Japan’s Greatest Masked Hero Gets Near-Perfect Update in New U.S. Official Release
- Aaron Fonseca
- 2 hours ago
- 7 min read
Kamen Rider is the greatest superhero you’ve never heard of. Although the masked motorcycle-riding bug-themed hero has existed in Japan for decades, the U.S. has seldom been blessed with his presence. (The less said about Saban’s Americanized Masked Rider, the better.)
Despite the geographical disadvantage, the rich Japanese legacy of Kamen Rider has been enough to develop a loyal following in America through the anime fandom, and for anyone looking for the next step in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. This has not only led to simultaneous access to new Kamen Rider projects, such as the incredibly charming Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider on Crunchyroll, but has also encouraged new, yet niche merchandise drops for international fans.
Without a doubt, the Kamen Rider Black action figure by Hot Toys, now available on Sideshow, is one that's made with love and respect for its fans worldwide.
Who Is That Masked Hero?
Kamen Rider Black is the eighth installment of the Kamen Rider franchise, which now consists of 36 entries in the last 53 years. It ran for 51 episodes from Oct. 4, 1987, to Oct. 9, 1988. Japanese actor Tetsuo Kurata portrayed the series’ titular bug-eyed hero, who has been faithfully reproduced by Hot Toys.
Hot Toys has made quite a name for itself by producing high-quality scale figures of beloved heroes, such as the ongoing lineup of Spider-Man figures from the PlayStation games, as well as the live-action (and animated) actors of Netflix's One Piece. By contrast, Kamen Rider Black is easily the most niche franchise the respected toy manufacturer has produced so far, yet it still features the unbelievable attention to detail that has made the toy brand such a fan favorite.
Even the box is a work of art. The cover art of Kamen Rider Black, striking a killer pose from the waist up, is slick enough to display proudly on anyone's self. However, Hot Toys goes a step further by including a see-through plastic window to display the masked figure with all his accessories. It's a great way to show off your brand-new toy without ever taking it out of its packaging, if that's the type of collector you are.
Furthermore, the packaging is a great way to keep all those tiny accessories in place without scattering them around in drawers or zip-lock bags. These thoughtful features are a reflection of Hot Toys always thinking first and foremost about its toy-collecting audience.
Kamen Rider Black Is Brought to Life, Cheesy Action Galore!
The Kamen Rider Black costume is rich in detail, such as the newly developed suit with a textured pattern and black armor, the magnetic-activated Vital Charger Henshin belt with LED light-up function (red light, USB-powered), and, of course, the signature black boots that just look so cool.
Kamen Rider Black is nothing short of gorgeous, thanks to the amazing attention to detail in the legendary costume, made even more jaw-dropping by its light-up features. On top of that, the additional hand accessories bring to life all the beloved, cheesy special effects that longtime fans of tokusatsu productions have come to expect from Kamen Rider.
Hot Toys gives Kamen Rider fans all the tools they need to bring their masked hero to life through mid-battle combat or heroic gestures. Even as a decoration, the Kamen Rider Black figure charms, while embodying an intimidating stance that would bring any villain to their knees. All this is to say that the scale figure is an absolute unit.
Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents:
Kamen Rider is the greatest superhero you’ve never heard of. Although the masked motorcycle-riding bug-themed hero has existed in Japan for decades, the U.S. has seldom been blessed with his presence. (The less said about Saban’s Americanized Masked Rider, the better.)
Despite the geographical disadvantage, the rich Japanese legacy of Kamen Rider has been enough to develop a loyal following in America through the anime fandom, and for anyone looking for the next step in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. This has not only led to simultaneous access to new Kamen Rider projects, such as the incredibly charming Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider on Crunchyroll, but has also encouraged new, yet niche merchandise drops for international fans.
Without a doubt, the Kamen Rider Black action figure by Hot Toys, now available on Sideshow, is one that's made with love and respect for its fans worldwide.
Who Is That Masked Hero?
Kamen Rider Black is the eighth installment of the Kamen Rider franchise, which now consists of 36 entries in the last 53 years. It ran for 51 episodes from Oct. 4, 1987, to Oct. 9, 1988. Japanese actor Tetsuo Kurata portrayed the series’ titular bug-eyed hero, who has been faithfully reproduced by Hot Toys.
