“I’ll clear this with no continues!”
It’s a new beginning for S.H. Figuarts as the wonderfully wacky designs from Kamen Rider Ex-Aid arrive! Recently released as a retail 3-pack, Kamen Riders Ex-Aid, Brave & Snipe, have all made their debut. This massive 3-pack would be quite the beast to do one giant photo shoot of, so instead we’ve broken up the Mighty Action X Beginning Set into a special 3 part gallery!
Today we focus on part 1 (of 3) of the Mighty Action X Set with S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Ex-Aid Action Gamer Level 2! Our titular hero is a fantastic place for this new line to kick off. As a the first release of a new line, it needs to set the bar high, and I believe Ex-Aid manages to do that. This figure features an impressive level of detail befitting it’s design. Crisp paint apps, a mostly functional Gamer Driver with Gasshats, and some superb articulation. Throw in the included Gashacon Breaker in both it’s modes and you have a really well rounded release. This 3 pack also includes a massive display stage for the 3 figures, but we’ll take a look at that in part 3.
Feel free to browse our entire gallery of S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Ex-Aid Action Gamer Level 2 after the jump by clicking “Discuss on the TokuNation Forums” at the bottom of this post. We’ll be back in a few days with part 2 of the Mighty Action gallery series with S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Brave Quest Gamer Level 2!
It isn't often we see multiple figuarts sets like this one, and wow what a set it is. Kicking off the entire Kamen Rider Ex-Aid figuarts lineup is the S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Ex-Aid Mighty Action X Beginning Set! This massive 3-pack contains the three primary riders of the show, Ex-Aid, Brave, & Snipe in their standard Level 2 forms. And since this 3-pack is just so massive we've decided to split things up a bit for easier consumption.
Each of the 3 figures in this set will be photographed separately. So that's 3 different galleries over the course of the week. This gallery is part 1 of 3, so for now we're going to take a look at S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Ex-Aid Action Gamer Level 2!
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
Ex-Aid Action Gamer Level 2 is our first experience with the new mold introduced for this line. I'm a little behind in my review so I was only just recently able to crack this bad boy open to give him a go. I must say that I am very impressed. Mainline rider releases have just gotten so good over the years. Now Ex-Aid joins the ranks of Gaim & Drive for fantastic inaugural releases. Find out why below.
Obviously this figure is quite a bit more detailed and complex than we commonly see each year. There are a ton of paint apps, and a ton of small molded details. This figure is just lavishly executed. From the Ground up the new Ex-Aid type body is pretty solidly built. Though I do have a nit pick right at the ground floor, the ankles. They don't have the full range of motion they need for Ex-Aid 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 Mighty Action X's sort of athletic platformer theme. And all that being said, the paint apps for the legs are exquisite. including the black lines on the hips.
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 Mighty Action X 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.
I won't sell the rest of the upper body short either. Ex-Aid is gorgeous already 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. Unlike previous failures Bandai has had with labels (I'm looking at you Kiwami Arms) this is flawless. On the flip side of the torso is the deactivated Level 1 head. It's a bit stylized and shrunk down, but that's as it should be if TV CG magic could really work in toy form. Not to be forgotten are the arms, which admittedly only have one flaw that I'm truly bothered by, and that's the shoulder pads. Not because they impact the articulation, but because they pop off easily when fully extending the arms. I have the same problem with my Brave actually as well. 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. I know plenty of people weren't a fan of this head when the original stock photos and prototype images began to circulate. Many people take issue with the angle and placement of Ex-Aids' eyes. I actually think it looks pretty spot on. My big issue is the inconsistent white paint apps on the visor, you can see a decent amount of overspray up close, admittedly that bugs me more than it would most people. But it's there. Otherwise I think the shape of the head is generally great, and the hair looks very solid. I'm just really really pleased with how this initial release in the line has turned out. It's a great new body mold with a ton of personality and some seriously striking colors.
Accessories
Ex-aid is included in a pretty massive 3-pack, but the accessories aren't actually all that heavy:
3 - sets of additional hands. 1 set for holding the Gashacon Breaker. 1 open palm posing set. 1 flat "karate chop" type of set.
1 - Gashacon Breaker handle. Just plug it into either of the other included modules to form a full weapon.
1 - Gashacon Breaker Hammer Mode. While traditionally more associated with Ex-Aid Level 1, the Hammer Mode has been seen with Level 2 plenty of times too. Just plug the handle into the bottom and it's ready to go. I would have preferred to see a fully transformable breaker with a swap out longer edge for the blade mode. But what Bandai has opted for here will do just fine.
1 - Gashacon Breaker Blade Mode. Just plug the handle into the bottom and it's ready to go. Again, I would have preferred to see a fully transformable breaker with a swap out for the blade instead. But it looks just fine as a standard weapon for level 2.
As with Brave & 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.
Final Thoughts
As the first release from Ex-Aids' now fledgling figuarts line-up, I am very very satisfied! Sometimes a new line can be a total headache with tons of QC issues and disproportionate design flaws (looking at you Wizard) & sometimes it knocks things right the hell out of the park (like Drive!) As the first part of a magnificent 3-pack S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Ex-Aid Action Gamer Level 2 sets the bar nice and high!
Part 2
- Gashacon Breaker (Hammer)
- Gashacon Breaker (Blade)
- Heisei Generations
Yeah... I think I need this one. The eyes still bug me a bit but otherwise, it looks fantastic. Thankfully there doesn't seem to be a huge demand for the single releases as of now so I can buy one in late Summer when I have something else to ship.
Thanks for the pictures again, aside from the very well done action shots I adore the Heisei Generations lineup. They look fantastic together!
Why a swappable handle for the Breaker? At that point wouldn't it make more sense to make two complete breakers if the only part that's shared is the tiny plastic stick of the handle?
Great gallery, How much is the three pack
EX-AID!!! I don't what it is about pink riders that I love so much!
Their color scheme always matches in such a perfect way and with Ex-Aid I loved it even more!
At first the eyes on the helmet threw me off a little but then I got used to them and then started to like the others as well.
S.H Figuarts always does a great job at giving the suit from the show great justice! It looks awesome, details all around, great articulation for all kinds of poses and the accessories fully painted in such a glorious way!
I LOVE IT!
I've been desensitized to the garish colour scheme but it's nice to see a fun design translate well in figure form
It's nice to have another essentially-perfect main Rider Figuart after the Ghost figure was so not-quite-good. I'd have liked a couple of Gashats for the Gashat Holder, but otherwise, he really does seem to come with everything he needs. And heck, after how good the series was, I'm finally over my dislike of this suit.
Keep reading: Mighty Action X Beginning Set Part 1: S.H. Figuarts Ex-Aid Level 2 Gallery - Page 2
Not a member yet? Join TokuNation Now!