[ShiShiLeo]

Yeah SHF are really intended for the older collectors. They aren't really figures that should be handled by the target demographic of Kamen Rider. The DX narikiri toys on the other hand, more or less keep pace with the show and character reveals.

This also partly explains why there are so many P-Bandai or exclusive SHF, it's just too difficult to determine how something will sell. Valkyrie probably caught Bandai off guard with her popularity/demand, but it was always safer for them to make it an exclusive and sell out rather than over-print and overstock.

And like others have mentioned, the SODO and RKF lines easily meet the demand for figures. There's an entire division at Bandai dedicated to "lifestyle" goods which are things like character toothbrushes and bath bombs. Kamen Rider is among the highest grossing media franchises in the world and it definitely isn't only from SHF. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...dia_franchises

I hate how difficult it can be to find certain SHF, but presales are a safe way to gauge interest while minimizing production risks in all but the most safe releases (ie: main riders). The real problem with the model is scalpers and re-sellers, but that is a larger issue with commercial goods as a whole.