Kamen Rider OOO "Combo Change" Series Review/Pics
 

*Eight hundred years ago, a race of creatures known as the Greeed (please not the third "e" is not a typo) were created using talismans known as "Medals" and nearly destroyed the world through their unquenchable desire for power, before they were stopped by the legendary OOO.

Now the Greed have been reawakened in modern times and are creating monsters fueled by human desires to accomplish their evil deeds.

So what's the best way to fight off Greeed? With a hippie of course! Enter Hino Eiji, an unambitious traveler who stumbles into the Greeed's antics and uses a device called the OOO Driver and his own collection of Medals to change into the latest riding hero!

http://youtu.be/up94S6x0zSI

The OOO Driver works by channeling energy from 3 Core Medals, the main power source for the Greeed. Cores come in 3 types- Head, Arms, and Legs- and each Greeed has 3 full sets of Cores. (Are we seeing a pattern yet?)

Also I apologize for the crappy photo quality; most of these were taken with my old camera.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...1811184546.jpg

This is the first configuration used by OOOs, created with the Hawk, Tiger and Grasshopper Medals- "TaToBa" Form. Each Medal equipped offers a different ability:

*The Taka Head allows precise accuracy with attacks
*The Tora Arms deploy powerful claw-gauntlets (stopping just short of a "SNIKT" sound effect)
*The Batta Legs fold forward (resembling an actual grasshopper) to allow OOO's own unique Rider Kick.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...21/tatoba2.jpg

OOOs is also armed with a sword called the "Medajaliber" (a hybrid of "Medal" and "Excalibur" and the OOOs Scanner allows the Driver & Sword to fully unlock the power of the Medals.

This figure is a fairly accurate representation of OOO's default form; it may lack certain articulation points or paint details that would be found in other, more expensive releases but nicely captures the overall feel of the character.

But the true power of OOOs comes from increasing the Medal Count!

The greatest strength of the Medals (and related merchandising) comes from the ability to swap Medals and create different forms for OOO. The combination features in this figure line are activated by pressing a button on the back, somewhat reminiscent of the infamous "Crash Test Dummies" toys.

Several different types of Medals exist in the series. Green Medals are insect-based and mostly offer direct attack enhancement.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...1/gatahead.jpg

*The Kuwagata Head generates lighting to shock enemies

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...1/kiriarms.jpg

*The Mantis Arms supply a pair of powerful swords.

*The Grasshopper Legs I already mentioned, but to avoid simply re-packing old parts this second set comes with translucent "effect" Legs.


When OOOs uses a complete set of any one Medal type it creates a more powerful configuration known as a "Combo"-

http://youtu.be/PwUM46vPOKo

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...gatakiriba.jpg

This is the first pure Combo used in the series, GataKiriBa! IN addition to all the previously-mentioned abilities, this form allows OOOs to create multiple copies of himself for combat (something which does not easily translate to toy form).

The Combo Change series is an excellent recreation of Kamen Rider OOO's form-changing effect; the figures are solidly built, the changes are very easy and the level of customization is incredible. And we're just getting started!

Yellow Medals are feline-based and generally appear to enhance OOOs' speed.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...1/lionhead.jpg

*The Lion Head generates intense light to blind enemies and stop them from attacking.

*The Tiger Arms I mentioned before, and again this second release includes "effect parts."

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6.../cheetlegs.jpg

*The Cheetah Legs let OOOs move at incredible speeds and deliver a flurry of kicks.

http://youtu.be/HaEL1ruZ-20

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...1/ratorata.jpg

Finally, we have the Scorching Combo- RaToraTah! Able to overwhelm the Greeed with a blaze of power!

This set could be considered a step backwards from the previous one; the combinations and effects just aren't as interesting this time. Despite that flaw in the parts I'm still having a lot of fun with the Combo Change gimmick.

Grey medals are based on...African land mammals, apparently. The general theme in this set appears to be pure physical power.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...21/saihead.jpg

The Rhino Head allows OOO's to perform a mighty Skull Bash attack with super-effectiveness.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...1/goriarms.jpg

Gorilla Arms utilize a powerful set of gauntlets known as the "Gori Bagon." The gauntlets in this toy series are simple "pressure-launchers" and they work pretty well; letting the launch gimmick exist without compromising articulation or quality.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...221/zolegs.jpg

Last but not least are the Elephant Legs, said to cause powerful seismic tremors.

http://youtu.be/mwHo8lLTDgQ

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...221/sagozo.jpg

These 3 create the Gravity Combo, SaGoZho! Able to generate powerful shockwaves by beating his chest with the Gori Bagon and open fissures in the earth by stomping. This design is definitely a step up from last time; probably my favorite Combo to date. But this line is far from over...

