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.
So I got myself some pressure after I posted a video of this review on youtube and various websites. I saw a lot of people from every corner of the world looking into this site. Without further ado here is my written review of the SHFiguarts Kamen Rider Eternal.
I've been waiting and saving for this moment to get the first taste of the figure. There was so much anticipation especially when Kamen Rider W A to Z Gaia Memories of Fate came out on Youtube and from other subbing sites. Everyone thinks this would be epic, but I was skeptical. In my opinion at first and after analyzing the character - I thought there is no way a costume as plain as Eternal would turn as good as other figures like D.Kiva, Emperor form or Ixa. Honestly, Eternal's armor was white, the other color was blue in a form of a flame creeping from the hands to his elbow - that was it. Netizens were chatting that the SHF scale would be the best Bandai toy for January 2011. With all of the hype - I need to see to believe it.
Thanks to some people, they gave me a tip that Eternal has landed in the Lion City and pointed me to the right direction. There I was, in front of the nesting place of the Tokusatsu-related toys shop called the Falcon's Hangar (very original ain't it?). I inquired and handed me what everyone was craving for this month. Gave me a good price and went my way.
The box was very much like the SHF boxes we've seen the past few weeks - a themed box that is similar to the figure, white background highlighted with blue lettering. It shook my nuts a little when I turn to its back side, three profile photos of Eternal. Shoot, I had a similar experience with another SHF exclusive, what dawned to me was Kuuga Amazing Mighty. Why? Kuuga AM was disappointing, less photos mean less goodies (check my review on Kuuga AM to know what I am talking about). I predicted that the box would be thicker like Dark Kiva - it was a sign of relief. This means there are good things inside. So I went back to being a kid opening a present on Christmas day.
Eternal has 7 interchangeable hands wrapped in metallic blue paint. I like blue so this was a plus. Not much sculpting on it because SHF Eternal's extremities anyway are fashioned from the Cyclone Joker figure. Inclusive is the knife which should hold the Eternal memory - unfortunately there is none. The knife is well detailed but lacks the paint it needs to replicate the one seen in the movie. Lastly the cape. The cape is a rubbery-plastic type that has a flowing feel to it and not flat. The rubbery feel ends at the shoulder where the plastic is harder. Underneath the cape are thoughtfully-made separators, which slightly divides the cape from Eternal's body. With this, there is less tension between the cape and figure and minimizes the possibility that the cape would melt on the figure. Especially if you live on a tropical country, when during summer, you can boil an egg under the sun.
SH Figuarts Eternal does have good points. One is the 26 maximum drive holders that are held by the straps. But I hoped Bandai colored each holders with the respective T2 Gaia Memories. Nevertheless, these black straps compensate the plain white canvass. Second, I like hinges on the ankles, it helps the figure to be planted and have a stable position while on different stances. Lastly when accessories play together, Eternal is in its best. Without one or the other, this would be another Kuuga AM in the making.
What I don't like are the blue flames, anklets and bracelets. It brings me back to the day when I was in kindergarten, there were parts that are not painted properly. It is either the missed paint on the flames or over painting it. For someone who is very particular about this may find it very disappointing.
For me, if you can look way pass on the small nitty gritty things and see the whole picture - Eternal is a keeper. Double fans would also see it that way. He may not be the best SHF for 2011 but he is a must to collect. Eternal, by the end of the day , I would say is not for everyone. If you are completist, I suggest to start the hunt. Eternal might not be here Forever.
The rest of my review in a form of a video. Enjoy.
Thanks to johninu87 for the additional photos for both this site and for my video.
It is a shame to admit but I was a naive and a noob in collecting Kamen Rider figures more than 6 months ago. I didn't know the difference between SHF, S.I.C., Kiwami, RAHs and alike. I just knew who they were. It didn't matter what toy line they came from, the point was getting all 11 Hsieh riders and quit. One of the few early mistakes I did was getting Final Form Ride Hibiki - not because I don't like the character, just as I mentioned - I was naive. I should have asked around and stuck to one toy line. Because for an average toy collector, the best way not to loose a lot of money but still enjoy collecting is to stick to one kind. Spending a lot (I meant all) on figures is not an option to me. I'll be on the next step of the slew of responsibilities - I have to prepare for it (meaning save).
Anyways, Hibiki was an easy target for me especially when I was on a hunt and browsing through CSToys' website. There are not a lot of good Hibiki figures out there (erm...during this time, I overlooked the Hibiki SIC Kiwami also posted on the CStoys). Added to the fact that Hibki (in any toy line) is unpopular. Believe me when I say that he is unpopular. If you check online e-commerce sites there are more Hibikis in stock than the other riders.
