Kamen Rider, Kamen Rider Hibiki, Reviews, S.H.Figuarts

Review: S.H.Figuarts (Shinkocchou Seihou) – Kamen Rider Hibiki

S.H.Figuarts (Shinkocchou Seihou) – Kamen Rider Hibiki
Retail Release – August, 2014 – ¥5,000

P1080291

Kamen Rider Hibiki is my favorite Rider series, and by extension, one of my favorite Riders. I haven’t purchased an S.H.Figuarts Rider in a long time, and my collection has long since been sold, but when Kamen Rider Hibiki was announced as the next Shinkocchou Seihou release, I knew I had to pick him up. Not only was he my favorite Rider, he’s getting a release in the high-grade S.H.Figuarts line? It was basically a dream come true. He was finally released in August, 2014 for ¥5,000. While he’s a little bit pricy, the detail in these Shinkocchou Seihou (abbreviated SS from now on) S.H.Figuarts are incredible.

Hibiki includes eight additional hands, the two Ongekibou Rekka (drumsticks), holstered Ongekibou Rekka, the Onkaku (tuning fork), a holstered Onkaku, a holstered set of three Disk Animals, the Hawk Disk Animal, the Wolf Disk Animal, and the Gorilla Disk Animal, and two flame effect tops for the Ongekibou Rekka. Given how low the SS release of Kabuto was in terms of accessories, Hibiki is a huge step up! Articulation is what you would expect from S.H.Figuarts. As an SS release, Hibiki’s articulation and skeletal structure is a little bit enhanced compared to normal releases, particularly in the hips. While it’s not a huge difference, it’s enough to be appreciative of the extra care put in the figure. Hibiki’s suit was special in that it had a special paint applied that made the suit have enhanced reflective capabilities that gave the illusion of slight color changes. While that isn’t replicated perfectly here, the purple used on his suit is brilliant, and has a wonderful glossy coat on it to mimmic the effect the best it could. With that enhanced skeletal structure, the proportions are pretty much spot on to the suit, and looks superb. The Ongekikou Kaentsuzumi (the drum on his belt buckle) is even removable!

At the end of the day, this release amazes me. It’s been a while since I handled a S.H.Figuarts Rider, and this is definitely a release that has the potential to rope you back in. Thankfully it didn’t quite have that strong of an effect on me. If you like Hibiki, pick up this release. I have absolutely zero problems with it, and he’s looking great on my small desk display. Truly an amazing release that I’ve been more than happy to wait for. I really hope to see more released, even if I think it’s a stretch. Next up: Kamen Rider Gaim Kachidoki Arms.

 

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