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.
Kamen Rider Stronger comes in a standard two-piece S.H. Figuarts Shinkocchou Seihou box, the lid of which features a great (if slightly trypophobia-inducing) bust shot of the figure against a white background. The sides of the box feature the character name (using "Masked" rather than "Kamen" as with any pre-W Rider) in silver foil lettering against a solid black backdrop. On the bottom half/underside of the box you'll find a selection of images showing the figure off in various poses, as well as alongside the other original six Showa era Kamen Riders. Interestingly the box uses images of the "Legendary Showa Masked Rider Edition" versions of Rider 1 and 2, both of which were released after Stronger. Inside the figure and accessories can be found dispersed across two moulded plastic trays - one for the figure itself and then another smaller one underneath for the accessories.
Even amongst the rest of the Showa era Riders, Kamen Rider Stronger is a bit of an outlier when it comes to design. Between the oversized helmet and giant colourful torso armour with "S" logo, it's definitely the one Kamen Rider design that feels the most of its time (1975). Admittedly I wasn't a fan when I first got into Kamrn Rider, but it definitely grew on me more after seeing Stronger in action - particularly in the show itself. But here it's not about whether you love or hate the suit - it's about how well Bandai have translated into figure form. Once again the Shinkocchou Seihou stands out with its realistic "man in a suit" sculpting/proportions, with the larger elements of Stronger's suit giving him a more imposing look than his fellow Riders despite the base body being roughly the same size. The colouring and detail is all really sharp too, from the tri-colour torso armour to the Electrer belt. One detail that really stands out on this release though (as well as suit itself) are the eyes, which feature multiple small holes akin to the Himitsu Sentai Gorenger suits rather than the usual compound eyes. It gives Stronger a very unique look, with even the eyes here feeling particularly unnerving when stared at for too long (again, trypophobia warning). As with V3, Riderman and X, Kamen Rider Stronger features two wired cloth scarves that can be posed however you choose.
Great articulation is one of S.H. Figuarts' greatest strengths, which is something Kamen Rider Stronger also manages to achieve despite parts of his costume perhaps suggesting otherwise. Altogether Stronger features;
- Ball jointed head, neck, torso, waist and wrists
- Butterfly joint shoulders
- Swivel hinge shoulders, hips and ankles
- Double hinge elbows and knees
- Single hinge toe sections
- Bicep, glove and thigh swivels
Let's be honest - that torso section (coupled with Stronger's oversized helmet) doesn't look all that inviting even with joint cuts that aren't present on the actual suit. But credit where it's due Bandai have done a good job accounting for some of the more unique quirks in his design, and articulation isn't significantly impacted even if it his slightly less than his fellow Riders in certain areas. The end pieces of the torso armour (that hang over the shoulders) are attached via ball joints so can move out of the way of the arms to some extent. Perhaps not enough to lift the arms straight up, but certainly enough to cover off both signature and action poses. And if you do happen to push the arm up more than those pieces can manage, then they'll just pop off without anything actually breaking. The torso armour also has a break in it half way down to allow for proper torso movement, but is very well hidden when looking at the figure face-on. The glove rotation is a nice touch too, not just for the the added movement but also helping to make sure that the red line running down them can meet up with the part on the hands whatever the pose. Finally the lower half of the figure is your usual S.H. Figuarts stuff, which should suffice for both action poses and the various stages of his "Electro Kick" finishing attack.
Despite having numerous electric-based powers at his disposal, in terms of combat Kamen Rider Stronger keeps things fairly basic - something that's reflected in the figure's accessory count. There's no fancy weapons or effect parts to speak of here, instead being entirely comprised of seven additional pairs of hands. Among these are the usual array of closed fists, pointing and assorted open hands, as well as transformation and signature pose hands for those quintessential Stronger poses. At a push maybe some electrical effect parts might have been a nice bonus, but as one of the more reasonably priced Tamashii web exclusive Shinkocchou Seihou figures I'd say Bandai have done a good job covering all the necessary bases with hands alone.
S.H. Figuarts -Shinkocchou Seihou- Kamen Rider Stronger is a fairly straightforward figure that doesn't have much to offer in the way of additional features, but everything it does have it does exceedingly well. Stronger continues the line's high standard when it comes to replicating the onscreen suits as closely as possible, while the poseability continues to be great despite some limitations from the suit design. The last of the seven original Showa era Kamen Riders to join the Shinkocchou Seihou line, he's a wonderful figure that completes a very satisfying line-up. Although Bandai are almost certainly going to quickly move on to Skyrider and Super-1 next, fingers crossed we'll also one day have a Shinkocchou Seihou Tackle to stand alongside him as well - because that really would be perfect.
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