[Den-O]

Banana Arms! Knight of Spear!

Following up the excellence of S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Gaim we're back with another SHF from the Gaim line! Today's spectacular subject is S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Baron Banana Arms!

**Note: Post #2 contains additional images.

Packaging
As with Kamen Rider Gaim, Baron comes in a very appropriately fruity themed box. Not much more to say here compared to there other than the obvious difference between Orange & Banana for themese.

Accessories
S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Baron, much like Gaim, has a pretty great selection of accessories. Though naturally he doesn't have two weapons like Gaim, Baron comes with everything he needs.

As is always standard there are multiple sets of extra hands included. 4 sets of hands in fact. Each splayed out and opened to varying degrees to necessitate various iconic poses and such.

Of course Baron's trademark Banaspear weapon is included, in one and a half forms. As packaged the Banaspear is in it's default non-extended form. An odd choice given that in show the spear automatically extends when Baron's henshins. So really this short version is included merely to recreate a mere few seconds in show. Luckily the tip can be removed and replaced with the sword ti[ that is the appropriate length.

Baron also includes a closed Banana Lock Seed. Just as with Gaim's included Orange Lock Seed this thing is gorgeously painted, though finding a hand that can actually hold it is a bit difficult. Of course Baron's final accessory is already attached to him in box. The open Banana Lock Seed. As with Gaim this lock can be removed though unfortunately Baron has no real use for this. The character doesn't use a Musou Saber or any similar weapon so being able to detach this lock won't do much good unless you want to swap it over to your Gaim.

Figure
As with Gaim, Kamen Rider Baron is gorgeous at even this basic level. As figures from the same lines generally do, these two share some design elements at a basic level. Though this isn't nearly as apparent as it was for say the Arms Change line of figures. Like Gaim Baron has the same functioning blade for the Sengoku Driver and removable lock, as well as a wonderfully detailed rider indicator on the driver.

Here's where differences begin to appear. Gaim had fantastic articulation overall. But his more open hinderance free design relaly allowed for that. With Baron the first thing you notice is the GIANT banana halves on his shoulders. As much as it surprises me these shoulders are not designed even as well as Arms Change Baron. Yes they can fold upward at an almost 90 degree angle. And there's even a ball joint tilt to allow them to swing back and forth. This allows you to see more of Baron's face if viewing him from the side. However they still hinder the arms movement quite a lot. There's only so much range in these thing and I find myself appreciating the AC's more rigid design a bit better.

Though the S.H. Figuarts releases from Gaim are generally a step above their arms change counterparts, Baron has an issue. Seeing as these figure don't incorporate the transformation gimmick you don't have large plastic flaps floating around loosely. AC Baron has a particular bad case of back flap. The SHF rectifies that, sort of. It's a much more stream lined version of the design. However it hangs down far too low on his back. Thus making it very difficult to utilize a Tamashii stage with this figure.

Another odd little footnote in Baron's design is his liding chest place. For one reason or another his chest armor is attached with a sliding joint allowing it to move a millimeter or so up or down. Honestly it's almost unnoticeable and doesn't do anything to help the movement of the torso.

Otherwise the figure is still gorgeous. And as with Gaim Baron retains the "old style" ball joint wrists.

Overall
S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Baron is another winner. Though not quite to the same degree as Gaim. If Gaim is the new bar by which we should measure SHF designs, Baron doesn't meet it. Unfortunately there are some issue with his design that really set him apart from Gaim being near perfect.

Does that mean this is a terrible figure? No not at all. Though it could have been better Baron is still an excellent addition to your collection.

[Den-O]

Post #2

Additional images!

[Electric Turahk]

Gaim actually has the sliding chest armor too (I believe; can't get them out to check), but it is much, much more limited. I think it might have been to allow for deeper ab crunches to get out of the way of the Sengoku Driver, but it really does do nothing.

I really, really do not get what makes the AC's banana shoulder pads better than the Figuart's. All the former can do is move up and down and they're bigger. These do that and more.

[NGW]

Another home run for the Gaim figuart's line. Excellent review and gallery.

[Shin Henshin]

I don't see how the banana shoulder pads badly hinder his arms. The hinge and swivel ensure that they're always working with the shoulder articulation, IMO.

[Den-O]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Electric Turahk

Gaim actually has the sliding chest armor too (I believe; can't get them out to check), but it is much, much more limited. I think it might have been to allow for deeper ab crunches to get out of the way of the Sengoku Driver, but it really does do nothing.

I really, really do not get what makes the AC's banana shoulder pads better than the Figuart's. All the former can do is move up and down and they're bigger. These do that and more.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shin Henshin

I don't see how the banana shoulder pads badly hinder his arms. The hinge and swivel ensure that they're always working with the shoulder articulation, IMO.

There's just something about them. They aren't very pleasing to me visually. The AC shoulders just hinge up on a nice tight joint. On my SHF Baron the up/down joint is incredibly ridiculously loose. I just feel like it's easier to use the shoulders on the AC.

[Sentai]

I can't wait until mine come >_<

[ShyGuy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Den-O

There's just something about them. They aren't very pleasing to me visually. The AC shoulders just hinge up on a nice tight joint. On my SHF Baron the up/down joint is incredibly ridiculously loose. I just feel like it's easier to use the shoulders on the AC.

Yeah, this is my main problem with the figure as well. In fact, the shoulder pads on mine are so loose that I've had them fall off several times, the left one in particular. It's only a mild inconvenience and I still really like the figure, but it's enough that he's definitely not quite on Gaim's level of awesome.

[Den-O]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShyGuy

Yeah, this is my main problem with the figure as well. In fact, the shoulder pads on mine are so loose that I've had them fall off several times, the left one in particular. It's only a mild inconvenience and I still really like the figure, but it's enough that he's definitely not quite on Gaim's level of awesome.

Baron is a great figure but there's just something about him overall that makes him feel less polished than Gaim. A lot of small factors that add up.

[Talisman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Den-O

Baron is a great figure but there's just something about him overall that makes him feel less polished than Gaim. A lot of small factors that add up.

I hope it gets fixed in the case of a Banana Arms Gaim release.