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.
Kamen Rider Agito has always felt like something of an outlier in the Shinkocchou Seihou line. Despite being among the first series to be represented in the line (Agito Ground Form released all the way back in 2015), it's only had one additional release since - Agito Trinity Form in 2023. It was the first proper multi-Rider series, yet the likes of G3, Gills and Another Agito have been completely ignored - until now that is. Ten whole years later, G3 and Gills have finally been unveiled. Both look incredible, and although personally I'd rather G3-X in my collection over vanilla G3 you can bet I'll be picking it up in the meantime. For all I know I could be waiting another ten years for any more figures from the series. Of everything that was announced at Tamashii Nations this year these felt the most overdue, and I hope it isn't long before we get concrete release dates on both.
4) S.H. Figuarts No.1 Sentai Gozyuger
The current controversies surrounding No.1 Sentai Gozyuger have almost certainly put a damper on this reveal for some, but that doesn't change the fact that the first full new Super Sentai team to be on display since 2014 is a MONUMENTAL moment. Based on recent events I think everyone was expecting Gozyu Polar to appear alongside the recently released Gozyu Wolf, but seeing Leon, Tyranno, Eagle and Unicorn with them (and with all their signature weapons no less!) is the kind of dream that felt like it died a long time ago. The only reason I haven't ranked this higher is because I still highly doubt any of them other than Polar will actually come out - after all, we're still waiting on the Shinkocchou Seihou Go-On Red revealed last year (which was on display once again this year). Super Sentai releases may have gotten better in the last few years, but they're still far from the strength they used to be.
3) Metal Build Nirvash TypeZERO (Eureka Seven)
A new Eureka Seven toy in 2025? What crazy parallel world have we slipped into? Undoubtedly the BIGGEST surprise for me this year was Bandai acknowledging one of my all-time favourite anime series. which uncoincidentally happens to be celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The Robot Damashii Nirvash released all the way back in 2010 and is still a fantastic figure, but this Metal Build version looks to a hell of an upgrade as well. As well as incorporating metal pieces into the sculpt and (presumably) reworked proportions, close ups also show off some really nice tech detailing as well. While I'm not the biggest fan of it being Metal Build because I find the line's prices extremely hard to justify, if I were ever to dip my toes into the line it would be with this.
2) S.H. Figuarts -Shinkocchou Seihou- Kamen Rider Black RX (Kamen Rider Black RX)
My top two favourite reveals this year are both ones that feel long overdue, and when it comes to Kamen Rider characters you don't need to look much further than Black RX. While there are perhaps Riders that deserve the Shinkocchou Seihou treatment more, with both Black and Shadow Moon getting figures back in 2021/2022 we've all been counting down the days until Black RX. Absolutely no disrespect to the renewal version S.H. Figuarts from 2014 because that's still pretty great, but I'm ready to see what Shinkocchou Seihou have got in the works - which is hopefully nothing with rubbery shoulder/hip parts like Black had. One of biggest collecting regrets is selling off my Roborider and Biorider Figuarts as well, so here's hoping better versions of them are in the works as well.
1) S.H. Figuarts -Shinkocchou Seihou- Gavan (Space Sheriff Gavan)
I've been thinking for years about how we deserve a new Gavan figure from Tamashii Nations. As well as the original 2013 figure being woefully outdated in terms of sculpt/proportions, its fragile wrist joints (mine broke very early on into owning it) really soured me on it. Watching the series properly for the first time also made me realise that the chrome finish of the original figure didn't really suit the character either. The look may suit modern appearances of the character or Gavan Type-G, but in the original series (particularly in the action sequences) the suit had flat colours. With Bandai putting out a Garo re-release earlier in the year that stripped away the chrome, I hoped that they'd be able to do the same for Gavan one day too. Turns out I might not have to wait all that long. This figure looks just about perfect, and with all the rumours about Metal Heroes returning circulating at the moment maybe the timing isn't all that coincidental. Whether or not they pan out is another thing entirely, but this needs to be part of my collection ASAP.
-----------------
What were your favourite reveals at this year's Tamashii Nation event? Please let me know your thoughts in the comment section below!
No comments:
Post a Comment