Hot Toys has made quite a name for itself by producing high-quality scale figures of beloved heroes, such as the ongoing lineup of Spider-Man figures from the PlayStation games, as well as the live-action (and animated) actors of Netflix's One Piece. By contrast, Kamen Rider Black is easily the most niche franchise the respected toy manufacturer has produced so far, yet it still features the unbelievable attention to detail that has made the toy brand such a fan favorite.
Even the box is a work of art. The cover art of Kamen Rider Black, striking a killer pose from the waist up, is slick enough to display proudly on anyone's self. However, Hot Toys goes a step further by including a see-through plastic window to display the masked figure with all his accessories. It's a great way to show off your brand-new toy without ever taking it out of its packaging, if that's the type of collector you are.
Furthermore, the packaging is a great way to keep all those tiny accessories in place without scattering them around in drawers or zip-lock bags. These thoughtful features are a reflection of Hot Toys always thinking first and foremost about its toy-collecting audience.
Kamen Rider Black Is Brought to Life, Cheesy Action Galore!
And make no mistake, the Kamen Rider Black figure is loaded with accessories to make your figure feel like the real deal. This includes 12-piece interchangeable hands with a wide variety of actions, such as a blazing punch, a heroic finger gesture, or a simple, relaxed stance. An incredible variety of hands allows one to pose their Kamen Rider Black for any suitable storyline they have cooking in their head.
The Kamen Rider Black costume is rich in detail, such as the newly developed suit with a textured pattern and black armor, the magnetic-activated Vital Charger Henshin belt with LED light-up function (red light, USB-powered), and, of course, the signature black boots that just look so cool.
Kamen Rider Black is nothing short of gorgeous, thanks to the amazing attention to detail in the legendary costume, made even more jaw-dropping by its light-up features. On top of that, the additional hand accessories bring to life all the beloved, cheesy special effects that longtime fans of tokusatsu productions have come to expect from Kamen Rider.
Hot Toys gives Kamen Rider fans all the tools they need to bring their masked hero to life through mid-battle combat or heroic gestures. Even as a decoration, the Kamen Rider Black figure charms, while embodying an intimidating stance that would bring any villain to their knees. All this is to say that the scale figure is an absolute unit.
Truthfully, the Kamen Rider Black figure is almost too good to play with like an ordinary action figure. “Almost,” being the keyword here. The desire to screw in a fist charged with a translucent flame effect, so our masked hero can deliver the final blow to the bad guy of our choosing (“Take that! 6″ Michelago TMNT figure!”)
Even though this phrase has been repeated to death, there’s honestly no better way to describe this scale figure than this: The Kamen Rider Black figure truly makes one feel like the kid again. It delivers the warm childhood that one never got to experience with the formerly inaccessible franchise. Better late than never, as they always say.
Kamen Rider Black Shines in Action, but Has His Limits
As impressive as the Kamen Rider Black figure is, not everything about it is perfect. While the figure is capable of numerous dynamic poses through its incredible articulation, there are still reasonable limitations to its gestures.
Anyone expecting to recreate a complex fight choreography from the show (or from their imagination) might be disappointed by the figure’s desire to be posed in simpler actions. It’s a prestigious action figure made for admiration more than recklessly smashing into another like a Happy Meal toy.
That said, the figure stand provided with the purchase really helps replicate the more advanced poses of Kamen Rider Black, ensuring hell’s stay put on one’s shelf like a wicked nerd trophy. Whether you’re a collector who likes to get their hands on something or simply likes to admire from afar, the Kamen Rider Black scale figure is able to satisfy both audiences without sacrificing one for the other.
However, from my personal experience, the little antennas on Kaman Rider’s helmet would pop off on occasion. To its credit, these were the only accessories that would pop off the figure, and it was easy to stick them back in. More importantly, everything else stayed put as intended. Switching between fists can make one feel a little anxious at first when they require more force for insertion, but the fear will fade with time.
The Kamen Rider Black scale figure by Hot Toys is a near-perfect purchase for diehards or anyone who appreciates a high-quality figure from an excellent niche that might not be so niche after all.
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