While it is annoying to some collectors, I'm generally in support of 2.0 releases of figures, in particular ones that either didn't live up to expectations, or ones that could really benefit from newer engineering/budget.
Such is the case with the original Fate/Stay Night Rider release from Figma. I managed to get my hands on an original for cheap, and I count myself fortunate as those aftermarket prices are brutal. It wasn't a bad figure for its time, but it certainly had some engineering flaws and a disappointing inability to pull off many of the characters trademark poses.
Well, as luck would have it, Goodsmile announced a Rider 2.0... I don't even remember when it was preordered, but I can safely say that it has arrived safely into my loving clutches.
The Rider 2.0 release effectively improves upon the original in pretty much every possible way. Mind you, it costs like three times as much now, but at least there's something to show for it.
Starting with the contents, you get:
- 1 x Main Figure
- 3 x Face Plates (Neutral, Gritted Teeth, Angry Stare)
- 1 x Visor
- 10 x Posing/Gripping Hands, including dedicated hands for supporting Rider during low poses
- 2 x Rider Dagger with Metal Chain
- 2 x Rider Dagger with Preposed Plastic Chain
- 1 x Figma Base/Stand
Like most 2.0 figures, the second release is based upon the Figma 2.0 body, which brings with it improved body proportions. The overall look hasn't changed, but the colours certainly have - I'm no expert, but I believe this reflects her anime look as compared to the colours from other media, most likely the visual novels.
Face plates are also much improved compared to the original.
In addition to the expected body articulation improvements, there are also some welcome improvements to the hair. It certainly looks fuller compared to the 1.0 (I'll need to get it out for a comparison photo shoot) but more importantly it features more durable, pliable materials... in some sections. The inner most sections on the back of her head are still relatively rigid, though they are hinged at the top of her head.
This, combined with the improved body articulation, allows Rider to pull off one of her trademark poses, or at least a better approximation that the first release.
Kneeling poses, on the other hand, are still kind of iffy due to the bulk in her hair, though they are technically doable. The skirt is partitioned at the front to allow for more forward leg motion, though such improvements are not provided for rear leg motion.
In addition to the standard Figma 2.0 articulation and the aforementioned hair improvements, Rider has a few additional tricks up her skirt. She features articulated toes, pull down hips, independent waist joint, as well as an actual neck joint. The soft pliable wrist guards allow for full access to the wrist range of motion.
From a Paint perspective, things are are up to the usual Figma standards, though admittedly Rider doesn't exactly feature the most complex outfit or colour scheme either. The most minute detail would be the silver clasps on her bicep guards and the silver sections of her mask. Otherwise, the only real paint on the body would be the metallic purple applications (nicely done, albeit a bit simple). Otherwise, there's paint on the Rider Daggers and the decal work on the face plates.
Build Quality I'm happy to report is also on par, with no crude finishes or roughly made parts. Certainly an improvement over the original, which had some really rough looking hair to say the least. Again, nothing fancy about the figure per se, but at the very least, things came out looking great.
In conclusion, if you don't have a Fate/Stay Night Rider figure, just skip the original and go right for this 2.0. I haven't checked, but I'm guessing that prices have probably dropped on the first release, but even if things drop to MSRP, you're still better off spending the current retail for this figure. There's really nothing about this newer release that makes you wish you had actually gotten the first one.
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