Gosei Headder Series — DX Tensou Gattai Gosei Ultimate (2010)

I acknowledge that not everyone has taken the time necessary to appreciate Goseiger, in general, and the symbolism behind Gosei Ultimate, in specific. As the foundation stone of the Tower of Heaven, Gosei Ultimate is the literal connection between this world and Gosei World, and is the embodiment of the hopes and dreams of both populaces. They're borne upon the Goseigers' backs, not as a burden, but as a rocket-powered augmentation to Gosei Great's innate wings. The Goseigers also ride upon these wishes and sentiments, firing them as an endless rain of arrows upon all who would beset them.

Gosei Ultimate is a single-piece Chou Mecha, symbolizing the fact that the Goseigers have literally become one, the most fitting expression of ultimate power for the most egalitarian, actually Sentai-like Sentai of recent memory.

Comparisons are discussed below the cut.

5 Actually Completely Rational Gattais out of 5

Gosei Headder Series — DX Tensou Gattai Gosei Great (2010)

Gosei Great may use just about the most default combination scheme in existence, but it is the pinnacle of it. It has tiny little perfect touches that make me squee my head off, even now. Gosei Tiger is a straight-up Beast King Go-Lion homage. Gosei Snake sways gracefully when not locked up tight. The natural curves afforded the shark are INSANE. It’s beautiful, and the symmetrical gold accents that suddenly appear when it’s time to gattai? Brilliant. I don’t care that the cockpit is obscured completely on Gosei Phoenix; it’s still one of my favorite mecha ever. You have to catch it in the right mix of light and shadow, but the entirety of it has a sparkly near-purple sheen to it. The placement of Dragon's wings is a bit odd, when I take a moment to think about it, but in execution it works so super well. Besides, they get used in all three positions as the combinations progress.

It represents the simple, brass-tacks philosophy of Super Sentai, and I very seriously lament that very few people seemed to enjoy the only recent Sentai series that was designed from the ground up as a true team effort.

5 Colored Powers Releasing The Light That Will Smash the Darkness out of 5

Self Henkei Ju Mantan Gun (2008)

In terms of construction, aesthetics, and finish this is a beautiful piece. In terms of functionality, it's average. The gas-pump styling results in a cramped handle space, especially for adults. But, the rod mode is passably scaled for a toku melee weapon. Some don't like that none of the Go-Onger role-play items have electronics, but I personally see it as a commitment to the gimmick at play. The Engine's souls power their weapons, and their changers are used to communicate with them via holograms (in the series; collectors have to settle for sounds). It matches the logic of the show.

As with the Highway Buster, the main reason to buy this is the Engine Soul. It's Bus-On's. He's pretty cool.

2½ Bouts of Rage That Will Wait For No One out of 5

Engine Gattai Series 01-03 — DX Engine-Oh (2008)

The main mecha for Go-Onger is a richly primary colored totem pole of awesome composed of three characters: Speedor, Bus-On, and Bear RV. Every one of them has a feature to call their own. The set comes with Speedor’s Engine Soul and his engineering allows the voice clips it produces to change from one mode to another, as he transforms. He also has ridiculously posable arms for a Sentai robo. Bear RV’s bottom half becomes an effective shield that can be stored on Engine-Oh’s back. Bus-On houses the Go-On Sword, which folds up into the shape of an Engine Soul.

This is a chunky, superbly engineered set with no apparent faults, whatsoever.

Info about Bus-On and Bear RV's Souls, and comparisons, can be found after the cut.

5 Oddly Comfortable Transoceanic Swims out of 5

Samurai Clawzord (2011)

This is a fantastic rendition of DaiKai-Oh. Admittedly, you can't remove the disc comprising its faces, but that's really only troublesome if you're into the role-play side of things. The electronics of the original are missing, but I honestly forgot that fact when I started writing this nut. As much as I adore Genta, I think they're a fair trade-off for the rock-solid connection that exists between this and the Samurai Megazord, as compared to the Eastern versions. Unless you want to display him on his own, or pretend that you're piloting him, this is the version to own. 

The combination between this and the Octozord isn't screen-accurate, but that isn't this toy's fault.

4½ Stylish Instances of One-Up-Man-Ship out of 5

Samurai Megazord (2011)

Given that this was the first mecha out of the gate for Samurai, it was predictable that people would get SUPER upset that this iteration precluded the origamis' emblem modes, almost entirely. Kame's is still possible, as every joint necessary to achieve it is also needed for it to be an animal and an arm. As individual pieces, the only one that suffers greatly is the dragon (Ryuu). The ape suffers from not being able to fold up as part of the higher-order combinations, but having a secure connection between the torso of this and the Clawzord is worth having pillars on its back (as opposed to sword holders/blasters) and an ape chilling on the side of the Gigazord (Samurai Ha-Oh) instead of an emblem. The chrome is missing, but chrome is troublesome, so I'm not personally miffed.

