My Shiny Toy Robots

It’s been a pretty good couple of years for Android Kikaider fans. Last year saw the character revitalised in the form of the Kikaider REBOOT movie, while Bandai Tamashii Nations turned to the original 1972 series and produced S.H. Figuarts figures of both Kikaider and Hakaider (as well as their bikes). This year (as far as the figures go anyway) it’s been the turn of Kikaider 01 , but this time Bandai have gone a little bit further than just the title character and his arch nemesis. Released as a limited edition ToeiHero.net exclusive three-pack, the Hakaider Squad have arrived! Comprised of Blue Hakaider , Red Hakaider and Silver Hakaider , these three were former DARK scientists reborn into cyborg bodies to serve Gill Hakaider . Together the four Hakaiders are able to combine and form the mighty Gattaider (who looks much more impressive in the anime than the live-action show), and were 01’s main enemies before their eventual defeat and the arrival of SHADOW .

While it's true that most S.H. Figuarts deemed not worthy enough for mass retail end up on Bandai's own Tamashii Webshop, sometimes there are characters minor enough to go elsewhere for their release - a website that goes by the name of ToeiHero.net . Unfortunately, this is also a place many fans have said exclusives go to die, with afterthoughts like the ZERO Kamen Rider Fourze Zodiarts ending up on there to minimal fanfare. However every so often you'll get a gem among these limited exclusives, and the latest release is Kamen Rider Bujin Gaim Blood Orange Arms . The main villain from the movie Kamen Rider x Kamen Rider Gaim & Wizard: The Fateful Sengoku Movie Battle , this November 2014 release is just further proof that Bandai really are dedicated to giving fans as much Gaim as they possibly can while interest is still high.

While all six members of the Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger  crew have been available in Bandai's S.H. Figuarts line for almost a year now, that doesn't mean there aren't still a few more figure possibilities for the 35th anniversary Super Sentai  team. While the most obvious release would have probably Gokai Silver's gold mode, online store ToeiHero.net had some different (and more festive) plans for their exclusive figure. With a release date in December last year, its only fitting that the figure in question is Gokai Christmas - a special one-off suit that appeared in episode 44 of the series when Gokai Silver combined the powers of the Gokai Red and Green ranger keys. In true Christmas fashion, Gokai Christmas comes in possibly the gaudiest box imaginable. A festive blend of red and green stripes, with the words "Gokai X'mas" emblazoned in white text with gold trimming. The front of the box also features the ToeiHero.net logo as a sign of its exc...