Here’s a blast out of the past brought to you by our photo guru conundrum! It only seems fitting that with the Mighty Morphin White Power Ranger in the final round of Morphin Madness that we feature this…interesting…figure from the days of Gosei Sentai Dairanger. Behold, the Yutaka Kiba Ranger Role Play set!
For those asking, “What the F is Yutaka?” … Yutaka was a branch of Bandai of Japan formed from the remnants of Shinsei Manufacturing created in 1990 and closed down back in 2003. Their primary focus was cost-affordable role play items for the Super Sentai and Kamen Rider series in Japan. This gallery is of Kiba Ranger from Gosei Sentai Dairanger, or better known to the rest of the world as the Mighty Morphin White Power Ranger.
While not the most eloquent looking figure with very limited articulation (it still might rival ToQOh though…), the sculpting on Byakkoshinken (aka Saba) looks very impressive. To check out the full review and gallery by conundrum, simply click right here or on the ”Discuss on TokuNation forums link at the bottom of the post.
Before you spend absurd amounts of money for this figure, buyer beware and check out the review! And don’t forget to take the time to go to MorphinMadness.com to vote for the Mighty Morphin White Power Ranger! #VoteWhiteRanger
While I prefer to stick to the 'DX' role play items and mecha for my galleries and reviews, every once in a while I come across something that gives me little choice but to break that self-imposed rule. This gallery features the Byakkoshinken and Kiba Ranger from Gosei Sentai Dairanger, made by the now defunct Yutaka toys.
We take a look back on this item not because it's of particularly good quality or a must-have for any collection, but rather because it showcases the kind of cheaper, low-end product that Yutaka produced. With more and more listings of Yutaka's Super Sentai offerings popping up on ebay (generally at ridiculous prices), this gallery is meant to inform and forewarn rather than impress.
Yutaka, a branch of Bandai formed from the remnants of Shinsei Manufacturing, only lasted from January 1990 until March 1, 2003. The company is known for the multitude of bargain role play items and action figures of many popular Super Sentai, Kamen Rider, and anime series that it produced. After it's doors closed, Yutaka was restructured into Popy Co., Ltd.
On to the set:
Despite the cheap production cost of the enclosed items, the box for this Kiba Ranger set is pretty well done and visually interesting to look at. Yes, the same graphics are used repeatedly all over the package, but I'm somewhat surprised on how well they rendered (given the use of early 90's technology).
The Kiba Ranger figure stands at approximately 4.5 inches tall, weighs approximately 1.25 ounces, and has a whole 5 points of articulation. The plastic admittedly feels fairly cheap, having a soft, rubber-like consistency. The paint applications look fairly good on the front of the figure but are entirely absent from the back. The figure does come with two weapons, a Star Sword and Star Cutter but oddly lacks a Byakkoshinken.
The larger Byakkoshinken is approximately 10 inches long, 2.5 inches wide at the hilt, and weighs approximately 2.25 ounces. The Byakkoshinken lacks any painted details, relying on 3 stickers for any kind of color. The white plastic of the 'sword' feels more solid than that of Kiba Ranger and has a little bit of 'heft' to it despite it's size. The handle and head of Byakkoshinken admittedly have some nice sculpted detail which would easily pop with just a little bit of paint. The 'blade' of the sword is simply a hollow piece of grey plastic that feels like it would snap off the hilt with the tiniest bit of force.
The last piece of the set is a 'badge' of Kiba Ranger that reuses the same graphic as the box art. The badge is approximately 1.75 inches across and has a convenient clip on the back so it can be attached to clothing (I guess).
All in all, this Kiba Ranger set is more a collector's item because it was made by a now-defunct company rather than because of it's subject matter. If you want a Byakkoshinken for your collection, scour ebay for an MMPR Saba (or wait for the inevitable Legacy release). If you want a quirky, low end Byakkoshinken that is really tempting to turn into a letter-opener (seriously) and see this set for cheap, go for it.
If it's a role play set, why include a figure and not an aura changer (Or whatever Kiba Ranger's changer was)?
*Shrugs* Oh well. It doesn't look anything special to me. Kind of lackluster with how small it is and how unsatisfying the included figure is.
*Shrugs* Oh well. It doesn't look anything special to me. Kind of lackluster with how small it is and how unsatisfying the included figure is.
I really only did this gallery because Yutaka's Super Sentai stuff is all over ebay but a lot of people don't recognize the name or realize the real quality of what they're buying.
I really only did this gallery because Yutaka's Super Sentai stuff is all over ebay but a lot of people don't recognize the name or realize the real quality of what they're buying.
I hate it when officially licensed products suck because they're poor quality...
So, you did the gallery less to show off a cool toy, and more as a warning to anyone browsing eBay?
I don't know. I wouldn't mind if Roleplay toys sold here came with an exclusive figure of some sort.
I hate it when officially licensed products suck because they're poor quality...
So, you did the gallery less to show off a cool toy, and more as a warning to anyone browsing eBay?
Buy saba and an action figure at the same time? Isnt that what we got over here?
So I've got a question, is the saber the same size as the MMPR Saba?
I like the size comparison with the 2010 White Ranger / Super Megaforce release. I think in some areas it's a bit better proportioned, but the lack of paint, and articulation makes the BoA figure stand out. Maybe it would be cool to kit-bash them?
Full Thread: Yutaka Kiba Ranger Role Play Set Gallery
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