If you only want the Primary mecha of Shinkenger or Samurai, get Shinken-Oh. If you want to display their Sixth Combination or Final Combination, this is preferable in terms of engineering and price.

3½ Casting Faux Pas out of 5

Double Engine Soul KanKan Bar (2008)

On the show, this is an awesome weapon built upon a fantastic emotional touchstone. It's under-utilized, but is used well when it does manage to appear. As a toy, it's crap. I hate having to say that, because it's the T-Line and K-Line Show and I adore them. This is how you get the DX versions of their Engine Souls. If you can overcome the psychological and moral mandate to have the souls for every member of the team, you're going to save a lot of money by passing on this. I'm going to hate you, but your wallet will love you. Or, you can hunt down gashapon or candy toy souls. Though, those are not designed to have their batteries changed...without violent disassembly...

It combines with the Mantan Gun, and you can have fun trying to make the other sub-teams say, "GO-ON!" at the same time, if nothing else.

1 Random Display of Fireworks out of 5

Engine Gattai Series 10-12 — DX Engine Gattai Kyoretsu-Oh (2008)

Kyoretsu-Oh is a chubby tubster who can only perform karate chops. To me, this paints him as the portliest of powerhouses, who exists for the sole purpose of wrecking shop. These three ancient Engines do not speak any human languages, but the other characters kindly reiterate what they say. Kishamoth’s included Engine Soul does not bear translations, admittedly. Sosuke’s chou robo doesn’t care how it looks, only how it gets the job done. The full combination of all 12 Engines and 7 Senshi doesn’t care, either. The point is that they’re all together, as one, and no one could ever deny that they are. It’s a surprisingly solidly built clusterfuck for a surprisingly solid team.

Details regarding T-Line and K-Line's Engine Souls are below the cut.

5 Resolutions to Ride and Die Together out of 5

DX Mahou Tetsujin Travelion (2005)

By himself, Travelion is magnificent. Four mostly static train cars attach to an origami-like coal car to birth a towering golem. The problem is he's always by himself. He doesn't combine in any way with the main Magirangers' mecha. You can swap the engine with Magi Phoenix & Fairy or Wolzard, sure, but that doesn't happen in the show. Even Gosei Knight, a distanced Sixth who doesn't have a place in the Goseiger's Final Combination, still has a Sixth Combination with his team!

My issues with the show aside, the toy is a great stand-alone piece. At the very least it manages to create a bulky, powerful robo, unlike the ToQgers' pancake-like excuses for mecha, and isn't hampered by encroaching, completely out-of-place colors like Byunmaru.

2½ Cheeda Nick Appreciation Day Decorations out of 5
Rest In Peace, Fujiwara Keiji-san.

DX Highway Buster Set (2008)

Sometimes the only saving grace of a role-play toy is that it'll amuse your dog for a few minutes. I think this would have held my attention at least a while longer if the firing mechanism was less finicky. It may be for safety reasons, but that doesn't change the fact that it's awkward to hold down the trigger and release tab on the Garage Launcher simultaneously, when the toy is on the ground, as intended. Yes, hold down the trigger. There's a delay. It's a mess. The Road Saber is stumpy, but fine for display, if you're going to bite the (Racing) Bullet to get this for the included DX Bear RV Engine Soul.

Comparisons can be found below the cut.

1 Finale-Worthy Outcry In The First Episode out of 5

Gosei Headder Series — DX Tensou Gattai Gosei Ground (2010)

I'm not the biggest fan of Sixth mecha comprised of multiple pieces, and Gosei Knight's does nothing to change that. I appreciate that he can use the techniques of all three tribes, and I'm ecstatic over how they utilize him as a stand-in for Gosei Green when things need to be balanced, but Sealeon and Skion are floating and flying legs. It's a supremely utilitarian mecha, which fits Gosei Knight's character, and appropriately has no gimmicks whatsoever. Ground Gosei Great is a strong, large combination that only suffers from requiring at least one of the leader Headders from the Brothers sets to be complete.

A good toy that you'll enjoy, if you're sure you want it. In the end, I was happier sticking my gashapon Groundion Headder on Gosei Great's chest and calling it a day.

A note about comparisons can be found below the cut.

