First Look: Figuarts NEXTy Riders

And so 2008 will bring us yet another step in Sôchaku-Henshin evolution, with a new spin-off line entitled "Sôchaku-Henshin Figuarts" (That's "Figure + Arts", a name which I'm pretty sure is already being used for something else.) Basically, it's Bandai pulling an H.G.C.O.R.E. and making something that's already great even better, at least theoretically.

I was pretty sure that it couldn't get much better than the current Den-O line of figures (some of the most poseable and varied yet), but it looks like Bandai aims to trump even those. The new spin-offs (in scale with the current line) will feature even more articulation (35 points) and poseability, clear eye parts, variable scarf and hand parts, and did I mention they're based on the bad boys as seen in Kamen Rider THE NEXT? Now just release some classic versions too and we're good.

Judging from the prototypes below, they do look a bit skinny and almost S.I.C.-ish. But honestly, Sôchaku-Henshin figures have never really been that much about accuracy as much as just being fun to mess around and having lots of extra pieces to play around with, and everything always looks better at the finished stage, so I'm eagerly awaiting these guys.

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