What is This Final Form Ride? This series from Bandai is to commemorate the different transformations done by past riders through Kamen Rider Decade. For Hibiki, he had two - a flaming (phoenix?) bird and an Ongekiko. An Ongekiko is a Taiko (wide drum) Belt. Hah, I didn't research on this when I was doing the video review.
The Final Form Rider Hibiki came with two drum sticks (Rekka). These are just to plain red drum sticks and there are no additional features. Other than that is the Gambaride card you can use with your DX Decade belt. Unfortunately I don't have one. Hibiki has a slew of weird articulations, which he actually needs especially when converting it to a Final Form Rider.
Cons: Transforming the figure into a bird is easy, but the look doesn't match to the show. He looks like a weird rider with wings.
Pros: He is an effective Ongekiko. The drum sticks do help in the whole look and feel. The only hitch is the difficulty of connecting the pegs and holes on the symbol. It will take a couple of man hours to get it right.
Recommendation: The reason for picking the FFR series is to relive the final form moments of past Hsieh riders as seen on the show. Its not for all Kamen Rider fans.
Police recently arrested 35-year-old Shibata resident Keiichi Itō and 36-year-old Sanjō resident Jun Fujita on Tuesday for modifying a S.I.C Utopia Dopant violating Japan's Copyright Act by auctioning a modified Kamen Rider W figure online. Both hope that authorities would overlook the situation since they are not mass producing this particular item online. Japan has stricter laws especially on copyright infringement. Toei owns all Kamen Rider related franchise.
Kamen Rider Eternal
According to the police's announcement, the two men modified a figure into a Kamen Rider W villain character in November without the permission of Toei. The auction ended with a closing bid of a whopping 269,001 yen (about US$3,300) from a male buyer in Tokyo.
The two own a custom shop named kenosyokutaku models that specializes in Kamen Rider figures. Their handsome modified version of the SIC figures are popular with fans. Aside from Utopia they had they also did some custom figures of other characters found in the Kamen Rider franchise from the Showa era to the current series Kamen Rider OOO. On their site, they also show how they customize the figures.
notes from the blogger: Customizing figures has been around for decades, made especially for those toy collectors who are not satisfied with the figures that came from the box. This is also very imminent in toy festivals and amine exhibitions. I saw the duo's website and most of the figures posted were actually better than what was released. Toei should have contracted them to do prototypes than incarcerating them. Well that's Japan for you.
Some of their works below. I appreciate their exquisite work of art.
My first real epic Kamen Rider - related toy and a bike as well. It was selling on the local Ebay website a few weeks ago for a reasonable price. How reasonable? Well its like the price of a Toravendor (as of this post). I quickly bid on a nice bargain and waited the day of its arrival.
That epic day came.
The box of the DX Beat Chaser is very well colored, very detailed and huge! From front to back, it has all the goodies and gimmicks that toy could do. But my overwhelming surprise didn't end to its exterior box. The Beat Chaser to every bit a masterpiece and shouts KUUGA!!!. The wheels, spokes, spoilers, mufflers, engine front and back end of the single track motorbike are painted in shinny gold. The paint used is similar to the old Silver Hawks toys from the 90s - the kind that slowly chips off through the years (sigh).
Kuuga's emblem are found at the side of the gas tank and on top of the spoiler. The rest of the bike are in black with red lines near the silver or grey seat pad. You need three coin-type batteries to operate, the panel is on the seat cover. You need a Philips screwdriver to open it. After opening the switch underneath the front end, the joy come next in the form of a button behind the engine and when pressed, swifts you back in time when Godai was handed his steed for the first time.
Next is the Gouram, a mythical beast from who knows when. Arms do swivel and the horns go in and out. Wings do spread out more epically than an eagle. Grongi characters on his head do not pop out but it add to the whole look and feel of the life-size counterpart. Wait there's more. Gouram has its own stand that is sturdier than any Tamashii Stage. This stand has a very apparent shape like Kuuga's mark seen on his gloves.
What I like is that this toy came with a phone which has phrases recognizable from the show. With this, it puts you on the back seat of the action and remembering how the birth of Hsieh riders came to be - thanks to Kuuga.
Though I might say so many wonderful things about this toy, its not all perfect. To summarize these are the things I found out:
Cons: You need five batteries to operate this toy. The kick stand has no use to balance the bike and it tends to fold on its own especially in Beat Gouram mode. The latches that holds the Gouram in its form is flimsy so better be care full playing with it. Key pads on the phone don't work. Signal strength between the phone and the bike is laggy.
