Kurumi Arms, misterrrrrrrr Knuckleman!!
Premium Bandai is at it once again! Continuing the ever popular Arms Change line of action figures from Kamen Rider Gaim is the 4th premium AC release. ACPB04 Arms Change Kamen Rider Knuckle Kurumi Arms!
Knuckle is of course the 2nd rider from Team Baron, and was the teams de facto leader after Kaito Kumon quit the Beast Rider scene. Being a bit of mix/match Knuckle winds up having a basic body mostly like that of Kurokage but with an altered semi-Gridon style head. Where Arms Change Kamen Rider Knuckle shines though is the included Kurumi Arms (walnut). A nice big bulky set of armor with quite a bit of detail that really makes this otherwise plain looking figure pop. Then there’s also his trademark weapons the Kurumi Bomber gauntlets. These gigantic fists set Knuckle apart from the rest of the Armored Riders out there making him a strictly short range hand to hand combatant. This unique pairing of Arms & weapons actually work well with almost any Arms Change figure out there too as we’ve demonstrated in the full gallery.
But before you check out our image gallery of this latest addition to the Arms Change line, you need stop below and check out our friend and contributor Baltmatrix’s video review of AC Knuckle!
As always we’ve done our best to come together and give you a full package experience between images and video of yet another offering in this ever growing line. After you’ve checked out Baltmatrix’s video review please be sure to click “Discuss on the TokuNation forums” at the bottom of this post to be taken to the full gallery of over 50 images!
Kurumi Arms!
It's time for the latest installment in the ever ongoing series of Arms Change releases from Kamen Rider Gaim! Once again Premium Bandai has seen fit to release yet another rider absent from the retail line. Today we're taking a look at Mr. Knuckleman himself, the 2nd leader of Team Baron, Kamen Rider Knuckle & his trademark Kurumi Arms!
Before checking out the review and images below, be sure to check out Baltmatrix's video review of this set!
Packaging
Continuing the trend of Premium Arms Change figures Kamen Rider Knuckle also comes in a windowless box that's become the standard of many Tamashii Web & Premium Bandai exclusives. Aside from showcasing some alternate Arms Changes and a single action shot on the back, there really isn't much more to say about the box.
Main Figure
Let's kick off the figure portion of the review by looking at the basic Knuckle body pre-arms. What you have here is possibly the most simplistic base body in the entire line. Primarily Knuckle's base is a remolded Kurokage albeit with nearly all the detailing removed. So whenI say this is a basic figure it truly is, but accurately so. The details are smoothed out to flat services appropriately. But this figure is still a bit pieced together, the head is actually a remold of Gridon's. To my eye at least that connection isn't as noticeable in toy form as it was in show. This basic figure doesn't offer much that we haven't seen before from Arms Change, but at this point there's nothing new to expect from the base bodies either.
Accessories
You know the drill by now, Arms Change Knuckle includes the following:
1 - Kurumi Arms set of armor which includes the Knuck Met visor part. Kurumi Arms is certainly now of the better examples of how Arms Change has benefited from the Premium treatment. It's an exquisitely detailed set of arms physically, but the paint applications aren't really what make it pop. Rather just the extensive detailing. It's certainly an interesting set of arms that really looks good on quite a few figures.
2 - Kurumi Bomber gauntlet weapons. Sadly this is the part of the figure that disappoints me. While beautiful and a great idea, the execution leaves a bit to desired. Each of the Bombers is hinged so they can swing out and you can insert a riders hand. However the only way to get the rider to use one of the Bombers is to have them grip the post on the deep end of the gauntlet. Which doesn't really work. Much like Ryugen's Budou Ryuhou, the post is simply too large to be gripped properly. And there's hardly enough space to get in there and try to make the hands grip the posts better. In any case the end result is a fairly loose fit. I find the gauntlets to be nicely made but designed poorly. Rotating the wrists once the Bombers are attached makes for an even flimsier fit as well.
There is however one figure that is totally incompatible with the Kuruki Bombers, Kamen Rider Sigurd. Because of the raised molded "fur" on his wrists there isn't enough clearance to actually close them around his arms. For a line that's been so inclusive, so interchangeable and compatible, this is the only glaring flaw. The one incompatibility issue.
Final Thoughts
The end result of Kamen Rider Knuckle's accessories applied to him makes for an excellent looking figure. Though I have complaints about the execution of the Bombers, the full package is a nice display piece. If you'd rather not wait it out for the recently revealed S.H. Figuart Knuckle, which has no confirmed release info, then the Arms Change will be the perfect stand in for your collection.
Arms Changes!
So pretty... Why are all the PB releases so much better (in my eyes) than the regular releases? Mostly Bravo and this guy though. With four seperate Gaims...
Anyway, without complainig too much, I do really like the way this guy looks. Even if Sid can';t box right
The Premium releases do get a nicer treatment for the higher price it seems. But I guess that's just the nature of them as more limited run releases.
i don't much care for the base body but the walnut arms looks great on anything while knuckles with other arms doesn't look that great
The base suit looks pretty plain.
Full Thread: ACPB04 Arms Change Kamen Rider Knuckle Gallery
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