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.

Shinkocchou Seihou 10th Anniversary Exhibition Booklet Scan

S.H.Figuarts Spider-Man 2099

You gotta give credits to Tamashii Nations when they listen to the fans (rare case 😂) 👏👏

When the promo pictures were released, people commented the skin tone is too bright for Miguel O'hara. So in the final product, Bandai painted his skin to darker tone, and you still can see the original color at the joints.

Goodbye Geats, hello Gotchard

Today marks the end of the BEST Reiwa Kamen Rider series (so far). 

After Kamen Rider ZeroOne's unfortunate downhill development (due to COVID), it's refreshing to have such an engaging KR series with consistent story development. The series started off with the survival game setting, giving out Gantz vibes. Then it slowly reveals the truth about the universe with coherent worldbuilding. Too bad the last arc was forced and rushed that I literally rolled my eyes at some scenes.... IMO they should have skip some of the earlier arc to build up the ending. Nevertheless today's episode still manage to redeem (somehow) the series.

Hope the next Reiwa Rider Gotchard can meet the high bar set by Geats.

Anti-Hero? Aunty Hero?

A SKC vs SHF Comparison no one asked for (Part 3): Kamen Rider W Cyclone Joker Xtreme

Here's another round of comparison between S.H.Figuarts Shinkocchou Seihou (SKC) and S.H.Figuarts 1.0 (SHF) of the same character, this time around: Kamen Rider W Cyclone Joker Xtreme (WCJX).

Box Art:

Content/Accessories:

SKC WCJX comes with a lot more accessories: 7 pairs of exchangeable hands, the main Prismbicker and 5 Gaia Memories; SHF WCJX on the other hand only have 4 pairs of interchangeable hands and Prismbicker.

Comparison side-by-side:

As usual, with the actual suit:

I like how the SKC has matte finishing for the Joker side. For the Cyclone side, I think the green painting on both SKC & SHF didn't manage to capture the correct color.

Actual figure comparison with different angles:

The common observation still holds, where the SHF 1.0 is much smaller than the SKC version, even though both are supposed to be 1:12 scale.

Now the detailed comparisons by parts, from head to toe:

SKC's helmet is more show accurate

The difference of the "Crystal Server" (middle part) is obvious here: SKC's has embossed pattern with iridescent finishing, while SHF's middle part is just plain white/silver with carved patterns; Both have their Crystal Server covered with clear parts.

SKC's iridescent Crystal Server shows different colors at different angles, love the aesthetic 

SKC's Xtreme Memory is very detailed and it can be opened or closed; SHF's is just a painted piece

SKC's W-Driver and Xtreme Memory are separate pieces, you can detach the Memory from the Driver. 

The comparison here really makes you appreciate the amount of effort in SKC's version to replicate the accessories in 1:12 scale. But be careful with them though - it consisted of 3 parts: left & right wings which were hold together by the middle piece, the joints are really fragile

You can insert Gaia Memory into SKC's Maximum Slot; SHF's Maximum Slot is a piece of plastic 

SKC's joints colors were intentionally changed to joints with color consistency; SHF uses black parts for all the joints

SKC's joints colors were intentionally changed to joints with color consistency; SHF uses black parts for all the joints

Comparing the patterns on the armor: You can see the clear difference in workmanship. However for the choice of color for the golden parts, I believe the color SKC had picked is a little bit oversaturated 

Unsurprisingly, SKC has cover to hide the hip joints; the covers even have the same treatment as the body part to ensure consistency

Both soles have more or less the same detail, though it should be highlighted that SHF's soles are made from metal cast.

Now we have a detail look at the weapons, i.e. Prismbricker

SKC's Prismbicker is much bigger than SHF version

The details of SKC BickerShield is insane. They even have separate parts for the small donut-shape plate.

PrismSword comparison: Front
Similar to BickerShield, Bandai is being very generous in using a lot of separate pieces to make the sword, instead of a single-piece of PVC.

PrismSword comparison: Back

SKC's Prismbicker comes with the gimmick to insert Gaia Memories, just like the show. Be warned though, it's kinda hassle to get them out after you inserted

As conclusion, SKC gives the quality you would expect from SKC products. It's an unfair comparison between the two as SHF back in 2010-ish didn't come with this sheer amount of attention to details. My verdict: definitely get one SKC WCJX if you can.