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.

A chocolate-themed Rider needs packaging that looks just as delicious as they do, and S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Valen fulfils this with a white, windowless box covered in splatterings of milk and white chocolate in both bar and melted forms. The front of the box features a nice big posed image of the figure, alongside the character name in big lettering as well as Valen's own little helmet logo beside it. One side of the box simply features the character name again (sans logo this time) in big bold lettering, whilst the other combines slightly smaller lettering with a full body shot of the figure. On the back of the box you'll find the usual array of images showing the figure off in various poses (as well as highlighting the additional accessory for Gavv), and then inside both the figure and accessories are neatly stored on a moulded plastic tray. Instructions for how to use and switch the alternate parts are printed on the inside flaps of the box.

Finally, a Kamen Rider that looks good enough to eat! As weird as any of these Kamen Riders may look to anyone who hasn't fully embraced Kamen Rider Gavv's sweets theme, S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Valen Chocodon Form is a pretty fantastic rendition of how the Rider and suit look onscreen. Though perhaps a little simplified compared to the full-size version the "Chocolate" lettering across the helmet and shoulder pads still looks great (and in the correct font), while the sections of metallic paint really add some flash to what is otherwise a somewhat plain colour palette. Those colours however carry the chocolate theme perfectly, with squares of milk and while chocolate running across the armour in a way that genuinely don't look that far off the real thing. It's a little unusual to see a Rider with flat coloured eyes rather than the usual translucent compound ones, but the white diamonds continuing out into a line of chocolate squares works perfectly.

Articulation-wise Valen is pretty much identical to Gavv, with the only (minor) differences stemming from how the suit itself is designed. 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 joint hips

- Single hinge toe sections

- Bicep and thigh swivels

The shoulder pads are also attached to the usual raised ball joint, allowing them to move (very slightly) independently of the arms) The lack of a bulky transformation belt and torso armour immediately gives Valen a much better ab crunch than Gavv, but on the other hand the V-shaped torso armour gets in the way of the arms' butterfly movement. While you can get around this slightly simply by rotating the arms at the shoulder, there's also the worry of the metallic paint scuffing when it rubs up against the armour. The shoulder pads also have a habit of popping off when doing this too, which isn't a major complaint but still a little frustrating. Everything else though is to the usual high S.H. Figuarts standard, allowing Valen to pull off a wide variety of poses.

Valen's accessories include three additional pairs of hands to compliment the default closed fists (accessory holding, relaxed and open), as well as his signature weapon and transformation device - the Valenbuster. While the weapon tends to be held by Valen at all times when in his base Chocodon Form, it can be holstered on the side of his belt if you'd prefer both hands to be free. To Bandai's credit the rather odd little gun device is beautifully painted, with a metallic blue grip section (complete with light blue highlights) and gunmetal grey/brown "Crack Jack" lever pieces. Those lever pieces can be fully pulled back to display the weapon in its expanded state. Just underneath them is a tiny Chocodon Gochizo, which like Gavv's Poppingummy one is moulded in a single colour with minimal detailing. However because the Chocodon one is white rather than translucent purple, the little details that it does have (such as the eyes and mouth outline) stand out a lot more. More detailed transformation trinkets would be nice given that Bandai have proven they're capable of it plenty of times, but these days it seems to be something reserved for the Shinkocchou Seihou line. The Chocodon Gochizo can be removed and placed in Gavv's Gavv belt, and in turn Gavv's Poppingummy Gochizo can be fitted inside the Valenbuster.

And of course with Kamen Rider Gavv Poppingummy Form featuring no proper accessories of his own, so continues the tradition of the main Rider having all their weapons packed in with other releases from the series. In this case it's the Gavvgablade - a pretty essential accessory given that Gavv was using it from the very first episode. Also included are an additional pair of weapon-holding hands for Gavv so that he can wield it in either hand. This rather strange weapon (moreso because it doesn't really match with the rest of Gavv's theming) is really nicely detailed in Figuarts form - moulded in black plastic but sporting glossy red paint apps as well as pink and white where required. The little Gochispeeder attached is particularly impressive, and while it is removable it is a little fiddly to do so be careful not to lose the piece or worse break the accessory altogether. What's much easier to do however is inserting one of the Gochizo into the driver's seat, allowing it to prepare for its imminent death as Gavv fires off an attack. Its bulky size makes it a very nice companion piece to the Poppingummy Form figure, and definitely adds a lot more to its display presence and pose potential. While I've never been the biggest fan of these accessories being bundled off with other figures, over the years it's just something Figuarts collectors have just come to accept. In the grand scheme of things, the weapon coming with the secondary Rider (who most collectors will probably buy in addition to Gavv) isn't too bad at all. It was much worse when they used to come with the bikes instead.

While there's always plenty to say about how Bandai's business practices have changed over the years and why everyone else other than Gavv has to be a web exclusive, S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Valen Chocodon Form is another great release and a solid addition to the Gavv lineup. Dare I say better than Gavv himself, because despite being nearly twice the price he does feel like a "complete" package. Though it doesn't do anything especially extraordinary, everything it does do it does with only the slightest of quibbles. Plus it also helps that Hanto is just an insanely likeable character, and much like the rest of Gavv's cast helps carries these Riders even if you are one of the people to find their suits a little on the strange side.