Stocking themselves, a special HELLO! GOOD SMILE Panty & Stocking with See-Through set has also been produced - with an early release at Anime Expo before being sold exclusively through the Good Smile Company website.