Vault Review:
SH Figuarts’ Gokai Blue

Joe’s predominant color is blue, of course.  Most of the body is molded in the proper colors, but there is a terrific gloss effect on his helmet that I really like.  Also, the gold highlighting seems to be painted with more care on Blue.  My Gokai Red had a lot of little imperfections (and a couple of big ones), but it seems the quality control on Blue is much better.

Same body means same articulation.  Joe’s head, neck, torso, hips, and ankles are all ball joints.  His shoulders are swivel/hinges attached to a ball joint.  His elbows and knees are double hinged, and there’s also a hinge on his toe joint.  His wrists are swivel/hinges, and his biceps and thighs have a swivel joint.  He has great posing ability, which is good because Joe has some great poses in the show.

Gokai Blue comes with even more accessories than Red did.  He has a slew of eleven alternate hands.  There’s also the standard Gokai sword and gun, his Mobirates morpher, and two tiny blue Ranger keys.  Joe also comes with a couple of special swords that are melded together so he can reenact his special Five Sword Technique attack.  I’m really glad they chose to personalize some of his weapons; it helps take the sting away from the price.  One thing I don’t like is that even though his two multi swords come with alternate charges with keys molded in, they aren’t made to flip up like the regular sword does.

All first release Gokaiger figures come with their Gokai Darin pieces.  These steering wheels are what the Rangers use to pilot their own vehicles, or combined in the main cockpit to control their giant robot Gokai Oh.  Where Marvelous has a more traditional ship’s wheel, the rest of the crew have more of a driving design and are piloted sitting down.  The wheel and chair are two separate pieces and are just as nicely sculpted and painted as Marvelous’ Darin.  Even though the wheel is smaller it still spins very freely, and you can insert a Ranger Key into the center.  These are definitely great bonus pieces in my opinion.

All around I’m pretty happy with Joe.  I knew what to expect after Gokai Red, but the additional accessories and new Darin were a nice surprise.  Plus, the more crew members I get, the better they look as a whole.

Thanks everyone for stopping by over the year and helping to make this website more of a community.  There are a lot of great toys coming out next year, especially in the more independent Seventh Market, and we hope that you’ll stick with us as we run the gamut of reviews, news, and whatever else catches our eye.  Take care, and see you next year.

-Vault

12 thoughts on “Vault Review:
SH Figuarts’ Gokai Blue

  1. How do I know which release of the figure I’m getting? I’d like to pick one up online, but I want a 1st release with the wheel. The ones at BBTS don’t say either way so now I’m wary about ordering one through them. Can you point me in the right direction so I can be sure to get the steering wheel?

    1. I’m not sure if BBTS is getting the first releases or not. But even if they are, they’re still charging too much for them in my opinion. Ordering from Japan is still probably best, even with the high exchange rate.

      Normally I’d tell you to check out Amiami.com, but they’re sold out of all their Gokaiger Figuarts currently.

      Gokai Green is still available at Hobbylink Japan: http://www.hlj.com/product/BAN970403

      Your best bet will probably be Mandarake.co.jp
      They’re like a Japanese version of a Vintage Stock or comic shop. You can get things for decent prices, especially if you don’t mind the box being damaged. They currently have a bunch of Gokai Blue and Greens with their Darins, but no Reds at the moment. You can tell by the pictures because the Darin is packed in a separate box.
      http://ekizo.mandarake.co.jp/shop/en/search.do?action=setSearchedList&searchedListIndex=0&searchStrategy=keyword&dt=1325358234917

      Hope that helps. Good luck!

      1. I also forgot to add that the two girls of the group are Tamashii Web exclusives, so your best bet is probably to pick them up on Mandarake.

  2. So, someone has produced actual figures of space pirates… And its not a line of toys based on 1984’s Ice Pirates?

    Dammit.

  3. From what little I’ve seen, I really love the spirit of what’s going on with this current sentai show. I think the costume design really ‘pops’ and shows more energy than what’s gone on for some time. I think it’s the collar. That ‘popped’ collar is really pretty different, visually. That and the impression of an open jacket running down the front. Much more visually striking compared to the usual ‘single color with maybe a band or stripe on it’. I put it on a par with Dekaranger or Jetman.

    And of COURSE his name is Joe! How could it not be? Isn’t he the ‘bad boy’ of the team? His whole backstory is one of the most common templates in anime and the sentai shows. I can even guess how it all goes: There’s a battle, maybe a series of battles between Gokai Blue and Barizorg. Then the theme branches, either a.Barizorg somehow regains his humanity and turns on his master, or b.he dies in Gokai Blue’s arms, thanking him for freeing him(which could also be part of story a). There’s also a chance he flips from heel back to face and becomes an additional ranger.

    I think Barizorg is a likely choice for a S.H. Figurarts release, but I’d wager he’ll be a Tamishii Web exclusive.

    I see the figure still available at Hobbylink Japan and Amazon but yeah, a real gamble if you’re going to get the wheel parts. Stupid Bandai and the whole ‘first press special item’ crap.

    Another great review, Vault! Keep it going! I hope you can get the ladies!

  4. Me, I hope they never get to the Gormin. I know you can’t resist army builders and those damned things show up in droves. You won’t be happy with less than 4. Nice pics, though.

    1. I’m tempted by that Gavan figure. He’s just a bit shorter than Gokai Red, so it doesn’t look too horrible. The real problem will be hunting one down.

      Maybe we’ll get lucky and he’ll get a Figuarts.

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