Miniseries REVIEW: Rider Time: Kamen Rider Zi-O vs Decade -7 of Zi-O!

If there was one thing certain about Kamen Rider Zi-O, it’s that the ending was never going to last. You can take away the threat of Ohma Zi-O, but there was no way Tokiwa Sougo and co were going to retire to a peaceful highschool life. Slowly but surely the past has chipped away at this new universe, with Zi-O taking up his Ziku Driver once more in both Reiwa The First Generation and NEXT TIME: Geiz, Majesty. Now the Demon King of Time must face off against the Destroyer of Worlds once more, in Rider Time: Kamen Rider Zi-O vs Decade -7 of Zi-O!-. The fourth entry in the Rider Time spin-offs, Zi-O vs Decade was released via the Toei Tokusatsu Fan Club alongside Decade vs Zi-O. Both were written by Toshiki Inoue, and directed by Satoshi Morota.

Miniseries REVIEW: Rider Time: Kamen Rider Decade vs Zi-O -Decade’s Mansion Death Game-

Kamen Rider Decade is a series that often seems to be met to mixed opinion, but if there’s one thing most people seem to agree on it’s how great Tsukasa Kadoya is. It’s clear just how much fun Mashiro Inoue playing him, and every time he returns it’s an absolute joy. His extended stint in Kamen Rider Zi-O was a particular highlight, especially as he returned with a brand new (recoloured) Driver and another decade’s worth of Kamen Rider powers. The rapport between the two Heisei era milestone Riders was so good that they’re back again for a pair of three-part Toei Tokusatsu Fan Club specials, kicking off with Rider Time: Kamen Rider Decade vs Zi-O -Decade’s Mansion Death Game-. As well as being the third instalment in the Rider Time series of spin-offs, this special sees the return of Yuusuke Onodera/AU Kamen Rider Kuuga - his first reappearance since Kamen Rider x Kamen Rider & Decade: Movie War 2010.

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

Release Date: October 2019
RRP: 7700 yen

It's been three and a half years since S.H. Figuarts -Shinkocchou Seihou- Kamen Rider Decade was originally released, but despite showing up at the Tamashii Nation event that very same year his rival Kamen Rider Diend has been nowhere to be seen. But now fans of the world-hopping thief's prayers have been answers, as S.H. Figuarts -Shinkocchou Seihou- Kamen Rider Diend has finally arrived in a rather unexpected way. Daiki Kaito's latest target is collectors' wallets, as Diend appears as the Shinkocchou Seihou Tamashii Nation 2019 event exclusive. But though the means might not be what people expected the timing couldn’t be any better, as the two Kamen Rider Decade Riders returned to butt heads (and then team up, in typical fashion) earlier this year in Kamen Rider Zi-O – the final chapter in the Heisei Rider chronology.

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

Kamen Rider releases in the S.H. Figuarts line might not be as frequent or as plenty as they once were, but the Shinkocchou Seihou sub-line releases have ensured that they're still the ones everyone still talks about. Despite only a handful of releases in the past three years, Shinkocchou Seihou offers the very best Bandai Tamashii Nations have to offer - combining the usual Figuarts quality with improved sculpting and accuracy to create perfect replicas of the onscreen suits. With the exception of Kamen Rider Hibiki (who was a brand new entry), the releases have all followed a specific pattern as well - mirroring the release of the main Riders as they originally debuted in the S.H. Figuarts line. First came Kabuto, followed by Kuuga and then Agito - and now it's the time of the Destroyer of Worlds and tenth Heisei era Kamen Rider - Kamen Rider Decade.

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Kiva-la

S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Kiva-la is perhaps one of the most surprising offers from Tamashii Nations yet. As a movie-exclusive rider from five years ago with a total screen time of about 10-15 minutes, the character has somehow defied all odds to not only come out before the main series Rider her design is based on (Kamen Rider Kiva) but also be the first female character from the franchise to receive a mass release figure. Quite unexpected, but when you consider that Kamen Rider Abyss managed to do a similar thing a few years back it just goes to show that Bandai/Japan really love Kamen Rider Decade. Kamen Rider Kiva-la appeared in the movie Kamen Rider x Kamen Rider W & Decade: Movie War 2010 as the Rider form of series regular Natsumi Hikari, as she uses the power of Kiva-la to fulfil her role as the one to defeat the Destroyer of Worlds.

