My Shiny Toy Robots

With my tokusatsu viewing habits now seemingly influenced by whatever Figuart is due out next, my latest Kamen Rider  watch is one whose figure caused quite the storm both in Japan and with fans across the globe. Kamen Rider Blade is the fifth entry into Kamen Rider's Heisei era, and the 14th show in the franchise overall. It ran for 49 episodes between 2004 and 2005, along with a theatrical film titled Missing Ace , which served as an alternate ending to the series itself.

As we approach the end of 2013, it's time to have a look at what will most likely be my last S.H. Figuarts review of the year - and quite appropriately it's also probably one of the biggest releases this year. Not only was Kamen Rider Blade a big deal because it was one of the few lead Riders missing from the line, but it was also the first figure to be using the brand new body type Tamashii Nations  had been showing off prior to its release. After instantly selling out when it was first release in August, Bandai obviously took note of the high demand and scheduled a speedy reissue for November. Here is the review: Admittedly box art has been getting better and better with the Figuarts line, and I seem to regularly be singing the high praises of the pieces of cardboard I instantly rip upon and only ever use again to store accessories. However much like what happened with Kyoryu Red, Tamashii Nations have given Blade the perfect box with suits the aesthetic of b...