“Won’t you go to hell with me?”
Once, he was Kamen Rider TheBee, before a series of encounters with Souji Tendou would ultimately derail the life that Sou Yaguruma had carefully planned for himself. After a brief disappearance from Kamen Rider Kabuto, Yaguruma would eventually re-emerge as a shade of his former self with a new lookout on life as Kamen Rider Kickhopper! Now Yaguruma is the latest addition to the premium renewal S.H. Figuarts Shinkocchou Seihou line!
Seihou Kickhopper is yet another loving apology from Tamashii Nations for the abysmal quality of the original figure, released over 9 years ago. In every conceivable way this new Seihou release outclasses the original and realizes the potential of this renewal line of figures. From a removable and properly reversible Hopper Zecter right down to the Anchor Unit rider kick weapon, Kickhopper has been faithfully recreated at last.
We’ve attached the full gallery of over 70 images to this post, you can also check out a full review of this figure in our gallery thread by clicking “Discuss on the TokuNation Forums” at the bottom of this post. Next up on my gallery schedule is Kamen Rider Dark Drive!
"Change, Kick Hopper."
Sou Yaguruma was once the top dog of ZECT, commanding legions of ZECTroopers as Kamen Rider TheBee. The advocate of "perfect harmony" would soon be humbled however by Souji Tendou, and begin walking a darker path of self-loathing that eventually (and inexplicably) lead him to his new identity as Kamen Rider Kickhopper! Now Yaguruma is the latest addition to the Shinkocchou Seihou premium renewal line of S.H. Figuarts! So let's dive into our review of the figure.
Packaging
That standard slipcover packaging of Shinkocchou Seihou returns again. I promise I really appreciate the ease of access this kind of packaging provides. I really like this design more than a standard figuarts square box, but they've gotta start spicing things up. The one monotone image across the front of the box is getting rather boring. The presentation is nice but it's starting to fall flat in the face of more colorful and creative mainline releases like those from Ex-Aid is all.
Main Figure
Just as with Kabuto, Gattack, & Dark Kabuto before him, Kickhopper is an overwhelmingly needed update to an outdated and obsolete figure. The original release was plagued by the now standard QC issues of the original Kabuto line. Especially with those bowed legs. I'm happy to report that Seihou Kickhopper is the perfect successor to that original release. As with my last couple Seihou galleries form this series, you'll find a lot of similar passages in my review, it's just unavoidable when these figures share the same basic body and tooling aside from a few key areas. But I'll definitely zero in on the differences with this one.
To start, the most iconic thing about Kickhopper is of course the Anchor Joint weapon attached to his left ankle. This unique item not only gives Kickhopper the 'jump' in his Rider Jump, but packs all the power behind his Rider Kick. It's also the most improved thing about this release. On the original figure it was a static accessory, permanently fixed in placed. This go around however the Anchor Joint is actually jointed and can be slid down the shin with the blade fully extendable to properly recreate a Rider Kick. The style of hips originally implemented in this mold provide a wide and balanced motion that allows you to replicate all of Kickhoppers most iconic poses & attacks. Though I do still think any standing kick looks pretty goofy in figure form. I would say the hips are limited only by their design as they do impact the waist assembly a little more prematurely than I'd like. But it's undeniable how versatile they are compared to many figures.
The Hopper Zecter is really nicely detailed, especially when compared to the original. The details are sharp, the paint apps crisp, and it's even removeable. If you flip it around, the backside is also (properly) fully painted in Punch Hopper colors. It does pop off the buckle rather easily but it just looks so good. And while we don't have moving pectoral plates or flexible chest armor like with Kabuto & Dark Kabuto, Kickhopper's design is still pretty smooth, albeit a bit more limited in the upper body area. But you also don't have to worry about the torso impacting the Zecter. The new chest armor is really really nice though, it looks like a perfect replica of the show prop with really subtle paint details I had never really noticed before. The arms are free of nearly all obstruction thanks to wonderfully hinged shoulder pads. They do tend to look a little unnatural in some poses and expose the joints beneath however. But the elbows and wrist provide the same great range of motion we've come to expect from this mold, one that's still holding up very well 3 years on.
Lastly we look at Kickhoppers head, which is just spot on. The original suffered from it's disproportionate size to the body as well as some issues with length and width. I'm happy to report that this go around the head is the correct size relative to the body and also the proper glossy green. The mouth plate is a brilliant gold and the compound eyes really sparkle in the right light. As with his 3 predecessors, Shinkocchou Seihou Kickhopper really is the ultimate apology for the original release. And being able to FINALLY recreate my favorite moment from Kabuto, the Triple Rider Kick in Seihou form, is the ultimate treat.
Accessories
Not much here, but just what you need:
1- Hopper Zecter (open). This is the flipped version of the Hopper Zecter from Kickhopper's Rider Jump/Kick combination. After the moving parts that were present on Seihou Kabuto's Zecter years ago I was surprised that Seihou Gattacks' was a swap out part instead, and I'm surprised again that the Hopper Zecter is the same. It just seems like something that could have been engineered to work instead. I mean just look at the W Driver & Gaia Memories.
2 - sets of hands. These hands are a bit odd if you ask me. The open hands are a very stiff variety of open palm. They aren't very expressive at all. The other pair are the standard type of "holding things" hands, and they look almost perfectly shaped for handlebars on a Rider Machine. But the Hopper Bros had no such bikes, nor any weapons they would have held. So these hands are a really pointless inclusion.
The two glaring omissions that most collectors will notice are undoubtedly items included with the original figuart. The ramen bowl as well as a personalized Tamashii Stage. The ramen bowl was a pretty hilarious and iconic accessory, signifying one of the goofier plots of the show. And while the stage isn't nearly as important, it was nice that the original Hopper bros came with them. As is the original figuart is so dirt cheap now you could pretty much buy it just for those accessories. So while it's a bummer they weren't included here, it's no great loss either.
Final Thoughts
That's 4 down and well frankly quite a few to go. With Hyper Kabuto on the way finally, is it only a mater of time before TheBee, Sasword, Drake and others finally get this premium treatment as well? Possibly. Seihou Kabuto originally sold very very well as a retail release. So well that it was reissued several times. And although every Kabuto rider since has been an exclusive, each has sold very well and now garners high secondary market prices. With the recently released Kickhopper & Punch Hopper, as well as the impending release of Hyper Kabuto, surely it won't be long before the others follow suite. For now though, I'm happy to report that S.H. Figuarts Shinkocchou Seihou Kamen Rider Kichopper is indeed the renewal we deserve.
Part 2
- Rider Jump, Rider Kick
- Group Shots
- Triple Rider Kick!
*drools* Whoever came up with the Hell Brothers deserves a key to whatever city he/she wants.
One of my favorite suits in Kabuto, Great angles and Shots btw
Kickhopper's always had the better design of the Hell Hoppers but the green really stands out here
I've never understood the punch and kick parts of these suits, and the show doesn't really clarify it. They change positions for attacks? That's it...?
I kinda feel like these two suffer from "just buying one feels unsatisfying" syndrome.
Looks nice think I'll get him if he gets a good price drop
Kick Hopper (as well as his bro) are two good designs, but probably not ones I like enough to own. Especially not for TWE Prices.
So unique. It's almost reminding me of KR Amazon.
Keep reading: S.H. Figuarts Shinkocchou Seihou Kamen Rider Kickhopper Gallery - Page 2
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