Toybox REVIEW: 66 Action Kamen Riders Wave 1

It's always nice when I have a different toy line to review rather than the same five ones over and over again, and this latest candy toy line from Bandai is something I've been looking forward to for a long time now. Dubbed 66 Action due to their average height of 66mm, this line is dedicated to bringing fans tiny yet poseable figures of their favourite Riders from the Kamen Rider franchise. After a brief delay the first wave finally hit at the end of February, consisting of our first four mini heroes - Kamen Rider Gaim (Orange Arms), Kamen Rider OOO (TaToBa combo), Kamen Rider Decade and Kamen Rider 1.

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Abyss

I'm sure many will agree that S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Abyss qualifies as Tamashii Nations' "Most unexpected release of 2013". Though the Kamen Rider Decade exclusive Ryuki Rider was seen at a Tamashii event some time ago, there was no word on release for a long time. Then all of a sudden he comes out of nowhere as a mass release figure. This is especially strange when you consider that there are still legitimate Ryuki riders to comes out, but then Blade came out this year too so its oddly fitting for a Decade character who's an AU Ryuki Rider whose identity is in fact an AU Blade monster. The Decade relevance? I don't know - Tsukasa was in the last episode of Kamen Rider Wizard? Yeah, let's just go with that...

Though Abyss is technically a Kamen Rider Decade release (as denoted by the series logo on the front on the box), the packaging is in fact styled like Abyss' fellow Ryuki Riders. This includes the predominantly silver card and the shattered mirror look to the back complete with Advent Deck slogans. The foil blue goes really well with the silver, and while its not a box that's instantly striking the colours do sit comfortably together. The figure and its accessories all lie on a single tray, with the included Tamashii stand taped neatly to the back.

Of course, as is the case with any pre-W Kamen Rider Figuart, the box labels the figure as "Masked Rider" rather than "Kamen Rider".

Just look at those wonderful blue colours, aren't they just beautiful? Though the suit perhaps looks a little lighter (and flatter) in Kamen Rider Decade, you can't deny that the metallic finish that Bandai have been giving the Ryuki figures does wonders for the multitudes of shades and tones. The suit is a rather busy one with all the vents and gold/silver/black accents, but also the colours work so well together that every detail pops and not a single thing is left unnoticed.

As a "Ryuki Rider" Abyss shares the same body type as his official brethren, which mean much more solid (and stable) hips as opposed to the usual swing-down variety. This also means diecast feet, which make balancing in those stretched out poses far less of a hassle. Articulation can get a little limited in the neck and shoulder areas because of the extravagant helmet and large shoulder pads, but not to the point where he can't do most poses. Just don't try any in the "flailing arms in the air" variety.

While we're probably unlikely to see Abyss' dual contract monsters Abysshammer and Abyssslasher in Figuarts form (although after this I'm inclined to say anything is possible with time), that doesn't mean the Rider himself doesn't come with a wonderful amount of accessories. Included in this set are 11 alternate hands (the odd one is a card holding right hand), dual Abyss Sabers, the Abyss Visor, Abyss Smash weapon and four Advent Cards (Sword Vent, Strike Vent, Final Vent and a contract monster summon card). That's pretty much everything the character needs save for the two contract monsters and their combined form of the Abyssodon...but I feel that's probably going into addition figure/multi-pack territory there.

The Abyss Visors and Abyss Smash slip on to their respective arms with relative ease and then clip on via the vent ports on the forearms. Both have lovely hinged jaws, while the Visor also has an area where the cards can be placed should you so wish. Finally, Abyss is one of the few Figuarts lucky enough to come with his own unique Tamashii stage - a clear Act 4 stage with a Jaws-like logo and "Masked Rider Abyss" printed on it.

