S.H.Figuarts Dragreder 1.0 vs 2.0: A Generational Comparison

Fifteen years after its initial debut, the iconic S.H.Figuarts (SHF) Dragreder has returned. The original 1.0 version was released in 2011 as part of a set alongside S.H.Figuarts Masked Rider Ryuki. Now, in 2026, Bandai has released an updated 2.0 version of Dragreder - but as a standalone package separated from the new Shinkkochou Seihou (SKC) Ryuki in order to milk the collectors... 

Today we'll look into this new iteration and compare it with the old versions to see if it offers enough improvements to warrant an upgrade.

Packaging and Presentation

Right out of the box, you can see a difference in how the two figures are presented. The 2026 release features a boxart similar to that of SKC, where there's no see-through window to examine the contents and only printed artwork of the figure itself at the front and back of the box.

Contents at a glance

Looking at the contents, both releases offer the core figure and a similar array of accessories, ensuring you have what you need for dynamic posing. Of course, the old one has more accessories as it was packaged as a set with SHF Ryuki (and at a much cheaper price! Onore PBandai....)

Close up look at the contents of each SHF variants

Sculpt and Detailing

The most significant differences between the two versions become apparent when you examine the sculpt. In the following, I place 1.0 on the left and 2.0 on the right:

The 2.0 version boasts a slightly updated upper body, with a particular focus on the head sculpt. The new head looks slightly bigger, and it has bigger horns, capturing the look of the character with greater accuracy.

Another notable update in the 2.0 release is the redesign of the claws. The 2026 Dragreder features newly sculpted Drag Arm with bent limbs - but the articulation points remained similar to the 2011 version, so you can't really call this an upgrade...

On the other hand, the Dragsaber accessory looks largely similar between the two versions, nothing much to compare or comment:

Joints & Articulations

Let's talk a little bit on the joints & articulations. The main body still utilizes ball joints connecting each segment, allowing Dragreder to twist and coil dynamically. However, Bandai tightened the tolerances on the 2026 release. The 1.0 was notoriously floppy, often collapses under its own weight when posed without stand. The 2.0 on the other hand has tighter joints, able to holds its poses much easier, saving me from a lot of frustrations in posing it 😂

Paint Application and Size

Bandai has also updated the paint application for the 2.0 release. The original 2011 Dragreder featured a rich metallic red finish that gave Dragreder a premium, armored look; The 2026 release swapped this out for a flat, solid red paint. This caused a significant backlash in the collector community because Bandai's early promotional images advertised the 2026 figure with metallic paint. While some (including me personally) argued that the flat red looks (slightly) more screen-accurate, I understood the frustrations of fellow collectors who are disappointed in Bandai's false advertising and see the new, non-metallic paint finishing as a downgrade.

(In case you're wondering, this is how Dragreder look like in the show)

Last but not least, the size or length comparison. When placing the two figures side-by-side, the most surprising realization is how similar they are in overall size. The 2026 Dragreder maintains the massive 500mm (nearly 20-inch) length of its predecessor. As mentioned earlier, the noticeable size difference is the head - 2026 version has a slightly bigger head true to the show design.

The Verdict

The S.H.Figuarts Dragreder 2.0 is a structurally superior figure wrapped in a highly questionable release strategy. The engineering on the articulated claws, the tightened body joints, and the inclusion of dedicated display weapons make it the definitive companion for the Shinkocchou Seihou Ryuki.

However, let's not forget about the pricing here. The original 2011 Dragreder was sold as a bundled package alongside the SHF Masked Rider Ryuki for 3,800 Yen (good ol' days). Fast forward to today, PBandai sells the new SKC Ryuki and the new Dragreder separately - and they charged heck of a premium for it too i.e. 11,000 JPY (excluding tax)!

Also, the shift from a premium metallic finish to a flat red plastic is a bitter pill to swallow - especially when paired with the staggering 11,000 JPY price tag for an accessory pack that largely reuses 15-year-old molds.

If you are already committed to the SKC line and value articulation, stability, and display options, the 2.0 is an essential, albeit painful, purchase. If you prioritize premium paint and overall value above all else, the 2011 original remains one of the best bundled deals Bandai has ever offered.