Bandai Japan has a special surprise on the horizon for Metal Hero fans!
A Complete Edition of the B-Commander device used by the Juukou B-Fighther team (known to Western audiences as the Big Bad Beetleborgs) has been announced! Pricing & release dates are not confirmed at time of writing.
Orders will officially open on February 3 2022.
Following up on our reporting from Tamashii Nations 2020 on the display of previously revealed and newly unveiled Ultraman S.H. Figuarts, Bandai has also dropped a couple massive reveals. While these items are currently listed as “Display Only”, we have our very first looks at two new possible additions to the long running Soul of Chogokin line from two Metal Hero series!
First up is the one which began it all, hailing from 1982’s Space Sheriff Gavan is the Electronic Star Beast Dol Dragon and the Giran Saucer! While the prototypes on display do not currently give us a look at the combined Dol Giran mode, we can probably infer the transformation gimmick in such a comprehensive release as an SOC. As is, What we see on display is a magnificent set and gives us a great sense of scale, hewing very close to the size of the original toys based on the Tamashii Stages they’re displayed on.
And the second surprise reveal is the massive (and transforming!) planetary battleship Daileon from 1985’s Megabeast Investigator Juspion! Continuing the short lived tradition of the transforming Metal hero robo, Daileon changes from battleship to massive mecha. though we have less of a sense of scale for this release, we can see it does appear to included a small scale Juspion figure, as well as a tiny to-scale version of Juspion’s Garvin Tank!
As mentioned neither of these releases has even been confirmed for release yet, so there are no pricing or full accessory breakdowns to be known at this time. These could very well join the long list of prototypes locked away in Bandai’s vault. But for now, we hope to see much more of these two exciting reveals. Keep it tuned to TokuNation for more updates from Tamashii Naitons 2020!
Back on April 1st, the tokusatsu world was pretty stunned by the announcement that Toei was reviving a character that hadn’t been seen in nearly 20 years. Robocon! The star of two previous TV series Ganabare!! Robocon & Moero!! Robocon, is returning for a brand new film adventure titled Ganbareiwa!! Robocon.
Met with some healthy skepticism that the project could actually be real, it was confirmed fully only a few days later. But today, further information of what to expect from this project has come courtesy of an official trademark from April 21st for the film (via @Trademark_bot), which includes its use in branding for a variety of merchandise including toys, dolls, & games etc.
There’s absolutely no question that this film be released on July 31st, and now we know it’s bringing along with it a resurgence of Robocon merchandise. Let the speculation of just what this odd entry in the Robocon franchise could be about, begin! Could this be another generational meeting of the various Robocon? Or a true reboot entirely? Time will tell, and we’ll be sure to tell you as more information surfaces.
For those of us that are just tuning in, Toei announced a new global streaming platform on YouTube titled Toei Tokusatsu World Official, a streaming service that would feature a treasure trove of classic Toku shows that will launch globally on April 6th, 2020, complete with English subtitles!
As of this writing, the channel is now live. The catch is that while Toei does plan on releasing more episodes, these episodes will only be in Japanese and Toei will be leaving it to fans to translate these episodes in their native language. None of the less, the long list of shows now available is as follows:
Toei has uploaded a new trailer for the upcoming special crossover movie Uchu Sentai KyuRanger VS Space Squad!
This new trailer highlights more returning cast members and further details the villains for this unique project.
KyuRanger VS Space Squad is currently scheduled for release on August 8 2018!
A full-length trailer for the upcoming Super Sentai/Metal Hero crossover project has been posted online!
This gives us the best look yet at all returning heroes, villains and some good action scenes-
KyuRanger VS Space Squad is currently scheduled for release on August 8 2018! Stay tuned to TokuNation as we keep you up to date on this exciting double-project!
The first teaser trailer for the upcoming Super Sentai/Metal Hero crossover project Uchu Sentai KyuRanger VS Space Squad has been released!