Kamen Rider Abyss just about sums up everything I want in a Figuarts release. A flawless sculpt/finish, diecast feet, brilliant articulation, a heap of accessories, a personal stand and to top it off - a mass release of an obscure character. For a design that only appears in two episodes, its clear that a lot of love has gone into this figure and it gives me hope that we might see more wildcard releases one day. Go on Bandai, you know you want to make a mass release S.H. Figuarts Dark Red Buster...

Series REVIEW: Kamen Rider Decade

Before the Gokaiger came about with their ranger keys and ability to transform into previous rangers, one pink-clad hero was able to do it years before. Kamen Rider Decade was the tenth anniversary celebration of the Heisei Kamen Rider series, which started back in 2000 with Kamen Rider Kuuga. It ran for 31 episodes (the shortest of any Heisei Rider series), between January and August 2009.

The story revolves around Tsukasa Kadoya, a mysterious man who appeared to the Hikari photo studio one day without any memory of his past. When the world turns to chaos, he draws power from a strange belt that grants him the power of various Kamen Riders through the power of cards. Later Tsukasa is told by a mysterious man than he is Kamen Rider Decade - the Destroyer of Worlds. His task is to travel to the nine AR (Another Rider/Alternate Reality) worlds and destroy them in order to prevent the worlds from merging into one. Travelling with Natsumi Hikari and her grandfather Eijiro, Tsukasa aids the nine worlds' riders to complete what he believes to be his mission. Along the way they are joined on their travels by Yusuke Onodera of the World of Kuuga and Kivala of the World of Kiva. Tsukasa is also confronted by a thief named Daiki Kaito, who is able to transform into Kamen Rider Diend and seems to know of Tsukasa's past.

As their journey through the nine worlds comes to close, the group discover there are more worlds to explore. Worlds without riders, revelations of Tsukasa's past and a multi-world threat await them, but how long can Tsukasa outrun his title as the Destroyer of Worlds?

It's not pink, it's magenta

Tsukasa is an interesting character, without any memories or place to call home he's often quick to jump on the identity each world gives him. He's probably best described as a dick with a heart of gold, given how cold he is to everyone around him yet always seems to come through for them in a pinch. These qualities make him both amusing and enjoyable, but the writing often leans toward making him too perfect. However I have much less praise for Natsumi and Yusuke, who constantly think the best of Tsukasa and defend him despite how badly he seems to treat them. Yusuke, who also remains Kamen Rider Kuuga throughout the show, is a terrible character, childishly naive and pretty insulting to his namesake.

Tsukasa Kadoya, Destroyer of Worlds

Kaito provides a much needed burst of life into the cast dynamic, particularly his relationship with Tsukasa. It fluctuates between antagonism, rivalry and eventually friendship, but does so in an interesting fashion that isn't particularly lineal and changes depending on Diend's goals in that world. He is also fun to watch in fight sequences - despite being obviously powerful when he chooses to fight himself, he often prefers to sit back and let his summoned minions do the job while he sneaks around invisible. Quite the troll. Finally there's Narutaki, a strange prophet-like man who follows Decade through the world's blaming him for pretty much everything. Narutaki at no point has any real explanation in the series, nor does his mysterious relationship with Kivala. What could have been an interesting character simply comes across as a crazy man in a trench coat and funny hat shouting "ONORE DECADE" ("Damn you Decade") at anything and everything.

Kamen Rider Diend, treasure sniper and master troll

Following the journey through the nine worlds (which in show order are Kuuga, Kiva, Ryuki, Blade, Faiz, Agito, Den-O, Kabuto and Hibiki), the show moves into creating its own original worlds. The show does take a nosedive in terms of plot structure around this time, but it does have some good ideas. Two episodes are also dedicated to a crossover with Samurai Sentai Shinkenger, which was also airing at the time and marks the first proper crossover between Kamen Rider and Super Sentai. Finally there is the return of some old Showa-era favourites, in the form of Black/Black RX and Amazon worlds.

