This is my review of S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Super-1 representing the titular character from the 1980 Kamen Rider series. Bandai Tamashii Nations is banking on Showa Riders for the said figure line and I believe this one in particular hits on the right spot.
S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Super-1 includes his signature super-powered attachments called the "Five Hands": Super Hands, Elek Hands, Power Hands, Radar Hands, and Hot/Cold Hands. 10 interchangeable hands, the Lightning Sword, 2 mufflers and 2 pairs of tassels for the Super Hands are also included.
I'm crying with joy as I finally have in my possession the SH Figuarts Kamen Rider New Den-O Strike form - looks better feels better than its original Bandai x Yahoo exclusive release. Am I concluding my review early? Wait there's more!
The first release is very rare and you'll curse hard how much it costs nowadays especially on eBay! RIDICULOUS. Now we overturn you frown into a smile as Bandai is kind enough to bring us a rerelease of Strike Form with additional knick knacks. As they say great things comes to those who wait.
SOTA's Street Fighter Fei Long is Street Fighter's (Capcom) tribute to Bruce Lee. If you don't know this character or was too young to get to play him here is bits about him:
Fei-Long is a tribute to the Kung Fu movie legend Bruce Lee. Not only do the two look alike and come from the same city, Fei-Long also lets out similar battle cries to Lee, and is just as furious and fast. Also, Fei Long is Mandarin for "flying dragon", as well as a type of kick. Bruce Lee's Chinese screen name was 李 小龍 (Li Xiao-Long) or "little dragon." He was one of the early Bruce Lee look-alike characters in fighting games, after Kim Dragon from World Heroes and Liu Kang from Mortal Kombat, but predating Marshall Law and his son Forrest Law from the Tekken series, Li Long and Maxi from the Soul series, and Jann Lee from the Dead or Alive series.
My toy review of the BB Gundam Gerbera. As expected, there is no way you cannot miss this cute toy as female Gundam because of its very pink colored base. To add, there are very girlish buns with a bit of familiarity with Street Fighter's Chun-li. Her overall stature is like a metal-fashioned Japanese Iromuji (色無地) (single-colored kimono) accented by a huge bow mixed with Chinese influence (well because it should be patterned after the Chinese tale). To date, she is one of the leaner BB Gundam models I ever came across.
There's a love and hate relationship i have with this figure. Even on the show, I have no amore to its form. But for what its worth, this SHF brings the right amount of value to it.
Rising Ixa has a more dominant blue and red color. Unlike my other SHF figure (Ixa) there is a metallic feel to it, more metal-looking parts highlight the scheme of this figure. Rising Ixa, along side with its ground form probably has the best articulation despite having huge shoulder pads.
Accessory count does not veer away from its ground form except for two added items: Ixa Riser in Gun mode and one in phone mode. Paint details are fair but I wished they (bandai) could have painted its back side. But this is just a minor disappointment compared to (well that is for my next review - Kuuga Rising Mighty).
Knee pads tend to fall of while I was checking the articulation on the legs. It does so with utmost frequency. I still like hinges on the foot section as they were more secure especially when I try to pose the figure to its maximum potential. Most SHF fanatics would easily fall in love with this Bandai collector's shop figure especially if they have SH Figuarts Ixa. But for me I couldn't have a finger on it to point its flaws as a whole. I think its the sculpt of the head or a huge red star-like ornament on his chest. Take those out and the whole figure is ok with me. Then again, it wouldn't be Rising Ixa would it?
I got this because I felt the necessity since I got Ixa and I had a couple more dollars to splurge - so what the hell, always the collector's dilemma. If you have SHF Ixa on had and you feel that is enough well you are in the right position. For me, I can go on with my hobby without the urge to pick this one up. (I know I'm contradicting myself with this statement - i bought this cheaper than its original price on its initial release ok? So that's my defense).
There goes another toy on the shelf. I need to built my own stock room.
Matsuyama-based tokusatsu toy store, CSToys International recently showcased the new feature for their uploaded videos embedded on their online store. Instead of the typical embedded code that can be copied on their Youtube channel, the interface now is somewhat similar to a timeline format that is easy to search for their past features and other demonstrations recorded via Ustream.
As of this post CStoys International has over 1,500 videos on Youtube since February 29, 2008. You may catch their live online streaming via Ustream at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/cstoys%27s-pack-and-ship-show
every Monday, Thursday and Friday 1:00pm -5:00pm Japan standard time.
This is probably the fastest toy review on a single figure ever. Just under 40 seconds, it includes demonstration and final verdict. It made me smile. Quick Review: Activators Ironhide (transformers). See the video below and take up the challenge and make your own review less than what he did.
The Kiva series in SH Figuarts is the best line of figures Bandai has produced in last year.
