S.H. Figuarts vs. S.I.C.
 

I'm quite familiar with Figuarts, they seem to be the more popular figures I see in images throughout the internets. But I've always wondered about S.I.C. I've never gotten any S.I.C. figures, only Figuarts. Both appear to be made by Bandai, so my questions are:

1) Which is preferred and why? Figuarts or S.I.C. Is one of them lower quality than the other?

2) What's the point of the two separate lines? Are the scales slightly different?

3) Am I missing out on something by having no idea what S.I.C. is? The prices seem all over the place, but the figures available differ just a little bit (seems like you can still get an S.I.C. Skull, but harder to find that same character in a Figuart).

Thanks for any insight you wonderful people can provide!

IIRC, SIC is bigger than Figuarts, the detail on the figures tends to be more gritty and organic looking than the smooth Figuarts. not sure about the SIC Skull, but the Figuart Skull was a web exclusive.

I honestly prefer accuracy in a figure so I generally go for Figuarts. SICs grittier, more detailed design doesn't always work (see Decade) but when it does it looks awesome. That said in my experience, the articulation is more restricted on an SIC, and I like as wide a range of poses in a figure as I can get.

From what I've seen, SIC takes more artistic liberty. For example, check out the upcoming Kamen Rider ZX compared to how he looked in the movie. A figuarts figure of him would look show accurate and simpler, whereas the SIC looks like a bad ass ninja Kamen Rider on all out steroids.

Not sure if ZX looked like that in the Kamen Rider Spirits manga.

IIRC SIC are 7.5" too, whereas Figuarts are at 5.5".

I'm fairly thrifty when it comes to Kamen Rider toys, so accuracy, price and articulation are the three things that I keep in mind, Figuarts winning on all three ends. I wouldn't mind Kiwamii Tamashii figures if there were more main Riders available for the line.

I really like the stylized look of SICs. Skull and FangJoker, in particular, are fan-freaking-tastic. But as TJ points out, they're not quite as poseable as Figuarts, mainly it's the hips and ankles. The elbows and knees have a nice range.

http://ryanlb.com/images/kamen-rider...oker-sic-1.jpg

http://ryanlb.com/images/kamen-rider...kull-sic-1.jpg

http://ryanlb.com/images/kamen-rider...-crystal-2.jpg

SIC are super stylized versions of Kamen Rider stuff. Supposedly to be more in tune with Ishinomori's true macabre vision. So they're more monstrous and organic. Early SIC were essentially statues, and didn't get really articulated till around the Ryuki SICs. Until give or take the Den-O releases, SICs were notoriously fragile. As in, broken right out of the box. Unfortunately, I've had personal experience with that. But modern stuff are nicely durable. Also, they're significantly taller and bigger than Figuarts.

1) While SIC has it's long term fans, I'm going to say stuff like Souchaku Henshin and Figuarts are more preferred and mainstream. Not everyone can get behind the SIC redesigns (the earlier ones in particular were monstrous to the point of ugly). That said, I think the impression is that SIC are more high end. And since the modern stuff are actually durable, they're playable as well. SIC tend to come with a ton more accessories than Figuarts too.

2) Figuarts offers accuracy while SIC is stylized and more "mature". The scales are significantly different. Where Figuarts baaaarely count as 6" scale (if you pretend the Kamen Riders are short Japanese guys compared to your DC or Marvel guys), SIC are towering behemoths in comparison. I think they're 8 or 9 inches vs the Figuarts' barely 6 inches.

3) In terms of pricing, bear in mind that SIC tend to be sold in two packs. Even when they're not, they still come with components for a full second form. Take SIC Kabuto for instance, who comes with a giant shell for him to assume his beetle form.

SIC Skull's a regular 2 pack release along with FangJoker whilst Figuarts Skull's a web exclusive.

In terms of the figures seemingly differing only a little bit, it seems to me that's because modern SICs aren't as monstrous as the old stuff. Track down some pics of the older SIC, where they look almost unrecognizable to their original designs, then compare with the modern stuff, where they're simply more exaggerated.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...dude/black.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...AZON_RIDER.jpg

I'm really digging that Amazon design. To be honest, I like most of the Showa era SICs. The more modern riders however do nothing for me.

I prefer Figuarts, SIC redesigns can be hit or miss at times but overall I prefer show accuracy. Not to mention Figuarts are less expensive and smaller, thus taking up less shelf space.

Personally, I usually like seeing how the SIC redesigns turn out. I only collect the Kiwami Tamashiis, though, as they're a lot more affordable and easier to find a display space for.

I've found SICs to be the same price as Figuarts, per figure, a 2 pack for $70 is the same as two figuarts at $35 each. Also, I paid the same price for the Skull/FangJoker set as I did for SHF Crystal Skull.

That's basically how I feel about it too.

Definitely prefer Figuarts. But Skyrider, Super-1 and ZX have me drooling for their S.I.C. releases. Skyrider and Super-1 are both in customs limbo right now though :(

SIC and Figuarts are two different lines that go for two entirely different things, I'd say. I prefer SHF for show accuracy, but even then, they're aiming at different intents.

A lot of SIC designs don't really do it for me, but the ones for W look really well done. In fact, SIC Cyclone Joker/Xtreme & Heat Metal/Luna Trigger should be here in a day or two.

I generally seem to prefer Figuarts though.

You've been finding your SICs either used from Mandarake or on sale, as I recall, yes? Also, retail on SICs prior to Double compared to Figuarts have traditionally been more expensive. This cheaper than SHF trend is a relatively new phenomenon.