Some may put forward the notion that Decade is a great introduction to the Kamen Rider franchise, as it features all of the Heisei Riders (and some of the Showa era too) which gives the viewer a good mind to see which series they may enjoy next. While this is somewhat true, it's also arguable that Decade is also a pretty poor introduction to the franchise. Aside from its convoluted plot, the show actually tells you very little about the Heisei riders themselves given that all of the ones featured are actually AU versions (bar Den-O, but his actor doesn't appear anyway). It doesn't even clarify that they are AU versions properly to begin with, which could lead to some confusion given the appearances of the real Kiva and Blade during the course of the show. The AU riders are very pale imitations of their real-series counterparts, and two episode arcs gives you very little to work with other than appreciating the aesthetic and fighting styles of the riders. Think of it this way - Decade is a sampling platter of nine fine foods, but they each come in smaller portions and have been cooked by an inferior chef. You're getting a good idea of the taste, but nothing that could be held in comparison to the full dish.

Awesome.

Kamen Rider Decade also has three movies on top of its 31 episodes, however none of them are particularly worth raving about. The first, Cho Kamen Rider Den-O & Decade Neo Generations: The Onigashima Warship, is very much a Cho Den-O film and features very little of Decade himself. The second film, the 10th anniversary All Riders vs. Dai Shocker is a lot more interesting, but arguably a far worse film. The plot reveals the details of Tsukasa's past and his connections with the multi-world evil organisation Dai-Shocker, changing the basis of his character from a loveable dick with a heart of gold to someone completely unlikeable who just seems to use everyone and everything around him. The multi-rider team up moments are excellent, but it doesn't stop it from being an anticlimactic mess that struggles to fit in with the series' established storyline. Finally there was Kamen Rider × Kamen Rider W & Decade: Movie War 2010, which aired as a finale after the series ended on a rather unsatisfying cliffhanger. While easily the strongest of the three Decade films, Movie War 2010 is still fraught with pacing problems, unexplained identities and ridiculous resolutions. In some ways its quite a fitting end to a show that got more and more convoluted as it went on, but it doesn't make it any less unsatisfying.

The merging of the worlds will result in the Rider War

In conclusion, I wouldn't say Kamen Rider Decade is a bad series. It's one that's plagued with badly written characters, pacing problems and story issues. But at the same time some of those characters are extremely likeable, the show itself certainly has an anniversary flare to it and is chock full of special moments. There are no other series that will give you a rider that can transform into past riders, an epic Super Sentai team up or seeing Black and Black RX team up together onscreen. If you can ignore the story issues and simply enjoy what's on screen without thinking too hard about it, then Decade is a series I highly recommend. However if you're someone that doesn't like Mary Sue characters and parallel world confusion, then your viewing experience also might be summed up as "Onore Decade!"

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Diend

A few months ago I bought Figuarts Kamen Rider Decade (Violent Emotion ver.), and since then my display shelf has felt like its been lacking something. And this figure is exactly what was missing. Originally released in August 2009, Kamen Rider Diend is the secondary rider from the Kamen Rider Decade series - a treasure hunter named Daiki Kaito who travels through the various Kamen Rider worlds searching for their treasures. He also crossed paths with the Shinkengers, and more recently the Gokaigers in Kamen Rider X Super Sentai: Super Hero Taisen.

Diend shares the same body type as the Decade figure, and so also has all of its flaws. The sculpt is accurate and the figure has (those sorely missed) diecast feet to give it extra balance, yet boasts less versatile hip joints and the slightly-oversized hands that were so noticeable on Decade. While Decade's shoulders felt a little restrictive, this is only amplified by Diend's massive shoulder pads. Just as well Kaito isn't much of a fighter so the most strenuous show-accurate posing you'd have him doing is pointing a gun.

