Kamen Rider Returns to 2005’s THE FIRST for New Premium Hayato Ichimonji Action Figure
Bandai is bringing one of Kamen Rider’s original heroes back to his 2005 movie appearance with a new S.H.Figuarts action figure featuring updated armor colors and an interchangeable unmasked head.
The new “S.H.Figuarts (SHINKOCCHOU SEIHOU) MASKED RIDER 2/ICHIMONJI HAYATO (MASKED RIDER THE FIRST)” recreates Hayato Ichimonji as he appeared in Kamen Rider THE FIRST, allowing fans to display the hero wearing his helmet or revealing his face beneath.
Released in 2005, Kamen Rider THE FIRST reimagined the origins of Toei’s legendary superhero franchise, introducing modernized versions of Takeshi Hongo and Hayato Ichimonji as they fought against the sinister organization Shocker.
The film drew inspiration from Shotaro Ishinomori’s original manga while giving the two Riders darker, more realistic costumes and a story that explored their struggle against the organization responsible for transforming them into powerful cyborgs.
A sequel, Kamen Rider THE NEXT, followed in 2007, bringing the characters back alongside Shiro Kazami, better known as Kamen Rider V3.
The original Kamen Rider television series debuted in 1971 and is celebrating its 55th anniversary in 2026, with recent commemorative merchandise including a special limited-edition chronograph inspired by Takeshi Hongo’s original appearance.
Bandai has already recreated Hayato Ichimonji’s appearance from Kamen Rider THE NEXT through its popular S.H.Figuarts Shinkocchou Seihou line, but the latest version returns to his earlier costume from THE FIRST.
To reflect the differences between the two films, the figure features revised metallic green coloring across its chest armor, gloves, boots, and helmet, while the battle damage previously visible on the mask has been removed.
The result recreates Kamen Rider 2’s original movie costume, retaining the bright red compound eyes and flowing scarf that helped establish his appearance.
Bandai has paid close attention to the texture of the reinforced suit, sculpting folds throughout the black clothing and reproducing the Shocker emblems engraved into the back of the costume and gloves.
The Shinkocchou Seihou figure line uses a sculpting approach developed around the character’s underlying skeletal structure, allowing the finished figures to achieve more natural proportions and movement.
For Kamen Rider 2, flexible components around the collar, abdomen, and belt allow the torso to bend further, making it easier to recreate fighting poses and the crouched riding position associated with Kamen Rider’s motorcycles.
The red fabric scarf also contains an internal wire, allowing it to be adjusted into different positions to recreate the appearance of fabric blowing in the wind during battle.
One of the biggest additions is the interchangeable unmasked head, which recreates the face of actor Hassei Takano, who portrayed Hayato Ichimonji in the original 2005 film.
Bandai developed the head using a three-dimensional scan of the actor alongside reference materials from the movie, capturing his hairstyle and facial features as they appeared at the time.
Two interchangeable expressions are included, allowing Ichimonji to be displayed with either an intense glare or a slightly mocking smile.
Both expressions differ from those supplied with the earlier Kamen Rider THE NEXT figure, giving owners of that release additional display options.
The new head is also compatible with the previously released figure, while the unmasked head from the THE NEXT version can be attached to this new interpretation.
An additional handheld helmet without its mouthpiece allows collectors to recreate scenes of Ichimonji standing with his face exposed while carrying his mask.
Three pairs of interchangeable hands and a spare antenna are included, with the figure standing approximately 14.5 cm tall.
The release can also be displayed alongside the separately sold S.H.Figuarts Cyclone II motorcycle, while Bandai has produced a matching Shinkocchou Seihou figure of Takeshi Hongo’s Kamen Rider 1 from Kamen Rider THE FIRST.
Pre-orders for the “S.H.Figuarts (SHINKOCCHOU SEIHOU) MASKED RIDER 2/ICHIMONJI HAYATO (MASKED RIDER THE FIRST)”, priced at ¥11,000 (approximately $69 USD / £52 GBP), are now open through Premium Bandai Japan ahead of shipping in June 2027.
US pre-orders are also open exclusively through Premium Bandai US, priced at $100 with shipping scheduled for July 2027.
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