S.H. Figuarts Ultraman Ginga Gallery

"Ultralive!"

The Dark Spark War. The forces of good and evil battling across infinite dimensions. This is the bleak future that Ultraman Ginga came from. Battling his evil half, Dark Lugiel, the war ended in decimation for both sides. Every Ultraman, Woman, Alien, & Monster across reality was reduced to lifeless Spark Dolls. And as these Dolls began to spread across the worlds, some of them fell to Earth. There, Hikaru Raido has been having visions, visions of a dark future. Returning to his childhood hometown to sort through these images, Hikaru meets Ultraman Taro! Though he's now just a Doll as well, Taro has retained his sentience. Using his vast experience Taro guides the young Hikaru along his new journey as he discovers the secrets of the Dark Spark War, and protects the Earth as the Ultra Warrior Ultraman Ginga!

This figure comes courtesy of our friends at Bluefin Brands and Team Rider. Check out their awesome selection of Kamen Rider items, Ultraman items, and more Tamashii Nations & Bandai Japan products!

Packaging
Like many figuarts of recent years, the Ultraman style packaging has undergone some drastic changes. Ginga comes in a brilliantly colorful box with a really unique cross section look at the figure, and some outstanding box art adorning the front. I remember when the first rivision of Ultra-Act packaging that began with V2's was something special. But what the line does now is really interesting. I also find it interesting that Ultraman is keeping in line with the older shape and size of Figuarts packaging that Kamen Rider began to shift away from in the Drive era, in favor of slimmer boxes. As characters of much larger stature, I think it helps set the line apart that Ultra Figuarts still come in larger packaging than their less titanic cousins.

Main Figure
It's been several years since I had a chance to review an Ultraman release, and in that time both the packaging and in fact the entire figure line has changed substantially. When last I visited the Land of Light, it was to review the then recently released S.H. Figuarts Dan Moroboshi. This time around though I'm tackling the Figuart of one of my favorite Ultras, Ultraman Ginga! When last I did a Ginga review it was for the now quite old Ultra-Act release. Both my skills and the quality of Ultra figures has improved substantially since then. That figure was really exciting at the time but as time moves on, and engineering improves, the S.H. Figuart has undoubtedly improved on that base. So some of comparisons to that older release will factor in here.

As I said, it's been a while since I've tackled a new Ultra SHF, the last one having been the 50th Anniversary Edition Ultraman. Let me say this, I am very impressed with where Ultra Figuarts have come in that short amount of time. Even in static poses Ginga appears so lifelike, brimming with energy and strength. Immediately what I notice is how youthful the overall sculpt feels, which is perfect for the character. And I also really pick up on the articulation cuts, you can see them, but they do not detract from the figure at all. They're placed in naturally perfect areas to maintain the overall pattern of the Ginga suit pattern. Which is leagues beyond what the old UA looked like.

Functionally, this figure excels in every way. Tamashii Nations has always made great products, but of course these days they're at the top of their game. In broad terms, Ginga is an articulation dream. Starting with the feet, Ginga features the typically hinged ankles we see with almost any SHF. Always versatile, these hinges in combination with sturdy toe bends let Ginga hit all the right positions. Going back to the sculpt a little, the shins feature multiple layers of easily overlooked detail when viewed from a distance. The shins also features the first of the Zenshin Crystals that adorn Ginga's body. On the Ultra-Act these parts were removable, presumably in order to recreate the various multi colored finishers Ginga utilized. Though that gimmick was never realized before the UA line was discontinued, I think I prefer to see the permanently fixed crystals on the Figuart. Removing the chance of ever losing them.

Moving up the leg, the knees are really well done. This figure has some lavish silver paint apps anyway, but I always appreciate joints being painted in way so as to hide their use. Since the interior hidden sections of the knee are painted, when bending the joint back it mimics the look of seamless fabric like a suit. The knee bends are also incredibly flexible, allowing for some high flying jumps and kicks. The thigh/hip combo works towards this goal as well. Independently hinged hips and thigh swivels can go a long way with any figure. And while the swivels may break up the suit lines ever so slightly, the versatility of them just cannot be overstated.

Ginga's torso is separated into two chunks as well. The abs are on a ball joint giving it a little bit of rotational movementm but can I just say that Ginga is ripped? Sculpted abs on a superhero (when accurate) rock, and these really contribute to Ginga's overall youthful and powerful appearance. As with most any Ultra figure, Ginga also features a spine down his back modeled on the signature zipper on just about every suit used in filming. And in basically every instance of this, Tamashii Nations has made the perfect compromise in breaking up the spine into three parts along the torso so that articulation isn't stifled. The chest section has Ginga's most ornate details with more silver stripes, Zenshin Crystals, and his Color Timer! The Timer is by far the most iconic feature of the Ultra line of heroes. And as always with Figuarts, it's removable, allowing you swap it out for the included red powering down timer. The sculpt for the upper body is every bit as on point as the lower half, really selling just how much of a massive improvement this figure is on it's predecessor as well.