Full story details have not yet been confirmed, but early descriptions have hinted that one KyuRanger will commit a felony & as a result the entire team becomes targeted by the Space Sheriffs.
A poster for the film has also been released, detailing the return of the entire KyuRanger team along with the Space Sheriffs Gavan and Shaider.
KyuRanger VS Space Squad will be released on August 8 2018! Stay tuned to TokuNation as we keep you up to date on this exciting new project!
After months of speculation and rumor, a brand-new Super Sentai VS Project has been officially announced!
This new direct-to-video adventure will be the first in a new sub-series known as V-CINEXT.
The movie pits the 41st Super Sentai Uchu Sentai KyuRanger against the lengendary Metal Heroes of the Space Squad! Actor Yuma Ishigaki returns once again as Geki, the Space Sheriff Gavan and Hiroaki Iwanaga will reprise the role of Space Sheriff Shaider.
The exact plot details for this crossover are unrevealed at time of writing, but the cast of KyuRanger have come together for a special announcement video-
Writer Nobuhiro Mouri (head writer for KyuRanger) returns once again for this story, and toku mainstay Koichi Sakamoto will direct.
KyuRanger VS Space Squad will be released on August 8 2018! Stay tuned to TokuNation as we keep you up to date on this exciting project!
“Electroplate”!
The original Space Sheriff Gavan is without a doubt one of the most iconic tokusatsu heroes ever. The originator of the Metal Heroes franchise & Space Sheriff title, Gavan has been in a resurgence ever since his 2011 return in Gokaiger VS Gavan. Reprising the role of this iconic character each time has been legendary actor Kenji Ohba! Now, years after the first Gavan figuarts were released and even the Gavan Renewals, we at last have Gavan’s civilian form with S.H. Figuarts Retsu Ichijoji!
Retsu Ichijoji is the 2nd release in Bandai’s new sub-line of civilian identity figuarts, preceded by Dan Moroboshi and followed by Takeshi Hongo. Improving on the faults of Dan, Retsu is a fantastic release. Bringing to life the young likeness of Kenji Ohba, this figure fantastically replicates Gavan circa his debut in 1982. Boasting some really great articulation Retsu is complimented by a couple set of hands as well as an effect sheet to replicate the electroplating process that transforms him into Space Sheriff Gavan!
We’ve attached the full 75 image gallery to this post, but you can also check out our full review of the figure by clicking “Discuss on the TokuNation Forums” at the bottom of this post. We’ll be back soon with (hopefully) one more gallery before the new year!
“MAYDAY MAYDAY S.O.S.!”
No surprise after all this time, but Tokkei Winspector is my absolute favorite Metal Heroes series. One of my all time tokusatsu period. And over the last two years Tamashii Nations has really treated fans like myself to a great selection of collector figures. We’ve gotten the entire team with Fire, Bikel, & Walter! And late last year a massive accessory pack was released for the trio. Well at long last I’ve been able to complete my comprehensive gallery of this set. The S.H. Figuarts Tokkei Winspector Full Package Option Set!
This sprawling accessory set makes up the totality of every relevant accessory ever used in the series. From Bikel & Walter’s Maintenance tables to Fire’s Win/Fire Badge, even minor weapons like the Clapper & Spin Claw, all the way up to the (literal) big guns like the Giga Streamer in all 3 of it’s forms! We even get treated to 3 full Multi Packs compatible with each figure and a selection of harness to accommodate them. This truly is the most complete accessory set I’ve ever seen for S.H. Figuarts. I am beyond pleased.
I have taken far far too long to finally get this gallery polished off, but I’m so proud of the results. This was a labor of love for me. Giving my favorite Metal Hero team their due. This gallery consists of 140 images, we’ve attached every one of them to this post. You can also click “Discuss on the TokuNation Forums” at the bottom of this post to be take to our extensive review thread for this set. While there are still a few releases I would love to see for this series, as detailed in the thread, for now I can happily say, farewell Winspector.