Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Super Akiba Red

There's always one silver lining to Hikōnin Sentai Akibaranger finishing - it's a sign that the latest onslaught of new Super Sentai S.H. Figuarts is incoming! Much like last year, season 2 of Akibaranger has already announced a veritable selection of both official and unofficial heroes for collectors from the end of June and beyond. To kick things off Akiba Red is back with a brand new figure, representing the Super Akiba Red mode he gains in fourth episode of the second season.

Continuing the theme started with the season one Akibaranger figures, Super Akiba Red's packaging is delightfully garish in all of its rainbow glory. The layout is a little different with the new season two logo adorning the front, and the "unofficial" stamp on the window has been replaced with some red Japanese text (although I have no idea what it says). I really like the lengths Bandai go to to make the Akiba packing look good...even the silver backing card on the inside has the Akibaranger symbol printed on it!

Calling upon the power of his love for Aoi-tan through the MMZ-02, Akiba Red becomes SUPER Akiba Red! Armoured with the body of his beloved anime character embracing him, Super Akiba Red features a rather bizarre suit. However the Aoi-tan section looks great in the metallic silver, purple and blue, complimenting the matte black and reds of the main body nicely. The change from a white muffler to red tops off the overall look of the figure, since adding the white would probably break up the colours a little TOO much.

At a quick glance you might be fooled into thinking this is just the old Akiba Red figure with the armour pieces added on, but in reality there's actually a little bit more to it than that. Though this is indeed a remould of the season one figure, it stretches as far as new hips (which are more like the ones seen on the Kamen Rider Ryuki Figuarts). They don't necessarily provide more articulation than the swing-down ones of the original, but they are a lot tighter and probably more durable with time. The shoulder armour is also extended a bit on the right side, which sadly means for all the great things Super Akiba Red can do, he can't lift his arm up straight.

Perhaps the biggest problem with the original Akibaranger releases was the lack of accessories (which Bandai cleverly took attention away from by including stands as a first run bonus), but obviously those mistakes have been learned from because Super Akiba Red features a very impressive selection. Included are 13 hands, the MMZ-01 in doll mode, the MMZ-02 Munyu Munyu Zubaan in doll and sword modes, the MMZ-01 and 02 in combined into the Moe Moe Zubaa-Cune and 2 alternate muffler accessories. So not that only is that including all of the weapons you'd expect Super Akiba Red to come with, it's also making up for the first release by including the MMZ-01 in doll mode. Not bad at all.

Although its much more of a "new" figure than the season two versions of Akiba Blue and Yellow out next week, I wasn't expecting to be blown away by what I was thought was going to be the same figure again with some waifu armour attached. Of course the season one Akiba Red is a fantastic figure, so I did know that this would at least be good regardless. However as I mentioned earlier the retooling proved to be far more extensive than a realised, making it much more unique than I originally perceived. Throw in a brilliant amount of accessories and you have a real winner on your hands. Super Akiba Red comes as a recommended purchase to both those lacking a bit of Nobuo in their collection AND those who proudly have the standard figure on display.

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. 

First Impressions: Hikōnin Sentai Akibaranger Season 2

The biggest problem with last year's fantastic Hikōnin Sentai Akibaranger was the it was simply too short. 12 episodes of delusion-filled Super Sentai parody just wasn't enough for fans, and they quickly went about campaigning to see more of the unofficial heroes. Thankfully roughly a year after Akibaranger began airing, Toei (and Bandai Tamashii Nations) have pulled through with a second season of the show. There's already been plenty of hype and teasing for the show, and we know it promises a new Akiba Blue (as Kyoko Hinami sadly had to leave the show), new villains, a super mode for Akiba Red and a whole new selection of official hero cameos.

