Stage Generations ... ...

a surprise find today at Takashimaya is SHFiguarts stage which I kind of wanted for a long time (I know I can get it easily at any shop in CSC but really had no chance of going there). Anyway, there was like a 50% sale on this item. So, grabbed it I did.

This is stage is specifically for displaying W and it has slots for the memory gaias. It's only today then I realised how ridiculously priced are the memory gaias. Anyway, I wouldn't be getting memory gaias as they are available only if you get the belt or weapon systems of W which...enough said.

Back to the stage and with it, I can pose my figures in flight! and it comes with interchangeable slots which has the label for most of W's combination. Above I have Cyclone and Joker.

I am finally able to get Faiz to do Rider Kick which was missing from the post on Faiz.

Next, is Transformers Deluxe carded packaging that is on sale as well. 3 for $50! That's a steal in a sense as they retail individually at $27.90 or has the price increased?

Anyway, I like only Prime and so asked my son to choose two more to complete my purchase. He of course happily obliged.

This is another figure that I did not really like but since it's cheap; what the heck! Anyway, Hasbro is also on the green movement as the twist ties now are made of paper material.

The figure is what you would expect of a deluxe figure and it's worth getting at the price that is being sold now.

Articulation ability on the prime is as minimum as it can be. Well, don't complain because it's cheap (I think I mentioned it twice already).

Transformation is way simple and the vehicle mode is supposedly a Cybertronian armored truck. Very retro kind of feel to it though. Well, I guess the alternative mode grew on me as I look at it again. Get it before it's all snapped up!

Faiznally ... ...

SHFiguarts released Kamen Rider Faiz aka Masked Rider 555. This is the second Kamen rider series that I watched with my son (2006) and it's most probably this series that had me hooked to Kamen Riders.

This release is the basic form of Faiz and perhaps Bandai will release Axel and Blaster form. That can be a problem for me...

Basic figure is as usual like all SHFiguarts; Great! All the joints are tight and the figure do has some heft to it.

Classic stance of Faiz when he is ready to strike. It gives it a very confident and complacent kind of look.

Faiz activates all his weapon system and even his transformation via a phone that is attached to the belt by imputing 3 digit codes for each request.

The phone converts to a blaster as well and it's most probably one of the most common weapons he uses in the series.

Again, I have to stress that SHFiguarts has the right formula when it comes to articulation of the figure. Dynamic poses such as the ones above and below are easy to accomplish.

 

Overall, this is a great figure with many accessories and  I'll be in a dilemma when the other forms are released but I already have the answer for it.

First and foremost ... ...

I like to say that I had watched Kamen Rider as a kid when it was airing in Singapore in the early 80s. It was in mandarin and was one of those shows that I anticipated daily. SHFiguarts first release was naturally Kamen Rider, The First version. 

I gave it a miss for the fact that I was not into collecting figures of this genre....but after so many Kamen Riders of the past 2 decades....I might as well pay some homage to the original version. So, I decided to get Rider 1.

This is an updated version of it for the movie made in 2005 based on the 1971 TV series and so, the costume is slightly fashionable.

Back in the 70s, things are kept simple and perhaps due to low budget....the helmet did not cover up the head completely exposing the neck and some part of the head. Maybe, it's for ventilation purpose as well.

I had always wanted to take some outdoor shots but I did not go very far and it was a bit awkward with people staring.

I chose the 20mm pancake lens and I wonder if I should have used the telephoto lens instead as I had a very hard time keeping my hands steady.

This shot is pretty washout with the flash. I will try this again with other toys in the future and hopefully, another lens will give better pictures and I think the tripod is a good idea too.

Back to the figure...well, nothing too fantastic about it and get it for nostalgia sake. That's about it.

Hardboil Extreme ... ...

in terms of me collecting Masked Riders aka Kamen Riders. Mentioned before that collection mainly started because of my son and now, it has evolved to even getting the bikes...

The S.H.Figuarts Ex is the series that releases the machines for the characters and mostly Kamen Riders. The highlight today is Machine Hardboiler assigned to Joker-Cyclone Rider. Bandai priced this item about 20% or more higher than the figure (depending on where you buy).

It follows the color scheme of Joker (black) and Cyclone (green) and the position of the color is also taken into consideration.

If only it comes with the headlamps being able to be lit. Another thing which I find lacking is the set of hands that could be included as Joker-Cylone figure did not come with gripping hands.

Oh no! Where is the mechanic?

This is consider the basic machine of Kamen Rider Double (Masked Rider W) which can be combined with other machines depending on who Double is.

Proportion wise, it is more of less in the appropriate ratio but somehow I could not get Rider Double's butt on the seat properly.

The set, however, did come with a rather ugly looking bike stand and I wish it was transparent plastic instead.

 

Found a way to balance the bike without the stand

 erm....no comments

 It can even take a pillion 

The Machine Hardboiler is more of an add-on and not a must have but it was nice to own piece.

Ok, next up is the Joker-Cyclone Extreme figure from the same series and I'm sure there will be more of these extremes coming.

Basic figure comes with gripping hands and luckily I bought this or I will not have the correct hands for Machine Hardboiler.

I did not have a liking for this piece when I first saw the pictures online but having the actual item caused me to think otherwise. The centre of the figure is something that I really like as it is actually a clear plastic that covers up the silver plastic from the outside.

One of the few Kamen Riders that has a sword as a weapon. The Cho Tashoku Hakkou Ken (Super Multicolor Luminescence Sword) Prism Beaker. It is a combination of a sword and shield.


I am waiting for more of the extreme combi to be released. 

Really Xtreme Full Armor Unicorn ... ...

Gundam is under Bandai's newly improved Gundam Fix Figuration (G.F.F) line now known as Next Generation G.F.F.N. The RX-0 Unicorn is based on the Unicorn Gundam novel.

Bandai retains the original packaging for G.F.F and the only addition is the card (left) that briefly explains the origin of the Gundam).

More info is stated behind and this is again typical of all the G.F.F packaging. The number for the figure also followed on from the previous releases.

The pleasant surprise and greatest improvement to me is Bandai has finally got rid of the twist ties! They are replaced by the tray lid which effectively holds everything in place.

Basic figure is in Destroy mode and there isn't any transformation allowed to the Unicorn mode.

Standard armaments will include a shield and a beam Magnum but this is not the reason why I bought this.

Beam saber x 4

Articulation offered here is pathetic and do not expect too much of any dynamic pose from this.

So why did I buy it? Let's get Unicorn here to show you the rest of his toys. First up is the Hyper Bazooka x 2 and it's loaded with a grenade launcher and loads of grenades.

Beam Gatling Gun x 6

 Beam Gatling Guns fitted on Shield x 3

 Rocket Boosters

Display stand with name as standards 

Everything fits neatly onto the propulsion unit at the back inclusive of the huge rocket boosters.

This gundam is not called Full Armor for nothing as it really packs quite a load full of armaments. Well, this item is rather pricey but I am not taking a risk of looking high and low for it at a later time. The logic is also simple; I can always let it go at half price.

Recommendation: Get it if you really like what you see.