[Talisman]

Talisman's Tactical Appraisals
S.H. Figuarts Gokai Blue Review
Character: Gokai Blue (Joe Gibken)
Series: Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger (Pirate Squadron Gokaiger)
Brand: S.H. Figuarts
Producer: Bandai Japan
Price: Upwards from $50

Background:

When I first found out about Gokaiger a couple years back, it was through watching a few fandubbed episodes shown during the Livestream of an artist I’m rather fond of, who I shall keep unnamed due to the content of his works- But Kaity knows who I’m talking about. Anyway, putting aside the general premise of Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger- which can be boiled down to “Space pirates seek the Ultimate Treasure and in the process team up with EVERY SINGLE POWER RANGER EVER to save the Earth”- what struck me first and foremost was the design of the Ranger’s costumes. Being a military brat with a strong connection to the Navy and growing up in North Carolina (which as some of you may know has a strong connection to piracy during its golden age), I was absolutely enamored. The collector in me DEMANDED that I obtain a toy of these, especially the Blue Ranger of that series. Only recently did I get the chance to, however, and after two years of waiting, am I pleased with the results?

Well, read on.

Packaging:

One of the things I always look forward to about import figures, regardless of line, is the packaging, especially a product of Bandai Japan; this was true when I collected Mobile Suits in Action and it’s good to see that it remain even more so with a collector-oriented line like S.H. Figuarts; It’s all about presentation, presentation, presentation. And wow does this not disappoint.

Joe comes packaged in a standard window box giving you a clear and unimpeded view of the goods. Stamped on the window is the character’s series origin, name, and what I assume is the tagline for the entire Figuarts line, as well as the series logo- in this case the “Jolly Ranger” (Ranger Key and crossed swords- don't know if that's a term yet but I'm making it one!). The color design here is beautiful; a bright, shiny blue with gold trim really makes this piece stand out on a shelf. Speaking of…

Turn to the side and you have a nice illustration of the figure within, along with a map-like background. Perfect for those of us who’d like to display these boxes… and who wouldn’t with something like this?

The back is pretty simple. You have the figure in a number of different poses, a look at the accessory compliment, and a lot of stuff in Japanese that I can’t read. Note the tagline again, “SIMPLE STYLE AND HEROIC ACTION.”

The Figure:

Now that Joe’s out of the box, you can truly appreciate what a masterwork this figure, and line, is.

The base Gokaiger figure is a very slim, stylized body. Due to the nature of the source material, there aren’t many apparent details like folds and such like on a G.I. Joe or Marvel figure, though that’s not to say Joe is without any detail. The zippers on the back of the boots, coat, and seams along the neck and trousers are captured beautifully, along with a nicely detailed pin hidden under the folded-over lapels.

The colors here are absolutely gorgeous- the shade of blue used is the same found worn by many of Joe’s predecessors through the history of the Super Sentai and Power Rangers franchises, neither too bright nor too dark. Complimented by white gloves and “turtleneck”, silver cuffs on the wrists and boots, black trousers and undershirt, and a gold trim along the coat and helmet, and you have one of the most stunning designs in franchise history and an instant classic. If there is one complaint to be had, it is that the shade of gold used for the Figuarts Gokaigers is a bit duller and greener (though that could simply be the blue color reflecting off of the gold) in reality than was probably intended- of course it looks fine in the test shots on the box.

Now of course you’re thinking, “Well that’s great that it looks nice Tali, but are you reviewing a statue or a goddamn figure?”

[IMG]http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i115/Cyent1/Collection/Gokai%20Blue/IMG_20131221_031253_zpsfed261a7.jpg[/IMG

Let’s see if I can list all the joints:

• Double ball-jointed neck
• Shoulders (ball in socket, swivel, and hinge)
• Swivel arms
• Double-jointed elbows
• Triple-jointed wrists (swivel, mid-wrist, socket for hands- more on that later)
• Mid-torso ball joint
• Waist ball joint
• Triple/QUADRUPLE-jointed thighs (swivel hip, swivel thigh, double-ball extending joint at hip/crotch connection)
• Double-jointed knees
• Ball joint ankles
• Mid-foot hinge

Needless to say, Joe here puts even the most robust Real American Hero or even the best of Marvel Universe to shame- And looks great doing it, as the joints are well-integrated into the design of the character, allowing for seamless, beautiful, and dynamic poses to take place, especially when combined with the specialized Figuarts figure stands.

Accessories:

*whistle* And boy does he come loaded. It should be noted that within the Gokaiger show, Joe is the swordsman of the group, and does he ever come prepared for the role. Normally seen dual-wielding Gokai Yellow’s saber as well as his own, he has been known to fight with one hand behind his back… and with more than two swords, though as I recall the three and two combination was only used once or twice throughout the series.

The Saber itself is a work of art- Resembling a cutlass, every detail is captured faithfully, from the logo on the hilt to the intricate panel lines along the blade. In addition, the Gokai Cylinder on the back can be swapped out for a powered up version, which is denoted by the addition of a Ranger Key. This attention to detail extends to all three of his swords- Each even has a corresponding own pair of cylinders.

In addition to the three (Or if you want to get technical, six) Gokai Sabers, Joe is outfitted with a single Gokai Gun- which, in keeping with the pirate theme of the series, resembles a tech’d-up flintlock pistol. Much like the sabers, the Gun has the option of switching out for a Keyed cylinder.

Next we have the Gokaigers’ henshin (translation: transformation, or “morphing”) device, the Transformation Cellphone Mobilate (Mobile + Pirate) and a pair of Ranger Keys- a collapsed version that can plug into the center of the Mobilate which would trigger a Gokai Change, and a full-sized key, which would be retrieved from the Gokaigers’ belt buckles when needed.

Rounding out the compliment are the five sets of hands;

• Closed fists (“default”)
• Open fists
• Open/Trigger finger
• Two types of open palm
• “Action” (For using the Mobilate)

In addition, I was lucky enough to obtain a piece of the First Production bonus parts, Joe’s Gokai Darin- essentially the seat and controls for his personal component of the customary giant robot.

The Darin is split into two parts; the seat, and the control column, which includes a functioning ship's wheel and non-functioning pedals. Little more than decoration on its own, but when set up alongside the rest of the team with their Darins, you get a neat shelf-top recreation of the cockpit of the GokaiOh mecha.


Final Comments:
This is a figure I’d been dying to get my hands on since I discovered Gokaiger back in 2011, and it certainly does not disappoint in the slightest. Stylish, superbly engineered, and with a well-rounded accessory count, Joe has taken a place of honor amongst my collection and at the head of the Shelf of Blue.

Fans of Gokaiger or the upcoming adaptation, Power Rangers Super Megaforce, should make an effort to track down this piece- be warned, though, as it tends to be on the “painful” side of the price scale (50+ USD, though I paid 75 for mine and the included Gokai Darin), and it is by no means a “kid’s toy”. But the reward for your investment is nonetheless worthwhile.

Gokai Blue gets the Talisman Stamp of Approval, hands down. This is an outstanding item, and it’s made me a firm believer in the S.H Figuarts brand. So as always, keep flying, and watch for another Talisman Tactical Appraisal, up first on OG13!