Toy Review: S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Agito Ground (Shinkocchou Seihou)

Agito Ground Form coming into the S.H. Figuarts Shinkocchou Seihou line is not the most exciting release for the said premium edition but there are things to be said and why this should be picked up. Updates aside from the body type, the gem on the chest is now more transparent making the details inside more prominent. Next is the Alter Ring or Agito’s Henshin belt is now closer to your DX belt should you have one and more accurate at that.

SIC Vol. 63 - Another Agito and Gills leaked

Sources have leaked a new volume in the Kamen Rider SIC line. Its S.I.C Vol. 63 Kamen Rider Another Agito and Gills/Exceed Gills. Previously, Another Agito was released as SIC Classics 2007: Another Agito & Burning/Shinning Form. Volume 63 presumably has a better joint design for the arms and a different set of scarves for Another Agito. Gill transforms to Exceed Gills with additional accessories to make it such. The twin-pack will released in Spring 2012, Price: 7140 yen.

Other news reveals SRC Shin Mazinger Z also set to be released this spring. Price 5040 Yen.

Credits to Knightshaz and Blazin of HWM Kamen Rider and Super Sentai Club

Toy Review: SIC Kiwami Tamashii Agito Trinity Form

I think I'm on the right track in purchasing SIC Kiwamis since my whole Kamen Rider collection is growing but my shelf space is getting thin. Besides a re-imagined chibi figure, collecting these are enough to satisfy my imagination of a Kamen Rider war in all shapes and sizes. The latest addition to this is my new haul the S.I.C. Kiwami Tamashii Agito Trinity Form.

Though it is thought that this is just a remold of the SIC KT Agito Ground form, there are more than meets the eye. Did I just referenced Transformers? Trinity is a combined strength of Flame, Storm and Ground Form evident on his chest and arms.

Toy Review: SIC Kiwami Tamashii Machine Tornador

This is a chibi version of the re-imagined S.I.C. Machine Tornador. How I love to use the word re-imagined. It has been about two years since Bandai produced a Kiwami Tamashii bike and I was pretty excited when I finally had one. I couldn't find its regular SIC version nowadays so I opted to get this instead. It's great if you have SIC KT Agito too. This is the reason why SIC KT Agito has the extra holding hands, to prepare for the machine that makes the rider.

The facade of the box is like your any SIC Kiwami design. This is slightly the biggest SIC Kiwami box as of this post and it promises a fun and delightful play for the fan-based SIC collector. Blurbs are shortened to SIC logos but behind, showcases different layouts on how this toy is supposedly worked with as a stand alone or with your SIC Kiwami Agito.

S.I.C. Kiwami Tamashii Kamen Rider Agito Flame Form & Storm Images (NEW)

S.I.C.極魂 仮面ライダーアギト フレイムフォーム&ストームフォーム
Start orders from 25 July 2011 till TBD
Release date: December 2011 – Price: 2,940 Yen
Source: Tamashii Web Shop

SIC Kiwami Tamashii AGITO FLAME and STORM FORM

Tamashii web shop limited~
SIC Kiwami Tamashii AGITO STORM - Release date: July, 2001 Price: 2940 Yen
SIC Kiwami Tamashii AGITO FLAME FORM -  Release date: December, 2001 Price: 2940 Yen

Toy Review: SIC Kiwami Tamashii Agito Ground Form

 

Ready to go, count zero, Kamen Rider AGITO!!! I had enough of the SIC Kiwami Tamashii Blade series so I am moving over to simpler things like Kamen Rider Agito. Kamen Rider Agito is what I mentioned-simple.

The box design is somewhat a tone down version of the SIC Kiwami Tamashii boxes we've seen in the past few years. Which made me think in a bit. Bandai started with Hibiki with a design that is both small and flashy. Then, the succeeding box designs were elegant and makes Kamen Rider fans wanting KTs more. Now its like they are going back to square one. The best thing I liked about this is that they ditched the twisties that hold the figure in its casing and instead, made the plastic case similar to SHFs. This makes it more convenient for users to play and place the figure back in for a clean storage. Yipee Bandai heard me.