Red Medals are probably the most perpelexing entry in OOO's arsenal. These belong to a Greeed named "Ankh," the one who recruited Hino Eiji to become Kamen Rider OOO. To date Ankh cannot return to his "true form" the way other Greeed have and is only able to project one arm. As a result Ankh & Eiji have formed an uneasy partnership; Eiji transforms into OOO to protect humanity from the other Greeed while Ankh feeds on whatever Medals Eiji manages to take in combat.


*The Hawk Head was the first thing shown in this series as part of OOO's "Default Mode." Now we'll see its true purpose!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6.../kujakuarm.jpg

*The Peacock Arms equip OOO with a new weapon called the Taja Spinner, a shield-like device which can shoot fireballs once loaded & charged with Medals.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6.../condorleg.jpg

*The Condor Legs can strike enemies with powerful talons. These legs can actually fold open to show off the talon effect AND remain standing; a tremendous step up from the Batta Legs in the first set.

http://youtu.be/gZZ0Drt8BWg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...TaJaDolocc.jpg

The Blazing Combo, TaJaDol! The energy exposure from the Red Medals has mutated the Taka Head into a new form called the "Taka Head Brave."

Arguably this is OOO's most powerful form, able to fly and defeat enemies in an attack called the "Prominence Drop." Once again we see the excellent fusion of detail and play value that Combo Change offers fans. And you don't need to buy an add-on pack to get all the parts for it in this series.

Blue Medals represent ocean creatures and as a result provide water-based abilities. For some reason their abilities were only explored later in the series despite OOOs acquiring several Blues earlier in the show. Irregardless-

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...21/shahead.jpg

*The Orca Head emits sonic waves & allows Kamen Rider OOO to breathe underwater.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...1/unagiarm.jpg

*The Electric Eel Arms are easily the weakest weapon in the Combo Change series. The Medal is supposed to let OOO use a pair of electrified whips, but that type of weapon apparently did not translate well to this particular scale. There are a lot of images that come to mind looking at these handheald weapons but "whip" would probably not be high on the list.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...21/takoleg.jpg

*The Octopus Legs grant OOO the ability to walk on any surface, and can split apart in order to give the illusion of "eight-legged" movement. This leg effect is somewhere between the Grasshopper & Condor Legs; it doesn't really look like the show appearance but at least OOOs can still stand & pose while using the effect.

[youtube=KudadJbDdaQ]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6.../occshauta.jpg

The Marine Combo, Shauta! The combined blue form is pretty good; thankfully the unintentionally-vile Eel "Whips" can be stored in shoulder-holsters & can remain unused.

Like several Combos, Shauta has a special ability that cannot translate to toy form- the ability to completely liquefy & fight enemies as living water; similar to BioRider from Black RX back in '89.

At the moment I'd say Shauta is the weakest link in the Combo Change series, which is very disappointing to me. But I just can't get past the terrible weapon design.

so how many figures do you end up having to create all these combinations?

Combo Change has a total of eight figures, seven of which are OOOs transformations.

My math skills aren't that great but I believe there's something like 140 different possible Forms.

How much did it end up running you? Just wondering if it's something I should undertake :lol

They're around 2000 yen each so; probably around $200 for the entire series.

After the Medals of the five principle Greeed are mastered, one new set appears towards the latter portion of the OOOs story.

Purple Cores are modeled after dinosaurs and are said to be stronger than any other Medal type. These Cores have never been seen before by Human or Greeed and operate very differently from other Medals- actually implanting Hino Eiji with a complete set that will only appear when there is a tremendous need for their strength.

Because of the Purple Cores' unusual structure, they cannot be used with other Medals. Despite this, Purple parts did get a release in the OOOs Combo Change series. Take a look at these "What If" Purple Forms:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...1/000_0047.jpg

*Ptera Head lets OOOs fly & generate freezing winds.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...1/000_0049.jpg

*Tricera Arms activate a pair of powerful shoulder mounted stingers that can impale targets.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...1/000_0050.jpg

*Tyranno Legs deliver sharp-clawed kicks and gives OOOs a giant tail to smack Yummy with.

In addition, Purple Cores give OOOs a unique new weapon:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...1/000_0051.jpg

Medagabryu (roughly "Medal Gobbler") an axe obtained by punching through subterranian sub-space so powerful it can even destroy other Core Medals. Also converts to Bazooka Mode for long-rage attacks.

