Mighty Action X Beginning Set Part 2: S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Brave Level 2 Gallery

And we're back for part 2 of our Mighty Action X Beginning Set gallery series! Last time we took a look at the first rider in this set with S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Ex-Aid Action Gamer Level 2, this time we get to spend some time with the world's greatest surgeon, S.H Figuarts Kamen Rider Brave Quest Gamer Level 2! Each of the 3 figures in the Mighty Action set will be photographed separately. So that's 3 different full galleries! This gallery is part 2 of 3. We've already knocked out Ex-Aid, today takes care of Brave, and next time it's Snipe!

Packaging
The Mighty Action X Beginning set is a rather large 3-pack. Something that's rarely tried with figuarts release. The last 3-pack in recent memory was the Hakaider Squad set, that was a web exclusive release, and it didn't sell well. So for Bandai to take a chance on 3 unique riders from Ex-Aid, and release them at retail, that was pretty surprising. The box is a rather colorful 3-tone type that really pops, definitely befitting of the series it's from. Honestly the figures in box would make for a nice display piece if you'd like to pick up the individual figures to open too. It just looks good. The 3 riders come in one large tray with their hands, while the Mighty Action X stage as well as their unique weapons are in a separate tray below.

Main Figure
Obviously each Ex-Aid rider has a pretty radically different design, as with any series each character is unique. But they also tend to share some design influence, and in many cases parts reuse. The Ex-Aid line, at least so far as Level 2 forms are concerned is a prime example of this. Each suit has it's own unique detailing and colors, but at a basic level they feature the same mold. Sporty type shoes, the bike shorts look, the driver, the chest plate. You see what I mean. So although Ex-Aid and Brave Level 2 look very different, they also have a ton of similarities. So a good portion of my review will be very similar to that of Ex-Aid. If you'd like to skip a bit further down below then feel free as there will be a bit of rehash here.

As with Ex-Aid, Brave features a ton of complex detail that we don't normally see each year. Paint apps and small molded details galore. Even more so than Ex-Aid, Brave is lavish. From the Ground up the new Ex-Aid type body is pretty solidly built. Though the ankles are still a huge fault for me. They don't have the full range of motion they need for Brave to assume many of the dynamic poses he's known for. You'll find that wide stances are just really really difficult to achieve, which means he's always gonna be a bit off balance. The knees have a great bend that helps add to Taddle Quest's sort of adventurous platformer theme. And all that being said, the paint apps for the legs are exquisite. I loved the black striping on Ex-Aids legs, but the blue detailing on top of the matte black finish on Brave's legs is really striking. That holds true for his entire under suit, it's just really gorgeous.

One of the more elaborate pieces on the figure is the Gamer Driver itself. This entire device is extraordinarily detailed for something at this scale. The Driver handle can flip shut, thus hiding the rider read out on the front screen as well. The right of the driver has 2 slots for Gasshats. One is already attached in the form of the Taddle Quest Gasshat. It's kind of a dummy item though as it's really just the handle portion that pegs in. To the right of the driver, is a Gashat holster. There are 2 slots for extra Gasshats as well as 1 slot for a Critical Finish to be inserted. This whole assembly just looks fantastic. I'm taken back to Gaim Orange Arms and the wonderful design of his Sengoku Driver. This level of functionality is always impressive.

I won't sell the rest of the upper body short either. Brave is absolutely breathtaking but his chest detailing is magnificent. The paint apps on the outer layer are crisp and clear, but I'm so impressed by the Rider Gauge label within his chest. Again, unlike Bandai's previous failures with labels (Kiwami Arms) this is flawless. On the flip side of the torso is the deactivated Level 1 head. As with Ex-Aid it's a bit stylized and shrunk down, but wow it looks good. It's such a strange detail for me to love but I do. Not to be forgotten are the arms, which admittedly only have one flaw that I'm bothered by, it's the same as with Ex-Aid. The shoulder pads. Every time I try to stretch the arms out it's like rather than sliding out properly the pads just pop off again. But it's a minor issue. The wrists are solid, the elbows fully functional and the bicep swivel welcome as always.

