Gill Hakaider
This figure is based on the second live action version of the character as seen in the tokusatsu series “Kikaider 01”. The body mold is almost identical to “Hakaider” and the main differences are the altered paint applications and new accessories. There is also a release of his Motorcycle “White Crow” which he can be posed to ride on, but it is sold separately.
Like the previous release, “Hakaider”, it was released as a Tamashii web exclusive. Also like the last release, he comes in a slim black windowless box.
Like other figures in the line, he comes in a clear plastic tray with all his accessories.
The figure has plastic “bibs” many Figuarts seem to come with these days.
Here he is from all sides:
When I removed him from the plastic I was surprised to find the clear dome was not attached to his brain.
Not only that, but the brain was removable from the android head as well. Not sure if this was to simulate the brain being attached as a function of story/play or not. The brain fits in nice and snug and never fell out. The dome however fell off every time I moved him it was really frustrating and made me wonder why it was not just glued in, I will likely be gluing mine in.
Loose dome issues aside it does create a neat look to have a sort of “brain under glass” head.
His paint is sharp and the yellow really pops out from the black, I especially like it on his fingers.
He has no plugs or holes for a Tamashii stand due to his upper body armor/cape. It’s out of necessity removable, in order to switch out the standard chest piece with the cape. You do this by removing the head and neck as one piece. It’s pretty easy to do and re-attaches easily as well.
Now he’s dressed for success! The Cape and staff/flute are the biggest indicator that this is not the original Hakaider, but Gill Hakaider. They belonged to, or are at least fashioned after Professor Gill’s human possessions, as this android is the evil genius reborn in a robot body.
He also comes with a gun that is super shiny like vacuform chrome. The gun can be put into a calf holster, but first you need to swap out his regular calf for a “holster version” on his left leg. The knee caps are on the double joint, but are a separate piece that is slotted in tight. They can be removed for this exchange, but never fell off during play.
I had a little trouble in that the foot popped of the original leg, but left the joint in. I was eventually able to get it out, but it’s something to be aware of as you pull the calf off.
His joints stayed quite tight, as I played with him. He had no trouble standing on his own in a variety of poses. I was thrilled that he even had a bicep swivel joint which is lacking in some other Figuarts releases. I would have also liked a thigh swivel, but that didn’t stop him from getting into pretty much every pose I tried.
I even got decently close to mimicking the Box pose.
He comes with a total of 10 hands; a pair of fists, karate chop, open, semi-open, and 2 solo right hands for pointing and holding the gun or staff.
He is perfectly sized with his arch enemy Kikaider 01, but smaller than a modern Ultra Act.
Gill Hakaider: “Wait what’s this Kikaida 01??? Get back to your own review!!!”
KIkaider 01: “No, Instead I will kick that big shiny gun out of your hand…FOR JUSTICE!”
Gill Hakaider: “You scratched it you monochrome weenie you!”
Gill Hakaider: “You have no regard for other people’s property do you , I-”
Gill Hakaider: “Whoa, I guess we are fighting?”
KIkaider 01: “No, I’m fighting…”
KIkaider 01: “You’re falling!”
Gill Hakaider: “Oh hardy, har,-”
KIkaider 01: “double kick!”
Gill Hakaider: “haaaaAAAAR!!!!”
Gill Hakaider: “How about some Capoeira sucker?”
KIkaider 01: “Ouch! Right in my lovely emotionless face!”
Gill Hakaider: “HAHAHAHA!”
Gill Hakaider: “Finally a win for me, a win for…”
KIkaider 01: “SWATCH!”
Gill Hakaider: “eep!…you cheater!”
KIkaider 01: “Justice is done.”
KIkaider 01: “Dark is no more…”
Gill Hakaider: “*zzztt..fruity pebbles…bzzzllzzt*”
Final impressions: Overall I really like this figure. The character design is so over-the- top, stereo-typically super-villain! He has an evil staff, a cape, an evil brain, and over-sized gun, and a robotic grimace, what’s not to love? I especially enjoy the clear dome over his brain, and his bright contrasting color scheme. His clear eyes also catch the light nicely. His joints are plentiful and tight. His Accessories are perfect. I also like that he has a smaller box, since it will take up less space in my closet.
My only gripe would be the clear dome that would not stay on, but again some glue will fix that right up.
He costs more than the average SH Figuarts release, though, not as much as his counterpart Kikaida 01 who came with less accessories. Perhaps this was due to more parts being reused. He is more of an obscure character than Sailor Moon or Tyrano Ranger, so a higher price/exclusive release is unfortunately to be expected. If you are a fan of any Kikaider series or incarnation you will probably want this figure. If you are a fan of cool evil retro villains you will probably want this figure. Supposedly George Lucas cited this character as an influence for Darth Vader, so if you like Star Wars also you should get it.
Finally here he in my case, I may need to put his cape back on when I make more room in there…
