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08-13-2014, 01:35 AM | #1 |
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Lexington, Ky
Posts: 16,328
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Durian Arms!
Misteeerrrrrr Dangeroussssss!! The Arms Change line of Kamen Rider Gaim continues with another Premium Bandai Exclusive release! Last time we checked out the first premium rider, Bujin Gaim, but today we want to take a look at the most peculiar Armored Rider of them all. ACPB02 Kamen Rider Bravo! Oren Pierre Alfonzo, the awesome ex-patriated, ex-military, re-patriated, pastry chef/mercenary of doom. He's certainly one of if not the most memorable characters in Kamen Rider Gaim. So it's only fitting this his rider form, Kamen Rider Bravo, is also one of the most outlandish and memorable designs in the series. Let's dive in to see how the toy holds up compared to it's on screen counterpart. Before you check out this gallery be sure to hit our front page and check out our good friend Baltmatrix's video review of Bravo! Post #2 features an additional 40 images including every alternate Arms Change for Bravo! Packaging Continuing the trend that started with Bujin Gaim, Kamen Rider Bravo also comes in a windowless box that's become the standard of many Tamashii Web & Premium Bandai exclusives recently. Aside from showcasing some alternate Arms Changes and a battle scene on the back, there really isn't much more to say about the box. It's Bravo, so it's a winner by default. Main Figure Though this figures body has had quite a few cosmetic changes compared to his mold mates, at a basic level you can still see where Bravo inherits much of his design. Just like in the series itself the bottom line is that Bravo is a repaint/remold of the Baron/Gridon/Duke body. Sharing much of their same standard molding, what sets Bravo apart is his garishly awesome color scheme, I mean it's like Transformers G2 awesome. And I mean that in a completely non-sarcastic way. Seriously I love it. Looking closer we also see that Bravo's wrist guards, shins, knee pads, hip armor, elbow pads, and head all feature brand new unique molding to set them apart from other uses of this mold. Covered in the unique Durian "spikes" Bravo gives the impression of being far more detailed than other figures in the line. This figure is so far the first to really embrace it's premium nature. And I couldn't be more in love with it. The head is especially striking as a lot of care went into making sure that head sculpt was accurate. Right down to the natural "scar" across the left eye. In this pre-Arms state we can already see Bravo is worth the price of admission. Arms/Accessories The main event so to speak of this figure is the glorious brand new Durian Arms! This set of Arms is an entirely new mold/design, but then it had to be. Early into Gaim's run speculation ran wild that this figure would simply never exist because of how these Arms cheated with a CG transformation. While the toy may not be able to do some of the CG magic the show can, it more than faithfully represents Bravo's trademark armor. When attached and folded out we see Kamen Rider Bravo Durian Arms in all his glory. If you couldn't tell by now Bravo's suit is based on a Roman Centurion, right down to the gnarly mohawk down the middle of his helmet. The insert piece of his helmet has a nice golden paint application that really helps it shine through his eyes. The scar molding allows a little more extra light into the visor that other figures don't get the advantage of. But it really helps bring this figure to life more. As you can see the Durian Arms are rather big. Perhaps inaccurately so, but not disappointingly. We all knew from the get go when Arms Change was a retail line that it would make compromises, and even now that the line is being finished up as exclusives, I still think it's reasonable to allow for some small inconsistencies from screen to toy. Needless to say whether the Arms are too big or not they look amazing on Bravo. I will say that they do hinder the upward motions of the arms to a degree so it can be just a little difficult to manage some poses. Now also included with Bravo are this forms signature weapons, a pair of Duri Noko. This pair of saw like weapons has been wonderfully sculpted and exquisitely painted, they are absolutely awesome. And they have some surprising heft to them. Unlike a lot of AC weapons they also have knuckle guards. So when you put them in a riders hands the guards help stabilize them so they hold much more tightly. Some other AC riders would have greatly benefited from their weapons having a design like this. Looking at you Ryugen. In any case this is a fantastic looking form, and when you get to swapping around these arms to other figures you're going to discover some beautiful combos. Bravo looks decent enough in most arms actually, though his colors will clash with nearly anything. Durian Arms however looks great on a ton of riders. Of particular note is the absolute match made in heaven combo of Ryugen Durian Arms. Seriously look at that image, it's like it was made for Ryugen. But it also looks fantastic on Zangetsu, Gaim, and even Kiwami Gaim. Final Thoughts The first release in this premium line, Bujin Gaim, was an admirable start. As a simple repaint it tested the waters to see how much interest people would have. Clearly that paid off as we got this wonderful brand new figure as a second release. ACPB02 Kamen Rider Bravo is an excellent figure. It's hands down my personal favorite Arms Change figure released thus far. It has beautiful crisp paint apps, a plethora of new molding, and a ton of personality to it. I'm in love.
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08-13-2014, 01:46 AM | #2 |
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Lexington, Ky
Posts: 16,328
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Post #2
Additional Images and Arms Changes!
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08-13-2014, 08:22 PM | #3 |
Toy Collector & Reviewer
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Quakertown, PA
Posts: 27
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I love this guy! Easily my favorite from the line. Thanks for all the pics of the different combinations, but I gotta say, no one looks as good in Durian arms as he does!
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08-13-2014, 08:29 PM | #4 |
Sentai of the Ages
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 16,715
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I'm pissed I don't own him, I'm pissed I never will, and I'm pissed how good he looks. You did it three times in the same gallery. Onore-Den-O! God he looks good.
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08-13-2014, 10:49 PM | #5 |
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Central Minnesota
Posts: 10,390
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Mango Arms makes my eyes bleed.
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GoseiWonder |
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08-13-2014, 10:52 PM | #6 |
Sentai of the Ages
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 16,715
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08-14-2014, 04:23 AM | #7 |
New Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 61
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This set is indeed very awesome and Durian Arms is fun to attach to other Riders, especially Ryugen.
The only complaint I have with Bravo, is with the color scheme of his base body. The dark green color on his face is the same as Durian Arms, indicating Bravo was never meant to use other Arms in the show. The result is that none of the other armors look really good on him in my opinion. That said, as a result of said color scheme, the figure really looks good with the intended Durian Arms. |
08-15-2014, 11:28 PM | #8 |
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Lexington, Ky
Posts: 16,328
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Bonus shots for fun!
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08-15-2014, 11:47 PM | #9 |
Devil from the Depths
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Airspace B7R
Posts: 7,718
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Do they make those giant Gokaiger/SMF heads in blue...?
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08-16-2014, 12:13 AM | #10 |
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Lexington, Ky
Posts: 16,328
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I'm actually not sure. The only Sentai Mask Collection pieces I own are Gokai Red & Aka Red.
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