Kamen Rider IXA

Kamen Rider IXA is a tech-based Rider from the 2008 show Kamen Rider Kiva. He is a stark contrast to the main character, whose abilities and aesthetic are derived from classic horror monsters such as Dracula and the Wolfman, and has a White Knight motif. This is evidenced by his tech-armor design, shining white paint job, and his main weapon, the IXA Caliber. Say it really fast, I’m certain you’ll get it. In a world of deplorable monsters and dubious “heroes”, Keisuke Nago rides out with the IXA system to smite evil!

As yet another entry in the excellent S.H. Figuarts line, IXA has many things going for him. Starting with his overall look, he has quite a fantastic paint job, with his bright white accented well by gold, silver, and just a hint of blue. Combined with the full body-armor design, it really sits well with the Knight theme. The detail present in the mold is just stellar. If a “Tech-Knight” design excites you, he’s a must-have.

He’s also fit to bursting with articulation. Double-jointed knees, elbows, swivel and ball-jointed head, multiple ball joints in the waist, and several different hinges in the feet allow for a bevy of dynamic poses.

The gem-like compound eyes that Figuarts Riders are famous for are featured quite nicely on IXA, surrounded by gold accent plates on his main helmet.

IXA’s accessory count is fairly healthy, with all the weapons he had from the show and a few pairs of hands to show them off with. He comes equipped with the IXA Caliber, in gun and sword mode, the IXA Knuckle, and three sets of hands: fists, calmly opened hands, and gripping hands.

His last two accessories help to set him apart from the typical S.H. Figuarts Release:
one, a unique stand to help with posing and two, an alternate head. The stand came as an early run bonus item. It features Japanese text and a well-articulated grabbing arm with a ratcheted ‘clicky’ joint at the bottom of the base arm for extra stability.

His final accessory showcases IXAs second mode. The IXA armor system exists in two modes, Save and Burst. Burst mode is the standard helmet that shows the compound eyes, whereas the Save mode head covers them. This head is my favorite as it looks fantastic and resembles a closed visor Knight’s helm.

IXA is an exceptional figure packed with enough dynamic articulation and explosive sculpted detail that he can be just as fun posing around as he would be sitting up on a shelf. He comes with a modest set of accessories, more than enough to feed the imagination of any Rider or toy fan. If you love Kamen Rider, Tech-armor Knights, or just awesome toys, he’s a must-have.