Bandai S.H. Figuarts Masked Rider 1 THE FIRST Ver.

[JeffSaylor]

Grab your tie and head out on the highway...

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Bandai's Masked Rider 1 THE FIRST action figure can be found at select online importers such as HobbyLinkJapan.com and BigBadToyStore.com

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Bandai’s Tamashii Nations S.H. Figuarts revolutionized action figure design in Japan with high quality figures whose articulation gave them the full range of motion of the human body. The name comes from a combination of the terms “Simple Style” and “Heroic Action.” The figures in this line have included old favorites and new from One Piece, Dragonball Z, and a variety of other anime series. The majority of the S.H. Figuarts line focuses on the Kamen Rider series, with one of the latest and greatest the Masked Rider 1 THE FIRST Ver.!


Kamen Rider is a long-running Japanese franchise featuring superheroes with insectoid features and motorcycles who fight against monstrous enemies of Earth and mankind. The first Kamen Rider television show aired way back in 1971, with dozens of follow ups and sequels in Japan and around the world. 2005 brought the film Kamen Rider THE FIRST, in which the terrorist organization SHOCKER abducts college student Hongo Takeshi and turns him into a living weapon. Eventually rebelling, Hongo becomes a hero and takes on the persona of the Kamen Rider!

The bulk of Bandai’s Kamen Rider S.H. Figuarts figures share the same packaging design. A narrow silver window box is emblazoned with logos for Bandai, Tamashii Nations, and S.H. Figuarts, while the character’s name appears in large font on the front and side panels. The figure and some of his accessories are visible through the front window, while alongside it is a black and white photograph of the character from the film.

The back of the box shows the figure in several different poses (and utilizing the included alternate parts), with lots of Japanese text to give you background information.

The Masked Rider 1 from THE FIRST utilizes a sculpt that’s appeared on a couple other Kamen Rider figures, and that’s for a good reason: it’s great! An armored human approximately 5 ½ inches tall, the Rider figure has a very stylish outfit consisting of what appears to be a bodysuit layered with armor plates, belt, gloves, boots, and a decidedly insectoid helmet (complete with antennae and compound eyes). Unlike most American superheroes the Masked Rider is relatively thin, though he still has an impressive physique.

This is highlighted in the excellent sculpt with long and narrow arms and legs but a defined “V” shaped torso. There is plenty of musculature on the figure as well as a wealth of clothing details like creases, buttons, lapels, and more. Of particular note are the intricate chest plate panels, the multi-part belt, and long gloves and boots.

The Masked Rider’s head also looks very cool with its detailed mouth plate and bug-eyed helmet. The “eyes” are translucent plastic and you can even see a textured surface inside! While several Masked Rider figures share this same sculpt (with some variations), it’s often the color scheme that sets them apart. This version wears a black bodysuit with metallic pale blue armor, gloves, and boots. Silver is used on the belt (along with red and black) as well as the numerous “buttons” all over the suit and its pads. Only at the neck can you see a flesh tone, and the helmet is black and blue with silver antennae, pink translucent lenses, and a green control gem between them.

When it comes to articulation and poseability, the Masked Rider doesn’t mess around! The figure is covered in joints, with a ball-jointed neck, ball-jointed shoulders, hinged shoulder pads, biceps, double-jointed elbows, ball-jointed wrists, ball-jointed torso, waist, ball-jointed hips, double-jointed knees, multi-joint ankles, and jointed feet. The range of motion is terrific, and you should have no trouble posing your Rider in cool ways!

Of course, the poses are helped out by the included accessories: three sets of alternate hands: closed fists, open fists, and chopping hands. Finally, no stylish Masked Rider would be complete without his necktie, and this one has two versions of his bright red accessory. One lies straight down his chest while the other whips in the air behind him. All you have to do is pop off his head to apply one or the other.

Kamen Rider toy fans have confirmed this to be one of the best sculpts ever for Masked Rider figures, and this one takes it even further with the cool shoulder pads and a great paint scheme. Add to that articulation that’s on par with the best in the business and you’ve got an import figure well worth its cost (about $30). He looks great with the other S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider figures too, and the line even has his particular Cyclone motorcycle (sold separately of course)!

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Bandai's Masked Rider 1 THE FIRST action figure can be found at select online importers such as HobbyLinkJapan.com and BigBadToyStore.com

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Review and Photos by Scott Rubin

Review Samples Courtesy of Bluefin

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