Tomopop Review: S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Kuuga Ultimate Form

12:00 PM on 08.12.2010   |   Andres Cerrato

I'm not abashed to say what I think about Bandai's S.H. Figuarts line. They prove time and time again that they are simply the best action figure line in the market. That tradition continues with this summer's release of Kamen Rider Kuuga in Ultimate Form. This isn't the Kuuga that we saw be completely useless in KR Decade, but that of the final form of the TV version.

This edition of S.H. Figuarts continues the proud tradition of the line as one of the best available in the market. Hit the jump to find out why this Kuuga is so ultimate.

S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Kuuga Ultimate Form
Manufactured by Bandai
MSRP: 3300 yen
Released: June 2010

The box for S.H. Figuarts is relatively plain. Unless it's a currently airing series, the box will be gray. Since Kamen Rider Kuuga appeared on television 10 years ago, his box gets the standard treatment. The window lets you see the figure and his alternate face.

Ultimate Kuuga didn't use any hand-held weapons like the other alternate forms, so instead we're given a multitude of extra hands and an alternate face. There are 5 sets of hands in total plus the classic thumbs up pose for his right hand. As good as the hands are, it would have been nice to get the Dragon and Pegasus Ultimate versions, even though they were never included in the series.

For being a mostly black figure, it's surprising how much the figure pops out at you. The gold is very vibrant, and the faded blue lines shape the figure quite nicely. The black used is matte, so it won't seem like a glossy piece of plastic, but instead like an actual suit. Black and gold is my favorite color combination, so the scheme will work for me regardless. It's not as ornate as the Rising Ultimate Form that was shown during Decade, but I prefer the simplistic approach of the original.

As with any Figuarts release, poseability is king. The joints were a little stiff at first, but after playing with him for a while, they loosened up. I've yet to have an issue where any of the limbs would sag on any of my Figuarts.

Poseability though would be nothing without balance, and thankfully, the die-cast feet help to avoid any issues that one might face with that. There are not many figures that I think are able to hold another figure in its hands and being able to keep its balance. 

Here's Kuuga with the black eyes. For those wondering, the black eyes version is when Kuuga cannot control the its power and would attempt to kill everything in its path. I was kind of surprised that this was included, as Bandai had opted to do separate figures for the Rising Ultimate release.

What I was really surprised at though was the size of Kuuga Ultimate Form. Decade is noticeably smaller while Double  is just a tad shorter. I'm glad they the figures are in-scale and it goes to show that they put effort into the figures. You're not going to get the same figure with just a different Rider.

Ultimately, I have to tell you that the figure is must get for Kamen Rider fans. People not familiar with the franchise, I recommend to find a way to get one of these figures in your hand, as the sculpts and paint on S.H. Figuarts is superior to just about any figure line out there.  You'll be sold immediately as to how good these figures are.

Unfortunately, Kuuga Ultimate Form is sold out on all of the major retailers, so you'll have to look to eBay to grab one.  Bandai is more generous when it comes to reissues, so while it may took some time to wait, it will be worth picking one up.

[Thanks to Hobby Link Japan for providing this figure for review!]