Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Akiba Blue (Season Tsuu Ver.)

Tamashii Nations must be pretty bold when it comes to the Akibaranger S.H. Figuarts. Not only are the original Akiba Blue and Yellow figures the only Sentai girls to have received a mass release in the line, but almost a year later they're getting released again. They aren't quite the same figures though, as these are in fact Season Tsuu (or 2 depending on your opinions on Japanese puns). So you're not buying another Mitsuki Aoyagi, in fact you're getting the first S.H. Figuarts representation of Luna Iwashimizu!

Since it's Akibaranger merchandising the packaging is all sunshine and rainbows (well, the latter certainly) - a colourful explosion with Luna displaying one of her trademark idol-in-training poses on the front. The window features more Japanese writing, different from that included on Super Akiba Red's packaging. Unfortunately I still have no idea what it says - maybe I'll work it all out in time for the S2 Akiba Yellow review!

So here we are again - another year, another Akiba Blue. The overall sculpt hasn't changed in any way at all save for the few minor changes I'll go into in the next paragraph, but at least this one came assembled properly in the box. The translucent blue on the chest looks as good as ever, and the combo of blue, white and black really works for a striking colourscheme. And with the cut-off skirt means all that glorious leg articulation isn't in any way hindered.

Of course, Bandai aren't so heartless to make you buy the same figure twice so there are a few cosmetic differences between the season 1 and 2 Akiba Blues. The most obvious of these is the helmet, with the hair section now fashioned into a single ponytail. The bear print pants are now gone too, replaced with black suspenders running up the thigh area. Sexy.

And of course, to further differentiate Luna from her predecessor this Akiba Blue also comes with a new set of accessories. We have a total of 14 different hands, 2 mufflers and the MMZ-01 in both gun and doll modes. So that means she's beating the original in the hand department by two, and omitting one muffler in exchange for the wonderfully detailed MMZ doll is a very fair trade off. Of course, if you have the original Akiba Blue, her unique pieces will also work here for even more variety.

With the official Super Sentai heroes coming with their own Akibaranger goodies related to the stories they appeared in, Bandai have changed things up a little when it comes to the inordinate powers. To make sure fans are willing to shell out for the same two figures (with minor changes) once again - the three inordinate powers for the season have been split between the Akiba girls. For whatever reason (I like to think it's because she's the new character), Blue is the one that comes with two - in this case the Zyuranger Buckler and Hurricane Ball. There isn't a whole lot to say about the Buckler other than it's a giant belt that can clip onto any of the three Akibarangers via the holes in their belts, but the Hurricane Ball is a much more interesting piece.

Surprisingly, the Hurricane Ball comes on a real metal chain, which is long enough to reproduce some pretty good action shots. Better still, the Tamashii stand claw can wrap around the ball nicely to keep things stable.

Aside from the fact that this release comes with two inordinate powers, I wasn't expecting a lot from this iteration of Akiba Blue. After all, I already have the first release right? I don't know if it's because Luna eventually turned out to be the better character, but somehow I just found myself having so much more fun with this release. To sweeten the deal, the accessories are far more impressive even without the inclusion of the powers. So while I can't give the new improved Akiba Blue full marks because it IS the same figure, it deserves the same because it tried damn hard to make it hard to pass on it.

Series REVIEW: Hikōnin Sentai Akibaranger Season 2

When Hikōnin Sentai Akibaranger first hit television screens in April last year, I don't think anyone knew quite what to expect. But as it turned out what we get was not only a Super Sentai parody that was hilariously funny on a meta level, but one that was clearly a love letter to the official heroes that both appeared and were mentioned. In the year that past the merchandising drive has been pretty huge, and with fans left wanting more from the unofficial Sentai it seems Toei were more than happy to oblige. Akibaranger Season 2 (or Tsuu, which also doubles as "pain") returned exactly a year later for a further 13 episodes, promising more delusion chaos.

Meet your new Akiba Blue

The season opens with the events of Akibaranger season one rewritten by its manipulative creator Hatte Saburo. The Akibarangers never became self aware that they were in a TV show, Dr Z and the Delusional Empire never happened, Mitsuki (Akiba Blue) was the one picked up by the Pentagon and the Akibarangers defeated Malshina and DeluKnight in a huge climactic battle. As Mitsuki left for America and Yumeria prepared for married life, the Akibarangers went their separate ways and returned to normal life.