We begin season two several months after the events of the previous season, with Nobou visiting Hakase and Kozkoz at the Super Sentai cafe. As they begin to reminiscence about the Akibarangers' adventures, it seems like this episode will be little more than a clip show recapping the events of the first season. However all is not as it seems, as viewers will quickly notice that these events have been mysteriously rewritten. Mitsuki (Akiba Blue) is now the one that was called away by the Pentagon instead of Nobou, and Delu Knight has been given a far more prominent role with no sign of the Delusion Empire. The Akibarangers embarked on a grueling fight against Malshina, Delu Knight and their forces, receiving help from the full Jetman, Dekaranger and Boukenger teams in the process.

As Nobou leaves the cafe and continues ordinary life as a delivery boy, he discovers a store selling Super Sentai goods - including official "Gosei Sentai Akibaranger" items. After talking with the store owner, he is shocked to discover that Akibaranger has somehow become an official show, replacing Gosei Sentai Dairanger as the 17th series in the franchise (which now never seemingly never existed). Is this the work of Hatte Saburo once again?

While Akibaranger certainly is trying to ease fans back in with a recap of events, this strange twist on their story ensures that the show hasn't lost any of it's meta-humour punch. At the very beginning Nobuo comments on how he hates "anime films that reuse footage with a few new scenes", launching the episode into exactly that. Hatte Saburo has clearly tried to rewrite Akibaranger at the lowest possible expense, using hilariously obvious cost cutting techniques such as choppy framerates, over dubbed voices and even stop motion battles using toys! If you haven't already bought the S.H. Figuarts Machine Itashar (and given it's price, like me I'm sure many have been on the fence for a while), let's just say you're certainly going to want one now...

There's the usual level of cameos, including the appearance of 3 full (well, minus their sixth rangers) Super Sentai teams. Although they sadly do not have their original actors reprising the voices, the voice cast (including Mobirates voice man Tomozaku Seki) do a great job of replicating them. There's also a great cameo from Yuu Kamio (who played Doctor Maki in Kamen Rider OOO), featuring a very familiar fly.

It's not quite as it was before, but Akibaranger is back and as good as ever. Careful not to give away any spoilers for future episodes (the opening includes mumbled lyrics and storyboards in the place of new characters), this first episode sets up brilliantly the alternate direction our delusion heroes are about to go in. Welcome back Hikōnin Sentai Akibaranger, you have been sorely missed.

(As has your ability to produce a butt load of Figuarts, if the end trailer is anything to go by. Just damn.)

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Akiba Red

Akibaranger was a series that wasn't subtle about a lot of things, but one of the first ones that comes to mind is product placement and merchandising. In a series where the cast were frequently seen in a room filled to the brim with Super Sentai figures, mecha and roleplay items, its no surprise that Bandai also had plans to milk the show as far as merchandise was concerned. Not only that, but the show also included several commercial bumpers for the products, and even a gag in the last episode about promotion of two Tamashii web exclusive Figuarts for characters that didn't even appear in the show (Deka Blue and Black Condor). Well now that the show has finished, it's time for the figures to start rolling out. The first to be released is none other than Nobuo Akagi aka Akiba Red, with Blue to follow in July and then Yellow in August. Malshina and a Shatieek have also been seen, however their release details have yet to be announced.

The box is a bright display of rainbows on white (possibly a reference to Akibaranger's show-within-a-show Nijiyome Academy Z-Cune Aoi), with the Akibaranger logo and an "unoffical" stamp on the window section. The back displays Akiba Red in various poses, one with the Inordinate Deka Wapper Power (sold separately, which I will cover later). There is also an amusing bit of Engrish in the form of the Figuarts slogan, which boasts "simple style and HIROIC action".

Akiba Red is a radical departure in design from your official red Sentai heroes, which makes for a much more interesting figure. The chest and abdominal area features translucent red plastic over sculpted detail, and the feet have highly detailed boot markings and buckles. The excellent range of poseability the Gokaiger Figuarts had has made it over to this release, but the tricky-to-navigate shoulder area found on the other Sentai figures is missing on Akiba Red due to the obvious differences in costume design, resulting in much greater flexibility.