4 Bill Goldberg Devices out of 5

Engine Gattai Series 06 — Engine Carrigator (2008)

Carrigator affects samurai speech patterns on his included Engine Soul and consequently wins my affections with little effort. As a body for Hant (Birca) and Gunpei (Gunpherd)’s robo, GunBir-Oh, he affords extra arm articulation via his unhindered, universal shoulder stems, even if his feet are a little strange looking. He can manage their finisher and request the largest of hugs. As the official mecha of Halloween, you’d better give them one. In all of the multi-robo combinations, Carrigator is relegated to being shoes, but he’s a day-glo pair of super large-tongued high-tops and that, my friend, wins him every style point imaginable. He looks even bigger in that role, in toy form. Doesn’t bother me!

Comparisons between the various versions are below the cut.

4½ Giant Stars in a Chilly Autumnal Sky out of 5

Engine Gattai Series 05 — Engine Gunpherd (2008)

Gunpherd is a mostly fixed piece, but he does everything he needs to, so it’s very difficult to penalize him. Because of the ratcheted plug connection system, he can be rotated forward for a level firing position, if you don’t feel like making him imitate Ryuutaros. It definitely feels like there’s fewer unique voice clips on his included Engine Soul than any of the others’, but he is the quiet, stoic type so that sort of fits perfectly.

Comparisons between the various versions are below the cut.

4 Targets That Will Never Be Missed out of 5

Engine Gattai Series 04 — Engine Birca (2008)

Birca may be way too tightly ratcheted to execute a compelling Bircutter, but I’d rather he be solid than floppy in the absence of a disengage-able locking mechanism. When combined with Engine-Oh, Carrigator, or Jum-bowhale, he can turn around when rotated forward to achieve his speaking/G6/G9 Grand Prix position. Like Toriptor, it’s basically impossible to spin him from any other orientation than this one. It’s admittedly awkward, but having the screen-necessary static positions on lock is more than enough for me and most collectors. His Engine Soul is included and he’s undeniably the most adorable Engine in the line, on that front.

Comparisons between the various versions are below the cut.

4 Randomly Italian Words out of 5

Samurai Gattai Series EX: Kyouryuu Origami (2009)

Kyouryuu Origami is Shinkenger’s summer movie ‘exclusive’ mecha, but it appeared in the show repeatedly, and in subsequent movies. As a sword, Kyouryuumaru exists as Sentai’s version of Mjölnir. Only those who are just and worthy have been allowed to wield it, individually. Its individual use is the focus of the Japanese release, as this is a remold of the Shinkenmaru and functions much better as a role-play weapon than as one meant to be held by Shinken-Oh. It can hold a flip-out handle while this sits there. They tried, and it really is huge when wielded by the suit-actor. It’s great, especially if you have a lot of hiden discs and don’t want a Shinkenmaru.

Comparisons of the various versions can be found below the cut.

4 Brutal Circumcisions out of 5

SharkZord (2012)

Normally, I’m upset about name changes enacted by Bandai of America that completely change what a mecha is supposed to be, or represent, but I thought Kyouryuu Origami WAS a shark until I learned the actual translation of the word. Basically, I don’t begrudge them adding removable fins, that double as weapons for the 4'' figures, AT ALL. I honestly think this version is cool as shit, and I’ll gladly overlook the included, aesthetically unappealing, hyper super whatever mega mode figure. They even chose to represent the scale mostly neglected by the Japanese release, making it capable of actually being held by the Samurai Megazord.

Comparisons of the various releases can be found below the cut.

4 Powers Hidden Before Your Eyes out of 5

Gosei Headder Series — Seaick Brothers Set (2010)

Personally, I feel this set has two absolute winners, and one middle-of-the-road Headder that's just sort of there. The mouths open on both Hammershark and Sawshark, but the former's gimmick is severely underwhelming; the sides of the hammer are spring-loaded and move out all of a few millimeters. Whoo~ Sawshark is staggeringly large and utilizes gears as its blades. It's one of the best Headders in the series, imo. Manta Headder's wings can fold up and be released via a button, which is admittedly bleh, but I can't be upset when it gives Seaick Gosei Great a pirate hat and eyepatch.

Best pirate robo in Sentai? Yes. Yes it is 

3 Isn't Enough To Share With Everyone out of 5

DX Wild Slasher(s) (2004)

Ooooh boy. Yeah. These look nice and combine with the Chalice Arrow, but you’ve gotta be a HARDCORE fan of Hajime to want these. They slash and have the rouze sound for his (included) Wild card, since it isn’t in his rouzer, but my slashing sounds were borked out of the box. I’ve never heard that happen for anyone else, but I’m just relaying that tidbit, in case. They take a completely obscure and gigantic button-cell battery, too. LR44s weren’t good enough?

Avoid.

Comparisons of the various versions can be found below the cut.