The arms are likewise stellar improvements. By this point it goes without saying that the sculpt and paint are on point, as are the signature Zenshin Crystals. But these arms are wonderfully dynamic as well. Like many a Tamashii figure these days, the shoulder pads are attached to the arm rather than the body and hinged on sliding joints. The actual shoulder itself is on a fully rotating ball joint, while the cuff around it is also free moving, filling the gaps as you pose it. While doing so the shoulder pad can angle around whatever pose you stick with giving the figure a more natural appearance and a kind of movement that feels realistic. The elbows and wrists aren't too shabby either, but it's the combination of shoulder and pad that really sell the usefulness of the arms.

At last that brings us to Ginga's head. You know how I mentioned that youthful energetic sculpt before? The head exemplifies that most of all. Ginga's features are lifelike and well executed, making the suit feel like it's really come alive. Ginga's eyes in particular have a warmth to them that almost makes them feel real. As for articulation the head and neck can move independently. The neck can rotate at the base in the chest, while the head is on a ball joint on top of it. In a stroke of brilliance when angling the head up, the zipper fin on the back of it impacts the piece of fin on the actual neck, depressing it and filling the gap. It's honestly the best execution of neck articulation I've seen in a long time.

All of Ginga's engineering adds up to one solidly designed figure. It's an incredible update that more than makes the old Ultra-Act obsolete. Where at one time I felt that figure excelled at looking dynamic, it's clear that the S.H. Figuart is a triumph of a redesign, taking this brash brawler to the next level.

Accessories
What would an Ultraman be without some epic accessories?

3 - sets of hands. Ginga comes with a pair of closed fists standard, so the optional pairs are meant for holding his included weapon, "karate" style ones for beginning a Cross-Shoot attack, and for general open palm poses. Each is really versatile and can add the right flare to the figure in most any pose.

1 - Red Color Timer. To swap it for the standard blue one, you can just pop it right off the pair of peg holes holding it in place. Use this to recreate the final moments of one of Ginga's battle, before he runs out of power.

1 - Ginga Cross Shoot Effect Part. What Ultra release would be complete without this part? The signature move of practically every Ultraman is their beam attack, dating back to the original Ultraman's Specium Ray. Ginga's Cross Shoot beam comes attached to an extra right hand and rests against the forearm when attached. It's a heavy part but the figure can easily maintain balance while using it thanks to the lower body design. It's a really wonderfully sculpted part with a lot of detail.

1 - Ginga Spark Lance. This gorgeous weapon is the manifestation of the Ginga Spark transformation device's power, it physically becomes this Lance. The Ultra Act never came with this weapon, so as if the SHF wasn't already everything you wanted, it one ups it's predecessor once again! Cast in a clear blue plastic this weapon is finely sculpted and fits nice and snugly into the pair of hands meant for it. Ginga's superb arm engineering allows him to wield it in basically an fashion you please, but I'm thrilled that he can hold it over his head.

Final Thoughts
Ultraman Ginga was the first of the modern new generation of Ultraman after Zero. This generation now encompasses the likes of Victory, X, Geed, Orb, Rosso, & Blu. It was also the first Ultra series I'd seen since Ultraman Nexus, and it really worked for me. The design of the hero was solid, but the show itself had a warmth to it that I really appreciated. It's that warmth and strength of character that Tamashii Nations has managed to infuse into this figure that I love so much. It's more than this figure just absolutely obliterating it's predecessor, it's that it feels like the character has been fully realized. I can't recommend it enough. If you'd like to pick one up for yourself you can do so domestically over at Blue Brands. Following up from this gallery & review, we're going to be tackling two more Ultra heroes generously provided to us by Bluefin Brands as well. Ultraman Taro & Ultraman Suit Ver. 7!

Part 2

Was personally kinda hoping that this release would have the Gonga saber without the large bulg like end the UA version had. At least not as sizeable, since the point would be a safty concern. But it is a good looking rendition of Ginga though. Personally I wasn't that upset the original dodn't come with the Ginga Lance, although and I may be wrong the Lance didn't really show ip until the end of the original Ginga series and mostly used in Ginga S, but I guess it's his signature weapon now I suppose so it makes sense this version would include it. Ovrr all it is a fantastic looking figure.

I dont know why, but every time I look at Ultraman Ginga I keep on seeing its red parts as a red skintight suit. Probably because the hands and face are grey and that the red extends to the neck as well.

I'm really glad that these Ultraman Figuarts are good, as you said, the Spark Lance being included here is just a nice QoL addition

I wish the Spark Lance was properly coloured and not just clear blue. Or he came with the the clear one and a "solid" one or something. Other than that, I think Ginga is great!

Looks interesting, I need to watch this show.

As you said, this figure in many regards is leagues better than its ultra-act counterpart. A lot of the engineering is so good and smooth, that this could be considered a seihou release. Although i absolutely hated Ginga and its spark dolls, this figure is fantastic.

I recently rewatched Ginga and now have his theme song stuck in my head for another fifty years, probably. I often forget that the Ultra SHF line actually started with Orb, yet looking at this figure of Ginga, it just gives off this really nostalgic sense of being the first in a new generation?

Anyhow, this is a great figure, and that Spark Lance alone kinda puts him above a lot of other Ultra figures which only come with their beam attacks. If I was especially greedy, I'd also wish it came with an attachable effect for his Ginga Saber, but as is, it's a really good and complete package.

(I can't help but wonder if Claydoll was picked for Ginga's punching bag because she kiiiinda almost is like Thunder Darambia? A bit of stretch, I know.)

I love the clear parts of the figure and the accessories are really nice