Toy Review: SH Figuarts Kamen Rider Eternal Red Flare

It's like coming back to my roots, posting a review that placed me into HJU's map. Welcome to my review of the S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Eternal Red Flare from the movie Kamen Rider W Returns - Eternal. Honestly, me buying SH Figuarts Eternal Red Flare was an accident. I was camping at the what Singaporean's call secretively "the bird's nest" for pre-orders. While I was frantically clicking away all December releases, I clicked pre-order on Red Flare without thinking. Was it a happy mistake? 

Eternal Red Flare's box design is like Eternal's. The changes are on the letters which are now in hot red and there are flame designs to highlight the name of the character. Similarities also continues on the thickness of the box. As a whole, undeniably, this is almost a mirror image of Kamen Rider Eternal.

Speaking of mirror images, the figure itself is the same. Changes are on the flame paint apps which are now red and Red Flare doesn't have the Maximum Drive Slots wrapped around his chest, bicep and ankle. What remains is the Lost Driver. I describe Red Flare as a naked Eternal for obvious reasons. Since this figure is patterned after SHF Eternal and Kamen Rider W, the joints feel the same as his predecessors. A note to those reading this, a potential QC issue would be the ball covers surrounding the ball jointed shoulders. Mine jiggles a lot but this won't hinder the arms and make your figure loose. Yokkata.

Accessory count is the almost same as Eternal less the thumb down hand and the maximum drive knife. What we're given is a different mold for the cape that looks like it is floating instead of Eternal's static look. This allows more freedom to wave the arms in different positions without problems. The new cape design has some hiccups, when worn by both Eternals the position becomes top heavy so owning a Tamashii Stand is wise to maximize the potential of this cape. Another point to note is that the cape is made for Eternal Blue Flare since Red Flare never had one on the movie. Nevertheless, using the cape is more effective in Red and when I tried it in Blue, the neck joint doesn't go all the way because of the maximum drive slots hindering the head into a snug fit. What a shame.

Why should you be getting this is anyone's guess. I feel that this figure is not for all SHF fans. I understand that the floating cape is for Blue Eternal but I've used this to Red as well. Guess what, the floating cape works perfectly on Red but not on Blue Eternal. It is difficult to peg the new cape on Blue because of the Maximum Drive Slots hindering the head to peg back in. So it leaves the neck half way in...so sad.