1 Card is No Justification out of 5

The Game to Movie Collection: Part Two

Adapting a video game to animation should be an easier process than adapting one to live action. The transition is smoothed by not having to realise the game's visual style in real world terms; it can be recreated exactly. But, like before, the fact that games are plotted so very differently to other mediums proves to be a hurdle. I've a lot of sympathy for writers that at least try their best. There are even a significant number of success stories, some of which you'll find linked below. Like Part One it's a lengthy list that'll increase in the future. Click the coloured text below to see the full collection:

Build and Morph LionZord (2012)

The build and morph line may require you to assemble the toys comprising it, but they need no painting, no sprue-pruning, and no glue. Even someone as clumsy as me can manage. A Mega Mode figure of Samurai Red is included, but it tends to twist apart while posing, whereas the mecha itself does not. That’s of no concern, to me, as I own(ed) this for the sole purpose of having an origami for Kaoru that can could actually execute the Gokaku Daikaen. In that capacity, this is utter perfection. The underside is hollow but it can assume every stand-alone mode of which Shishi Origami is capable, in addition to performing that previously elusive attack. Win. Win. Win.

2018 Update: I was bagging this up to be donated, today, and I have to say that 2015 Neg was blackout drunk on the Kaoru Kool-Aid when he reviewed this. It's one of the most rickety things I've ever laid hands on and it's a shame that that didn't actively occur to me until I was ready to part with it. Atrociously thin plastic across the board with a head and mouth attached via microscopic pegs aching to turn white from stress and break off.

No.

No. No. No. No.

5 Domestic Solutions to International Problems out of 5
1 More Reason I Have Zero Business Reviewing Things out of 5

Power Rangers Super Samurai Mystery Ranger Figure (2012)

WHO COULD IT BE!!?!??! It's Kaoru/Lauren. Duh. From what I remember, this didn't end up getting released in the US. That's a load of horseshit. If you can stomach the way Bandai of America makes their figures (I.e., 'roiding up the guys and hourglass-ing the girls), this is worth getting if you also aren't down with paying for the Figuart, which thankfully does exist! It can do Kaoru's roll-call pose, so you're golden if you want it for a complete set, or on her own.

3 Skirts More Often, Please out of 5

DX Datas Hyper (2010)

Much like Go-Roader and DaiGoyou before him, Datas is extremely close to plastic nirvana. He has a bevy of sounds both as his normal self, and in his mecha incarnation, that appropriately change depending on whether or not the included Hyper Change Headder is attached. He comes with the Summon card for said Headder and the Combine card for Hyper Gosei Great. Their backs feature his normal, angry, and scared eyes, as well as a screen for when he's a Dice-O machine. I believe more eyes were printed on promotional cards, but the included ones are more than enough, imo. He can combine with the Mystic Brothers and while odd, I do quite like the end result, functionality-wise. Hyper Gosei Great, conversely, is a mess I simply tolerate in its thankfully rare appearances. I did recently figure out what they may have been going for, though, thanks to Gran Prix 39!

There's a lengthy note about Ground Hyper Gosei Great below the cut.

There is no Megaforce version, as Saban chose to use the bikes sold with their renditions of the Brothers sets in lieu of Datas himself. A miserable decision. Datas deserved another day in the sun over whatever that....thing they called Tensou was.

4 out of 5, desu~

Soukou Sharin Go-Roader GT (2008)

Go-Roader GT is a rather versatile thing. Its most basic function is as a tire-shaped bowling ball for G9 and G12. This is aided in the toy by the Toukon (fighting spirit) soul, which elicits race countdown noises. In the show, it's imbued with the connections that unite the team itself, turning Go-Roader into a scrappy fighter who often thinks itself a Kamen Rider, based on its propensity for flying kicks. The Engines can also insert themselves to utilize it as a humanoid body. The articulation present is stellar, allowing you to clearly demonstrate via posing who exactly is inside, be it Speedor, Bear RV, or anyone else your imagination dictates.

Bandai’s quite good at mascot/buddy mecha.

Comparisons between the various versions are below the cut.

4½ Roll-y Wheels Rolling On out of 5

Hiden Chochin DaiGoyou (2009)

DaiGoyou is one of those pieces that are just about as perfect as plastic representations of things can get. I suppose if someone was dying to use him for a Genta or Kotoha cosplay, they could complain that he isn’t 1:1 scale, but very VERY few role-play toys ever are. He’s scaled to combine with the mecha (Shinken DaiGoyou is super underrated) and really very robust in adult hands. Again, I personally have no complaints, whatsoever. The voice work is spot-on and as endearing as it is in the show itself. He can hold eight hiden discs and even sings the jingle from the commercials, if you pester him enough.

DaiGoyou is love.

Comparisons of the various releases can be found below the cut.

