SOUCHAKU-HENSHIN KAMEN RIDER SERIES

Bandai Chogokin Armor Transformation Masked Rider Kuuga Series (c.2000)

KUUGA

MASKED RIDER

KUUGA

MASKED RIDER

AGITO

CLASSIC

MASKED RIDER

MASKED RIDER

RYUKI

MASKED RIDER

FAIZ

MASKED RIDER

BLADE

MASKED RIDER

HIBIKI

MASKED RIDER

KABUTO

Kamen Rider Kuuga was the first Rider Series to be release in Bandai "Cloth" format made popular by Saint Seiya. The series was renamed as Souchaku-Henshin (Armor Transformation) and sold under Bandai Chogokin (GD Series) banner. The first set was released in June of 2000 as Chogokin GD-22 Kamen Rider Kuuga No.1 Growing and Mighty Form. Bandai followed up with "armor" kit where only the armor was sold. (The box set came with clear statue-like figure to hold the armor). GD-27 were sold with all four Rising Form armors and came with sarcophagus case to store the extra armors. GD-33 were sold with Go-Gadoru-Ba monster figure.

Bandai-Asia re-issued most of SHS Kuuga Sets as Hong Kong editions. Many of the multi-armors box set were released as as individual set. The only exception was the Growing Form & Mighty Form set, the Growing Form for some reasons were never reissued by Bandai-Asia. Also the "armor" kit set were sold by Bandai-Asia with full standard core figure and not the clear "place-holder" statue that came with Japan editon. Bandai-Asia however removed all the "extras" such as the figure stand etc. to reduce cost and lower price point. Bandai-Asia also released GD-33 Kuuga Amazing Mighty Form for Hong Kong market only. Also HK version of GD-29 had matt finished on the armors instead of the glossy finished. (Special thanks for Raymond L. and my friend Jay P. for information)

SOUCHAKU HENSHIN KAMEN RIDER

KUUGA SERIES 2000

GD-22 Kuuga Set No.1 Growing Form & Mighty Form

GD-23 Kuuga Set No.2 Dragon Form Kit

GD-24 Kuuga Set No.3 Pegasus Form Kit

GD-25 Kuuga Set No.4 Titan Form Kit

GD-27 Kuuga Set No. 5 Rising Forms

GD-29 Kuuga Set No.6 Ultimate Form

GD-33 Kuuga Amazing Mighty Form (2001)

SOUCHAKU HENSHIN KAMEN RIDER

KUUGA SERIES 2001 HK Edition

GD-22 Masked Rider Kuuga Mighty Form

GD-23 Masked Rider Kuuga Dragon Form

GD-24 Masked Rider Kuuga Pegasus Form

GD-25 Masked Rider Kuuga Titan Form

GD-27 Masked Rider Kuuga Rising Mighty

GD-27 Masked Rider Kuuga Rising Dragon

GD-27 Masked Rider Kuuga Rising Pegasus

GD-27 Masked Rider Kuuga Rising Titan

GD-29 Masked Rider Kuuga Ultimate Form

GD-XX Masked Rider Kuuga Amazing Mighty Form (HK)

KUUGA RIDER MACHINES

NOTE : Although not part of the SHS line, DX Kamen Rider Kuuga bikes released as part of the Kuuga toys line were fully compatible with the SHS figures.

Try-Chaser 2000

Beat-Chaser 2000

"Blue Line" Limited Edition Beat-Chaser 2000

Modern Kamen Rider

Kamen Rider Kuuga was the first of the modern Riders series. (Post Mr. Shotaro Ishinomori). Of the modern Riders series, Kuuga was probably the most similar to the old series but it still broke with many of the old Classic Riders traditions. Kuuga took many of the later Riders concept and expanded exponentially such as armor suit style design and multiple forms. This seem to be common design theme with all the modern Rider series which strangely well suit for the Chogokin Souchaku-Henshin series (not to mention the multi forms make for easy toys selling gimmick. While this new tactic of heavily design the Rider TV show around the toy selling ability can be somewhat annoying, but if one look past this factor, then the new Riders are actually very enjoyable shows.