On January 2010 the worldwide leading toy manufacturer delighted us with Masked Rider Ixa followed by Rising Ixa. How appropriate it is to let the company that made me dig deeper into my pockets, end the year with another pair of great looking toys from the same series - SHF Masked Rider Dark Kiva and Emperor Form. But for now lets look at SHF Masked Rider Dark Kiva.
From the packaging you'll get a glimpse of what SHFs will be in 2011, thicker packaging, generous colors and meatier accessories. Kiva series was not the only line to step out of the old bland packaging. The popularity of Kamen Rider W in 2010 showered us with different box designs and tons of goodies aside from the usual tamashii stand or inch-thick card boards. W/Double first gave us Cyclone Joker in black box with green texts. Then came Fang Joker which sported in white - which is kind of obvious because color schemes are just the same with the figure. And the rest was consistent.
D. Kiva is almost an exact replica of the dark rider introduced in the series. The green or jade jewels from his head down to his body armor are well done. Absolutely no part unfinished. Though honestly as of this post I'm still watching Kamen Rider Kiva. The only source of comparison where the Kiva fan-made videos. But I was very keen...I kept on pausing on the video from time to time while looking at the figure. Why? Because I'm just weird like that.
D. Kiva comes with a pair of armaments - the similar looking zanbat sword and somewhat similar to Saga's Sagark blade. Both weapons are very well painted but I wished they put more paint on Sagark sword. Its a minor disappointment but this definitely be my base of comparison to Saga (Wait till we see Saga's arrival in 2011). Also, he comes with three pairs of extra hands, nicely detailed and tastefully done. What I'm bit surprised is that one pair has a horns-up sign, very unconventional unlike regular SHF figures (holding, open and relaxed hands).
I saw a similar sword but it was fashioned as a whip (Tamashii Nations 2010)
http://www.1999.co.jp/blog/img/20101001t43.jpg
Another cool accessory are the extended detachable capes to add drama (and copy what Kiva does in the series) which I managed to do (refer to my photos). Pegging those in might be a problem to those with large fingers because the gap between the pegs are tightly close to each other. You might have to bend the cape a bit to insert those extensions.
I absolutely have no qualms about the paint job. Clean, shinny, and spot on. Well this is one of the reasons why i like SHFs in the first place. Overall all the figure is a nice blend of red and black design that shouts "I'm badass".
Finally, I'm able to copy a pose similar to the photo at the back of the box
Rock ON!!!
If in some point I needed a bodyguard, I'll hire him in a heartbeat. But for now, my kung-fu skills will suffice. (I'm the intersect anyways) :P
Dark Kiva is a truly a must have and I'm glad he is not an exclusive (Bandai Collector's Shop). Nevertheless, its better to get this one while its still available than regret it when it already reaches its end of life.
note: For some reason, there's an irritating difference from the time you see the final cut of the video from the time it is being uploaded. My apologies to some skipping on the audio. Its not my fault. It's Youtube's. Enjoy.
SH Figuarts AccelTrial is a simple blue-dominating figure from the Kamen Rider W series and probably one of my favorite riders in the Hsieh era.
The die-cast, metallic blue finish sets it apart from other SHFs. AccelTrial for your info, is an upgrade version of the ground form of Accel. This figure will capture the attention of non-aficionados even for those who have no clue what is a kamen rider.
To my delight, AccelTrial has more extra hand parts than the other exclusive releases. Other extra parts includes a separate Accel driver and a Trial memory for the added "umpf" which allows you to recreate a scene from the KR W show (may need to acquire SHF Weather Dopant). Lastly a similar-looking engine blade.
Since the toy is lean, unlike previous bulky figures, allows a free movement on its joints and the only thing that will hinder you is your imagination. Wheels are movable but still not let you to transform (sniff) into bike mode. Still, the details are superb. AccelTrial still sports the old design of the SHFs - the feet are hinges as oppose to the new design which displays ball joints.
I can't complain with this toy - simplicity is the best form of beauty. Find out more from my video review below.
Unlike Sota's version of M.Bison, Adon is short of impressive. Even with better articulation points than M.Bison, there are some minor annoyances.
The key to tight abs is to keep a sinister grin while doing crunches
Arms - it is difficult for the arms to clip towards his torso. Better to give him leg room when displaying this with other Street Fighter toys, or other figures. Yes, even as a figure, Adon is arrogant and obviously selfish. Sagat's attitude is more affable than Adon.
Legs - the legs are not well balanced, he tends to tilt on his right side. But (gasp), with the right pose, he can balance well on one leg.
I guess if I add maracas or rumba shakers, he go head to head with DeeJay
With my dismay despite being a huge Street Fighter fan, these Sota lines are susceptible to wear and tear because it doesn't have reusable box like other Japanese figures nowadays. The paint again flakes off after a weeks and when leaned on walls or sides of the shelves the figure tends to stick.
