I recently realized that I have quite the backlog of Sentai and Kamen Rider SH Figuarts. This is mostly because I like to review new things over old, promoting what I like that’s currently available. While I like the Figuarts line, most of my purchases are a result of having a little extra money to burn or being at the right place and right time for a sale or deal. But since I don’t have a lot of new imports on order, I thought I’d fill in those slots with figures that I really enjoy but haven’t said much about.
In a world where cybernetic bug men use super powered martial arts to defeat evil organizations and mutant monsters, I think Kamen Rider Amazon still takes the cake for being the most unique (and craziest) of all the Riders. After a tragic plane crash, young Daisuke Yamamoto grew up wild and alone in the Amazon Rainforest. But when the ten faced demon Gorgos attacks his adopted village, the elder chief uses Incan science magic contained within the powerful GiGi armlet to transform the boy into the lizard-like Amazon. Diasuke then travels to Japan to stop Gorgos and his evil organization Geddon from taking over the world.
I didn’t know any of that pretty fantastic back story when I bought Amazon. It’s really just icing on the cake, because I actually wanted this figure just based on his look alone. Most of the Showa Riders look kind of similar with their insect motifs. This makes Amazon’s striped lizard look stand out in both style and in personality on the shelf. He almost looks more like one of the monsters they’d fight.
It’s the head sculpt that really brings character to this figure. He has similar buggy compound eyes, but the fin-like shape of the head and the inclusion of an articulated mouth allow Amazon to pull off some really fun and lighthearted expressions, especially when surrounded by his more serious bug brethren. On my shelf he always looks like the life of the party.
Amazon’s sculpt even gives him a different posture. Since he acts and fights like a wild animal, he’s always hunched forward a bit. The fin on his back keeps him from standing too straight, but it’s also articulated and allows him to bend pretty far forward while retaining a mostly connected look.
Paint wise, this is probably one of the more impressive Figuarts I’ve seen. Amazon’s entire body is covered in wavy erratic red stripes and I haven’t noticed any paint slop or bleeding into the green areas. His chest armor is also an interesting light yellow that gradiates into an orange/red. Even the small details like the red dots on his belt and arm band are expertly placed. Continue to page 2…
This is an interesting figure. I would not have been exposed to him otherwise.
Speaking of bug men, do you have Revoltech Takeya Gunrari yet??? >:-)
Glad you like him! One of my favorite things about reviewing toys is exposing people to some cool figures they didn’t know about.
No, I don’t have him yet. He’s still stuck in pre-order limbo. He’s taking so long that I may get my Fudo Myooh first. Do you have him? How is he? All those arms seem a bit mind boggling.
I’m kinda sad that with the Showa Riders they basically started with their best one and every one afterwards struggles to live up to him.
Which one came out first?
I have V3 on the way, and I’m really looking forward to him. I don’t think he’ll beat out Amazon as my favorite, but he still looks pretty damned cool.
These (figuarts) still have me on the wall. Basically picking a first to buy.
My lone exposure to KR Amazon was the SHT film. Though he gets “killed” by GokaiRed.at the start of film. Still agree he has a cool look.and that will help on purchase plans.
A fun review on one crazy cool design.
Picking your first Figuarts can be kind of daunting. And watch out for the slippery slope! One can easily lead to many more. 😛
Oh, yes, yes it is. Very much so, the entire genus of ‘super posable figures roughly 1/16 scale from Japan) toy. I was given a Revoltech Lupin III, so I just HAD to get his partner Jigen Daisuke, and then I needed Green Jacket Lupin, then I saw Figma made a Tekkaman Blade so I HAD to get THAT…and I’m still craving that Kamen Rider Black RX and if I get to the point where I have more money than common sense I WILL own the Figma Cobra figure, and is it wrong I kind of want Figuarts Sailor Moon?
It’s not a slippery slope, it’s teflon coated with graphite! 🙂
Sailor Moon is never wrong! 😀
I can’t help you with Cobra, but I’ve got a Figma Lady with the extra Cobra parts if you’re looking to buy her also. She’s complete in box, only opened once.
You know I could so easily twist most everything said there into something dirty, right? Don’t let DayRaven see it. 🙂
*ahem* well, that’s a very kind offer on Lady, but see, I gots to have me a Cobra to go with her, otherwise it’s just a sexy robot girl. Not that there’s anything wrong with that and Lupin wouldn’t care…
best get your pre-order in on the ‘Attack on Titan’ Figmas, those are going to be burning hot sellers. I just don’t know if I can tie up my money that long but damn, those are going to be so damn cool. Even if you don’t watch/don’t like the show they’re very interesting.
Dig it. http://www.hlj.com/product/max06300
(she’s a chick. The hero dude is also supposed to be released)
I know thinking of Sentai, Rider, One Piece, Sailor Senshi, Akibarangers (awaiting Malshina news) it will be hard picking just one. Then got the Nintendo themed ones XO too many choices. I would think of the Monsterarts but a bit pricey.
Forgot this but his weapon reminds me of 1.) Pepperoni stick 2.) Slim Jim with pulled down wrapper
hmmm, I feel the need to make a “Snap into a Slim Jim” ad featuring Amazon now…
AAAAAA MAAAA ZON!
KR Amazon is awesome for one other attack you might not know. HE BITES CHUNKS OUT OF FOES!
All the early Toei hero shows have this level of crazy and ‘anything goes’ that is so lacking in the modern shows. So much energy! I can almost picture the ‘pitch’ session: “OK, got it! Dude is raised like Tarzan, so he’s wild and uncivilized, and we make him a bug/lizard!”
I’d like to get the first Kamen Rider and KR Black RX, but they always seem to go out of production when I have the money. Don’t get me started on the Figma Cobra (the space pirate, not the GI Joe baddie).
Great pics as always. I’m guessing KR Amazon is the new troublemaker at Vault’s House of Riders. 🙂
Hey, Vault? You still doing that Monster High site? Why isn’t it in the links?
I saw a couple of fight scenes on Youtube where he was biting enemy monsters. They were pretty fun scenes. I might just have to sit down and watch the series as I have time.
Monster High and I have split up. 😛 I’m a little burnt out on the line itself. I don’t blame Mattel for trying to make as much money as possible, but the brand is becoming so large that it’s nearly impossible to collect it all. At least it was becoming impossible for me, since I buy more than just Monster High toys.
Even just trying to keep track of the official news and various leaks was becoming a full time job of scouring foreign doll sites and other odd places that I don’t normally know about. Ultimately I couldn’t keep up with my IAT work and the MH site. You may still see a Monster High review from me here, but the Fearbook site itself isn’t going to continue.
I keep hearing a rumor that Black RX may be getting a stateside release with Saban’s Masked Rider box art. Also, Vault’s House of Riders is a reality show I would watch.
Really excellent posing and photography with this review. The tiptoe shot and the finishing move shot are masterfully posed.
Thanks Paul! Like I said in the review, he’s just really fun to play around with. That definitely makes picture taking easy.
You always kill the Import reviews Vault! I end up wanting things I would have never wanted before
Lol, I guess I’m doing my job then. 😛
I guess I should mention for anyone who does want to track down an Amazon figure, http://ekizo.mandarake.co.jp/shop/en/ is the site you should probably be stalking. The figure is a few years old now, so he’s a bit rare. But you can still find him for under $50 if you’re patient. That’s how I got him.