Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Ultraman (The Rise of Ultraman)

Release Date: October 2022

RRP: $50

With Ultraman's current conquest of the West advancing at a rapid pace it was only a matter of time before the franchise broke through to the convention exclusive circuit. Alongside the usual array of Dragon Ball Z figures, for the 2022 New York Comic Con (and later, various other events across Asia) Bandai Tamashii Nations revealed S.H. Figuarts Ultraman (The Rise of Ultraman) – the first Ultraman Figuarts initially aimed at a Western market. As the name suggests this figure draws inspiration from The Rise of Ultraman – the first of several limited comic book series by Marvel Comics released in 2020.

Straight off the bat if there's anything pointing toward this being a convention exclusive it's the packaging. Rather than the usual design reserved for the Ultraman Figuarts, this release comes in a smaller-style box with a windowless front featuring the The Rise of Ultraman #1 artwork by legendary artist Alex Ross. It's an incredible bit of artwork that really adds some gravitas to the box, and immediately sets it apart from the standard Ultraman releases. If you want a look at the figure itself though it can be viewed through a transparent window on the back (much like the Shin Ultraman packaging), where it sits alongside stock images of the figure in various poses. Inside Ultraman and his accessories are neatly stored on a moulded plastic tray.

S.H. Figuarts Ultraman (The Rise of Ultraman) is a repaint of the original Figuarts Ultraman from 2016, giving the base mould a shiny new paint job meant to mirror Alex Ross' artwork from issue one. The body now uses a slightly darker red alongside a shinier silver, decked out with blue highlights that give further muscle definition as well as replicating Ross' art. Similarly, the previously white eyes are now yellow – an element that not only mirrors that particular cover but also Ultraman's appearance in the comic in general. It's an absolutely spectacular paint job and easily the best this mould has received, not only making the figure feel far more 'modern' (the original release's colours catered more toward the original suit) but also like its own unique entity.

Comparison with the original release shows how much a new paintjob does for the figure, with this Ultraman looking both slicker and shinier in comparison. While the original does still have its charm, it's certainly lacking in comparison to the new Shinkocchou Seihou release. This new colour scheme has arguably given the original version a new lease on life – giving it a place on collectors' shelves when many would have sold it on upon receiving the Seihou.

Despite being a six-year-old figure the mould still has a fair bit to offer when it comes to articulation, and stands as the template that future Ultraman S.H. Figuarts were built upon. Altogether it features; 

- Peg joint head 

- Ball jointed neck, torso, waist and wrists 

- Butterfly joint shoulders 

- Swivel hinge shoulders, hips and ankles 

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