S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Lazer Bike Gamer Level 2 Gallery

"2nd Gear."

Kiriya Kujou. Liar, coroner, Bugster, Kamen Rider. Has there been a secondary character that's grown more memorable and beloved by fans of a rider show more quickly than him? I'm not so sure. Almost from the moment he stepped on screen, people fell in love with the two-faced hero. His death devastated some, his resurrection was similarly significant to others. All I know is that I personally grew to really love this character, and I've been patiently biding my time waiting for a nice collector oriented figure of his rider form to be released. While Lazer has an unconventional Level 2, it's finally been gorgeously executed. So let's dive in with a full review of S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Lazer Bike Gamer Level 2!

Packaging
Lazer Level 2 comes packaged in the same bright, colorful packaging that the rest of the line has. The vaguely game themed almost 8-bit blocky aesthetic just looks great. I know it's just a bx but I really really like the yellow they used. But yeah, I know, it's just a box. But I always love stylish packaging.

Main Figure
Unlike most Kamen Riders, this one IS a ride, literally. Rather than a traditional hero Lazer's Level 2 upgrade takes the form of a bike. An unusual turn for Kamen Riders. Where Accel had the ability to assume a bike form, Lazer is locked into this mode for his Level 2 form without a Level 3 Gashat. But what can a release like this bring to the table to really get us excited about something that can be as static as a bike? A decent amount actually.

The main design of the bike is fairly standard, being based on a Honda CRF250L motorcycle. At a very basic level, you can clearly see the CRF components. The additional components that make Lazer who he is though are seamlessly integrated into this design. Take for instance the head & eyes added to the front of the bike, acting like a windshield almost. (This head of course is the basis for the later Level 0 Lazer Turbo form.) They just really convey Lazer's personality quite well. The only issue that bugs me is that the eyes are non-removable. Ex-Aid spoiler time, but at a certain point Kiriya is killed by Kuroto. In his dying moments he leaves his Gamer Driver and Gashat to Emu. From this point on until Kiriya's resurrection, any time Ex-Aid summons Lazer Level 2's bike form, the eyes are blacked out. Now the SO-DO candy toy release went so far as to include the blank eyes, I wish this one could have as well.

Panels mimicking Lazer's Rider Gauge chest plates are positioned just above the engine block, each is painted rather nicely. And as is usual with Rider Machines the engine itself is very nicely detailed with a great metallic paint finish as well. Additionally you can see between the seat and handlebars of the bike is a vestigial Lazer Level 1 face. Much like the Mighty Action X Beginning Set, this is a shrunken down and stylized version of the rider's Level 1 faceplate, though in Lazer's case it's a bit more shrunken down to fit on a bike chassis. On either side just below this are halves of a Rider Belt, and in the center at the tip of the seat is a slot for one of two included Gamer Drivers! The fit for the Drivers is rather snug, you'll need to press firmly to lock it in. I'll get into the difference between the two Drivers below in the accessories section. Needless to say though this feature already puts this bike a step above previous similar releases.

As far as the last few standard Rider Machines go, not counting Tridoron, Lazer Level 2 is a really lavishly executed bike. More so than the Sakura Hurricane for Gaim, and far far more so than the Ghostriker. I will say that I find it difficult to get a natural pose with a rider on Lazer though. No matter which of the two Gamer Drivers you choose to use, they both keep the rider from sitting too close to the handlebars and can impact the inner thighs enough to make posing difficult. That being said, when you throw him in with Ex-Aid and the gang the effect is in fantastic.

Accessories
Believe it or not, Lazer Level 2 actually comes with more & better accessories than most humanoid web exclusives:

1 - Clear Wheel Base. The standard kind included with nearly all Rider Machines. Just a nice solid base to hold the bike in a static position.

1 - Tamashii Stage Adapter. A neat curved piece that can lock over the bottom of the engine and allows you to recreate action shots. I like this one a bit better than most I've seen before. At the end of the curve is a tab you can pull back on like a release lever, rather than just trying to pry it off and possibly break it.

1 - Gamer Driver (normal). This Driver is the standard bulky Gamer Driver each of the Ex-Aid Figuarts has featured so far. Albeit with a new Bakusou Bike Gashat and readout on the front of the driver. As with the other Drivers, the dummy Gashat is removable, so you can give it to other figures as I have with Ex-Aid in the shots below. This normal version of the driver is what should be attached to accurately replicate the bikes on-screen appearance most of the time.

1 - Gamer Driver (stunt). This slimmed down version of the Driver is based more on the "stunt" version of the prop used for filming. A slimmed down non-functional version of the driver, both in show and toy form. It gives the bike a little sleeker look and allows a rider to sit more comfortably. Though either driver makes a natural sitting pose difficult in my opinion. The Gashast isn't removable on this on and it's really just for show, but the mere inclusion of it is a step above where accessories usually stand for web exclusives.

2 - Ex-Aid hands. These hands are design just for use with Lazer Level 2, specifically to hold the handlebar and extend 1 finger forward towards the brake lever on either handle. I find it difficult to get them on the handles without popping off the hand guard bar along the side first.

That's a pretty fantastic set of accessories for a bike. Bravo.

Final Thoughts
Bucking the trend of Rider Machines being rather boring, S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Lazer Bike Gamer Level 2 is actually fantastic. It's no wonder this releases is selling for well over full retail price on the secondary market. Kiriya's memorable character certainly helps, but this is just a great release too. It's a release that could have easily fallen flat without some of these accessories. The paint apps needed to be super on point too and they are. I'm very pleased with Lazer Level 2, now I'm ready to get my hands on that upcoming Lazer Level 5!

Part 2
- Ex-Aid Compatibility
- Group Shots

I really regret missing the preorder on him. The current aftermarket prices hurt my soul. He does look really good.

I wouldn't be entirely surprised if there were a re-release. Then again, given how prior bikes have sold, I also wouldn't be entirely surprised if there weren't.

If they do a re-releases I'd like it to be the "dead-eyes" version. That way it gives anyone who missed this one a second chance, and it's similar enough that people who already have it don't necessarily feel a need to buy it again.

I HAD to get his Lvl 2 form. It's the one Rider machine I absolutely needed. Hoping we get Lazer Turbo and his Lvl 3 sooner rather than later.

It really is a great design. One that I wound up liking way more than I'd originally thought too. Lazer Turbo seems like it would be an easy enough exclusive of some kind down the road. Given that it's a basic Level 2 body with his Level 5 head. And we're already getting most of the Level 3 body with the Level 5 Figuart that is coming out. So I think that one would be fairly obvious and easy for them to produce as well

I think the real question is will we ever get level-we-just-made-this-one-up Proto Sports Bike Turbo gamer? Gotta recreate that bike-on-bike-on-bike action!
Seriously though I badly want this and I don't even have any exaid figuarts.to go with him. Amazing figure, amazing gallery- particularly love the shot that recreates the OP with the blacklight. Stunning stuff, dude. *claps*

Funnily enough, that's not a blacklight. It's my Tamashii Lab Gavan Laser Blade

But I very much appreciate the kind words!

Definitely the scene-stealer of the show.