S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Ryuki & Dragreder Set Part 8 [Final]

Tamashii Nations versus Max Factory
The return of Dragreder after Part 4 to start off this final posting for this series series. ^^





The display stand and clip set included for this bundled set.
As mentioned in Part 2, since the stand and clips are pretty much the same as those from Soul Stage Act 3 Action Support Clear Type, I don't think it's necessary to open up the pack and assemble another set of stands just for Dragreder. ^^


Stand parts from Soul Stage Act 3 Action Support Clear Type assembled according to the instruction sheet to form the support for Dragreder.



The "official" configuration for the three stands on the special base.


The "official" placement configuration for Dragreder on the stands. ^^


Adjusting the figure for the display can be a bit troublesome, as you'll need to twist the body segments while trying to curve and position the entire dragon on the different stands. ^^;
On the other hand, the ability of the stands to support Dragreder also demonstrates the latter's lightweightness.









Given the flexibility of Dragreder's multi-jointed body, different poses for the dragon can be adjusted very easily. ^^
The only issue out of said flexibility that I can think of would be, do you have enough shelf space to display the dragon? XD


With Kamen Rider Ryuki.




"Final Vent"!
Dragon Rider Kick.







Other poses for the duo. ^^
Comparison with Figma Kamen Rider Thrust and Kamen Rider Axe:




At first glance, the three are of the same scale, but in truth, Kamen Rider Ryuki, and arguably the entire S.H. Figuarts series for "Kamen Rider Ryuki" releases is a tad bigger than the two Figma figures. ^^ Apart from having just larger overall size, the larger limbs on the S.H. Figuart figure can be seen quite easily as well.

Comparison of the two series' articulation design:


[Head]: An easy win for Kamen Rider Ryuki with a separated neck part with two ball-type joints, versus Kamen Rider Axe's singular Figma joint for its neck.


[Body - sideways bend]: Roughly the same articulation range between the two, but the soft plastic part inside Kamen Rider Axe's body doesn't permit its bending pose to stay in place for long.


[Body - forward bend]: Same for the two.


[Shoulder]: Same for the two. Kamen Rider Axe needs to have its shoulders swivelled around for the arm to be adjusted to the position shown above, but that has more to do with the armor design instead of the figure's own articulation limitation.


[Elbow]: Same for the two. Notice the more visible elbow joint on Kamen Rider Ryuki.


[Hips]: An easy win for Kamen Rider Ryuki with its hinge-swivel combo joint. ^^ In comparison, Kamen Rider Axe's ball-type design slightly limits the hip movement, but the soft plastic cover that keeps causing the legs to sag is the more annoying flaw of the hip articulation. ^^;



[Hips]: Solid joints on Kamen Rider Ryuki versus soft plastic material that hides the ball-type joints on Kamen Rider Axe. I prefer the former for the more solid appearance. ^^


[Belt Buckle]: Sculpted and painted details on Kamen Rider Ryuki's belt buckle is much cooler than tampo printed emblem on Kamen Rider Axe's.


[Ankle]: Just about the same for the two, although the bendable front-most section of Kamen Rider Ryuki's foot does give it one extra articulation point. Notice the smooth rear face of the knee joint on Kamen Rider Ryuki, as compared to the large protruding round joint behind the same part on Kamen Rider Axe as well.
More solid is the most significant advantage of S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Ryuki over Figma Kamen Rider Axe in my opinion. As you can see from the images above, some of the figures' articulation design is pretty much the same, and unless you're looking for the most minute details, some of the differences are not so radical that they devalue one figure when compared to the other. For me, the S.H. Figuarts figure is definitely more solid in terms of its overall look, minor details, and articulation capabilities. It just feels better when you're playing with it as well. ^^ There's no overly visible gaps around its joints, and most likely because of that, it's able to hold the action poses adjusted for it more easily than the Figma figure.

And of course, not shown in the images above, but the luxurious content of Kamen Rider Ryuki almost guaranteed that it's more attractive than the two Figmas, even though that's not exactly a valid comparison contributing to design or articulation. ^^;

I still like the two Figma Kamen Rider figures, but in terms of overall design, I do prefer the S.H. Figuarts treatment. Since this is its review, Kamen Rider Ryuki is obviously the one used for comparison, but looking back at Kamen Rider Kiva Emperor Form, I think it has better overall design as compared to Figma Kamen Rider Thrust and Kamen Rider Axe as well, even though they technically not of the same TV series. ^^

Due to their similar sizes, battle scenes between the riders can be realized through the three figures: ^^














Overall, a great S.H. Figuarts set this is. ^^ I bought it with the emphasis on Dragreder, but Kamen Rider Ryuki itself turns out to be a great action figure. Apart from its own awesome articulation capabilities, its ability to utilize many option parts from Dragreder as weapons certainly increases its overall playability. On top of that, Dragreder as a fully posable giant dragon in metallic red is just an amazing figure in its own rights. Having both figures in the same bundled set makes it a really wonderful package. ^^

All reviews on S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Ryuki & Dragreder Set:
Part 1: Stop looking so sleepy!
Part 2: Big and small dragon heads
Part 3: Being awesome without the sword
Part 4: It's dragon time
Part 5: Trying to steal my show? Not today, dragon, not today
Part 6: Defense or offence? Why can't we have both
Part 7: All you can use dragon part party
Part 8 [Final]: Tamashii Nations versus Max Factory

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S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Ryuki & Dragreder Set