Bandai nailed the compound eyes in the Converge Shokugan series, which is one of the big reasons I decided to collect that line.

However, they've started re-releasing figures with newer sculpts and I actually think they've degraded in quality.

https://i.imgur.com/u1M1is2.jpg

The left figure is Converge Kuuga from 2016. The right is the "renewal" release from 2019. The new sculpt and coloring isn't bad, but the eyes really ruin it for me. I should be thankful though, now I don't have to collect this new set...

Or do I? :lol

Oof, yeah, not exactly a step up. I see what they're going for: the chest sculpt is more accurate to the show's suit, the proportions are a little better, and the coloring is more correct. It's just, I think the stylized one looks better? And not just the eyes (which are great), but the greater definition in the chest, the more intense angles of the lines, the metallic sheen. I get that they wanted to move away from that, bring out more of the show's take on Kuuga, but I'd probably stick with the 2016 one.

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...414_201246.jpg

I love that I can do this with SODO Grease

(and the image is sideways again god dang it)

Why yes, I should put my SO-DO Grease together tonight. Thanks for the reminder!

(Also, he definitely looks like he's about to be coated in Dr. Pepper in that photo. Grease Carbonated?)

https://i.imgur.com/UIal4rn.jpg

Grease was definitely one of my favorite SO-DOs. His hip joints are a little weak, but the clear armor parts are just so cool!

Wish I had my Grease here, so I could join in the fun. Instead, let's post about a Rider, name beginning with G, who initially disliked our hero, before undergoing character development and learning to fight with them for the sake of the world against insurmountable odds, paying the ultimate cost only to be revived in a new world and become a new hero.

Except he's red.
https://scontent-lhr8-1.xx.fbcdn.net...95&oe=5EBCE292

https://scontent-lhr8-1.xx.fbcdn.net...af&oe=5EBE1F98

So yeah, the other obvious release for Zi-O Ride 1 is Geiz, and he comes out looking pretty nice. The Geiz design is an obvious hero suit, being red and all, but it does manage to look at least a little threatening. Or maybe that's just my flashbacks to arguments about Geiz's character development coming back to me. Who knows? He's also not too bad to sticker, even if one of the chest ones is slightly out of place. Ah well, as others have said, it's what makes it mine. As you can see, he comes with his Zikan Zaxe (Toei's namers were getting paid by the scrabble letters that day) in bow mode. Odd choice to give Zi-O melee and Geiz ranged, but maybe for once Sougo and Geiz used tactics and decided to cover each-other's weaknesses? Idk.

Also, if anyone can guess what my calender is, well done.

Is the calendar Fortnite?

I'm older than 15, so no, it is not fortnite.

I think it's the way the characters on his mask are more angled than Zi-O's. It's a sharper point, a more menacing look. That's what I get when I look at him, at least.

Yeah, the visor is probably the focal point of it. Very spiky.