Pros. Design is very detailed. Recognizable phrases from the show. Gouram has its own stand. The stand design is amazing and very Kuuga-ish. The bike in Beat Gouram mode is astonishing. Paint apps are almost perfect. Even without the phone the bike can stand on its own as a toy. Perfect if you have SHF or Shocauku Henshin Kuuga figures. No need for extra hands for Kuuga.
SH Figuarts Kuuga Amazing Mighty is the one I've been waiting for since this one is hard to catch nowadays. I knew that it has Kuuga Rising Mighty's mold, I knew he had matte finish, I knew that in black he looks stunning. But all changed when I opened the box. But before I go through my very first WTF in SHF history. Let me go through the basics first.
As I've mentioned on top, SHF Amazing Mighty remold of Rising Mighty and Mighty form but in black. Instead of just one golden shin, this has two. Matte finish is pretty consistent with its Dark Kuuga counterparts. Think of it as mix of Rising Mighty, Mighty and Ultimate form...well he is isn't he..Nice sculpt, nice detail. Grongi details on the collar and on the shins do stand out in my opinion. Though the figure alone looks very much like Rising Mighty (but with small alterations) this alone made me feel I'm getting what I wanted, I knew I made the right choice. What else could go wrong? I spoke too soon and started slamming on my table, because I've been cheated.
Box design was decent - very SHF-ish, the toy is a dream and two pairs of extra hands.........what? There are only two pairs of interchangeable hands...WTF! I thought this was a Tamashii Web exclusive? Where did my money go? I tapped the box once again to assure myself that I was wrong, called the seller to check if I got the wrong item. Bandai oh Bandai. Then I fell on my knee raised my hands and shouted WHY?????????
Bandai cheated on me, they could have given extra hands like Ultimate form, a Tamashii stage like Rising Ultimate, a greeting card from Godai Yuusuke, a signed autograph from the manufacturer but no. Nothing. Bandai justify this!!! For a web exclusive, why am I given just two extra hands, heck this is even worse than Agito. At least SHF Agito had an extra interchangeable mask and yet his is not an exclusive. I paid good money but given so less. This will haunt my wallet for a long time.
Oh ok, you want my verdict? Guess....ranting goes on, see my video below.
The epitome of all of Kuuga's evolution - the Ultimate Rising form. Ultimate Rising is badass in every sense of it - like if Kuuga was in Dragon Ball, this is type Kai, the final transformation. For history's sake, Ultimate Rising made its debut on Kamen Rider Decade series, particularly on the last episode (or movie) wherein Yuusuke was possessed by Tsukasa's (Decade) younger sister and eventually able to wield the form on his own.
When I saw this form for the first time, I thought there's another transformation? Then I jumped in excitement like a little school girl.
This SH Figuarts Kuuga Ultimate Rising form at my first glance was a sight to behold. There are more thorns or horns protruding in almost every part of the figure, colored in gold - shining, shimmering, splendid. I got through the details of the golden arms, shoulder pads and horns on the helmet...I thought there is something lacking. Slowly, the gold paint was too much for me. In my opinion the vein-like design over those gold parts should have some sort of variety in color. It was a shame (well shame is a rough word), it didn't stand out and found that it was there until you actually have taken hold of it. Customizing it may be a solution.
But I was told on my Youtube channel that customizing the figure may ruin the figure. I agreed, because first, this is an exclusive figure so getting a new one just in case is cumbersome and expensive. Second customizing it doesn't guarantee that the finished product may not be what you wanted (well it depends). To each his own. Still, too much gold on this figure bothers me.
He has 7 interchangeable hands and a Tamashii Stage. The stage looks very plain in black. Bandai could have added some phrases (like SHF Ixa) from the show or a design that would signify that this is definitely exclusive for Kuuga UR. The dark compound eyes are very well done, dark enough to let you see the design underneath without ruining the whole concept of a devilish Kuuga.
Articulation on Kuuga UR are limited, because of those huge shoulder pads and thorny arms. It was difficult for me to maximize the potential of figure when I was taking photos and posing it to my liking. Only the head satisfied my appetite (this sounds wrong). Worst part is that when standing the figure straight, it is on a limp, he is tilting on his right side. I tried moving its legs to get it upright, but no senor.
Bandai is tricking us by producing the same figure, number of hands and other exclusive stuff with another Ultimate Rising - but with Red Eyes. They could have done the same with Ultimate form wherein aficionados are given an additional interchangeable mask all in one box. As a Kuuga fan, I'm in this dilemma whether I need to get the Red Eyes or not. But the concept of it is absolutely ridiculous. Again, to each his own. I already a little under satisfied how UR panned out. I won't fall for it twice. One is enough. Can I not reiterate it more?
In the end, you might get too excited on a figure that maybe be awesome. I'd rather hold back that feeling first until you've gotten it. Just don't get expectations so high.
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. 
