Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Zetton (Shin Ultraman)

Release Date: September 2023

RRP: 16500 yen

Of all the changes made in Shin Ultraman, easily one of the most interesting ones was Zetton being a superweapon from the Planet of Light – summoned to Earth by Zōffy to eliminate humanity after their evolution is deemed a threat. While sharing the same visual cues as the original, this Zetton is wildly different in execution – a twisted convergence of shapes that utterly dwarves Ultraman. Looking at him you'd wonder how on Earth this thing could ever be a functional toy, but Bandai Tamashii Nations aren't ones to back down from a challenge. S.H. Figuarts Zetton (Shin Ultraman) is the final entry to their Shin Ultraman range in 2023, and it's definitely a case of saving the biggest to last. This Tamashii web exclusive is certainly not your average S.H. Figuarts release.

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Zetton

The Ultra Series/Ultraman's sudden move from the Ultra-Act range to the S.H. Figuarts line is something that has caused a bit of a divide among collectors. And with fair reason too - to collect a line for over half a decade and then have it redone in a completely different scale is a bit of a slap in the face. But one thing that move has done that benefits both newcomers and longtime Ultra-Act collectors is that its presented to opportunity to focus more on the numerous kaiju that make up the Ultra universe. First came Alien Baltan, and now he's joined by perhaps the greatest of Ultraman's foes in the original series - Zetton. The ultimate weapon of the Alien Zetton, this giant monster not only defeated Ultraman but also went on to face off against future Ultra Heroes as well - most recently playing a key part in Ultraman Orb.

Series REVIEW: Ultraman

Out of all the big tokusatsu anniversaries happening in 2016, this one is definitely the biggest. 50 years ago on July 17th 1966, the first episode of Ultraman aired - properly introducing Japan to a superhero who would go on to become one of their biggest pop culture icons. Following on from Ultra Q, this was the first entry in Tsuburaya Productions' Ultra Series to include a regular hero - with future iterations introducing their own editions of the red and silver giant. Over the years this series has spawned countless sequels, spin-offs and movies, as well as parodies and homages from across the globe. As we celebrate the hero of light from Nebula M713's 50th birthday, there couldn't be a more perfect time to look at one of toku's greatest champions.