Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts -Shinkocchou Seihou- Kamen Rider 2 (Legendary Showa Masked Riders Edition)

Release Date: December 2025

RRP: 11,000 yen

If there's one thing you can often guarantee about a Kamen Rider 1 figure, it's that a Kamen Rider 2 figure usually isn't that far behind it. After revitalising their standard and Sakurajima version Kamen Rider 1 figures with new "Legendary Showa Masked Rider Edition" versions, the least Bandai Tamashii Nations could do is offer the same treatment up to his successor. But as well as bringing the figure more in line with the more recent Showa era releases, S.H. Figuarts -Shinkocchou Seihou- Kamen Rider 2 (Legendary Showa Masked Riders Edition) has another surprise in store for fans who've watched Hayato Ichimonji's costume evolve over the years.

After Rider 1 came in a much larger box to accommodate the bonus display stand, the Legendary Showa Masked Riders Edition of Kamen Rider 2 returns to standard sized S.H. Figuarts Shinkocchou Seihou packaging. The top half of the box features a nice bust shot image of Kamen Rider 2 sporting his darker helmet (which nicely differentiates it from the previous releases, even if the alternate helmet isn't actually the figure's default helmet) along with all the usual brand logos. The sides feature "Masked Rider 2" in silver foil lettering across a solid black background as usual, accompanied by "Legendary Showa Masked Riders Edition" above it in gold lettering. On the back/underside of the box there's a variety of images showing the figure off in various poses and alongside Kamen Rider 1. Inside the contents are spread across two plastic trays - one for the figure itself and another for the accessories.

Unlike Kamen Rider 1's "Shin" suit which became his default look as soon as Hiroshi Fujioka returned to the series full-time, Kamen Rider 2's is seen far less over the course of the original series - first debuting in episode 72 and then again for all his subsequent appearances. The suit has then continued to be the default look for Rider 2 in every appearance since, albeit with some slight modifications every so often. The suit itself is almost identical to that of Rider 1, with the main differences being the red boots and gloves (as opposed to silver) and one thick silver stripe running down the arms and legs as opposed to Rider 1's two. In some respects it might seem strange that Rider 1 has two stripes and Rider 2 has one, but as the stripes have always been a component of Rider 2's look (they were only added to Rider 1 for the Shin suit) presumably that's why it was kept this way. While the Shinkocchou Seihou line prides itself on sculpting via a "true bone carving" method based on the proportions of the suit actors themselves, truth be told there isn't a hugely noticeable difference between the Double Riders here. Much like the suits themselves, if there are differences they're so subtle that only the most eagle-eyed fans will pick up on them. That certainly doesn't detract from the figure itself though, which is still a fantastic representation of the suit and character. The sculpt itself is identical to the original release from 2018 (which was also repainted for the 50th anniversary in 2021), but with slight deco changes and the addition of a soft goods scarf to match the other Shinkocchou Seihou Showa era Riders (with the exception of Amazon). The scarf is wired down the middle so can be bent however the owner sees fit, giving it far more variety than the two plastic versions offered with the previous releases.

The differences between the Legendary Showa Masked Riders Edition and original Shinkocchou Seihou release are the same as they were with Rider 1, but (switch to soft goods scarf notwithstanding) perhaps a little more subtle. As before the torso armour, helmet and back "wings" are all a slightly different shade of green - with the torso armour also featuring a very slight sandy weathered effect to give it more depth. Though it doesn't really show up in photos the red gloves and boots now have a matte finish and opposed to a glossy one, which aesthetically doesn't really make that much difference to the figure but makes the hands a lot easier to switch. As with Rider 1 it's really just the new scarf that makes a big difference to the base figure, but then again when it comes to deco differences Rider 2 has a lot more going for him when you take the accessories into account as well.

Articulation on the figure is again identical to that of Rider 1, and both figures have identical articulation to their original Shinkocchou Seihou releases. Altogether that consists of;

- Ball jointed head, neck, torso, pectoral muscles, waist and wrists

- Swivel hinge shoulders, hips and ankles

- Butterfly joint shoulders

- Double hinge elbows and knees

- Single hinge toe sections 

- Bicep and thigh swivels

The antennae are also able to rotate simply by way of how they plug into the helmet, but that's more of a way to prevent breakage than to add additional movement. It does however mean that you can display the antennae at different angles, much like how the suits would often not have them sit in the same way from episode to episode. Despite the mould being nearly ten years old now it's still a very good figure in terms of poseability - not raising the bar in any particular way but comfortably showing off what the S.H. Figuarts line has to offer. The articulated pectoral muscles take some getting used to (especially when trying to get his right arm all the way across for the henshin pose), but overall there are still no real complaints to be found here.

The accessories are where things begin to get interesting, even if they're largely identical to the original release. First up with have a pair of replacement antennae, which are included just case of any accidental breakage or them falling off the helmet and getting lost. It might not seem essential, but it's good to have them there just in case of emergency. Next an alternate neck piece as well as the two plastic scarves included with the original, just in case you might prefer them to the cloth option. Moving on we have six additional pairs of hands, an upgrade from the original release's four. As was the case with Rider 1 the new additions here are an extra pair of open hands as well as a pair of pointing hands, which compliment the original assortment (closed fists, open hands, knifestrike/henshin pose and accessory-holding) nicely. Last but by no means least is the best accessory of all - an alternate helmet with darker green (almost black) colouring, based on Rider 2's look in several of his crossover appearances across the Showa era (and more recently, Movie War Megamax in 2011). While Rider 2 would often flitter between helmets in these appearances, the darker helmet always stood out as it made the Double Riders far more distinct. While there were also other subtle differences in the suit that aren't necessarily represented here (stripe size, a purple "gem" in the middle of the helmet as opposed to green), this particular look has never been represented in the S.H. Figuarts line before. It looks incredible, working alongside the red gloves/boots to make Rider 2 feel more like his own Rider rather than just a recolour of the Rider 1 suit (even though it still is). I get the sense that most people buying this release will be switching the helmets almost immediately and then never taking the darker one off again.

Rounding off the accessories is another carry-over from the original release- an additional hand piece that allows you to pose the Double Riders shaking hand. The piece includes both Riders' right hands clasped together, so there's no worry about having to fit two separate hands together in a way that looks natural. It's very easy to put together, and a fantastic way to display the two as an alternative to the usual transformation and/or action poses.

S.H. Figuarts -Shinkocchou Seihou- Kamen Rider 2 (Legendary Showa Masked Riders Edition) might just be the definitive Kamen Rider 2 figure. While there are plenty of people out there (myself included) who prefer his original appearance costume, there's no denying that in terms of the Kamen Rider franchise as a whole this is the one now considered to be his default look - and this figure absolutely does that justice. As well as just improving upon the original release with subtle deco changes and a cloth scarf, at long last we have a version that includes the darker helmet - an accessory which elevates this above the usual tweaked reissue. Finally this fan-favourite version has an official place on collectors' shelves, with Rider 2 standing out more than he ever has before.