Toy Review: SIC Kiwami Tamashii Blade

I'm very fond of the SIC Kiwami Tamashii Kamen Rider series but just like other toys lines, there is always that one line that sticks out like a sore thumb. I tried to play it down for a couple of times and this time I'll try my very best to be very balanced in this review. I'll try to hold my breath.

Before I bring down the house let me narrate first the good points about this Bandai-produced figure. Like any SIC KT I've reviewed before, the attention to detail is brilliant. The details anyway are replicated from its regular counterparts packed in a smaller scale that aims to delight any Kamen Rider fan. What most impressive about SIC KT Blade is how the clear translucent parts illuminate the intricate design that lies beneath it. A good example is his rhino-shaped horn which you can see Bandai's craftmanship for a miniature.

Toy Review: SOTA Street Fighter Ken (Yellow Version)

One of my favorite Street Fighter characters of all time. For a time, Capcom included some smoking hot combos for Ken than of Ryu. Although Ryu may be stronger than Ken in the game, Ken supers however makes you feel explosive. A notable example is his flaming Shoryuken, which is already a three hit combo in one move.

I wouldn't say that SOTA's Ken is perfect. But nevertheless his sculpt near to, or reminiscent to its game counterpart. Ken has an extra head but I couldn't remember when he sported a long hair and a with a yellow bow.

It is also rare in the SOTA Street Fighter line that there are missed paint parts which is more common in SH Figuarts. In this, I am most appreciative of the quality of work the company has done with the line, especially with Ken.

As for the rest of the body, Ken’s form is similar to Ryu's. Of course without the torn Gi. Ken is more refined, clean cut. I guess that would be obvious as the character is wealthy and can afford to a number of outfits. Enough with this.

Scan: SH Figuarts Kamen Rider Amazon

S.H.Figuarts Kamen Rider Amazon (Release Date: Sept. 2011, Price: 3,150 Yen)

Project BM Eiji-Kun, Latorata and Gatakiriba

Other Project BM goodies announced earlier this Q1 of 2011 are:


Project BM Kamen Rider OOO Latorata Combo - Price:19,950 Yen, Release Date:August 2011

Project BM Birth and S.I.C. Fang/Skull Set

Another set of scans have been circulating the net recently on additional Kamen Rider related figures which kids of all ages can drool on - again.

First below is a scanned photo of the S.I.C Kamen Rider W/Fang Joker, this time it will be a set which includes Skull. ARGGHH...my wallet is almost close to its pending funeral now.

It is said that this will be released in August, 2011 but its price has yet to be determined.

Toy Review: SOTA Street Fighter Balrog

Eat your heart out Pacquiao. This boxer can knock you out to the next Street Fighter game. Balrog is a former boxing legend and now a member of the sinister Shadaloo. His bad temperament and blood-thirsty path had him banned for life by the industry that made him famous. He has taken the thirst to the streets and was noticed by M.Bison and eventually took Balrog under his wing. Balrog or also known as "M. Bison" in Japan, is akin to Mike Tyson’s features. This was the inspiration where Capcom built the character.  

SOTA initially chose the blue variant and recreated this character with utmost detail, his scale is accurate to Street Fighter II. Balrog physique in this SOTA offering stands between T-Hawk and E. Honda. So he is short at the same time bulky. His external abdominals are wide, this means that the arms cannot clip closer to its torso leaving them in a curve.

SH Figuarts Tamashii, Putotyrano and Kaixa

Dammit Shuki beat me to this announcement. LOL.

Anyways more SH Figuarts coming this August - Septemeber aside from the ones I mentioned earlier in this blog. 

S.H.Figuarts – Kamen Rider OOO PuToTyra Combo Price - ¥3,360. He’s confirmed to come with the Medagaburyuu in both Bazooka and Axe Mode.

R.I.P. PSP GO!

Sony announced recently that they will cease to continue in manufacturing PSP Go in the market. Current stocks in stores will be the last of its kind. Does it mean that PSP GO never took off well in the mobile gaming department?

