Series REVIEW: Wingman

With the tokusatsu scene largely dominated by the big name franchises it's always good to see something else come along for fans to sink their teeth into on top of that, and in the case of this late-entry 2024 series its a particular love-letter to both the medium and superheroes in general. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Masakazu Katsura's manga series Wingman, Toei Video joined forces with TV Tokyo and DMM TV to produce a ten-episode live-action adaptation - something that feels long overdue for a series so obviously inspired by the heroes we all know and love. This is the second onscreen adaptation Wingman has received (following a 47-episode anime series back in 1984), and stars Maito Fujioka (son of original Kamen Rider actor Hiroshi Fujioka and the young Hongo Takeshi in Kamen Rider: Beyond Generations) in the lead role.

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts -Shinkocchou Seihou- Kamen Rider 1/Takeshi Hongo (Kamen Rider: The Next)

Release Date: December 2024

RRP: 9900 yen

In 2024 Bandai Tamashii Nations began a countdown to their 100th Kamen Rider S.H. Figuarts Shinkocchou Seihou figure, with fans all over the world speculating on what this milestone release could be. The reveal itself was one many had considered, but perhaps never thought would be reality. All the way back in February 2008 the S.H. Figuarts line began, and now its very first figure has been reborn in Figuarts' premium "true bone carving" range. S.H. Figuarts -Shinkocchou Seihou- Kamen Rider 1/Takeshi Hongo (The Next) breathes new life into a figure that has been long forgotten by many, despite being the foundation for everything the line has done since. If that's not the perfect reason to make it the 100th Kamen Rider release, then I don't know what is. A Tamashii web exclusive release, the lead Rider from 2007's Kamen Rider: The Next is a new twist on a classic in a number of ways.

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Bun Red

Release Date: October 2024

RRP: 8250 yen

Once upon a time the return of Super Sentai S.H. Figuarts seemed like a pipe dream, but now that we're four years into new releases on both the mainline and Shinkocchou Seihou side of things its fair to say they're back with a vengeance. At the time of writing, S.H. Figuarts Bun Red may be the only confirmed release from Bakuage Sentai Boonboomger (however there's been plenty more showcased when it comes to vehicle-themed Sentai), but Bandai Tamashii Nations simply continuing what they've started and getting the leader from the latest series out while said series is still airing is still more than a lot of fans ever expected to be getting.

Movie REVIEW: Bakuage Sentai Boonboomger GekijoBoon! Promise the Circuit

As the Super Sentai rapidly approaches its 50th anniversary we've seen the format played around with a bit in recent shows, but there are some traditions that just seem to be set in stone. One such example is the Toei's annual Summer movie double bill, in which Super Sentai usually draws the short straw compared to the longer and more elaborate Kamen Rider offering. 2024 is no exception, as Bakuage Sentai Boonboomger GekijoBoon! Promise the Circuit screened alongside Kamen Rider Gotchard: The Future Daybreak. The first big-screen outing for the 48th Super Sentai series (but now officially 49th team), the film was written by series show runner Atsuhiro Tomioka and directed by main director Shojiro Nakazawa.

Movie REVIEW: Ultraman Blazar the Movie: Tokyo Kaiju Showdown

While the Ultraman franchise has carved out a clear plan for worldwide exposure over the past few years, there were times where it ran the risk of being a little too predictable for longtime fans. Then following a string of series where paying tribute to the past seemed to be a primary factor (whether it be the gimmicks and continuity of the New Generation Heroes or the "reimagining" approach of Trigger and Decker), Ultraman Blazar came along and tore up the playbook - featuring a fresh take on its hero that wasn't quite as tied to the show's history. And though its now firm tradition for an Ultraman series to end with a big screen movie adventure, Ultraman Blazar the Movie: Tokyo Kaiju Showdown is similarly unfazed by its predecessors. Though released in Japan back in February 2024, unlike other recent Ultraman movies this was not made available worldwide through Ultraman Connection - with English-speaking fans having to wait for the recent complete series blu-ray release from Mill Creek Entertainment for it's official subtitled (and dubbed) release.