See http://tamashii.jp/item/itemlist.php?pref=110 versus http://tamashii.jp/item/itemlist.php?pref=105

Of course there's nothing wrong with preferring S.I.C.! I personally feel that the more alternatives there are in merch, the better. Something for everyone.

Yeah, I got my SICs on clearance at HLJ, and the Skull/FangJoker set from Dally at TFW (who coincidentally also sold me SHF Crystal Skull). So I didn't quite pay full retail on any of them. :)

Also, I don't think I do prefer SIC, I like both lines a lot for different reasons. Comparing the figures I have in both lines (which right now is just Skull and FangJoker, should have HeatMetal and LunaTrigger tonight or tomorrow), the SICs looks much better as a cool display pieces, but the SHFs are more fun to play with. The SHFs still look great just posed cool, but I think the SIC figures have something a little extra in that department, and maybe it's just the size, which lets the detail be seen a little more. I don't know.

I tend to collect SICs over figuarts, I love the amount of detail put into the things and the general artistic skill. Generally feel they are some of the best value for kamen rider merch, just due to all you get for the money.


I often see people say that, but Decade is actually quite excellent in hand, I'd say he's one of my favorite full size SICs.

As odd as this may sound. I prefer SIC for my Riders & SHF for Sentai.
I just really dig the way the SIC Riders look vs SHF.

I perfer SIC cause it doesnt look like a person in a stunt suit and the designs are much more dramatic such as RX, Kuuga, Agito, etc. But somehow I have a lot more SHF than SIC...

This thread needs moar pics!

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7181/6...f298bcf0_z.jpg
SIC Den-O Rod and Ax Forms by ryanlb_, on Flickr

I would probably go for the S.H. Figuarts first due to accuracy being a priority, but the S.I.C's are always pretty interesting to look at. One thing about S.I.C's are that they're very playable, with lots of play features. For example Riders like Decade and Double get to have their Final Forms along with their basic forms in one package.

I don't know, I thought Decade looked pretty awesome.

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/4195/sicdecade58.jpg

Image from http://www.geocities.jp/hetare_d_max...IC_51_DCD.html

Still waiting for this guy to get the Kiwami Tamashii treatment.

How are Kiwami Tamashii different from S.I.C.? Sorry, I don't have much experience in these and they look rather similar.

I think the Kiwami Tamashii version are the smaller ones, but still has the SIC look, almost GI Joe sized.

SIC Kiwamis are smaller and more affordable versions. Standing at 3 3/4", it is also alot easier to display.

There are also some pieces that the SIC main line doesn't have, take for example the recent Side Basshar.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7191/6...ed2d297593.jpg
Machine Side Basshar by Clement Soh, on Flickr

I get SIC Kiwami because it's cheap, fun to play, easy to display and I have no fear of breaking the figure. :P

I've been tossing a bunch of things around too, as I just found out about the SIC Kamen Rider Kuuga (Rising Ultimate) pre-orders going up (like this one). Judging from the price I'm assuming its a smaller figure than the SH Figuarts version, but since I know next to nothing about any of this stuff, I figured it best to poke around before committing to anything.

Looks wise I'm thinking the SIC one's gonna appeal to me over the SH, but that could easily have more to do with the available photography & lighting used than anything else, and then there's the scaling issues to consider as well which again, I know nothing about... yet. :D

Nomad, you're looking at the Kiwami Tamashii version of the SIC, the KT versions are around 4.3" and are just scaled down versions of the 7" full-on SICs, although I don't think the original SIC of this looked as good as the KT proto. Also the 7" SIC version came out years ago, I think, though I can't find much info on it beyond this: http://brainmusic-movie.blogspot.com...dark-eyes.html

Maybe it never came out?

The link posted is a custom made figure. Not an official prototype. There was never a normal sized SIC Ultimate Rising Kuuga. :)

Personally, I only keep the SIC Kiwami Tamashii figures for its small scale and easier display options. All forms of the riders so far are also normal releases but in SIC many are exclusives (Think Wild Chalice, Accel Faiz etc.).

You definitely lose out a lot in the accessories department due to the smaller scale.

That explains why the KT looks better! I didn't realize they'd started doing new designs for KT.

Yes they do, the recent Horse orphanoch was only available as a statue prior to getting a SIC articulated figure. Also not to forget the menacing side bassharr.

I keep wondering what a SIC Fourze and Meteor will look like.

My experience with SIC is limited, I got the Faiz/Wolf Orphanoch years ago, and the Movie Realization Spider-Man two pack. Liked both of those, though they were so heavy they were scary to pose. When they fell they could take out an entire shelf.

Thanks guys. It seems I have much hunting ahead of me hah.

Does Kiwamii Tamashii have the PVC feel of the bigger SIC releases?

Anyone else hope, one day, we start to see SIC Sentai figures?

It'd be interesting to have more stylized ones but they'd end up all being Reds.

It'd be cool, but at the rate SIC is already going at? Not likely. They're behind as it is(2012 and they're just now getting to OOO?), and unless they somehow kick production into enough of an overdrive to be caught up with what's airing, then they won't have any "free time" so to speak for them to start another series. Not to mention they usually start a series at the very beginning, so even if they start making Sentai SICs today, it'll still be at least a decade till we get to most of the designs you're thinking of.

I don't think they are behind on purpose. I think they just stagger it so the S.I.C stuff goes out once everything else has had time to be on the shelves for awhile. It's probably why the Figuarts always come a few months after the gimmick toys for the current show.