And now for the Invincible Combo!

http://youtu.be/GM5sy1UrxMA

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...1/000_0052.jpg

PuToTyra is OOO's strongest form, possessing multiple powerful attacks that can easily overwhelm enemies. In fact this Combo is so strong it actually overwhelms OOOs; prolonged use of this Combo causes OOOs to become a rampaging violent beast.

Its pretty obvious that this Combo is a stand-alone; there are several elements that do not properly match with other OOOs configurations. The background coloring is silver/white instead of the usual black & the chest emblem appears to be a raised Core shape instead of the usual imprint.

The new design works really well; this is one of OOO's most impressive Combos. Glad I was able to complete the series, even if it doesn't actually Change with any other Combo.

During previous reviews of the OOOs Combo Change series I've talked about the various types of Core Medals needed to obtain ultimate power in this series. But Cores aren't the only type of Medal used in OOOs; the Greeed also require silver constructs with weaker energy signatures known as "Cell Medals" to fully form. Compare to Transformers- Cell Medals are like the liquid-gray structure of a protoform & Cores are the "Spark" that gives it unique characteristics.

Cell Medals are usually gathered by the Kougami Foundation, a somewhat sinister organization (with an excellent boss!) that has developed new technology based around Cell Medal energies. At first Kougami is content to just let OOOs harvest whatever Cells he can but before long they develop a new Rider System to fully tap the power of the Cell Medal:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...1/000_0033.jpg

Kamen Rider Birth, the new frontline combatant sponsored by Kougami Foundation! Birth's primary user is one Date Akira, world traveler and oden connoisseur.

This Birth figure is a pretty good representation of the character; fully capturing all details of the suit while maintaining a decent amount of articulation. Not perfect but still enough to have fun with.

Birth's primary weapon in most fights is a sidearm known as the "Birth Buster" and this gun represents the biggest problem I have with this figure: in the show Birth Buster is a relatively large gun that requires careful practice to aim & fire right but the Combo Change Buster is much smaller; about the size of a simple pistol. The lack of proper scale is a big disappointment but this doesn't detract from the REAL feature of this figure:

Kamen Rider Birth's principal combat system involves energizing Cell Medals to summon specially-magnetized armor via the various "pods" on his suit. In other words, Birth is a human gashapon & his weapons are battle prizes.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...1/000_0034.jpg

*Drill Arm, arguably Birth's favorite weapon, able to strike through opponents' defenses.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...1/000_0037.jpg

*Shovel Arm, gives Birth the ability to lift & throw tremendous objects.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...1/000_0035.jpg

*Crane Arm, lets Birth climb buildings & cross gaps.

Crane & Drill can be combined:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...1/000_0036.jpg

giving Kamen Rider Birth long-range attack capabilities.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...1/000_0038.jpg

*Catepillar Legs, enable Birth to cross rugged terrains & deliver much tougher Rider Kicks

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...1/000_0039.jpg

Cutter Wing, the least-used armor piece. Theoretically should grant limited flight capabilities.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...1/000_0040.jpg

*Breast Cannon, probably the most powerful weapon Birth has for defeating the Greeed- provided its been charged enough.

The armor system parts at this scale are very impressive, the pieces are fully detailed and lock into place well (with the possible exception of the cannon, but maybe that's just mine) and above all manage to function without totally prohibiting Birth's articulation level.

But using the armor on its own isn't enough sometimes, so Kamen Rider Birth has a couple more tricks hidden in his suit.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...1/000_0041.jpg

Activating all armor pods at once creates a battle configuration referred to as “Kamen Rider Birth-DAY.” I've had a strange fondness for this form ever since it was revealed and I finally think I understand why: this is basically a human-shaped version of my favorite Ultrazord, Ultimate DaiBouken. For the most part Birth retains posability in Birth-DAY form but some of the armor bits (specifically Cannon again) can block movement to a degree.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...1/000_0042.jpg

Finally, Birth's most powerful-and most expensive- armor ability is the CLAW Sasori, combining all pieces of the armor to create a robotic scorpion that can be remotely operated by Birth. The actual combination of armored parts is quite innovative and the resulting scorpion...looks like it was made by someone with only the vaguest idea of how a scorpion looks. Even though its ugly the combined form is a nice final feature for this set.

Combo Change Kamen Rider Birth is definitely worth your money if you're a fan of the design; its a faithful and affordable representation of the character with all the necessary action features and it manages to be a really fun toy on top of all of that. Gets my highest recommendation!