Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider 2 (Shin Kamen Rider)

Release Date: August 2023

RRP: 8250 yen

As an abridged retelling of the original series, there was no way that Shin Kamen Rider was going to limit itself to just one Rider. As well as depicting Takeshi Hongo's transformation in to the masked hero, the film also introduces Hayato Ichimonji – who fans will know took the mantle following Hongo's departure and became Kamen Rider 2. Shin Kamen Rider plays things a little differently to the original series (and is far more in line with the manga version of the story), but nevertheless Ichimonji remains a vital component in the story. So while his status as a Tamashii web exclusive feels a little undeserved, nevertheless S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider 2 (Shin Kamen Rider) is an important addition to the line – completing yet another rendition of the legendary Double Riders.

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider 2 (THE FIRST Ver.)

Release Date: October 2010

RRP: 2750 yen

S.H. Figuarts have come a long way in 13 years, but even with the arrival of the Shinkocchou Seihou range you can’t necessarily rely on every character to get a new figure that does the suits justice. Cinematic remakes Kamen Rider: The First and Kamen Rider: The Next are two such examples – the mould of which the majority of characters/variants share was one of the first Figuarts releases back in 2008. When Kamen Rider 1 (THE FIRST Ver.) hit shelves he was quickly followed by S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider 2 (THE FIRST Ver.), rather amazingly covering the reimagined Double Riders in both their movie appearances a whole year before their original television counterparts were released.

Movie REVIEW: Kamen Rider: The Next

After retelling the origin story of double Riders Takeshi Hongo and Hayato Ichimonji in Kamen Rider: The First, Toei decided to push on with the story of this cinematic reboot - releasing Kamen Rider: The Next in 2007. The film was once again written by Toshiki Inoue, with both Masaya Kikawada and Hassei Takano reprising their roles as Hongo/Rider 1 and Ichimonji/Rider 2 respectively. This time around though the film was directed by Ryuta Tasaki, a regular to the world of tokusatsu who continues to direct episodes of both Kamen Rider and Super Sentai to this day. As well as continuing the story of the double Riders, The Next also brings Shiro Kazami aka Kamen Rider V3 into the mix - portrayed by actor Kazuki Kato (Daisuke Kazama/Kamen Rider Drake in Kamen Rider Kabuto, as well as Blue in the Sentai parody series Kanpai Senshi After V).

Movie REVIEW: Kamen Rider: The First

The 50th anniversary celebration of the Kamen Rider franchise may have revealed that Hideaki Anno's Shin Kamen Rider will be releasing some time in 2023, but all the way back in 2005 there was another attempt at retelling the original 1971 series story in movie format. Kamen Rider: The First was written by Toshiki Inoue and directed by Takao Nagaishi, starring Masaya Kikawada (who would later play Kishiryu Sentai Ryusoulger's Master Red) and Hassei Takano (Kamen Rider Ryuki's Miyuki Tezuka/Kamen Rider Raia and Ultraman Gaia's Hiroya Fujimiya/Ultraman Agul) in the lead roles of Takeshi Hongo and Hayato Ichimonji respectively. The film was followed up by a sequel, Kamen Rider: The Next, in 2007 and currently remains one of the only pieces of Kamen Rider media released on home video in the US. Media Blasters released the film on DVD in 2007, although sadly the title is long since out of print.

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts -Shinkocchou Seihou- Kamen Rider 2

Release Date: May 2018

RRP: 6480 yen

Following the release of S.H. Figuarts Shinkocchou Seihou Kamen Rider 1 at the end of last year it was fairly obvious just where Bandai were going to go next. Since you can't do one without the other, so the next Kamen Rider to receive a much needed update in Tamashii Nations premium Figuarts range was of course the original's direct successor - Kamen Rider 2, aka Hayato Ichimonji.  A simple release but one that's essential for any completed Rider lineup, S.H. Figuarts Shinkocchou Seihou Kamen Rider 2 is the second Showa era Rider to join this highly regarded line.

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider 2

With an alternate colour version of the New Cyclone motorcycle coming out in October 2014 to accompany the Rider 1/New Cyclone 2-pack, the trifecta was going to look rather incomplete without a re-release of Takeshi Hongo's comrades in arms. So also making a return that month is a reissue of the original S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider 2 figure, based on the "Shin" version of the character that appeared later in the original series and then any subsequent crossovers. This Rider's real identity is freelance photographer Hayato Ichimonji, who was captured by Shocker and transformed into a cyborg in an attempt to defeat the original Kamen Rider once and for all. However before the brainwashing could be completed, Hongo manages to save him and the two have fought alongside ever since.

When Hongo leaves Japan to fight Shocker overseas midway through the series, Ichimonji becomes his successor and defends Japan from Shocker's evil schemes. Eventually Hongo returns to Japan, with the two continuing the fight alongside as the Double Riders.