S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider ZX & Helldiver Gallery – Toku Toy Box Entry

"ZX!"

Well this one's been a long time coming. S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider ZX was released over 4 years ago. Oddly enough just this past month, his Rider Machine the [BS.H. Figuarts ]Helldiver [/B]was finally released as well. Seeing as this has been a rather long and spottily quality controlled journey, we thought it best to examine the pair of these releases together. We'll kick things off with ZX himself:

Part 1: S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider ZX


Packaging
Kamen Rider ZX came out in 2013, just as figuarts packaging was really starting to get creative and unique. While at the time there wasn't much to ZX in fiction aside from the original Birth of the 10th special (he'd eventually make a fresh appearance in Heisei VS Showa Kamen Rider Taisen), Showa riders themselves were enjoying quite a bit of SHF merch. This figure was hot on the heels of the Kamen Rider Black Renewal actually. So ZX sort of falls into that weird crack between older style packaging and newer properly themed packaging. It's a bit plain but works well enough.

Main Figure
Now, while the box may be a bit bland it pales in comparison to just how horrendously executed this figure was. I want to preface this review by just straight up telling you that S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider ZX is a mess. Here are the numerous reasons why.

In every basic way, this figure is made poorly. While quality can certainly vary from sample to sample I've never really seen anyone give this release anything that amounts to a positive review. Looking at ZX, he's quite accurate. The suit's been re-created expertly and given how off some Showa suits can look in a modern toy aesthetic (I'm lookin' at you X) ZX actually looks good. However looks can be very deceiving. From the bottom up, ZX actually has some nice flexible ankles, lot's of good range in them. The knees have nice solid bends as well making them quite useful. On the shins you'll notice one of ZX's signature weapons, the Focus Bomb. These are removable and an accessory is included to replicate their proper bomb form. The big drawback of the legs however is the incredibly weak hip joints. I mean we're talking just dangling legs in some cases. It's common for older figuarts hips to crack over time, however my ZX has like this straight out of the box 4 years ago. Just super loose hips that make poses without a Tamashii Stage nearly impossible.

Looking at the ZX Belt, it too looks the part but is deceptively poorly made. The center portion sits crooked on mine permanently because it was molded crookedly. It can be removed to replace it with the exposed circuitry version if you so choose. The small rectangles on either side of the belts were similarly poorly molded and don't quit fit the peg holes they're in on the belt. They fall off with an insanely irritating frequency. The two sections of the torso itself are not altogether bad, they provide and pretty good range of motion that any rider should have. Where there's an issue is the bulged out portions of the chest around the shoulders. You see the arms would likewise not be bad on their own. But those arms on this torso make for a combination that kills a huge chunk of articulation. The chest makes it impossible to stretch the arms out straight properly. Thankfully they have bicep swivels to mitigate some of that. The arms, similar to the legs, feature removable parts. This time the Cross Shuriken. An actual Shuriken is included to represent the proper weapon form of this part. While we're here, the wrists also work quite well, they sit a little too far out for my personal tastes but they work quite well. The hands however are either frustratingly difficult to plug on, or so loose they fall right off at will.

The head is probably the one thing that really should be nailed on any rider release. But when it's off it's off. The likeness is there but the quality control is once again not. Mainly the details look very soft and unrefined, the paint is a bit sloppy, and the compound eyes are bit blurry from most angles. Likewise a rider's scarf should always be pulled off. This one is very disappointing. Thanks to a very shallow and loose ball joint socket, ZX's scarf falls out constantly when posing.

Functionally this toy just doesn't work on most levels. Which is really sad considering ZX has such a great design. It translated extraordinarily well to his S.I.C. figure. I'd like to think that this long after his initial release, that Helldiver sales could maybe possibly spur a Shinkocchou Seihou. But that's probably a long shot.

Accessories
Despite his poor quality, ZX comes with a great many accessories. Everything he's ever been seen using:

5 - sets of hands. Pretty much all the varieties you'd need. Even bike hands which is bizarre considering how many years it took to get the Helldiver. Sadly none of these hands can hold his Micro Chain or Cross Shuriken well, and only a single hand has a peg hole compatible with the Focus Bomb.

1 - scarf. As I mentioned above thanks to a very shallow and loose ball joint socket, ZX's scarf falls out constantly when posing.

1 - ZX Belt (exposed electronics). Just a simple battle damage swap out part. It honestly pegs on better than the regular belt piece on my copy.

1 - Cross Shuriken. Considering the dummy Shuriken's on either forearm are removeable, I find it odd that only one proper shuriken was included. There's not really a proper dedicated hand that can even hold it sadly.

