Japan has given us some memorable heroes, names that are known throughout the world. If they're popular outside of Japan, you can probably imagine just how well loved they are within the country's borders
At some point in the past few years, the Japanese did something truly crazy - the creation of the SJHU, or Super Japan Heroes Universe, Project. The whole purpose of this was to bring together Kamen Rider, Godzilla, Ultraman, and the EVA using whatever excuse one could come up with in order to create merchandise, whether that be more films, or in this case, a FREAKING COMBINING ROBOT.
And that, folks, the only backstory you need as to why I bought this thing.
If you're one of lucky few who have never seen this, I'm sorry I didn't give you any warning. This combiner looks pretty messed up, not gonna lie. It's part of the charm, IMO. So rather than your typical Sentai Mecha, this looks like something out of Beast Wars. Despite how things look, however, this set actually fails to use every part of the set in its combination.
The set basically has what you're seeing - the characters and some effects parts. The Blue effects becomes Ultraman's Burning Plasma attack, the Orange things a shield for the EVA. Otherwise, there's some extra hands for Ultraman and the EVA along with stands for their effects, and Kamen Rider gets a piece to keep it upright.
Here's the team out of their prisons. As you can imagine, for the purposes of combination the body styles of characters had to be altered, and the fact that Ultraman and the EVA serve basically the same purpose means they look like siblings. What I don't get is why the hell they gave Godzilla upside down claws.
Components, as mentioned, look a bit odd, but do a respectable job. Articulation isn't going to blow your mind, but is certainly better than most of what the Sentai world brought us. Nothing much happening with Kamen Rider, but the other two have fundamental had, arm, and leg articulation. It's enough to keep things interesting, but not so much that the combined mode suffers. Paint work is nice and sharp. Unfortunately, unlike other Bandai combiners, this one doesn't have any ide cast components.
But wait.. doesn't this set have FOUR components?
Yeah... that's Godzilla's face. They royally fucked it up big time.
I mean, the rest of it is fine, and follows suit with regards to the other pieces. Some fine detailing on the body as well. Beautiful paint work where the red highlights are on the bod. But all that work is pointless when Godzilla looks like he's wearing googly eyes.
Combining the set is very much a Partsforming activity. The pieces hat don't make it into this form are the extra hands and the shoulder pads on the EVA. The combination looks... odd. That's putting it lightly, but it wouldn't have mattered as this was bought because of the absurdity of its existence, The colours are garish, ass is the mishmash of random parts. I WILL say, however, that combined robo does actually have decent articulation, including a waist swivel and proper ankle articulation. However, some components are prone to either falling out of form or falling off the figure, though restoration is pretty quick. The neck peg is a tad too short, though, IMO, which causes the head to pop off really easily.
That's really about it. I mean the combined mode and components are generally competent, but this isn't exactly a Soul of Chogokin level toy. But if you need a good conversation piece, or you love these franchises, then you really don't need to go any further.
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