5 Truths from the Mouth of Mouné out of 5

The Babylon 5 Collection

It had more than its fair share of production problems over the five years it ran for, and there's some real tripe in Seasons One and Five, but if you stick with it for long enough then you'll feel the love that series creator and producer J. Michael Straczynski put into the Babylon 5 TV Series. When something that priceless is present, even failings can be accepted.
Unlike most long-running shows, the creator(s) didn't set the train in motion and then disappear, leaving it in 'capable hands'. JMS stayed for the duration, writing 92 of the 110 episodes that make up one amazing journey.

TV Series on Nut Box:
01. S1: Signs and Portents (1994)
02. S2: The Coming of Shadows (1995)
03. S3: Point of No Return (1996)
04. S4: No Surrender, No Retreat (1997)
05. S5: The Wheel of Fire (1998)
06. Crusade (1999)

TV Movies on In a Nutshell:
01. The Gathering (1993)
02. In the Beginning (1998)
03. Thirdspace (1998)
04. The River of Souls (1998)
05. A Call to Arms (1999)
06. The Legend of the Rangers: To Live and Die in Starlight (2002)
07. The Lost Tales (2007)

Books on Nut Ink:
01. To Dream in the City of Sorrows (1997)

The Buster Gear Series Collection

Rest in Peace, Mizuki Ichiro-san.

The Busters’ role-play gear assortment does contain a few stinkers, but their impact is easily outweighed by its heaping helping of all-time highs. If you’re willing to cherry-pick with your purchases, I believe you’ll be very happy. I recommend the Li-Oh Blaster, even if you don’t normally enjoy role-play toys and simply want a voice box to allow Li-Oh to properly fit in with your Super Sound Buddyroids.

01: Morphin’ Brace
02: Ichigan Buster
03: Sougan Blade
04: Transpod
05: Morphin’ Blaster
06: Driblade
07: Transpod (Beet & Stag ver.)

08: DX Li-Oh Blaster

09: GB Custom Visor

Comparisons to the Hasbro versions will not be found in any of those reviews.

DX FS-0O: Frog Submarine (Enetan)

Rounding out Buddyroid week, we have Enetan's personal mecha, which counts as the Go-Busters' summer movie exclusive. It's a remold of RH-03, but that's fitting, as Enetan appears to have been the result of Yoko's mother's chiding of Jin. He designed a fiercely independent automaton that calls out her own attacks and eviscerates Red Buster whenever he tries to tell her what to do. She's a complete tag-in for Yoko and Usada, resulting in Go-Buster Kero-Oh, a subdued but notably pleasant palette-swap of the team's main robo. Her missile launchers and turbines switch its default defensive posture into one of all-out offense, and ironically afford it a degree of flight.

My conception of the Go-Busters is not complete without Enetan, and neither is your Buster Machine collection.

5 Chances to Make Others Repair Your Collateral Damage out of 5

Buster Gear Series 09: GB Custom Visor (2012)

Rest in Peace, Mizuki Ichiro-san.

Rest In Peace, Fujiwara Keiji-san.

Many disparage this toy for being clunky, and hail it as the king of afterthoughts. Yes, it does require the included cradle adaptor contraption to function, but outside of that it’s exactly as advertised on the tin, AND in-show. I’d rather this than saddle the Morphin’ Brace with an unsightly, massive connection peg. Honestly, the visor itself looks great simply displayed next to the brace, or the candy toy Powered Custom vinyls, if you want the adaptor to forever live inside the box. The longer forearm strap will allow larger-wristed fans to wear the brace, to boot. There’s even a little Li-Oh inside as an added cherry on top.

There’s a little Li-Oh in us all~

A note about comparisons is below the cut.

3½ Ways to Wear Your Friends as Armor out of 5

Gosei Headder Series — Landick Brothers Set (2010)

I love the Landick siblings, and there's nothing overly wrong with their auxiliary Headders, their associated abilities, or Landick Gosei Great. Hey, it was doing Rider drill kicks years before Fourze, after all. Its head is a bit odd, but not offensive. I'd complain about the Tyranno Headder being uninspired, but it played into a combination attack utilized by Mouné and Eri, and you know how I feel about such things.

I don't really think the Brothers sets should be bothered with unless you want to get them all and make your own combinations. They've tended to remain cheap, though, so if you're inclined, I say go for it, even if you don't want Datas.

A note about comparisons can be found below the cut.

2 Deadly Roller-Skates out of 5

The Game to Movie Collection: Part One

Forever on the lookout for an existing market to exploit (because originality is hard), and despite multiple past failures, the Hollywood predators often stray into the gaming world. I’d give them credit for repeatedly trying if it was for noble reasons, but mostly it isn't. They hope that an IP with an established fan base can be turned into a profitable venture with minimal effort.