Now on Spotlight - A toy enthusiast with an eye for photography

Kamen Rider Ichigo in Cyclone

Photography - I took a semester on it and didn't seem quite get the concept. Foreground, background, aperture, lens size, all that jazz - I just couldn't mix it all together and apply it in real life. Somehow, I passed the class with flying colors (a trade secret) a thing that I'm not ashamed of, it was fun anyway.

Though I lack the capability to hit the perfect snapshot of my subject, I do have the eye to spot a good photo. I wish I could do the same someday, with a little bit of tutoring, patience and practice I can mark myself as, at least a decent photographer.

SIC Ichigo

Ever since the advent of affordable SLRs/DSLRs (digital/single-lens reflex) it seems like everybody wants to be a photographer (or trying hard to be one). Every event I attended lately, there is a huge percentage of people using professional digital cameras than an easy-to-use point and shoot. Just like expensive mobile phones, having your own bulky camera is the new status quo. It is now a chick magnet for men to compensate the lack of moolah or to get their nice set of wheels.

With the brouhaha on digital cameras, only a few amateurs stand out and seamlessly integrate the love for photography and like me, a passion in collecting figures.

Jon San Pedro

I met Jon San Pedro in a theater organization back in the only Pontifical University in Asia (University of Santo Tomas, what "Pontifical" means, Google it). A usually meek person, not fitting for a guy of his size. Thanks to the social network and my curiosity of what everyone in my network is doing lately, i had the chance to get a glimpse of what Jon is now busy with. What caught my attention is the outstanding photo works he did with his action figures. Again, a dream I wish that would come into fruition one day. For me, Jon is rare breed of photographers who  share the same passion in collecting artistically sculpted figures and mechas but with an aptitude in photography.

Iron Man back to back

I sent a message to him the other day if I could feature his works in my humble blog. Like a good ol' friend he always was 12 years ago, he obliged to my request with a simple Q&A. Before I continue on, thank you Jon for marking my first interview. Now my site is becoming what I intended it to be - about people, places and events related to Tokumania.

FS: When did you had an interest in photography, what camera are you using?

JSP: I have always loved taking pictures since I was teenager but only took it seriously when I got my DSLR almost 2 years ago. Currently I’m using a Nikon D3000 with an 18-55 mm Kit lens and a 35 mm prime lens.

FS: What are your challenges in being an amateur photographer?

JSP: Equipment is always a challenge, but I would like to think of it as an opportunity to maximize one’s creativity. With the number of people getting into photography nowadays, it’s really challenging on how to set your self apart from the rest of the pack. You really need to work hard to get that distinct look and feel, your own visual signature as I would like to call it.

FS: When and how did your hobby in collecting masked rider toys start?

JSP: First and foremost, I have always been a mask rider fan. It started with Black (Kamen Rider Black) and I kinda backtracked to the first Kamen Rider (Ichigo) then Zo, this is way back in grade school. I rediscovered the franchise in my 20s when I bought the dvd for Agito, and that’s when I started buying SICs. (Super Imaginative Chogokin) Though due to unforeseen circumstances, I have already sold some of them.

FS: What is your greatest toy possession?

JSP: Though it’s not masked rider, I would say my 3 SOC Black Super Robots (Mazinger, Great Mazinger and Grandizer)

FS: What is your advice for like-minded people taking the same hobby as yours?

JSP: As early as possible, stick to one or 2 collections, if its Kamen Riders, then don’t spend on anything else…I know its really hard to do, take it from me, I’m still having a hard time following my own advise (LOL).

FS: If you were a masked rider, what would be your famous lines be?

JSP: The time has come for you to be undone…Henshin!

I believe that someday his passion will go miles. Good luck to you and more power.

Well done sir. Sugoi!

More Jon San Pedro amazing photos, subarashi!!

Iron Man

Halo Reach Boys

Ichigo in Black and White

Iron Man

You may catch his works at http://www.facebook.com/reqs.php#!/jonsanpedrophotography

*All photos posted on this blog are with the permission of the owner