This is only toy line that I know that has Adon in their roster. So for any Street Fighter fan, despite some annoyances, this figure should be part of their collectors list. It is still game accurate and more articulation than M.Bison. It's up to you whether you want to take it out of the box to preserve its shelf life. (I know some avid collectors are very particular about it).
To each his own. As my fiancee said, what's the point of having toys if you are not able to play with it. :) Enough said.
Preparing for hadoken? U ZO!!!
Here is my video review of Adon from Street Fighter.
I collected almost all SOTA Street Fighter figures almost three years ago before I moved to Singapore. I packed them with me a year ago after a quick business trip back home.
The last figure I purchased was M.Bison. For me, Street Fighter is not complete without the main antagonist. There are many versions of SOTA's M.Bison but I liked the original color and make.
It is disappointing to see that M.Bison is not as articulate as my previous SOTA SF figures since it is so bulky that most of the joints don't move as much as I hoped for. As a Street Fighter fan, it may come to a dismay if there is a need to display the toy and place it in a diorama hoping to recreate that stage in the game.
After a few years on the shelf, the paint tends to harden, and it is difficult to move the joints especially the hands and torso. I do recommend to place this on a fairly balanced temperature - a lesson I had to relearn. At my previous home, my shelf was near the windows and the tropic heat and cold monsoons has taken a toll on M.Bison.
With all those imperfections, SOTA's M.Bison is almost a near perfect representation of the Street Fighter Alpha's Psycho Power wielding Shadaloo Boss. Well, all the Street Fighter figures that SOTA released was taken from that SF Alpha Series anyway.
I still do recommend to get M.Bison to fully complete the series.
This is my youtube review of SOTA Street Fighter M.Bison.
I bought this from greattoysonline.com. Click on the link at my favorite toy store page for more info about the seller.
Hi there. I just started my first entry on my blog to support my toy reviews I made in youtube recently. I kick started my toy review channel with my teaser video I made right here
This my poor attempt of editing, since I don’t have the right software like I used to back in college. Anyway, I just have to make do with the things I have until I have the “professional” tools to make it better. Enjoy. More toy reviews to come.
Fei-Long is a tribute to the Kung Fu movie legend Bruce Lee. Not only do the two look alike and come from the same city, Fei-Long also lets out similar battle cries to Lee, and is just as furious and fast. Also, Fei Long is Mandarin for "flying dragon", as well as a type of kick. Bruce Lee's Chinese screen name was 李 小龍 (Li Xiao-Long) or "little dragon." He was one of the early Bruce Lee look-alike characters in fighting games, after Kim Dragon from World Heroes and Liu Kang from Mortal Kombat, but predating Marshall Law and his son Forrest Law from the Tekken series, Li Long and Maxi from the Soul series, and Jann Lee from the Dead or Alive series. 
Rising Ixa has a more dominant blue and red color. Unlike my other SHF figure (Ixa) there is a metallic feel to it, more metal-looking parts highlight the scheme of this figure. Rising Ixa, along side with its ground form probably has the best articulation despite having huge shoulder pads. 
Accessory count does not veer away from its ground form except for two added items: Ixa Riser in Gun mode and one in phone mode. Paint details are fair but I wished they (bandai) could have painted its back side. But this is just a minor disappointment compared to (well that is for my next review - Kuuga Rising Mighty). 
Knee pads tend to fall of while I was checking the articulation on the legs. It does so with utmost frequency. I still like hinges on the foot section as they were more secure especially when I try to pose the figure to its maximum potential. Most SHF fanatics would easily fall in love with this Bandai collector's shop figure especially if they have SH Figuarts Ixa. But for me I couldn't have a finger on it to point its flaws as a whole. I think its the sculpt of the head or a huge red star-like ornament on his chest. Take those out and the whole figure is ok with me. Then again, it wouldn't be Rising Ixa would it?
store, CSToys International recently showcased the new feature for their uploaded videos embedded on their online store. Instead of the typical embedded code that can be copied on their Youtube channel, the interface now is somewhat similar to a timeline format that is easy to search for their past features and other demonstrations recorded via Ustream.
standard time.
). See the video below and take up the challenge and make your own review less than what he did. 
I collected almost all SOTA Street Fighter figures almost three years ago before I moved to Singapore. I packed them with me a year ago after a quick business trip back home.
After a few years on the shelf, the paint tends to harden, and it is difficult to move the joints especially the hands and torso. I do recommend to place this on a fairly balanced temperature - a lesson I had to relearn. At my previous home, my shelf was near the windows and the tropic heat and cold monsoons has taken a toll on M.Bison. 