Accessories include two alternate scarves (a static one and a "blowing" one), the MMZ-01 in gun mode and 8 alternate hands (two open, two closed fists, two gripping hands and two specific pose ones). Any one expecting to see these figures bundled with the Akibaranger Inordinate Powers (the Deka Wapper, Bouken Scoop and Jet Winger) will be disappointed, as they are instead included with Figuarts Deka Red, Bouken Red and Red Hawk respectively in a sneaky bit of cross promotion on Bandai's part. Personally I don't feel too let down by this as I planned to get the three anyway and am grateful the figures are getting releases as part of the Akibaranger promotion (I don't think they wouldn't have gotten releases without it, but I imagine its speeded up the process), but can understand disappointment from anyone who may be a more casual Sentai fan planning to buy the figures. The one accessory I do think the figure is lacking is the MMZ-01 in figure mode, but with the amount of detail that would have had to gone into a small piece I can't imagine it would have turned out brilliantly.

As a first wave bonus, Akiba Red also comes with three specific Tamashii Stage Act 3 stands, one for each of the Akibarangers. Each stand base has the logo in the member's respective colour and their name, as well as the symbols for "A", "Ki" and "Ba". This is my first experience with the stands as I am yet to buy another figure that has them included or buy a separate set online, but they have left me with a very positive first impression. The base is a decent size, while the articulated arm and claw pieces are study and able to hold the figure very well.

It seems to be a tradition of me giving Figuarts high praise but even with the somewhat small amount of accessories Akiba Red really is something else. The sculpt is perfect with a far greater detailing than anything that can be seen on the other released Sentai Figuarts, the articulation is far less restrictive and three character-specific stands is an excellent and desirable first-wave bonus. Akiba Red is hands down the best Figuart I own and if this quality can carry over to the female figures (which may be trickier due to skirt restrictions in posing) then these will be something very special indeed. An oddity among Super Sentai, but much like the show itself it goes to show that sometimes unofficial things may actually be better that the official thing.

Series REVIEW: Hikōnin Sentai Akibaranger

However you look at it, Super Sentai is kids show. It may have a large adult fanbase, but it has and probably always will be mainly for children. So what if Toei made a Sentai show strictly for adults? Well our prayers have been answered....somewhat. Hikōnin (Unofficial) Sentai Akibaranger is a 13-episode series is an adult parody Super Sentai series geared for adult fans of the show and is not part of the main Super Sentai series of shows. Just like in reality, Super Sentai is a long-running television show within the world of Akibaranger.

Our heroes

In the otaku paradise of Akihabara, three individuals are chosen by a scientist to become the unofficial Sentai Akibaranger, protecting Akihabara from the evil Stema Otsu Corporation and their attempts to destroy otaku culture. These three individuals - long time Super Sentai fan and 29-year-old delivery boy Nobuo Akagi, 18-year-old martial artist Mitsuki Aoyagi and 23-year-old cosplay fanatic Yumeria Moegi battle the Corporation head Malshina and her Chief Clerks in a delusional world, where their Sentai abilities are amplified and are able to call upon the help of past Super Sentai heroes.

But as the Akibarangers' delusional powers grow stronger and stronger, the fight eventually breaks out into the real world. Here they must not only face Dr Z, the true mastermind villain, but also the Delusion Empire and some very abrupt changes in the storyline.

Malshina, a sure sign this show isn't for kids

Akibaranger does some bold things with the traditional Super Sentai formula, and the first being shaking things up with a one man, 2 girls team. In fact, the show is pretty much dominated by (human) female cast members. Nobuo (Akiba Red) is exactly how you'd expect a Super Sentai fanboy given the opportunity to be a superhero to be, a stereotypical nerd but with a heart of gold. Mitsuki (Akiba Blue) starts out as perhaps the least interesting of the three, a more serious character who simply became an Akibaranger for the chance to become a stronger fighter. But as she learns to appreciate Super Sentai and her inner-nerd is exposed she becomes a much stronger character. Finally we have Yumeria (Akiba Yellow), the oddball of the group. From her various cosplays to her yaoi-fixation and seemingly never ending roll-calls, Yumeria is to fangirls what Nobuo is to fanboys. The three have an excellent dynamic together, which grows as the characters get to know each other and become friends. The Akibaranger suits are equally as wacky, playing with extremes that you'd never see on an official Sentai costume.

