Launched in 2006, Kaiyodo’s Revoltech line revolutionized the world of articulated figures thanks to its Revolver Joint ball-joint system, spanning hundreds of releases over the course of a decade. The Legacy of Revoltech (レガシーOFリボルテック) line, launched in 2014, is its proud heir. Kaiyodo uses it to revive the flagship pieces from its catalog, and Hokuto no Ken holds a prominent place with eleven entries.
Details
2014, reviving the Xebec Toys era
The line debuted in June 2014 with reissues of Kenshiro and Rei, originally from the Revoltech Hokuto no Ken Revolution line of the late 2000s, in packaging designed to recapture the atmosphere of the Xebec Toys era. Next came the Bakuretsu! Zeed-dan set and Jagi, which Kaiyodo noted was the most fan-requested reissue, shipped with his pump-action shotgun.
The Zeed-dan deserves a closer look. This member of Zeed’s gang reproduces the body’s explosion under the effect of Hokuto Shinken through simple transformation alone, with no part swapping, a world first as claimed by Kaiyodo. The head pivots and morphs into a bursting effect, with all the explosion parts stowing inside the torso. A stroke of genius by sculptor Oshima Yuki, a big Transformers fan, and one of the most unusual figures ever produced under the license.
2015, Matsuura’s new creations
In 2015, the line changed in nature. Kaiyodo was no longer reissuing; it was creating. Sculpted by Matsuura Ken, seven entirely new entries were offered: Shin and Yuria kicked things off in March, followed by Toki and Kaioh in April, then Shu and Souther in May, before a “final battle” Kenshiro with the seven scars marked across his chest.
Toki comes with an interchangeable Amiba head to transform the noblest of the brothers into his impostor, along with the shackles from his captivity at Cassandra. Shu, with his articulated shoulder armor and 21 points of articulation, can balance on his hands to reproduce the Ressho Kubu. Each figure stands approximately 145 mm tall, with 13 to 14 Revolver Joints per figure, alternate hands, and display base included.
The line has long been sold out at Kaiyodo and authorized retailers. All eleven entries circulate on the Japanese secondary market: Suruga-ya, Mandarake, AmiAmi pre-owned, or Yahoo Auctions Japan, at prices that remain reasonable for Revoltech figures.
