Shouketsu. Uchuu Keiji Shaider...how can I not forget the days when I was so excited every Sunday morning watching every single episode. Actually, it is from this tokusatsu show I have come to learn and love the mystery of history - Incans , Pyramids, Rice Terraces craved from mountains and alike. There are some things that you really learn from watching, besides learning a bit of Japanese (phrases at least).
To those who weren't born in the early 80's, Shaider's human form Dai Sawamura is an archeology student who has deciphered some Nazacan hieroglyphics which impressed the Galactic Union Police and given a code name Shaider who some 12,000 years ago defeated the Fuuma empire lead by Emperor Kubilai. When the empire came back to wreak havoc, Shaider also returned. I didn't pay attention to Dai, as I was in my pubescent stage - I was more keen to his partner Annie. You must see her in action to find out why. That's my short history with the show.
Well some 15 years after, I recently got Action Works' Shaider figure in memory of my childhood days. Action Works is a toy line made by Megahouse - a subsidiary of Bandai (I researched a bit before writing this piece) some 6 years ago. This figures are as tall as the SIC Kiwami Tamashii line or GI Joes.
Megahouse's masterpiece is sight to behold with blue metallic paint apps and pinches of spot colors to replicate the suit. I was impressed how they managed to put it all together in a small package. To cut it short, it was absolutely satisfying.
Well, that's aesthetically speaking. Now let go with articulation. The joint are very familiar with Shochaku Henshin figures. The is a head and neck joint, flipping shoulder pads, double elbow and knee joints and swivels. The added swivel parts are on the hips and a hinged balljoint to extend the legs down that are meant for extreme poses, leg splits anyone?
What is utterly weird is his torso articulation. Shaider has two hinges that make up the ab crunch. With this, there are instances that the abs allows the figure to make an "s" position. A minor nitpick but these are easily amended. Something you might get used to quickly. Another minor nitpick are the ball jointed hips. There is a limit in twisting the legs and with enough torque, these pop out. Then again, these are an easy fix.
Shaider is fully quipped with a Laser Magnum and a holster to peg near the hips. Included are a pair of holding, posing and calm relaxed hands - 6 in total. Two swords, one a simple blade with a silver edge and one in a blue translucent blade. The blue blade is his laser sword to perform his Shaider Super Slash. This type of swords are very common to the rest of the Space Sheriffs. Lastly is the extra head with a lighted visor.
One of the most outstanding replica of the character. It is worth keeping - in short classic.
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