With a small ranger cast, Akibaranger equally relies on strong antagonists and secondary characters. Malshina (played by Adult Video actress Honoka) is a fantastic villain, oozing personality and playing off the Akibarangers (particularly Akiba Red) well. Assisting the Akibarangers are their mentor Hiroyo Hakase and her assistant KozuKozu Mita, Sentai heroine cosplay extraordinaire. The two become more intertwined with the story as it progresses, the story at one point being just as much about Hakase as it is our heroes.

Of course what would any Sentai team be without their own giant robot?

The series contains a huge number of Super Sentai references, from story lines and characters to actors and production. When the Akibarangers achieve their first victory against a monster, they sit around waiting for him to grow (which never happens). When the story begins to mysteriously change, Nobuo doesn't take long to realise its akin to what happened to Sun Vulcan back in 1981. Even the background is chock full of blink-and-you'll-miss-it references and homages (after all, their base of operations is a Sentai-themed cafe covered wall to wall in various toys and props).

Deka Red of Dekaranger, Bouken Red of Boukenger and Red Hawk of Jetman all show up at various stages to assist the Akibarangers, leaving them with their own "inordinate powers" - giant Deka Wappers, the Bouken Scooper and Jet Winger respectively. These weapons combine to form the Akibarangers Inordinate Cannon, adding yet another trope to the team's impressive arsenal. A more interesting cameo comes in the form of Kazuo Niborii, suit actor for 14 different Red's in Super Sentai's history. A show like Akibaranger is perfect for handing the spotlight to those who have helped the franchise become what it is, and Niborii's inclusion was well-deserved.

Some old heroes dropping by

But even among Akibaranger's constant barrage of comedy, there lies a story which still has a lot of emotion. Episode five shows a different side to Yumeria, guest starring singer/voice acting legend Rica Matsumoto (perhaps better known as Satoshi/Ash in Pokemon) as her mother. While the story still contains Akibaranger's trademark brand of humour, its a very heartwarming episode that shows that even a parody series can pull off emotion and deeper story lines when the time comes. As the show breaks down into its final act, it become a whole different beast. Just like the classic Looney Tunes cartoon "Duck Amuck", Akibaranger tackles its metafiction in a way that doesn't just break the fourth wall, it tears it down altogether.

A prominent theme within the show is also the anime Nijiyome Academy Z-Cune Aoi, which all three characters are huge fans of. The MMZ-01, the Akibaranger's transformation device and weapon, is modelled on the character, and the show's relevance to the overall story becomes clearer as the plot progresses. What little of the show is presented in Akibaranger is beautifully animated, and suggests that it plays up to many magical girl/moe stereotypes just as Akibaranger does with otaku and Super Sentai. With a manga and mobile phone game on the way, I wouldn't be surprised if Toei announce an anime spin-off in the near future.

Meet Aoi-tan!

Sadly all good things must come to an end, and although the final episode of Akibaranger may be a recap episode, even that manages to be fun and play around with various tropes of the franchise. Reviewing their past adventure as an opportunity to gain a second season, the team provide commentary throughout the clip-show. Throw in some amusing product placement for future S.H. Figuarts toys and the final realisation that the Akibaranger's task had been given to them to fill up the remaining broadcast slot at the cheapest budget possible.

Gokaiger may have been a celebration of Super Sentai within the franchise's overall story, but Akibaranger is one outside it. It manages to celebrate the show and perhaps more importantly, its fans, in a way the former never could, resulting in a show that keeps surprising you until the very end and is sadly gone before you know it. During the final episode Nobuo explains to his team mates that if they're show is remembered by otaku like him, then everything they've done up until this point is all worth it. And this is exactly what they've done. If ANY Super Sentai series deserves a chance at a second season, forget about the official Sentai - the unofficial ones have done far more in far less time to earn it.