REVIEW SHFiguarts (Shinkocchou Seihou) Kamen Rider X, Bandai

5 Nov, 2024

This is review of Bandai action figure tokusatsu SHFiguarts (Shinkocchou Seihou) Kamen Rider X from Kamen Rider X series.

Bandai Action Figure Tokusatsu SHFiguarts (Shinkocchou Seihou) Kamen Rider X Review

This review dives into the SHFiguarts (Shinkocho Seihou) Kamen Rider X, a figure that significantly upgrades the details, proportions, and realism compared to previous releases. From head to toe, this figure captures the essence of Kamen Rider X with impressive accuracy and enhanced articulation.

Overall Design and Enhanced Proportions

In line with the Shinkocho Seihou style, Kamen Rider X features a well-built, muscular physique, giving it a powerful presence. The suit, scarf, and belt details have seen notable improvements in precision, delivering a more authentic representation of the original suit.

Head Sculpt and Face Details

The head sculpt has been refined with a larger, more proportionate size, featuring meticulously adjusted contours, compound eyes, and the iconic V-shaped brow. The face mask proportions have been carefully balanced to achieve a high level of accuracy to the show. The compound eyes allow a clear view of the inner mold, showcasing a precise, polished paint job.

Body and Armor Detailing

True to Shinkocho Seihou’s reputation, the figure boasts a muscular body with more natural armor shapes, especially in the chest area. The addition of shading gives the figure added depth, enhancing its realistic feel.

Waist and Belt

The belt on Kamen Rider X has been refined for improved realism with enhanced molding and paint quality. The Rider Grip is detachable, though it can be prone to coming loose, which is a minor drawback. Some abdominal armor is also movable, adding to the versatility of the figure.

Arms, Legs, and Sculpted Wrinkles

Both arms and legs are slightly thicker than previous versions, featuring detailed sculpting to replicate the texture of the on-screen suit. This added detail brings an authentic, screen-accurate look to the figure, especially around the sculpted wrinkles.

Scarf and Durability

The scarf, a fabric piece with embedded wire, allows for various dynamic poses around the neck. Unfortunately, the wire base was fragile and broke with minor adjustments, requiring careful handling. This issue may vary among individual units, but users should exercise caution.

Accessories and Weapons

Kamen Rider X comes equipped with an array of weapon options:

Rider Whip: Attaches securely to the included grip and is perfect for action poses.
Rider Stick: Another staple weapon, ideal for recreating iconic moves.
Long Pole: Slightly shorter than previous versions, yet still impressively lengthy.
Rider Rope: Now replaced with a standard string rather than the wire used previously, adding flexibility but requiring support for airborne poses.

Each weapon has a unique grip with a button feature, usable with all three weapon options.

Articulation and Poseability

The joints on Kamen Rider X match those of recent Showa Riders like Riderman. It boasts excellent range of motion, particularly in the neck and waist, although the waist area is notably stiff, making subtle adjustments tricky. Still, the figure is stable enough for one-legged poses.

Dynamic Poses and Signature Moves

From whip poses to high-flying kicks, the figure’s articulation supports a wide array of moves. The Rider Grip on the belt may detach easily, but it works well with weapon usage that doesn’t require it. Iconic moves like the Rider Brain Split (using the Rider Stick) and Rider X-Kick are possible, capturing the spirit of Kamen Rider X in action.

Showa vs. Heisei Rider Comparison

Posing Kamen Rider X alongside Heisei Riders, like Kamen Rider Faiz, highlights the unique style of Showa Riders, while a lineup with five Showa Riders recreates classic scenes, bringing nostalgia to life for fans.

Summary

The SHFiguarts (Shinkocho Seihou) Kamen Rider X delivers the expected Shinkocho Seihou quality with realistic proportions, detailed suit textures, and vibrant paintwork. Although issues like the fragile scarf wire and the belt’s loose Rider Grip are minor setbacks, the overall craftsmanship is excellent. Most joints perform well, and the figure’s range of motion allows for dynamic poses, although inward arm movement is somewhat restricted due to the design.

The set includes all of Kamen Rider X’s weapon forms, enabling a faithful recreation of key scenes. With solid detail and poseability, this figure is highly recommended for fans of the series. Although there is no confirmation yet, fans can look forward to a potential release of Kamen Rider Stronger, which would be a natural next addition to the lineup.