In comparison to all the other Figuarts I've bought in the past, Diend's accessory count seems rather meagre. Included are the Diend driver/gun, 3 additional sets of hands (gun holding, open and card holding) and a cardboard set of various cards. While the cards looked punched on first glance, they aren't punched all the way through and so would require cutting with a scissors or knife. Since I'm afraid to lose the cards, I think I'll be scanning them and making my own replica ones (the pictures here are with the ones I made for Diend). While arguably Diend has everything he should have, I still can't help feel he hardly comes with anything. The Complete Form Diend Figuarts has a second driver with open card slot, so maybe that could have been implemented here? Even something as trivial as pointing hands would have been a nice touch I suppose. To make up for the lack of accessories, in homage to the show, my Diend has stolen Shinken Gold's Ika origami for the near future.

It was a matter of time before I ran into a figuart that I didn't think was amazing, and Diend is the first of what will probably be more than a few. While he's a great representation of the character, he's nowhere near worth his after-market price (which can be £80+ on eBay) and in comparison to others, would be lacking if bought for retail price too. Diend was my favourite character from Decade so I'm thrilled by owning him, but unless your a huge fan of the show/character/design - there are better Figuarts out there you can get for probably half the price.

 

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Decade Violent Emotion

Now that I've settled myself in for a long stay with the Figuarts toyline, it's time to venture back into some of its older releases. The first figure I decided on was also the first full Kamen Rider series I watched (and will be re-watching for a review on this blog sometime in the near future) and star of the upcoming Kamen Rider X Super Sentai: Super Hero Taisen movie. He of course is none other than Kamen Rider Decade, star of the 10th anniversary Heisei Rider series of the same name. The "Violent Emotion" version of the figure is the second release of the character, to tie in with "Kamen Rider × Kamen Rider & Decade: Movie War 2010" and sporting brand new headsculpts.

While the Decade figure still boasts an impressive sculpt, the figure isn't quite as flawless as some of the later ones I've bought from the line. It sports different hip joints which are not quite as versatile as the newer ones, the shoulders feel a bit more restrictive and the hands are much larger than perhaps they should be (this is particularly noticable on the open hands). Regardless, Decade has one thing the newer figures don't, and that is the inclusion of die-cast feet. While it may seem like an odd choice, it adds a lot more weight to the figure making balancing during poses a lot less of a chore. While there might be a few things Bandai did differently back then, Decade could certainly still hold his own.

Before I talk about accessories, perhaps the first and foremost thing to discuss is the two different headsculpts. The one attached to the figure in the packaging is the "evil Decade" version from the aforementioned movie, in which Tsukasa (aka Decade) accepts his role as the destroyer of worlds and hunts down the remaining riders. The second head is a more accurate version of his standard helmet used on the TV show/the latter part of the film. From what I can gather the original release of Figuarts Decade (now dubbed the "State Passion" version by fans/sellers) had lesser quality sculpt, and the difference between the two can be seen here (Violent Emotion version is on the right). To be honest the difference of the two heads included here is minute - the crests are different colour and the eyes are slightly different, but its nice to have the option.

Other accessories include 3 other pairs of hands (totalling in 1 open pair, 1 card holding pair, 1 open fist pair and 1 closed fist pair), a pointing hand (which I assume is intended for the K-Touch included with Kamen Rider Decade Complete Form) and 3 versions of the Rider Booker - standard, gun mode and sword mode. The standard Rider Booker opens and can attach to the figure via a peg hole, but that's about as far as extra playability goes. Its a shame that the figure doesn't include the set of rider cards that were included with the first release (especially when a set of card holding hands was included), but it reality they probably would have amounted to small pieces that would have spent most of their time in the box anyway. A quick google search will provide you with a PDF of printable cards if you're really that interested.

Kamen Rider Decade isn't a perfect figure, but he's still a very good one. A choice of heads is a very nice addition and the design is quite appealing even with the generous use of pink (but if any Rider was going to be able to pull it off, it'd be Tsukasa). Whatever your thoughts on the Kamen Rider Decade series was, as a main Rider Decade comes as a recommended purchase.

Super Hero Taisen: Which side are you on?