Finally that brings us to the head. While Ex-Aid's head still seems to get a far bit criticism, I don't see how you could complain with Brave. That design is sharp, solid, and gorgeous. Somehow that head just wonderfully conveys Hiiro's dour attitude and sternness. It just oozes Mr. perfect surgeon. My only issue with it is the inconsistency of the white paint on the chin. Mine had a few flecks chipped off right out of the box, and I don't know that that's a common issue. But it bothers me a bit. Otherwise I think the shape & sculpt of the head are totally on point. It's a great new body mold with a brand new personality slapped onto it. I love it!

Accessories
Brave, much like Ex-Aid, comes with a pretty basic assortment but it's also basically everything you need for him:

4 - Sets of additional hands. That's 1 more set than Ex-Aid came with which I find odd, but I'll take it. Basically the only difference with Brave is the extra set is a totally open palm with spread fingers.

1 - Explosive Freezing Gashacon Sword. As the name implies this weapon carries both heat & cold abilities. In show this was represented by the blade transforming, on both sides, between the two forms. However this toy version opts for a blade that has fire on one side & ice on the other. It simply rotates at the base for whatever your preferred use is. It's a cheap way out but one that admittedly works just fine.

And that's that. It doesn't seem like a lot, but really it is. That's Brave's one signature Level 2 weapon. And he has more hands than Ex-Aid. But like Ex-Aid (and Snipe) there are no individual Gasshats included other than the dummy ones already attached to the Gamer Drivers. I think this is easily the biggest omission with any of these releases. Much like last year when Eyecons were few and far between with Ghost releases, Ex-Aid appears to be missing the boat with Gasshats. The MIghty Bros XX release seems to be rectifying this Gasshat shortage, but it shouldn't have happened this way in the first place.

Final Thoughts
This mighty 3-pack continues to impress with another great figure. S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Brave brings just as much to the table as Ex-Aid and continues to instill good faith in me for this line. As we get reveals and announcements for more and more upcoming figures, in fact just recently with the possibility of Maximum Mighty, I look forward to building a full Ex-Aid collection. The show has really won me over recently and the figuarts have so far been top notch, so I'm going down this rabbit hole for sure.

Next time we'll be back with the 3rd and final part of the Mighty Action X Beginning Set with S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Snipe Shooting Gamer Level 2!

Part 2
- Gashacon Sword
- Group shots

I love that group pic with Brave, Mayo-addict Magical Girl Beast, Baron, Mach, and Specter.

I don't think the inaccuracy in the Gashacon Sword or the dumb silver collar are ever going to stop bothering me (or that I'll ever stop whining about these things), which is a shame, because outside of those two issues he does look pretty much perfect. I should really ship out my Ex-Aid Figuarts one of these days, they look great.

...no mention of the incorrectly-colored collar? The paint is otherwise great, yes, but they got a not-inconsequential detail completely wrong.

The Gashacon Sword is just a problem. When's the last time the dual-sided version of it was used in the show? As it is, what bugged me about the LVUR figure now gets to bug me on the deluxe version. And the LVUR, which otherwise looks like a blurry version of the Figuarts, got the collar right!

The mis-colored collar just isn't a huge deal to me. So I didn't feel a need to mention it. I hadn't even noticed it til about halfway through my photo shoot. But if it bothers you then that's fine, I just don't particularly care about a minor detail like that.

As for the sword, yeah that is bothersome. I wish they'd simply included two full swords or at least two different blades, But ultimately not a huge deal to me either. I still think it's an excellent release.

I think it's a matter of comparison. Is it an excellent figure compared to, say, a lot of Ghost Figuarts? Yes, undoubtedly. However, is it an excellent figure compared to Ex-Aid? No. The Ex-Aid figure has everything Brave has going for it, but it's free from major color errors, and it comes with nearly everything the release needs. The only respect in which Brave seems superior to me is in the extra pair of expressive hands. The figure is just frustrating for me because it's almost an equal or superior release to Ex-Aid.

I'm curious to read your thoughts on Snipe when that review goes live. My own feelings are mixed. I'm dissatisfied with the cape, but I'm not sure how Bandai could have designed it better given the way it drapes over the shoulder. I kinda feel like it was inevitably going to look wrong in some respect.

Also, cool that you noticed that the sword can be disassembled. I didn't notice this at all until your review.

Be VERY careful when taking the sword apart. The tab that holds it in place is friction based and has a small nub on one side. Forcing it back into the handle could very easily snap it in two.

I really like how Brave looks, he's definitely my favourite in the set. Probably the overall best design in the show too.

I like his shoes. I want a pair of shoes that look like that.

Might pick this up, is it expensive