It's a lengthy list (sorted alphabetically) that will no doubt increase in the future, so I've put it after the cut. Click it to see the full collection:

Buster Gear Series 08: DX Li-Oh Blaster (2012)

Rest in Peace, Mizuki Ichiro-san.

This is very possibly the greatest role-play toy ever made. It’s a giant Engine Soul for Tategami Li-Oh, first and foremost. There’s tons of phrases across its three modes. The Attaché mode is used for scanning, and announcing when the Busters’ weak points have been triggered. The control panel mode recreates the dashboard of Li-Oh, and allows switching between his various mech-modes and combinations, in addition to individually asking if each of the Busters are ready. The Li-Oh Blaster is a good size, and can be joined with the Sougan Blade for an ultimate hissatsu.

If you wished Li-Oh spoke more than he did in the show, you NEED this. You need it, period.

A note about comparisons is below the cut.

5 Stupendously Large Lovable Lions out of 5

Buddyzord LT-06: Lion Trike — DX Tategami Li-Oh (2012)

  Rest in Peace, Mizuki Ichiro-san.

Rest In Peace, Fujiwara Keiji-san.

You know, Deka Robo was able to ride Deka Bike Robo, but it required a bit of a cheat. No disrespect to them AT ALL, but Go-Buster Ace can ride Li-Oh in his trike and lion modes, outright. LEGIT. That's what Li-Oh is: He's legit as all hell. The result of Hazuki Hakase's research, Li-Oh is a sentient Buddyzord that acts as Hiromu's upgraded mecha, Ace's partner and personal ride, and the missing piece of the sub-team comprised of Ryuuji, Yoko, Usada, and Gorisaki. He may look a little funny (read: paradoxically skinny) realized in plastic, but it's worth it as he does everything he needs to. Because of his scale, this is THE figure representation you'll want to stand behind your Go-Busters vinyls (1, 2). Unless of course you want to improvise a Li-Oh Attaché. I recommend a Mk. V suitcase from an Iron Man figure, personally.

He's the best. He's just the best and I love him.

5 Lions No One Will Ever Be Big Enough to Hug out of 5

Super Sound Buddyroids (2012)

Rest In Peace, Fujiwara Keiji-san.

These are the Buddyroids you're looking for. Shut up. I had to, mainly because it's the truth. Think of these as figure-shaped Engine Souls, because that's what they are. They each contain a decent number of phrases, and no, I'm not going to count, or look it up. It's a lot for the price, and the paint is metallic, Figuarts quality on all of them except Gorisaki. He's a flat blue, but that's the only flaw here. Yes, they got J's voice right exactly where it counted. Thank G-Whiz. These look perfect next to the vinyls of the Senshi. If you absolutely cannot abide paradoxes in your displays...get over it. Everyone needs J as himself and as Stag Buster.

Sadly, an Enetan wasn't made.

Cheeda Nick: 5 Anxious Announcements out of 5

Gorisaki Banana: 4½ Apprehensive Apologies out of 5

Usada Lettuce: 5 Acerbic Admonishments out of 5

Beet J Stag: 5 Apropos Self-Aggrandizements out of 5

BladeBuilders Return of the Jedi Luke Skywalker Lightsaber Heather Mason Beam Saber (2017?)

At this point in my life, I don't give two shits about Star Wars, or Mark Hamill. Heather Mason, on the other hand, I fucking adore. This is a pretty standard telescoping affair, but it does have a rudimentary motion sensor to modulate the sounds. It has power-up and power-down sounds, in addition to the requisite hum, swooshes and clashes. For the price, it works perfectly for my purposes, as I'm in the process of collecting a weapon for each of the Silent Hill protagonists. There's even a bit of orange on the hilt. Good enough.

For a description of the BladeBuilders gimmick, please see my review of the basic version of this saber, here.

3½ Weird Doorknobs out of 5

Buster Gear Series 06: Driblade (2012)

Like the Morphin’ Blaster, the sole flaw with this toy is that that voice is NOT Beet J. Stag. Regardless, this is a marvel at its price point, and no one seems to care! There’s a motion sensor in there that’s used for the games and the finishers. You can pilot BC-04 or SJ-05 in two full, lengthy games by following the directions provided, which are easy to figure out even if you don’t speak Japanese. Or, you can pimp around in either, in a free-play mode. When it’s time to take the fight to the personal level, there’s a generic sword hissatsu and a specific one for both Beet and Stag Buster.

This thing fucking rocks!!!

A note about comparisons is below the cut.