However things changed when somehow Akibaranger became an official Sentai, replacing Dairanger as the 17th Super Sentai series. While reminding RyuRanger (now China Red of Chinaman) who he was, the Akibarangers discovered Malshina has returned as part of a new organisation - The New Dimensional Intellect Remodeling Underground True Empire Baros LOL. Led by the mysterious General Pain, a Super Sentai villain otaku, the effects on they create on the Delusion World have begun to alter history in the real world! With the help of a new Akiba Blue, wannabe idol Luna Iwashimizu, the Akibarangers reform to put an end to Baros LOL's schemes and return the official heroes to their former glory.

General Pain - yes, he walks around like this in public

Not much has changed with the returning cast of Akibaranger. Nobuo is as nerdy as ever and Yumeria's marriage hasn't got in the way of her love for cosplay and yaoi. Hakasa and Kozkoz are also still around, with Kozkoz taking up a bigger role in this season. Malshina is still kicking too of course, and even more "adult" than ever.

Then we have our two new characters - brand new Akiba Blue Luna and Baros LOL leader General Pain. Although she was the most normal of the three Akibarangers, Mitsuki filled an important place in the team so I was very sorry to hear she wouldn't be returning for season two. With that in mind, Luna had some big shoes to fill and it took me quite a while to get used to the drastic character change. Gone was the tough martial artist, replaced by a slightly ditzy but loveable wannabe idol. In the event that you aren't initially sold on Luna keep watching, because she just keeps getting better and better throughout the show - eventually surpassing her predecessor and feeling perfect in the role of Akiba Blue.

General Pain on the other hand is a fantastic character from the get-go. He's the villain version of Nobuo, a die-hard Sentai otaku and able to battle the Akibarangers' knowledge of Super Sentai with his own encyclopaedic brain. In no way does he replace the utterly brilliant Malshina (who also just keeps getting better and better), but he adds a very welcome extra bit of nerdiness to the show allowing for even more glorious references and parodies. 

MAI WAIFUUU

Of course, it wouldn't be Akibaranger without the inclusion of their show within a show, Nijiyome Academy Z-Cune Aoi! With the cast eagerly awaiting the brand new Aoi-tan film throughout the course of the show, Aoi-tan herself is blessed with a slightly new redesign. We also see Nobuo's love for the 2D character reach new heights, as his love for his waifu allows him to unlock new powers in the form of Cho Akiba Red, a super form with the armour being made up by the animated character lovingly embracing him. It's very weird and undoubtedly a little bit creepy, but perfect for Akibaranger's brand of humour.

Scarily close to the truth

While there are a huge number of Super Sentai references from all over it's 37 year history, once again Akibaranger chooses three particular shows for proper episode focus. This time it's Zyuranger, Dairanger and Hurricanger's turn. These parodies are particularly special, as they play upon real-life things that happened to bring an even bigger sense of meta to the Akibaranger world. The Dairangers become Chinaman (the now-debunked but rumoured original title for the series) while the Gouraigers gain their apparently proposed third member. Best of all however is the Zyuranger episodes, featuring the "Powerful Rangers", a parody of...well, you can figure it out. Clad in star spangled banners and speaking Japanese in hilarious American accents, these are among the best episodes Akibaranger has put out. And with so many good episodes in both seasons, that is quite the accomplishment.

Wonder how many of these will have Figuarts before the year is out?

Akibaranger has done it once again. Season 2 proved to be every bit as good as the first, often even surpassing it. The retooling might seem a bit throwing at first, but it gives way to a season that's every bit as funny as the original, but also feels different enough to stand on its own ground. But of course nothing is ever that simple where Akibaranger and Hatte Saburo are concerned, with the events of the original eventually shining through in a way that can only be seen to be believed. Akibaranger is a show quite like no other, and these 13 episode bursts ensure that the show constantly stays fresh and among some of the best quality Sentai shows there are...and they aren't even official heroes.