Pictures in this product review posting are taken with a new camera Sony RX100 Mark IV for the first time on this blog. Although officially, Hokkaido Toy Run - 19 to 26 Dec 2022 is the very first one however it is not a product review posting.
Rider Statistics
Rider Height: 172 cm
Rider Weight: 65 kg
Ability Parameters
Punching Power: 25 t
Kicking Power: 30 t
Maximum Jump Height: 15.3 m
Originally created to best and kill the traitor Takeshi Hongo, Hayato was modified to be capable of transforming via stylish hand positions to absorb wind power as opposed to Takeshi's need for a outside source of wind power to charge him, becoming a more versatile fighter as a result. However, Hayato was rescued by Hongo before being brainwashed, and fights against Shocker during Takeshi's absence. Like Hongo, Ichimonji seems to require no food or water whatsoever.
The original manga gave an in-depth analysis of the entire schematics used by Hongo, Ichimonji, and the Shocker Riders.
Ultrasensitive Antenna: a radar from the antenna
Cat's Eye: allows infrared night vision
Signal O: a brainwave transmission device that can detect other cyborgs
Crusher: The face plate that can break chains
Artificial Lungs: can recycle oxygen for two hours
Pulmonary Converter: catches wind power to convert it to energy, also acts as a radiator
Power Converter: capsules on the belt to store energy
Typhoon: transformation belt which is an anemometer which measures the rider's energy
Artificial Muscle: gives the rider the strength to jump like a giant grasshopper
Jump Shoes: the soles are elastic-like springs.
Rider Height: 172 cm
Rider Weight: 65 kg
Ability Parameters
Punching Power: 25 t
Kicking Power: 30 t
Maximum Jump Height: 15.3 m
Originally created to best and kill the traitor Takeshi Hongo, Hayato was modified to be capable of transforming via stylish hand positions to absorb wind power as opposed to Takeshi's need for a outside source of wind power to charge him, becoming a more versatile fighter as a result. However, Hayato was rescued by Hongo before being brainwashed, and fights against Shocker during Takeshi's absence. Like Hongo, Ichimonji seems to require no food or water whatsoever.
The original manga gave an in-depth analysis of the entire schematics used by Hongo, Ichimonji, and the Shocker Riders.
Ultrasensitive Antenna: a radar from the antenna
Cat's Eye: allows infrared night vision
Signal O: a brainwave transmission device that can detect other cyborgs
Crusher: The face plate that can break chains
Artificial Lungs: can recycle oxygen for two hours
Pulmonary Converter: catches wind power to convert it to energy, also acts as a radiator
Power Converter: capsules on the belt to store energy
Typhoon: transformation belt which is an anemometer which measures the rider's energy
Artificial Muscle: gives the rider the strength to jump like a giant grasshopper
Jump Shoes: the soles are elastic-like springs.
BanDai S.H.Figuarts (SHF) Shinkocchou Seihou's (SKC) heatwave has blown into my direction after chancing on a Carousell sale item of a used Kamen Rider no.1. The details amazes me especially on the textured body "armour" and the paint joh. Proportion, sculpting and articulations seem a great improvement from the standard SHF releases many years back. Quick reference to some Youtube videos cemented my crush on these figures.
Prices are high at Carousell and I want to try my toy run at Hokkaido, if it could be cheaper there - and with more variety (I'm only collecting Showa Riders anyway). Then to commit locally if Hokkaido proof futile.
The lack of research for what has been released (and re-released) and what to look out for has proven to be my handicap when making my first purchase for these figures. It was a miracle to make a visit to Mandarake Sapporo branch in Hokkaido my the last night in Hokkaido. It was actually quite disappointing that they have a full array of SKC figures but only 1 Showa Rider on sale - which is this one here - and they are asking for ¥19,000 (about SGD 190) which is really high. But to make this miracle worthwhile, I got it anyway.
It was then realized later on that it is actually a used piece and also some paint scuffle/scratch on the right lower section of the body armour. Possibly caused during play rubbing with the edge of the belt.
Lesson learnt that future SKC figures must buy new with plastic protection.
Also then realized I bought an older version released in 2018. Bandai has re-released a 50th Anniversary version which basically
is the same figure but was told paint job has improved. Looking at the above picture, honestly I prefer the paint scheme of my figure ie the 2018 release over the new one. Physic wise looks exactly the same.
Although I paid over the top for a used figure, there is no regret. The only regret is there are not more to buy and will have to scour Carousell when back for No.1 and V3.
A quick assessment of this figure dissecting it category by category to reveal its good and the bad.
DESIGN - 3.5/5
Breast armour plates L & R can actually be manipulated a little bit to allow further arm posing ie across the body doing a henshin pose or a double fisted pose. However due to the hard plastic material of these armour plates, there is little to no help in extending the arm articulation. Soft rubber material should be a better choice and with it, there is no need for movement of them.
A point of concern is actually about the wrist pegs which are plastic which is always having a danger of breaking. Once broken, it is as good as useless. Set came with a plethora amount of poseable hands and it gives immense opportunity for posing. Swapping hands constantly made me sweat. Fitting is pretty tight going in and taking out. Either Bandai make the hole on the hands slightly bigger or use a softer material. I feel broken peg is a matter of time. From here onward, will refrain from swapping hands as best as I can.
Final nit picking on the belt would be good if pleather or soft material are used instead of plastic. Scuffing on the body will probably not happen if done so.
This is a well design figure overall. The designer just need to put in more thoughts to make this the best of the best in its class.
SCULPTING - 5/5
Absolutely the best in its class. Especially impressed by the texture on the body armour that set this apart from its older SHF incumbent.
There are fabric flow sculpted to the pants, on the boots and on the gloves. Care has been taken in these area to up the details.
Nothing to complain here.
PAINTING - 3.5/5
Compliments on the different shades of green on the body armour and had it executed immaculately. This is the one most impressive feature that drawn me to this series.
Red on the gloves and boots are nice and thorough with subtle black washes to lift the details.
BUT why not do the same to the neck scarf and the belt? Both these has the original material red without any additional paintwork. That really set back this category.
Specifically on the neck scarf, the portion around the neck is actually painted while the attached scarf is not. So if to scrutinize closely, there are 2 shades of red on the scarf.
It is things like these that stop the figure from being great.
ARTICULATION - 4/5
This figure can do a plethora of poses without any issue. Only nit picking is the butterfly arm joints are made useless by the chest armour in the way.
ACCESSORIES - 5/5
Set came with 4 extra pairs of hands + 1 pair of fisted hands on the figure. Also came with an additional flowing scarf , a spare pair of feelers and a handshake hand to be used together with Kamen Rider Ichigo. Nothing else this guy need except for his cyclone bike hey.
OVERALL - 4/5
As a whole, it is a very nice figure. Very comfortable handling it also as there is a feel of sturdiness.
Will I pay $190/- for it under normal circumstances and knowing it is a used piece? No. But will pay slightly higher than a normal SKC figure probably in the 140-150 range.
The high price at Mandarake probably is because this is an old figure and perhaps more preferred by collectors. More research need to be done to get more information.
I grew up with Showa Kamen Riders and they have a special place in my heart. If there is a good action figure product of these available, I'd want to own them.
For now, I have the Medicom RAH DX 12' versions, Medicom RAH220 10" version and now SKC 6" version. The final version to be had will be 6" version with soft goods. Will it be made?
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