4½ Excuses to Drink Enetron and Drive

Henshin Keitai Sushi Changer (2009)

Genta's changer is fantastic. I'm sure that's not Soma Keisuke I'm hearing, but I choose to believe it is. Deal. It's stylized after a piece of sushi being pressed onto a bed of rice, and that rice has a magnificent pearlescent blue sheen to it that can only be seen in-person. The included Sushi Disc folds up like Ika Origami's, to boot. For show appropriate reasons, it can call forth all of the (non-Forbidden) Origami individually, as well as those comprising DaiTenkuu and Ika DaiKai-Oh, in their respective groupings. Kuma is mapped to 3 instead of Kame, but that's because the Origamis' numbering matches the original Shinkengers' hierarchy (as also noted on the box for Shinken-Oh), to drive home the fact that things are different (for the better) in the current age. I.e, it's not an error, or a problem.

It's better than the Shodophone. I said it.

A word about comparisons can be found below the cut.

4½ Extravagant Presentations to the Emperor out 5

Henshin Keitai Shodophone (2009)

The obvious appeal of this is the fact that it folds on its vertical axis, into a calligraphy brush, after opening normally as a phone. It's a neat engineering feat that I won't deny, but there simply isn't much to it beyond that, in my eyes. It comes with a set of instructions for pantomiming the five main kanji the team uses to henshin, which is a great touch, especially for Western fans like myself. Though, it isn't THAT hard to imitate the strokes done by the cast on-screen. The center column of buttons (PWR, 2, 5, 8, and 0) elicit the cries of the five main origami, and are in order of the original Shinkengers' hierarchy, not the current-day team. That's not an error; the main point of Shinkenger is how traditions change, evolve, and must be broken.

A note about comparisons can be found below the cut.

3 Flicks of the Wrist out of 5

Samurai Gattai Series 04 — Ika Origami (2009)

It wasn’t enough that Ika had to be a quality stand-alone piece, she had to be cute to spite us. Even if you can’t fold her legs down as cleanly as you’d like to, in order to emulate her propulsive movement in the show, she makes up for it by being the perfect spin-able desk toy. It’d be easy to complain about those legs simply attaching to the back of Shinken-Oh, if they didn’t have a very specific reason for doing so. Her busou with DaiKai-Oh is slightly disappointing in comparison, but it does put all of Genta’s stuff in one place, and that always tickles a pleasure center for me. The BEST candidate for solo purchasing.

Comparisons of the various versions can be found below the cut.

4½ Sniped Treasures out of 5

Samurai Gattai Series 03 — Tora Origami (2009)

Tora Origami is one of the better auxiliary mecha in the Shinkenger line. It’s appropriately chromed out and provides Shinken-Oh with a beautiful bouquet of drills. Admittedly, the robo can’t hunch over to make this look dynamic, but as a static display, it works a lot better than the ones that Kajiki and Kabuto afford. I always did like the way Tora unicycled on its disc, claw drills outstretched, too. It completes DaiTenkuu (and consequently Tenkuu Shinken-Oh) and while it’s pretty hard to swoosh the latter combination around a room, it is a solid, beautiful affair that makes owning the main trio of auxiliary mecha worthwhile. Kaoru and Takeru collectors, you may feel free to purchase this alone, with no regrets.

Comparisons of the various versions can be found below the cut.

4 Holes Waiting to Happen out of 5

Buster Gear Series 05: Morphin' Blaster (2012)

This…this one pains me a bit, but not much. The voice in here simply isn’t Beet J. Stag. Maybe it was an early take on him they (wisely) decided to change, but really it sounds like Cheeda Nick trying to make a prank phone call. Everything else is…golden. The change from phone to gun for henshining is scintillatingly kinetic. The vibration sensor for “voice” commands never failed to work perfectly for me. The methodology for achieving the henshin or the hissatsu is slightly changed up and the Stag Buster colored accents on the barrel….shit yeah~

Jin and J deserve no less.

A note about comparisons is below the cut.

BC-04 out of 5

Gosei Headder Series — Mystic Brothers Set (2010)

The emotional touchstone of the Mystic Brothers is one of my favorites in tokusatsu...and yet it still cannot outweigh the fact that they are just FUCKING WEIRD. It's a giant green ostrich that kicks its unborn sibling around! They weigh down Gosei Phoenix (and Gosei Great, as a whole) when combined and frankly I'm convinced that this set exists as nothing more than an upgrade for Datas Hyper. They allow him to fly and give him even bigger boxing gloves. I suppose they've never marketed an upgrade for a mascot character and figured they had to make it work with the main mecha of the series somehow.

Only buy this if you're going in wholesale on Goseiger. Saban forewent them completely so don't bother looking for a Megaforce version.