According the Japanese online report (Phileweb.com) the announcement is a confirmation about the looming rumor that surfaced from an store employee. So with this I guess Sony will concentrate more in marketing and improving its NGP (Next Generation Portable) which mentions that it will revolutionize mobile gaming experience.

SH Figuarts Septemeber Releases

Aha!!! Finally got a glimpse of release dates and price tags for SHF Super Sentai and Kamen Rider releases and all will come this September 2011. Save, save, save, especially if you are much into the Kamen Rider and Super Sentai franchise. I'm sorry but 2011 will be a painful one for toy lovers. There maybe misspelled names and details, I'll let the rest of the RRR team help me decipher it further.

Upcoming releases: Kougami Happy Birthday O-Medal set

Happy birthday! Subarashii.

Do you want to get a real piece of Kamen Rider OOO memorabilia? Well look no further. Recently Real Prop-size announced that they are releasing The Kougami Happy Birthday O-Medal.

This set is made according to the prop size used on the show. In this line, you’ll receive Taka, Tora and Batta core medals in a cake-like box just like the President showcased on the series.

SH Figuarts Tajadol/Tajadoru Effects Part Details

Since the Tamashii Festival last 2010 we've seen SHF Kamen Rider Double having effects part and it is rumored to set into mass production this year. I've haven't seen updated news about these yet but recently Bandai has confirmed that Kamen Rider OOO toy line will have its very first taste of the sale starting with Tajadol/Tajadoru. Let me break it down what to expect.

As mentioned in a lot of forums and blogging sites, we are given two extra legs that looks like huge talons similar with the series and a bigger wing.

Toy Review: SOTA Street Fighter Akuma

Akuma means in Japanese "Devil". In Japan's version of the game he is also called as Gouki or Great Demon. Akuma is one of the popular video game character from the Street Fighter series of fighting games. Akuma made his debut in Super Street Fighter II Turbo as secret game character, almost all gamers back in day were itching to finish just to see this secret character and hidden boss in action. According to the game storyline, Akuma is the younger brother of Gouken who is Ryu and Ken's sensei. In some games he also has an enhanced version named Shin Akuma, or Shin Gouki (真・豪鬼?, the "true Gouki") in Japanese. Unlocking the its dark desires, Akuma searches for the one that give him a true challenge one that also can channel the Dark Hado, Ryu.

In celebration of the 15th anniversary of Capcom's worldwide fighting game that paved the way to other fighting games. This 6 1/2 inch tall figure is highly articulated - 20 pivot points to be exact. In Akuma's case, he is fully poseable and faithfully replicate the look and attitude of the one seen in the game.Just like its evil incarnate character game, he is in every sense a badass figure. He came with an additional set of open hands enabling him to pose like he is about to unleash an unblockable fireball. Another accessory is a replaceable head with an open mouth sneer. One thing to note that even though he has an effects part, it doesn't clip into his right fist. This is cool as long as it works.

Scan: RAH/Medicom Unkh

Sorry girls, Ryosuke Miura not included. LOL.

Toy Review: SIC Kiwami Tamashii Hibiki

People ask, how do you classify SICs? Well simple it is an artist rendition of the Kamen Rider. It is not about the deformity, this is where a lot of people have mistaken SICs for. This is what Ishimori - the founder of the series actually intended. Somehow, it was hindered to have its full fruition because of, and in my opinion only, censorship in Japanese TV series at that time. Not quite as liberal as we see today. A good example? Cutie Honey. Nuff said. A Kiwami Tamashii however is just the same, but only a scaled-down version of the original...a chibi SIC if you will.

But Hibiki doesn't fall far from the grotesque-ness of the SIC. Well he should be in the first place because he is fashioned to an Oni - a Japanese mythical beast or devil. Nevertheless, SIC KT Hibiki is one stunning figure. As the first SIC KT to be released by Bandai, the sculpt is very, and I mean very detailed. SIC KT Hibiki maybe the first SIC KT to be released but he stands out like and paved the way for other SIC KTs we see today. For me, he is perfect.

SH Figuarts Gokaiger?

