In the last 7 years I’ve had the opportunity to review some seriously unique and interesting pieces for this website. Honestly though I think nothing has ever been quite as unique as what I have to share with you today. I’ve recently come into possession of a special Pre-Production Factor Sample of the S.H. Figuarts Hakaider Squad! While Kikaider & Hakaider related products may not necessarily be something of personal interest to each of you, this figure offers us a rare look at what goes into the process of creating a repaint and remold of a previous release.
Yes, this figure is indeed a true blue working sample used to model new parts. At it’s base level it’s your standard Hakaider body. But after disassembly and study, you can see several areas where new parts from the final Hakaider Squad figures were integrated for testing purposes. The new biceps and face are dead giveaways. More than that though we also have the anti-theft paint job, as well as the trademark hole drilled through the figures’ chest that numerous Tamashii display samples have had through out the years.
We’ve attached the full 40 image gallery of this unique item to this post, but please read through the in depth breakdown of what makes this factory sample what it is after the jump. Just click “Discuss on the TokuNation Forums” at the bottom of this post to be taken to the full thread.
Next time, “Rabbit! Tank! Best Match!”