As is tradition with Guest Review Week (twice counts!), we save one spot on the lineup for a review from one of our readers! For Son of Guest Review week, that spot goes to our man in Japan, Robert Baldwin (a.k.a. Dorkey!). Today, Robert is taking a look at the S.H. Figuarts Akiba Red!
After watching the first episode at a screening during Bandai’s Tamashii Features back in March, Akibaranger had quickly become my favorite Sentai. However S.H.Figuarts is the only action figure line that is releasing Akibaranger figures –no S.I.C., no vinyl. So, here I am, wandering into Vault’s territory, perhaps stepping on his toes, with a review of my very first S.H.Figuarts figure.
Nobuo Akagi, a 29 year old bicycle courier for Sasaki Ponpoko Delivery (S.P.D.) in the Akihabara district in Tokyo is a hard core Sentai otaku. Nobuo, often spending his time fantasizing about becoming a hero, gets recruited as Akiba Red.
Being more of a Kamen Rider fan, and preferring the dark hero image, most of my collection consists of the S.I.C. line. While very few of the Sentai have sparked my interest, the clean lines of the S.H.Figuarts action figures have been a bit of a turn-off for me.
However, with Unofficial Sentai Akibaranger, none of the rules matter. This Sentai fights in the realm of their imagination, they can be beat-up, torn-up and blown-up but at the end of a fight, completely refreshed – and that’s acceptable in this world.
The sculpt is excellent with great attention given to detail. Comparing the figure to photographs and video of the actual character, I can’t find a single thing to complain about. The articulation is what has become standard on most S.H.Figuarts figures and the design of the character works well with the build of the figure, allowing for efficient concealment of his joints. Additionally, the cuts in the biceps and thighs are completely hidden by an outer section which works like a sheath. Continue to Page 2…
Bloody nifty review of a sweet-looking toy from a property I knew nothing about, but now my interest is piqued. I just hope this won’t end up costing me lots of money . . . . };D
Well after seeing the.monster art figs back on the 9th and seeing the prices can guess how much these will be. Only saw PR toys. Wish could find a multi regional dvd player cause I’d order the dvds of this series and Gokaiger (fear the us butchering from what I heard on the net.)
Wish we could get these figs released by bandai america. Doubt will ever happen though.
Bluefin, the official importer of Bandai’s Tamashii lines, is currently working on getting permission to import the Akibarangers to the U.S. If that happens, they’ll be available through Diamond Distributors, which means any comic shop in the country can get them for you.
Very cool stuff!
“Accessories for this figure are quite limited. Akiba Red comes with six right hands and four left hands, including the clenched fists he is originally packed with. Other than this, he comes with two scarves and a gun/action figure transformation object, Moe Moe Z-cune (MMZ-01).”
i had to read this paragraph to my wife, twice. as a motuc buyer, this hurt badly. “quite limited” my ass. how many accessories did i get w/ he-man? 3. how many accessories did i get w/ skeletor? 2. how many interchangable scarves have i gotten from the entire line? none.
I hear you, dayraven. Hell, that’s my standard for buying imported figures. I don’t care if Takara’s Transformers have ridiculous amounts of paint compared to Hasbro’s, it’s still the same mold. But if a Revoltech/figma/Play Arts has alternate hands, faces, weapons, and effect parts…man, I’m all over that.
He-Man definitely needs more interchangeable scarves! 😀
lol
If we got one set of what we see in imported toys in any us toy I’d drop 85lbs in one night.
I recall seeing someone else refer to a Figuarts release as being “bare bones” when it comes to accessories. I can’t remember exactly which figure it was, but I know it was one of the Sentai figures, who all come with at least 6-8 hands and a couple of weapons. Some have even more. Shinken Red comes with 9 hands, the Shodophone (henshin/transformation device), his Shinkenmaru (katana), his Daizantou (big buster sword), a detachable disc for said Daizantou, and his Shishi Origami (zord) in two modes.