Sunday, April 24, 2011

Nintendo N&B Block - Silver Kamen, Kamen Rider and Mirror Man (任天堂 ブロック シルバー仮面, 仮面ライダー,ミラーマン, 1971)

Today we will take a look at some of the coolest sets in the Nintendo Block N&B series: the Tokusatsu (特撮) range. Tokusatsu is the genre of superhero and monster movies and television series, which were (and still are) extremely popular in Japan.

Nintendo Block sets Silver Kamen, Mirror Man and Kamen Rider

Nintendo acquired licenses to some of the most popular characters from these television shows, and used these in various toys, including these three N&B sets, featuring the Silver Kamen, the Kamen Rider and Mirror Man. (Other nice examples are these clocks).

Nintendo Block sets Silver Kamen and Mirror Man

Although these sets do not have a clear year of release, they all feature characters from television series introduced in 1971, so it is safe to assume they were sold after this time.

Nintendo Block sets Silver Kamen and Mirror Man

All three sets contain clear building instructions to create one of the three heroes.

Building instructions are provided with the Nintendo Block sets

The first set we will take a closer look at is Nintendo Block Mirror Man (任天堂 ブロック ミラーマン).

Nintendo Block set "Mirror Man"

The model number of this set is "NB 800-MM". It cost ¥800.

Nintendo Block set "Mirror Man"

The box contains the building constructions and a picture of the finished set.

Nintendo Block set "Mirror Man"

The set contains exactly all blocks required, so better not lose one!

Nintendo Block set "Mirror Man"

This set contains two special gold colored blocks, for Mirror Man's belt and cap. In a stroke of artistic license, his two-toned gray suit is translated into white and green here.

Look at that Mirror Man go

Once assembled, you have an impressive looking 35 centimeter high superhero.

Nintendo Block set "Mirror Man" - fully assembled

Having your own Mirror Man allowed for fun replay of the episode you just watched on television (minus the explosions).

The second set presented here is the one of the immensely popular Kamen Rider (仮面ライダー).

Nintendo Block set "Kamen Rider"

Super heroes, monsters, explosions, chases on fast bikes; the Kamen Rider television show had it all.

Nintendo Block set "Kamen Rider"

The model number of Nintendo Block Kamen Rider (任天堂 ブロック 仮面ライダー) is "NB 800-K". It also cost ¥800.

Nintendo Block set "Kamen Rider" - fully assembled

As the Kamen Rider would be lost without his bike, it is included in the set. Because part of the supplied blocks had to be used for the bike, this meant less blocks could go into the Kamen Rider itself. As a result, it stands somewhat less tall (27 centimeters) than its fellow super heroes from the two other sets.


The set even includes a miniature version of the Kamen Rider signature scarf!

The third and final set is Nintendo Block Silver Kamen (任天堂 ブロック シルバー仮面).

Nintendo Block set "Silver Kamen"

This set had model number "NB 800-SK", and cost ¥800.

Nintendo Block set "Silver Kamen"

Like the others, Silver Kamen is no hero to mess with. Deadly laser eyes!

Does this Silver Kamen walk like an Egyptian?

By the way, "Kamen" (仮面) means "masked". Which is what the Silver Kamen and Kamen Rider were.

Nintendo Block set "Silver Kamen" - fully assembled

Silver Kamen is similar in size to Mirror Man: 35 centimeter tall.

To wrap up this post, here's the law-and-order-enforcing bunch together.

Nintendo Block Mirror Man, Kamen Rider and Silver Kamen

"Are you looking at me?"

A full introduction to the Nintendo N&B Block series can be found here.

4 comments:

  1. I am a fan of kamen rider...but i dunno about those two...but like it because it's rared

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  2. Wow, great post, thanks for putting this up! Those sets are amazing! I definitely want one of those hero sets like Mirror Man, they look fantastic!

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  3. I am really appreciating your efforts to properly photograph and present your wonderful collection, it's so interesting. Thanks.

    ps. I figured out the best way for me to just keep browsing was to view by date and then 'older / newer' rather than what I had been doing which was viewing from the 'list of toys and games' section.

    I lived in japan in 1999 and used to buy a brand of crisps for the sole reason that you got a free karmen rider photo card with each pack. All the photos were from really old karmen rider tv shows and a lot of them were of monsters that always made me laugh. My friends in Streatham are a japanese couple and have a five year old japanese boy - he just discovered Karmen rider and loves it - Karmen rider will never die : )

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  4. John, thanks for the comments. I appreciate the feedback.

    Will look into ways of further improving navigation of the content from within the individual posts.

    Kamen Rider indeed is really cool. It is the most fun series of that era (and popular to this day).

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