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.
As has tended to be the case for the Super Sentai S.H. Figuarts releases, Bun Red's packaging has been designed very nicely to match the overall Boonboomger aesthetic - not only featuring a red, white and grey colour scheme to match his suit but also various graphics as well. Behind the nice big image of the figure that adorns the bottom corner of the front is a red speedometer similar to that of the Boonboom Changer, with the sides of the box also featuring road graphics as well as Bun Red's specific tire emblem. Also on the front of the box is a window to get a good look at the figure, the Bakuage Sentai Boonboomger logo and some dynamic grey speed lines just for good measure. On the back of the box you'll find further images of the figure showing it off in various poses, and then inside the figure (and accessories) are neatly laid out on a moulded plastic tray.
When the Boonboomgers were first revealed to fans there was a lot of chatter about how the helmets look. Even now I'd perhaps argue that the giant tires adorning them in place of regular visors is an acquired taste - but as you grow to love it just as you grow to love the show. Having the figure in hand really emphasised to me just how much it sticks out at the front of the helmet. Unorthodox as it may seem Bandai have done a brilliant job getting the sculpt and proportions right, while the glossy metallic paint used makes it stand out all the more. The rest of the figure looks great too, and though the racing driver-esque suit may seem simply at first there are a lot of little details to appreciate here. There's the more obvious things like the seatbelt belt buck and wheels attached the back and ankles (none of which can spin but are nicely detailed complete with tire treads) but also the zipper cover fabric running down the centre of the suit or the glossy plastic used for the shin guards. There's also the interesting colour placement, with the red largely kept to the torso and the split white and grey colouring of the left arm and legs. It's a design that really captures its motif well, and Bandai have definitely brought that to their S.H. Figuarts rendition.
The Boonboom Changer can be removed from the wrist-mounted Changer Brace and then be either held by the figure in a designated right hand, or plugged into the Boonboom Handle. Overall the Changer has been quite nicely moulded, with the metallic blue paint around the rim giving it a good screen-accurate look. Where it does fall down however is the gauge in the centre, which has been significantly simplified for this toy version. It isn't all that surprising given Bandai's penchant to simplify the transformation items now on standard S.H. Figuarts releases, but at the same time the basic blue and red blobs of paint don't really emulate the real Changer's colour gradient display.
Bun Red also sports articulation that's easily on par with the rest of the new Super Sentai releases, but thanks to his more straightforward design there's less here to hinder it. Altogether he features;
- Ball jointed head, neck, torso, waist and wrists
- Swivel hinge shoulders and ankles
- Butterfly joint shoulders
- Double hinge elbows and knees
- "Drop down" ball jointed hips
- Single hinge toe sections
- Bicep and thigh swivels
It looks like drop down style hips are here to stay on these newer Super Sentai figures, which isn't a problem so long as they don't loosen up over time like a lot of the older releases have. Pulling the leg down does leave a somewhat noticeable gap, but it is definitely worth it for the extra movement it gives the leg - and for a speedy character like Bun Red you're going to want that movement for those dynamic running poses. The feet are well designed for pulling those off too, with their rectangular soles and the great tilt movement you get from the ankle joints. The upper body movement is impressive too, and with no capes to get in the way those shoulders are free to pull off some fantastic articulation. The shoulder design feels very reminiscent of the older Super Sentai figures, with a free-floating piece around the joint to cover up the connection. This time around though the piece sits a lot looser, not only leaving the arm movement unimpeded but also letting the arms raise up around 135°. Sadly the torso and waist joints are quite stiff (at least at first), but with everything else going on with the figure Bun Red can pull off some great poses even if they don't loosen up a bit with movement.
Bun Red also fares well on his accessory count, even if it's just because there isn't a great deal of things the figure needed to come with to cover all of the essentials. Included here are eight additional hands (five right and three left), the Boonboom Handle and an additional piece to change it into Rod Mode. In regards to hands the figure has four matching pairs (the default closed fists and then relaxed open, posed running and weapon holding hands) and then two extra right hands - one to hold the Boonboom Changer (as previously mentioned) and a thumbs up hand to replicate his signature pose. The hand to hold the Changer has a socket moulded into it for the Changer to plug into, which is great as there's always the worry of little accessories like that falling out and getting lost. One thing I did notice is that the glossy plastic used for the red right hands is quite prone to stress marks, which I discovered when having to open the grip up a little so that the weapon would fit in it. It isn't too noticeable, but still a little annoying for a brand new figure that had barely spent any time out of the box. The white left hands have a matte finish so it's unlikely to affect them as much. Moving onto the Boonboom Handle it's a fairly straightforward weapon, but the few paint apps it has help give it that screen-accurate look. As with the Changer, the metallic blue paint looks particularly good. Swapping between Gun and Rod Modes simply requires popping out the folded blade piece from the centre of the wheel, and plugging the extended one in its place. As previously mentioned the Boonboom Changer can also be plugged into the centre of the Boonboom Handle to recreate Handle Mode, in which the weapon becomes the steering wheel for the Boonboom cars. A fairly straightforward selection of accessories for sure, but it's hard to think of anything the figure is missing.
Now that we're a few years into the return of Super Sentai Figuarts the release of at least the red ranger has become more of an expectation than a wish list item, as well as knowing what to expect with each new release. S.H. Figuarts Bun Red however shows Bandai are continuing to maintain a pretty high standard with these figures, with Bun Red especially showing off how much more expressive and articulated these news ones are compared to their predecessors. But while Bun Red may only have a few minor flaws to speak of, the slight price jump here compared to Kuwagata Ohger and Don Momotaro is also something to take note of. Also as great as a line up of team leaders (along with a couple of sixth/extra rangers) may be, the more years we have of just them the lonelier these Super Sentai teams begin to look. With the Tamashii Nations event last year having revealed a Byun Violet prototype, here's hoping Bandai won't be stopping the Boonboom anytime soon...
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