[Kurona]

After an initial tease with no more information a few months ago, Bandai have finally released information on the next Figure-Rise Standard Rider model kit after Kuuga -- Den-O Sword Form!

And they revealed quite a lot: first and foremost being that it's not just Sword Form; it also comes with Plat Form parts! It appears to be using easily-detachable armour so that you can swap between the two forms with one kit, much like many recent Figuarts Riders like Geiz Revive. They've also shown that there's alternate parts for the Den-Gasher sword so you can have the tip high in the air for the finisher, as well as many other accessories like optional hands and a Rider Pass.

The figure itself is set to release in June at a pricetag of 3850 yen. That's very slightly pricier than the normal Figure-Rise Rider (about ~3300), but still far cheaper than an SHF and for all that's included and a form change gimmick it definitely seems like a pretty good deal. Bearing in mind that so far we're only seeing CG models rather than the exact finished figure; images and links below!

https://twitter.com/HobbySite/status...822008320?s=20
https://bandai-hobby.net/item/3756/

[Kamen Rider Die]

Pretty exciting, even if it's just CG renders. I really hope the red's a molded piece, rather than stickers. Thanks for posting!

I don't know Den-O, like, at all, but are there more parts for more forms they could release individually or as an accessory pack? Or is it a thing where they'd need to do a whole new base suit?

[Kurona]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamen Rider Die

Pretty exciting, even if it's just CG renders. I really hope the red's a molded piece, rather than stickers. Thanks for posting!

I don't know Den-O, like, at all, but are there more parts for more forms they could release individually or as an accessory pack? Or is it a thing where they'd need to do a whole new base suit?

At risk of spoiling one of my favourite seasons slightly for you; all four of Den-O's base forms (and plat form) use the same base body with the only differences being Chest/Shoulder/Back armour; the colours on the legs; and the faceplate. There was even a DX toy at the time of Den-O's airing with the gimmick of changing between all four forms without needing parts changing.
In short: potentially, yeah; they could definitely release the other forms as accessory packs!

There's a single other image I neglected to post because I figured it wasn't too important; but as a build of the head it does confirm that the eyes are a single piece without stickers; so no need to worry on that end!

[Kamen Rider Die]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurona

At risk of spoiling one of my favourite seasons slightly for you; all four of Den-O's base forms (and plat form) use the same base body with the only differences being Chest/Shoulder/Back armour; the colours on the legs; and the faceplate. There was even a DX toy at the time of Den-O's airing with the gimmick of changing between all four forms without needing parts changing.
In short: potentially, yeah; they could definitely release the other forms as accessory packs!

There's a single other image I neglected to post because I figured it wasn't too important; but as a build of the head it does confirm that the eyes are a single piece without stickers; so no need to worry on that end!

Oh, awesome, thanks! I'm totally relieved that the eyes don't have a foil sticker behind them. (At least, I hope they don't!) The Build kit used a foil sticker behind the Rabbit eye, and that goddamn thing never wants to stay stuck to the plastic.

[DreamSword]

With how the latest figure-rise kits seem to be announced soon after Seihou figures get announced, I'm surprised they haven't announced a 1/12 scale TaToBa kit yet.

[Kurona]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamSword

With how the latest figure-rise kits seem to be announced soon after Seihou figures get announced, I'm surprised they haven't announced a 1/12 scale TaToBa kit yet.

That's been weird to be, honestly; because it definitely seems like Bandai wouldn't want the two competing and interfering with each others' sales.

I know it's the case for me, because since Figure-Rise announced they were doing a Den-O I was basically going "Oh thank god I don't need to be prepared to throw a big bunch of money in an extremely short time window on extremely short notice for Den-O", and, yeah; they revealed all this info and I'm still happy with my decision!

[DreamSword]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurona

That's been weird to be, honestly; because it definitely seems like Bandai wouldn't want the two competing and interfering with each others' sales.

It's likely to get sales from the people who really want a figure of the given Rider, but not enough cash for a Seihou; the model-kit fills that niche.

That said, a few of the kits seem outright better than the Seihous from what I've seen. Like, if I were to start collecting W stuff, I'd go for figure-rise solely due to how they support the actual gimmick W has.

[Kiryu]

Even with the slight price bump it's still much, much more affordable than the SS.

Of course you need to put it together, there's that tradeoff but I think this is a wonderful alternative to the SS.

[Kurona]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiryu

Even with the slight price bump it's still much, much more affordable than the SS.

Of course you need to put it together, there's that tradeoff but I think this is a wonderful alternative to the SS.

In my experience having Figure-Rise Zi-O and Ex-aid alongside Seihou OOO (obviously not a 1-1 comparison, but hey; they're all rider action figures), the big difference is really in how much lighter they feel. Hell, they're a lot lighter than any other action figure I've had -- obviously to be expected from model kits, but it's always worth noting and sometimes you just really, really want or even need a certain denseness from your figures. And naturally, SHF just absolutely nails details; accuracy; and all the rest of it and tops it off with that lovely glossy finish.

I'd always recommend someone with the cash to go for the Figuarts because they are just the better ones; but the Figure-Rises I've found are just fantastic value for the asking price, and the closest equivalent to something like the Lightning Collection or Marvel Legends -- solid, more than serviceable figures with most every accessory you'd need for around ~20 quid. Not perfect and not what you'd call high-end, but very much what I'd call a 'basic' collector's figure.

Of course, another big difference beyond money and quality is the availability. With Figuarts, most of them are exclusives which you either have to go through the trouble of proxies to get or have to pay much higher charges for; and the few that are retail almost always run out of stock within 10 minutes if that and you have to hope your internet connection is the best internet connection there's ever been. And if not, well, again; you're gonna be paying a lot more on the aftermarket.

Figure-Rises, on the other hand? Every single one of them including Kabuto and Faiz is freely available at normal retail on HLJ, AmiAmi etc for their normal prices, and almost never go out of stock. That's honestly an even better situation than lines like Marvel Legends where you have to get them within their 6-12 month selling period or buy them for a lot of money on the aftermarket later; with Figure-Rise you can just sort of... wait it out forever.

[Kamen Rider Die]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurona

In my experience having Figure-Rise Zi-O and Ex-aid alongside Seihou OOO (obviously not a 1-1 comparison, but hey; they're all rider action figures), the big difference is really in how much lighter they feel. Hell, they're a lot lighter than any other action figure I've had -- obviously to be expected from model kits, but it's always worth noting and sometimes you just really, really want or even need a certain denseness from your figures. And naturally, SHF just absolutely nails details; accuracy; and all the rest of it and tops it off with that lovely glossy finish.

Also, the scale feels slightly off between kits and figures. I've got the Build Figure-Rise next to the SHF Ex-Aid, and Build's shoulders are maybe a quarter-inch higher than Ex-Aid. I'd love it if the SHF and Figure-Rise pieces could co-exist, but they look a little weird mixed together.