Post by mechamasterj on Mar 9, 2010 0:31:21 GMT -5
Turns out that KR Kabuto is the 16th Kamen rider and also the first show to be aired in HD since as it repressed the 35th anniversary of Kamen Rider. In any case Kabuto resembles a Japanese Rhinoceros beetle (if you haven't figured that much out yet lol) Any who more can be read here.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamen_Rider_Kabuto_%28character%29
Kabuto has three forms, Masked, Rider, and Hyper. Here we get the last two (Masked form will be available with the next SIC installment). Let's start with Rider Form.
As always, SIC is brimming with detail on all levels.
Armaments
Kabuto comes with a few weapons and even one for the KR Decade Tie in. So we have the following; Kabuto Kunai gun (in all three forms separately), Rider Belt, zecter Mizer, and Perfect Zector.
Die cast components here are the armor plating on the thighs and legs (this goes for both modes) I don't believe there is any more diecast though.
Weapons are well detailed, however Kabuto is apparently only able to hold weapons in his right hand as it's the only one capable of doing so on the figure. So no dual wielding for this Kat. Also, the had used for holding the dagger and axe is a pain in the @$$ to fit in. You really have to force it open and even then it's annoying. Once you get it in you won't want to move it trust me. I guess he at least holds the knife very well. The same can't be said for the gun, his grip is a bit loose and it easily flops over at the slightest touch. Of course you can still pull off some nifty poses with the weapons.
Finally we have the Decade weapon, I forget the name of it but it's a gun and sword, I really don't like the look of it at all, and not sure if Kabuto had any other weapons but I would of preferred anything over it. Still.........
He also comes with the Decade belt too, but it's not needed at all.
Articulation
While sic wasn't really known for its excellence in articulation, the recent releases are pretty agile, of course they suffer from similar restriction like in the hip area but greatly improved overall. Rider form excels exceptionally in this area since he doesn't have a lot of armor to restrict his movements.
Gimmicks
Kabuto has only three, two which are pretty intense. The first, Cast off mode. In the show he can flip his horn and his armor goes flying off hitting enemies.
I guess if you're a fan it's a cool feature, but I does nothing for me, though i do like the face without the huge horn in the middle.
Next we have the one pretty part swapping extravaganza!! The change into Hyper Form. Transformation involves removing a lot of Rider forms parts, I feel that he may be the most involved transformation out of the entire line..... probably wrong though........ here's how he looks prior to reamorizing (that even a word?? lol)
then you go adding this and that......... I lost one of Hyper's super foot some how......so lil Rider's will have to do.
Basically everything is bigger in Hyper mode. His increased armor size does limit his mobility a bit more, just in the arms though due to the larger shoulder armor.
Of course you can use all of the weapons that Kabuto uses.
Not sure if his sword is exclusive to this form but I felt it was. The sword is pretty light and Kabuto handles it with ease!
Oh there is another thing Hyper Kabuto can do....... go Into Hyper Clock up Mode!
Yeah more part swapping is involved here.
Last but not least, and I'm not sure if he actually does this in the show, he can do this
Now add a drop of water....... and poof!
Giant Rhino beetle to complete Kabuto's transformation........ ok that's not what really happens (err at least I don't think it does) but the toy sure does. You can actually fit Kabuto inside by disassembling him further, something I didn't bother with because I have no intention of using the insect at all, and you don't even need to put him inside to display him. They really could of either done without the bug or just had it as a standalone accessories...... oh well its very well detailed at least.
Ohh shiny!!
Overall, I initially thought he was quite ugly, but he really grew on me and love the Hyper Mode! Things they could of changed were adding duplicate weapon hands and a better use of plastic for the bug. They could of easily incorporated Masked form or some other character with the amount of PVC wasted on the giant insect..... as it is now its sitting on a shelf in my son's room, he seems to like it a lot lol.
