“While the rest of the world was frozen, there was one person fighting to save us.”
Before the Roidmudes came in full force & Shinnosuke Tomari took up the mantle of Kamen Rider his predecessor roamed the streets saving the world in secret. Today we take a look at a long awaited release, a recent Tamashii Nations 2015 exclusive, S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Proto-Drive!
A remold/repaint of the Drive Type Speed Figuart, Proto-Drive represents the initial form taken by Chase before his transformation into the Roidmude reaper Mashin Chaser. A simply gorgeous figure Proto-Drive comes in the same basic box as Type Speed & also brings with it a rather lackluster accessory count. But the figure more than makes up for it with pure style. While Proto-Drive may not have all the bells & whistles of a standard release it looks stunning and will more than compliment any Kamen Rider Drive collection. Plus he just looks right at home on the Ride Chaser!
We’ve assembled over 40 images of S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Proto-Drive after the jump. Click “Discuss on the TokuNation Forums” at the bottom of this post to see the full gallery and review!
Today we look at a recent Tamashii nations 2015 event exclusive that's been very popular with collectors, it's S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Proto-Drive!
Proto-Drive is of course the first of several transformed states used by the Roidmude Chase. A form seen briefly several times throughout Kamen Rider Drive and it's various movies/specials, Proto-Drive was defeated during the Global Freeze by Heart. Chase was then reprogrammed into the Roidmude reaper, Mashin Chaser. Which you can view a gallery of here: S.H. Figuarts Mashin Chaser Gallery
Packaging
As has been the case with Tamashii event exclusives in years past, Proto-Drive's box is quite plain. It's the same size as a standard Drive release but has none of the usual art on the packaging. Previous exclusives like Ryuki Blank & Baron Lemon Energy shared similar departures from their series' packaging.
That's not to say it isn't a nice box either however. It is. It simply doesn't fit in with other Drive boxes. But the artwork on the front of it is just gorgeous. Sadly there's no kind of artwork anywhere else on the box. Simply the name of the figure and the event on the sides and back of the box. Again this is typical, but that doesn't mean I have to like it.
Main Figure
In his original heroic form, Proto-Drive was the precursor to Drive Type Speed, hence the name. S.H. Figuarts Proto-Drive logically is a repaint (with slight remolds) of the Drive Type Speed Figuart accordingly. Now the differences between these 2 are minimal so the bulk of this review will echo my original. My pictures will show the differences more acutely.
What I really want to emphasize is that the Drive Type Speed mold is one of my all time favorite S.H. Figuarts. It's a fantastic figure, so Proto-Drive is also fantastic. Proto-Drive is primarily painted in a gorgeous matte black finish that really makes the gloss parts of his suit pop. Making him a standout in your collection in the best way. Just gorgeous. Luckily as a figure with few paint apps, the ones that are applied are done phenomenally. One of the strongest examples of this and one of the best features of this mold is the Drive Driver itself. The Driver is wholly unchanged from the Type Speed version & like the original it's also removable! The face of the driver itself can be removed exposing the cylindrical part that displays Mr. Belt's facial expressions/Tire Koukans. From the ground up this figure was designed for cross compatibility with future Shift Car/Tire sets. However Proto-Drive deviates from Type Speed at this juncture. His standard Proto-Speed Tire cannot be removed without some degree of customization or the possibility of damage. Unlike the Type Speed's which could come apart to allow for Tire exchanges, Proto-Drive's can not. The basic structure of his body would allow for it. But the tire has been molded as one piece.
The Shift Car holster looks fantastic as well. And as with the original use of the mold they're removable to emulate Tire exchanges However that doesn't serve much purpose when you can't replace the chest tire. On a related topic let's talk about the Drive Brace, where Shift Proto-Speed is pretty dismally detailed. Of course at this scale you can't expect the amazing technical detailing we see on the DX shift car. But no attempt was even made. No paint is present at all on the front end of the shift car other than matte black. Back to the Proto-Speed Tire, although it isn't functional, it's got to be mentioned that it's gorgeously sculpted. Just lots of great techy details. I can't wait to see this done up in Gold Drive colors. Or possibly even Zero Drive colors if Bandai gets ambitious.
Last but not least I want to talk about Proto-Drive's head. Which deviates from Type Speeds with more antenna like protrusions on the sides than a spoiler across the top. A look which I actually think I prefer. It makes Proto-Drive look a little more squat somehow gives the head a nicer proportionate look. It has some really amazing white tech detailing come from the back and down the forehead as well. Everything else is molded just as it was on Type Speed. Finally I just want to remind everyone how fantastic this figure's articulation is. If Type Speed was perfect then Proto-Drive is more so because his tire is much smaller and doesn't get in the way nearly as much for cross arm poses and such. It's no surprise that as with Type Speed it's one of my favorite figuarts ever.
Accessories
Kamen Rider Proto-Drive actually comes with the exact same basic loadout of accessories as Type Speed:
2 - sets of additional hands. The same poses, hell the figure is packaged in the same plastic tray even.
Drive Type Speed had the fortune of a 1st run retailer bonus in the Max Flare Tire & Effect set that really helped bump up the accessory count. It was quite easy to get and even still is. I think Proto-Drive could have benefited from a dark recolor of that set being included at the event. As is he feels a bit lite without something else.
Final Thoughts
While S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Proto-Drive is definitely just an easy repaint of a great figure, but I'm so beyond happy to have it. In my personal opinion Proto-Drive is still one of the sexiest suit designs in the entire series, right up there with Type Tridoron & Mashin Chaser. As a figure it doesn't really change much from what you get when buying Drive Type Speed though. As a limited event exclusive it may be difficult for some to purchase right now, but prices will most likely come down over time. I would definitely recommend picking Kamen Rider Proto-Drive up if you can do so for a reasonable price. It may not add much to the mix, but it looks gorgeous doing it anyway.
And a few additional shots!
I love the matte black on Proto-Drive.
The fact that the tire can't be removed is actually pretty lame.
Good gallery as always. I've never really been a big fan of this design, but it does look like a good enough figure. Which is to be expected considering it's a retool, but yeah.
there's no red clear plastic behind his head. it's just painted now?? is that show accurate?
He looks great and good job on the gallery as always. I really hope we get SHF Gold Drive next.
Great gallery as always! Actually you can remove the tire. It is quite easy too. The easiest way to pop it apart is using the seam on the shoulder. Using the lower seam on the torso might break it due to the way the piece is shaped. I don't need a tool either just my finger nail is enough to pop it off. On mine there is no glue or anything so it comes off cleanly.
Excellent write up and gallery Den-O, really resonates with how I feel about Proto-Drive and the this figure. I can't wait to get mine in hand. I look forward to seeing him pop up again in your Kamen Rider Chaser Gallery.
Also, great spin on the rain image!
Keep reading: S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Proto-Drive Gallery - Page 2
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