Recently some netizens have posted somewhat a SH Figuarts looking Gokai Red. It looks like the real thing. On the first quarter of 2011 we've seen a demand in SH Figuarts Shinkenger toy line and it seems the first Super Sentai figures were a hit. I think Bandai has made the right choice to include Super Sentai figures in the SHF line. 

Gokai Silver's Mecha Seen, Actor revealed

We recently have some confirmation that actor Jun Ikeda is the will fit in to Silver. It is also rumored that Silver is a former monster named Barizorg who taught Joe his sword-fighting skills. Barizorg's human name is "Syd" (Shido).

More whoop whoop news.

Behold, GokaiSilver's mecha GoJyuJin (Gouryuzin). GoJyuJin is a Dinosaur robot (T-Rex to be precise) that turns into a human-like mecha and a weapon.

Toy Review: SH Figuarts Kamen Rider Joker

When I got my SHF Cyclone Cyclone Joker Joker, I thought that I would never get this one. But there is something with about a black kamen rider that intrigues me the most, hailing from watching my first black rider - Kamen Rider Black and RX. If you also happen to have skull in your possession, its a great combination to team them up on your display space.

To become Kamen Rider Joker in Memories of Fate, Skull suddenly appears in the office and hands Hidari Shotaro the lost driver, probably what Skull was using. During a battle with the lovely yet dead cold Heat, he accidentally found a T2 Joker Memory. Better watch the movie to know what I am saying.

Toy Review: SH Figuarts Kamen Rider OOO Gatakiriba Combo

My second SHF OOO recently arrived and I was so excited. I wondered whether he would keep up to my expectations or another boon on the list. For weeks I read speculations on QC (quality control) problems on most SHF OOO toy lines. But lets see if mine suffers just the same. Gatakiriba is formed by combining 3 similar green core medals: Kuwagata, Kamakiri, and Batta. Its main power is replicating itself for God knows how many. Although he has bladed arms as weapons, he still uses the Medaljalibur in his disposal. Let get it on the details. 

His box design has the same pattern as Tatoba and we will continue to see that same box design for the rest of the SHF Kamen Rider OOO toy line. In this case instead of three different colors on the rings, they are replaced by different shades of green, much alike with the figure's core medals. Though I like the new box art, it still has the same flaw - the outlined letter are unreadable from a distance. But then again like I mentioned this over and over with conviction, any color on the SHF box design is very welcomed as long as it deviates the plain grey-ish and somewhat frowning colors.

Complete Shinken Gokai Oh

Finally, we now have an image of Shinken Gokai Oh. This mecha is formed with Gaolion. It seems that the Origami are already imbedded in Gaolion in order to change into Shinken Gokai Oh.

Toy Review: SH Figuarts Shinken Gold

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I'm not surprised that Bandai Japan released their version of Shinkengers in light of or after Bandai America released their Mega Samurai Rangers in line with their show. Is Bandai Japan in head to head with its US counterpart? Weird isn't it.

Just like the leader of the pack Sh Figuarts Shinken Gold also shares a one-two punch to all Super Sentai lovers especially a Shinkenger fan like me. A plus with Shinken Gold is that it came with the Kuroko. Not that it makes a huge difference, but it is nice that he continues to have it in. If you have Shinken Red in your possession already, at least you have two stage hands (or Kuroko in Japanese) to carry both sides of the flag and reenact the signature roll call you have always pictured - right at your desktop.

Toy Review: SH Figuarts Kamen Rider Kuuga Rising Mighty

Coined officially as the first Kamen Rider of the Heisei Era, Kamen Rider Kuuga, he shares a lot of similarities with Ichigo and Nigo - its like coming back to its roots of the Kamen Rider. This also paved the way on how the treatment should be for the next generation of riders - themed, human and with a lot of beautiful transformations and firepower! That's why Kuuga remains as one of the most memorable Hsieh riders to date, in my opinion.

To add, he is one of the most number of power ups in a single show, you might think its decade but he only has 11. I won't consider Kamen Rider OOOs because its like changing hats.

MG Figurise Kamen Rider OOO Tatoba COMBO!!

