Let’s talk toys. Specifically, Bandai’s S.H.Figuarts Shinkoucchou Seihou line, and five items that I think should be added to the list of new and upcoming pieces. It’s a good old-fashioned Top 5 list! Hosting this segment is our contributor, TaJa Doyle, an avid collector and reviewer for Tamashii Nations’ products. One can check out his reviews over on his YouTube Channel, Wheelchair21. This list will consist of Toei productions, and characters we want to see join the high-end Shinkocchou Seihou series. The line is known for perfectly capturing the likeness of the combat suits as seen on screen.
The original S.H.Figuarts Kamen Rider OOO TaToBa released in Spring 2011. It was met with a mediocre response from collectors. The issues fans had with the original product were of quality, concerning things like loose joints and terribly engineered ankles; they were ball joints, which made posing the figure difficult. However, with the announcement, and orders opened for the Complete Selection Modification OOO Driver, one can only hope an updated version of the character will appear!
North Americans are better acquainted with Metalder via Saban’s adaptation of the show titled VR Troopers. The US series featured lead hero Ryan Steel (Brad Hawkins) using the powers of Metalder before upgrading the suit in season 2, adapting Space Sheriff Shaider. Now, Metalder is an interesting installment to the Metal Heroes series, where fans either gravitate towards it for their love of VR Troopers, or for its natural story. The series and suit are loosely inspired by Shotaro Ishinomori’s Kikaider series, making it stand out further.
Tamashii Nations made a prototype S.H.Figuarts Metalder, however it never had a release. The original prototype was revealed at Tamashii Features 2014 alongside other Metal Heroes that would receive releases. Since the original standard S.H.Figuarts never came out, one could only hope it gets a second chance as a part of the Shinkocchou Seihou line. Currently, the only option for collectors is the Action Works figure released in 2009.
Kamen Rider W is a series heavily favored by many fans, having been the gateway series for a new generation of viewers. Now, what stands out about the series is the marketing, and various products for the show. There were the basic toys, Premium Bandai items, and the Riders as well as their forms were made into Figuarts. In addition, the Riders were remade for the Shinkocchou Seihou series.
Furthermore, the villainous Sonozaki family were release in the basic S.H.Figuarts line, and Figuarts Zero series. However, the final villain, Jun Kazu aka the Utopia Dopant, while shown among the Sonozakis in 2013, never received a release of any sorts. Like the previous selection, Metalder, Utopia Dopant’s best chance now is to be made apart of the Shinkocchou Seihou series; especially when the engineering of these figures would ensure no details from the suit go missing.
Super Sentai Figuarts are practically dead, but there are rumors floating that Saban and Bluefin Tamashii are attempting to convince Bandai Japan to try again. Now, if that rumor is true, I could only hope that after meeting the demands of Saban for Power Rangers-related SHF, Japan returns to favor to its home audience. The best way to try releasing new Super Sentai S.H.Figuarts for its home audience would be to release an iconic character like Big One!
For those unaware, Big One / Sokichi Banba is the leader of the second Sentai team, J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai, portrayed by legendary tokusatsu actor, Hiroshi Miyauchi! The reason I bring this up is because Big One could release alongside Banba like Takeshi Hongo released alongside Ichigo from the original Kamen Rider series. Furthermore, this could be a wonderful release following what I do believe is in our future: S.H.Figuarts Shirou Kazami and S.H.Figuarts Shinkocchou Seihou Kamen Rider V3. Also, this could maybe lead to other Miyauchi characters like Ken Hayakawa / Zubat, or Akira Shinmei/AoRanger!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXVz6ypbgeE
Anyone in their right mind would figure that Kamen Rider Kiva had to be on this list, and be number one! The reason behind this choice is that Kamen Rider Kiva, in his base form, has never been a part of the S.H.Figuarts line. Now, Emperor Form has and its “evil” offshoot, Dark Kiva have been made, as well as Ixa’s forms, but Kiva has not!
Some expect it to finally debut as a Shinkocchou Seihou, since Kamen Rider Hibiki appeared in similar fashion. Fans speculate that Kamen Rider Kiva has not been added to the line for assorted reasons. Reasons like issues with using chrome plating over metallic paint, the various chains on the suit, and its signature leg guard, Hell’s Gate, that opens to execute his Rider Kick, Darkness Moon Break. Luckily, with the advancements made in producing S.H.Figuarts, Tamashii Nations can maybe make Kamen Rider Kiva before the end of 2018, to coincide with the series’ 10th anniversary.
This concludes our list on the Top 5 S.H.Figuarts Shinkocchou Seihous fans want! Hopefully this list fits everyone, but if it does not, tell us what you think in the comments below. The S.H.Figuarts Shinkocchou Seihou line has a lot of potential for not just Bandai, but the fans; to produce collectibles on their various properties, and finish line-ups fans highly desire.
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