 

It's worth addressing how things initially went down, in the show. While Alata does indeed remind Eri of what she taught him, when they were children, the episode is BY FAR AND AWAY written as an Eri episode, making it very strange that the Summon card for these two came out of Alata's belt. While you can obviously see that as a problem rooted in gender, as is common in Sentai, especially regarding mecha, I see it much more as the most direct result of Toei splitting a single character into two separate people. I discuss it, in full, here. Eri unlocks an incredible amount of the mecha, and that obviously includes the Mystic Brothers. If they hadn't finagled the Alata reminding her bit into the script, he wouldn't have unlocked ANY of the permanently present mecha, only the one-time use Exotic Brothers.

It's jarring, it's screwy, it smacks of sexism, but to me it seems to be a result of them insisting on dividing the role of Gosei Red between him and Eri. Still sucks, but at least it's due to them putting so much time and effort into Eri. I'm not rationalizing this shit, anymore; I'm being specific about why it's a problem, not excusing it.

1½ Cries Toward Your Dilemma Out of 5

S.H. Figuarts Cyclone Joker Gold Xtreme (2011)

In terms of emotional significance, Cyclone Joker Gold Xtreme trumps every other post-Final Form that the Neo-Heisei Rider films have produced. It’s 100% justified, 0% gimmick. The toy representation, however, is thoroughly flawed. The figure itself is a fine representation, but the wings—the things that ultimately define it—are a mess in every way. They can scratch easily, the joints connecting them can get out of line super easily, and the connection between them and W’s back is crap. A tri-colored stand is included, sure, but you don’t get a Prism Bicker or Prism Sword. I.e., this won’t necessarily save you from having to buy the regular release of CJX.

Avoid. Avoid like the plague.

1 Canonical Appearance out of 5

Buster Gear Series 04 & 07: Transpod & Transpod (Beet & Stag ver.; 2012)

These differ in paint, chrome color, and extra sounds. The transport sound is present and so are three voice-modulators. They actually used the Transpods in that capacity, once. It’s true! Outside of that, these have additional sounds that a person on the street would think are random. In truth, to those who have seen the show, the sounds in Beet and Stag Busters’ are obscenely relevant in both simple and deep, characterful ways. Although, that version should have included a clip to allow one to wear it on their pants, like Jin does.

NO. ONE. should ever buy either of these. Knowing about the thought put into the sounds is enough.

There’s a note about comparisons below the cut.

0 Versions Of This Should Have Been Released out of 5

Bull Megazord (2012)

Because of what I wanted this toy to do, it’s actually better than the Japanese original. Its legs are spread into an A-stance and it’s stylized specifically with the robo in mind. This does make the ox cart suffer greatly, but it honestly is the mode least likely to be displayed by anyone outside of a more hardcore MakoxTakeru shipper than even I. The Gigazord looks a little weird with separated foot rests, as opposed to a solid base beneath the throne, but not enough to make it significantly different in terms of quality of execution compared to Samurai Ha-Oh. Takeru and Jayden need a mecha to call their own. This is unquestionably it.

Differences between the various versions can be found below the cut.

4½ Thunderous Moos of Approval out of 5

DX Samurai Kyojin Mougyuu Dai-Oh (2009)

The appropriateness of Ushi Origami is completely dependent on what role you want him to play on your shelf. If you want Samurai Ha-Oh to regale your visitors with its breadbox-sized parade float glory, get him. If you want a mecha specifically for Takeru (that he doesn’t have to share with Kaoru), get the Bullzord. Mougyuu Dai-Oh is a static brick. He pulls off the ox cart and throne flawlessly. He’s a horrible representation of the robo, however. Know that Samurai Ha-Oh is the king of clusterfuck monstrosities. It’s achingly beautiful in its ambitiousness, but it is ultimately a fixed rectangle of multicolored plastic that does nothing beyond impress and break whatever you sit it upon.

Comparisons of the various versions can be found below the cut.

2½ Gangsta Bovines out of 5
How perfect is this?

Buster Gear Series 03: Sougan Blade (2012)

Rest In Peace, Fujiwara Keiji-san.

Given how hard I was on the Ichigan Buster, you might imagine I dislike this even more. Not so! I adore the Sougan Blade. It combines with that firearm (and the Li-Oh Blaster) and has voice clips from the regular Buddyroids, sure, but what’s so special about it? It’s difficult to justify, but here’s two things: There’s something utilitarian and combat-knife-esque about it. It’s a very different sort of weapon compared to Sentai’s usual swords. In my twisted mind, it also strangely fits in a Go-Busters mecha display as something to represent Pink Buster. It’s not a mecha, but it’s comparable in size to the smaller ones and it’s the one piece of Buster Gear she used.

There’s a note about comparisons below the cut.

5 “Because I Said So”s out of 5