1 - Focus Bomb. This accessory doesn't look like much but it gets the point across of what it's supposed to be. However again there's only 1 when the dummy bombs on the shins are both removable. It can only be properly held by one right hand with a peg hole to accommodate it.

1 - Micro Chain. This weapon is a bit more unique for a figuart. a bladed kunai/shuriken type wepon on the end of an actual metal chain. Sadly there is no hand included that can make a firm grip on this chain. It's use with the figure is predicated entirely upon a balancing act.

Part 2 : Group shots & S.H. Figuarts Helldiver

Packaging
The Helldiver's packaging, despite being the most recent Showa Rider Machine released, falls right in line with what we've been seeing for years. The unique way in which the two-tone box art is done, is synonymous to me with Showa machines now. It just looks really cool. I especially like the sort of design line art used on the spine of the box. The standard stock photos are what you'd expect otherwise.

Main Figure
As one of very people who even bothered to order a Helldiver to compliment their lackluster ZX's, I have to say I quite like this bike despite it coming with almost nothing and doing even less.

The Helldiver is a very typical Rider Machine of the Showa Era. A unique looking bike (this time based on the basic chassis of a Suzuki DR250S. It may seem like an unorthodox looking bike as well but it's got nothing more bizarre designs like the X-Cruiser & Jungler. The typical hallmarks are here though, like working rear suspension, turning front axle, and a kickstand. I do find that when more simplistic rider machines are released that they almost always have exquisite paint apps, the Helldiver is no different. Right down to the official Suzuki logo and the "Full Floater" callout on the rear suspension, everything is crisp and clear. You can even make out the odometer quite well. And while I've never noticed it before now, the front portion of the Helldiver looks quite a bit like a rocket to me. Which is an odd bike them for a (basically) ninja themed rider.

As far as the bike's functionality, that's really it. Now the big problem is that it can't perfectly interact with the ZX figuart. ZX is 4 years older than the Helldiver and it shows. This machine is made in a scale that seems more in line with other contemporary rider machines, to accommodate figuarts that are larger than those of the old era. ZX is really a bit undersized for this bike and that's the crux of the problem. His hips can't move out widely enough to sit flatly on the seat and he winds up sitting too far forward. ZX's ankles and knees do however finally have some usefulness as he can properly get into a stance that places his feet on the foot pegs. The legs are however too short for the foot to sit nice and flat on the ground while he's seated on the bike. ZX's oddly shaped chest makes it a little difficult to get his hand around the handlebars as well, but it can be done.

Accessories
Just two. Like all rider machines the Helldiver comes with a standard Wheel Base to hold the rear wheel in place and make display that much easier. This release also includes an accessory that's becoming more and more of a standard with SHF bikes and that's a Tamashii Stage Adapter. It plugs into a port on the underside of the engine block and can allow you to pull off some more dynamic action poses.

Final Thoughts
Overall I really like this bike. It has enough charm and personality to really win me over. Sometimes the simple vehicles really can be some of the best. If you already own ZX and want an accessory to make him actually useful, then pick up S.H. Figuarts Helldiver.

I still love the ZX figuart, it's one of my favs. Though, I do love the bike, and if I had more room for it I'd eventually get it.

Helldiver is probably the coolest bike name I’ve ever heard

Sad to hear the figure stinks given that its accessories are terrific. Oh, hey... it's just like Wizard Flame Style!

I largely can't talk myself into Rider machines, Autovajin aside, and it gets less likely the more my collection grows. I like the Hardboilder, but where would I put it?

I can't tell whether I'll ever get into Showa Rider shows. I just don't like the designs at all. It makes me feel like a bad Kamen Rider fan.

I love how many of the Showa Riders designs were very tech like and their color scheme were always on point. The green scarf gives the overall design a great touch.
Also, the bike looks amazing!

Wow. I can agree with Den-O - ZX DEFINITELY needs a Seihou release because... just yikes.

Still, damn good gallery of photos.

Ouch I like ZX's design so I'm a bit disappointed that this figure seems so poor. I think the big no, no for me was the legs, I do not like loose legs of any kind at all. Loose arms are annoying too but the legs are what holds the figure up, gotta have that working properly.

When it comes to bikes I have one, and that’s solely because Fourze‘s bike came with a switch. I really want tridoron but bleh space.
ZX’s design was always... Weird to me. It’s definitely my least favorite Showa design, and one of my least favorite designs overall. Still it’s a shame the figure sucks that bad.

Always a shame to see Bandai put out toys that are so clearly below their standards. For ZX himself it's a bit hard for me to get worked up about given that I don't really care for his design anyways (and I found his special pretty forgettable, to boot), but it's a shame regardless. I'm not that won over by the design of the bike either, though at least it's well executed.