S.H. Figuarts Retsu Ichijoji Gallery – Toku Toy Box Entry

"Electroplate!"

Retsu Ichijoji, when he first arrived on Earth, was a headstrong young member of the Galactic Union Police. Dispatched there to defend the planet against the evil criminal Makuu organization, Gavan gave his all to defend his mother's home world and restore peace. Flash forward over 30 years later, and this iconic hero still has plenty to teach the next generation of heroes too. Whether it was imparting lessons about justice to the Gokaigers, or passing on his legacy to Geki/Gavan Type G, Retsu has had a long life and will probably continue to until actor Kenji Ohba just can't do it anymore. Luckily there's no sign of that happening any time soon!

Packaging
Following the lead of the recent Gavan renewal releases, Retsu comes in a very similar type of box. It's got some glorious stock photos to it. Particularly the striking ones on the front and spine of the box. It's a bit more slim than the two Gavan's, more in line with most regular figuarts these days.

Main Figure
You'll recall that earlier this month we took a look at S.H. Figuarts Dan Moroboshi. The first in a new sub-line of civilian identity figuarts. My thoughts on that figure were quite mixed. While I loved the idea, the execution was a bit lacking in my opinion. This time however I'm happy to report that, outside of a few minor issues, I think Bandai has nailed it.

As with Dan, this is a brand new mold. Thankfully, it feels like this time around, Bandai have learned a bit from their mistakes. I'm assuming Hongo will be even better in-hand. In any case, I wanna start by talking about the legs. I was really disappointed with the way Dan's leg's felt very limited. They were stiff and limited by the new split joints used in them (and the elbows). While Retsu still features these new style joints, I'm please to report they function much better this time around. Allowing the leg to bend much more naturally. Retu's hips are likewise improved, having much better clearance with the waist, you can basically get them in a near 90 degree angle thanks to this. The ankles leave a bit to be desired as they're somewhat limited, so sometimes you will have to play with the balance. The thing I appreciate most about the legs though? Weathering. Retsu's bright white pants feature some fantastic weathering thanks to subtle paint applications on the knees and hips, given them a worn and dirt covered feel. I love that level of realism in a toy. For me this really goes back to when Bandai began introducing fabric and rubber folds from shows into figure designs with the Kamen Rider Black Renewal.

Now the upper body is really quite nice as well. While Retsu may not have as intricate a costume as Dan does, it's done really nicely still. The upper body is split into sections above the belt line. There's a smaller portion of the abdomen just above the belt that can rotate freely of the larger upper torso area. Since the two can move independently this can often mean that the design of the jacket (particularly) the zipper, is broken up, but it provides quite a bit of room for posing. The arms or at least the shoulders are a part of this as well. While the shoulders aren't perfect, they are of the similar "butterfly" type joints that Dan had. In Retsu's case the upward and outward movement however ,are greatly improved. The cuts into the torso for these joints don't feel nearly as obvious either. Retsu has the same split style elbow joints but the clearance around the elbows themselves is much better, and luckily doesn't make the jacket arms appear unnatural. I'm still disappointed that this figure, like Dan, doesn't have bicep swivels. I get it, it doesn't make sense for that joint to be there in certain designs, but it needs to be there to help the figure function correctly. For instance, because there's no swivel and because of the way the shoulders are designed, Retsu is incapable of crossing his arms. Thus being unable to replicate a least part of his transformation to Gavan. It's probably very minor to most collector's but it does bug me somewhat.

And at last we have Retsu Ichijoji's head. Which features a pretty fantastic likeness of legendary actor Kenj Ohba from his younger days. At the time Gavan was being filmed Ohba was only 28, so this figure does a great job of recapturing his youthfulness. I wish the hair was a bit more curly and out there, but it still looks great. Bandai's face printing technology has a come a long way recently and I think this may be the best example of it yet.


Accessories
Unlike Dan, Retsu doesn't come with much:

1 - Electroplate Effect Sheet. This is probably the best new trend in figuarts of late. Takeshi Hongo comes with a similar sheet to replicate his Henshin pose. So of course Retsu includes his as well, and it works great. I'm reallly please with how good it looks, and that it's not opaque so you can clearly see Retsu through the sheet and he stays nice and in focus through it when taking pictures.

1 - Effect sheet stand. Just a basic stand with a small slit to hold the sheet.

2 - Sets of hands. Not much of a selection sadly. A pair of flat palms and a pair of open ones.

I really like what Retsu does come with, but I would have liked more. Just a simple pair of hands to hold Gavan's Laser Blade or to hold the Saibarian's handlebars would have made it perfect. I do find myself wishing that an alternate head or two had been included as well. Many toku fans were first exposed to Retsu/Gavan when Kenji Ohba made his first return to the role since a 1984 cameo in Shaider. And his aged look in the film suited him very well. Just recently in 2017 he returned with a slightly different look, sporting platinum blonde hair in Space Squad. While his outfit was of course a bit different in each of those outings compared to the original, I think it would have been great to release this figure with those headsculpts as well. Oh well, an opportunity for Bandai to re-release this figure perhaps? (I hope they're reading this!)

Final Thoughts
S.H. Figuarts Retsu Ichijoji, is frankly a delight. Space Sheriff Gavan is one of my favorite heroes ever, and is certainly the most iconic of the Metal Heroes franchise. He is fully deserving of this new civilian type of figure. Where I found mostly disappointment with Dan Moroboshi, I have been very impressed by Retsu Ichijoji. Some of my excitement and general love of this release should come as no shock to some of you, as I've been an avid Metal Heroes fan for years. And then there's the fact that I was able to meet Kenji Ohba briefly earlier this year. Sometimes meeting your heroes is dangerous stuff, as they can sometimes disappoint or disillusion us. Mr. Ohba however lived very much up to the idea I had of him in my head, as does this release. It's a fantastically surreal feeling, holding a high end collector oriented figure in your hands, of a person you've actually met and shaken the hand of.

Part 2
- Electroplate! (effect sheet)
- Space Sheriff Gavan

It's a great looking figure but as someone who was never into Gavan, I see no reason to get this. I'm glad it fairs a bit better in-hand than Dan Moroboshi though.

I wonder what they will tackle next now that Takeshi Hongo is out.

Wow, lose the chain and switch out the head and this is a terrifyingly accurate action figure of my dad in the 60s.

On a more serious note I really want more uncostumed toku figuarts. They're very cool.

He looks great

Great looking figure. I hope these are selling well so we can see a few more un-transformed characters. I know it won't happen - but a non-transformed Captain Marvelous would be a great companion for the Sheriff here.

It good to know this figure was better than Ultraman Dan.

Still wish too that they would include bicep swivels with the normal human figures. Sculpts be damned, I would like the extra articulation much more.

Other than that though, good to hear they're improving in other areas of articulation already.

Also like the weathering detail in the pants. Really makes the figure comr alive.

Alternate heads for his older looks really would make this perfect

Wow. Figuarts has come a long way with getting actor likenesses from the old Figuarts Hana way back when.

Hopefully I can find Figuarts Kenji Ohba for a good price later on. I just wish most figuarts these days weren't bloody exclusives.