Behold its the MG FIGURE-RISE 1/8 Kamen Rider 000 Tatoba Combo (Release Date: May 2011, Price: 3800 Yen)

Modifying a loose nut SH Figuarts from Kenjitron

After I posted my review about SHF Gatakiriba on Youtube, a nice person forwarded me a link towards this site on how to modify SHF Kamen Rider OOO's combo heroes. Apparently, I always get an SHF with loose nuts and joints and this was the tip given to via his blog. It is a nice read and you might pick up a thing or two. Some of which you might agree and some you may have to think twice before doing it. Ask an elderly to help you out if possible. I'll be reposting just a part of what he has to say and I placed a link below to visit this site for other tips and tricks. Enjoy.

Image Scan Kamen Rider Super Sentai toys!

More and more Kamen Rider and Super Sentai toys are coming your way on 2011's Q2 and Q3 releases. I can't take it anymore....too many to choose from and too many to collect. Start pumping your wallets, it going to be a dog-eat-dog year.

Enjoy the photos....

Gokaiger Vs Gosieger 199 hero battle now has a date!

The 199 Hero Super Sentai Battle now has a date: June 11, 2011

Kamen Rider OOO Episode 28 pics - 1000th episode!

Toy Review: SIC Kiwami Tamashii Ryuki

The first series to produce a massive number of Kamen Riders and probably were the idea of a Kamen Rider War began. Welcome to my review SIC Kiwami Tamashii Ryuki. Produced as part of the second wave of Kiwami Tamashii line, lets see if he is a keeper shall we?

Like I mentioned, since he belong to the second wave of KTs there has been improvements in terms of box design and the look and feel. Also, improvements in terms of accessory count.

HLJ gives 1.9 Million Yen for Japan Relief

Hooray to HLJ. Recently Japan Hobby online store HLJ raised 1,940,000 Yen (or 23,244.67 USD) of funds for their Japan relief initiative. On the video below we can see HLJ President Scott T. Hards presenting the money to Red Cross. Bless you and we salute team HLJ. More heroes helping out is a good and satisfying feeling.

New SH Figuarts Shauta and Accel Booster July 2011

Like what my friends in HWM SG would say, it's poison...at least to their wallets. LOL. Now we have seen circulating in the web especially in the tokusatsu community images of the SH Figuarts Kamen Rider OO Shauta Combo and SH Figuarts Accel Booster from the movie Kamen Rider W Returns.

In the scan you will see that Shauta has two eel whips, which is longer than OCC. Details are up to a tee but didn't mention if Shauta will continue to have a Medaljalibur (I don't think it will since on the show Shauta never used the Medaljalibur in any way). So pre-order, pre-order, pre-order at your favorite Japan or local stores now. Price 3,360yen. 

Toy Review: SIC Kiwami Tamashii Blade Jack Form

SIC Kiwami Tamashii Blade Jack Form is just a repaint of SIC blade but this has wings to boast of...well not really.

The only changes between Blade and Jack Form is the golden paint apps to replace the silver. from the original. The chest design, the absorber and the are newly painted to accommodate the design. The wings are translucent red which you can remove via the hole at the back. Great thing about the wings is that they are independent from each other so you can spread those according to your liking even tilting the whole thing to make it seem like Blade is actually flying. 

Toy Review: SH Figuarts Kamen Rider Dark Kabuto

Ever since I saw the SHF Dark Kabuto figure I got affixed into getting on my own. It was a difficult task since this was released almost three years ago and I just started to collect the SHF Kabuto line just now. Luckily someone on eBay was selling all of his SHF collection in almost half the price so I didn't make any second chances so I grabbed it instantly. Besides at this rate, even if he is a regular released item it is hard to get one nowadays.

The box design came from the previous line, or should I say 2nd generation of Kamen Rider SHFs that hit the market. Grey, black and bland. Forgive me, as an Advertising practitioner who also is into the packaging industry, this just won't cut as much as it would when Tatoba went on the market on Jan 2011. Then again, this was set three years ago so I think I would let it pass. Bandai has learned from the whole thing so we now see boxes with a bit of color or themed from the rider.