[TokuChris]

It's time for another gallery of your favorite Shuriken Sentai Ninninger heroes! This time we're going in to the clouds and the sky to bring you a gallery of Ao Ninger the blue Ranger!

I guess it's important to note really quickly on this figure that it is exactly the same as the Aka Ninger gallery that we did just the other day. The only differences are the helmet, a shuriken on the belt (see a picture), and obviously the color. Otherwise these are the identical figures, so this review is not going to be very long.

The Figure
The figure is using the Bandai of America styled molding for the overall figure, making it abnormally muscular and causing the figure to have issues trying to stand up straight (SO BUFF HE LEANS!). The only difference from either of this figure's co-releases, Aka Ninger and Ki Ninger, are the colors, a shuriken on the belt, and the helmet. Otherwise these figures are exactly the same and feature the exact same issues, pro's, and con's.

The one thing I didn't point out in the past review that I did make a point to take pictures of in this gallery - I absolutely love the detail on the helmets. They each have the shuriken symbol molded in to the side of the helmet and it adds a nice touch.

The Accessories
Like with Aka Ninger, this figure also comes with the Ninja Ichibantou, the Gamagama Gun, but it has a different form of the Karakuri Hengen - this one is in its bow form! I want to tell you that this makes up for any shortcomings in this line of figures but alas, it is soft plastic, bent coming out of the package, and is awkward to try and hold (see pictures).

Another missed opportunity in the accessory line.

I think my biggest sticking point for the accessories is the fact they chose the color black. Was this to make it easier for people to custom paint it? Not a single accessory in the show is primarily black - you have a blue Gamagama Gun, a red Karakuri Hengen, and the Ninja Ichibantou is a conglomeration of colors made up of red, black, and mostly yellow for the sword. So why choose black? I don't get it.

The Final Verdict
I don't know if I'm being hard on these figures because we are used to expecting more out of Bandai Japan or if because they really are slightly disappointing. Either way, unless you enjoy these 5" figures with 15 points of articulation and soft, bendy unpainted weapons then you can pass on these and not lose any sleep. If you're in to completing toy lines or having good representations, these aren't bad but I'm almost willing to bet the vinyl figures are more closely attuned to what the character looks and feels like in the show.

Either way - these are affordable and I imagine will be readily available to purchase at any point over the next year. If you have an extra $40 to $50 to spare after shipping - go ahead and give them a shot if they look cool to you. Otherwise you shouldn't lose sleep not picking these figures up.