[gashatfreak]

I'm gonna go on a quick rant just to get this off my chest, but I have every reason to believe that the Gaim Figuarts was the pinnacle of the SHF line before things started going downhill (not in quality, mind you, the quality's gone up a bit).

Let's see why:
-Good proportions
-Great articulation
-Decent to amazing range of accessories
-Riders actually come with their own appropriate weapons and accessories (looking at you Build line and beyond)
-Main Rider's upgrade and final forms were regular releases
-Reasonable prices (yeah yeah I know inflation but come on, SHF Saber like around 4000 yen while Blades is around 6000?!?)
-Cheap on the aftermarket (SHF Zangestu Kachidoki's like 4000 yen or something on Mandarake)
-Regular release bike
-Tertiary Riders was not P-Bandai

So why do I say it's the pinnacle of SHFs? It's because they struck a good balance between quality and price. Before Gaim, Figuarts were cheaper yes, but had strange wonky proportions (It started to get better after SHF Wizard Infinity). After Gaim, the quality and paint app definitely became better, but due to inflation the prices rose up, which is understandable to a degree but then Bandai pulled their whole "weapons with P-Bandai bike" shtick. Thankfully they're no longer pulling that off ever since Zero-One but now they're making you buy another figure if you want weapons. Of course, not every release does this but it is still frustrating nonetheless.

Additionally, Gaim's belts were actually detailed. Thank goodness Drive continued hving good belts and Ghost had appropriate details despite the Eyecon being built into the Driver and was thus non-removable, but it all started going downhill from Ex-Aid onwards. I can forgive the half-Gashats for stability issues, but blank Gashats, Ridewatches, Progrise Keys and Wonder Ride Books is where I put my foot down. Bandai, are you kidding me?!? Would it not kill you to put at least some effort into those? I'd gladly pay like 20 or 40 extra yen just to have those details printed on! If Gaim was the pinnacle of SHF, then I'd say Zi-O was a big dip (second only to Ghost), not because of the quality of the figure (although I'll admit there were some issues with necks) but because of all the lack of detailing and weaponry they pulled that year. Woz got out lucky when they included his weapon with him. Still does not excuse the lack of print on his Miridewatches though.

So in essence, I believe that Gaim was the pinnacle of the SHF. It exudes quality, just like the show itself (I suppose I could say something similar to Ghost Figuarts and its show having similar quality) and struck a fair balance between price, accessories and proportions. I suppose one can also consider Drive as a pinnacle of SHF, but let us not forget that little "Tire Koukan" campaign shtick they pulled, shall we?

Bandai, if you're reading this, there are three things I want you to know:
1.) Please give each release fair accessories instead of this "buy another to get this thing" stuff.
2.) Please put detail onto the belts. I'll gladly give you 20 extra yen if you do so.
3.) Please give me SHF Mars and Kamuro.