S.H. Figuarts Kikaider 01 Gallery

Change! Kikaider 01!

It's been too long since I've been able to sit down with some more Kikaider related toys, so lately I've been working back through that backlog. Thankfully I was able to spend some quality time recently with S.H. Figuarts Kikaider 01! 01 or Ichiro is the older brother of Jiro/Kikaider and the titular hero of the second Kikaider television series, Kikaider 01. As a hero Ichiro defended the world from the evil organization SHADOW and would eventually come face to face with Jiro's nemesis Professor Gil, at least in a fashion. But enough about that, you want the toy!

Packaging
The first thing you'll notice about S.H. Figuarts Kikader 01 is the rather odd box he comes in. At roughly 2/3 the width of a normal SHF box it's a new take on the packaging we've come to be used to for this line that's becoming more and more common. Stormtroopers, Kikaiders, Kamen Riders, it's just going to keep becoming more common place. However something else that has yet to become common is the type of artwork featured on the box. While simple it's executed very well. There's just something about it that's really impressive.

Main Figure
Following up from what was ultimately a let down of a release, S.H. Figuarts Kikaider, it's very safe to say that Kikaider 01 is a great improvement, though still a bit lacking. Where the first Kikaider is gloriously detailed, as he should be, he was also painted in a fairly inaccurate gloss paint. Kikaider 01 in many ways is a much simpler design and features less techy detailing. Thankfully though they opted for a much more matte finish on the body here which makes the robotic details that are there pop much much more.

Also unlike the first Kikaider, Kikaider 01 is not riddled with the same kinds of quality control issues. As often as I seem to get lemons in this line i was pleasantly surprised that my 01 is mostly free of them. There will always be minor paint inconsistencies and what have you, but there aren't runny glossed over paint apps, misaligned & re-glued plastic, or poorly formed details on this guy. Kikaider 01 is just an all around better package. If Kikaider was Bandai trying to find their footing with this license, then Kikaider 01 is them almost nailing it. Almost.

As for the figures design it actually can move a bit more than I'd expected. The range of motion in Kikaider 01's hips is very nice because there's no bulk or armor around them like many Kamen Riders to hinder that type of motion. The waist is very free to move side to side and front to back, while the ab crunch area works flawlessly. Even the head design has ditched the funky diagonal neck joint the first Kikaider had and has gone with a much more traditional, albeit better, ball joint. And the head just looks magnificent. Absolutely spot-on sculpt and detailing with some great eyes. Though not nearly as great as the glowing death eyes on Hakaider.

Perhaps the only area of concern is the wonderfully detailed chest panel. While it doesn't impact the shoulder articulation, they themselves are a bit limited in their upward motion, instead it impacts them in trying to recreate iconic poses that require the arms to be in front of the chest. It's just a big thick chest piece that's kind of awkward. But the detailing on this piece, much like the head, is just gorgeous. The dark paint wash applied to the interior just brings out all that beautiful detailing so well. Weirdly the chest plate is removable because of the way it's designed. Also because of the way it's designed you can't put it on anything else.

Accessories
However just as with Jiro, here's where this release really falls flat. S.H. Figuarts Kikaider 01 includes:

6 - alternate hands. That's it. Just some alternate hands for various poses. Some of which are a bit redundant. The "holding things" fists serve no real purpose aside from possibly being used for the upcoming Double Machine bike. The flat out hands can be used to replicate ichiro's trademark attacks but the relaxed open hands don't really look so great.

They should have at least included one effect part of some kind, really any kind, with this figure. Ichiro should have definitely included his Trumpet, or even Jiro's guitar as a bonus to go with Kikaider, that would have worked. Just something to justify the price more. The entire Kikaider line of Figuarts consists of Web Exclusive releases and like the exclusives of old they really just don't include enough accessories.

Final Thoughts
This was a sobering experience after my massive disappointment with Jiro/Kikaider. S.H. Figuarts Kikaider 01, like the Hakaider release prior, is a HUGE positive step for this line. Bandai appear to have taken all the criticism of their Kikaider release and applied changes to Kikaider 01 to ensure the same issues didn't crop up. Ichiro is leagues above Jiro in quality control and execution, but the lack of accessories of any kind is grating. I'm glad to see the Kikaider subline continuing to grow and flourish but I hope other upcoming releases from it take even more positive growth.

Next time we take a a look at a familiar but different villain, S.H. Figuarts Gill Hakaider!