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Evolution Toy HAF Zone Fighter version 2

My final July 2025 preorder release has at last arrived. After getting delayed a few times, Evolution Toy HAF (Hero Action Figure) Zone Fighter has finally been unleashed. He's the star of the 1973 series produced by Toho Company Ltd., the same Toho who gave us the Godzilla films. This show was an attempt to capitalize on the popularity of the Ultraman series and various tokusatsu shows that were all the rage on Japanese television at the time. The aspect that saved this show from vanishing into the depths of obscurity among a sea of competing superheroes is that it featured Godzilla on a regular basis (the goofy 1973 suit from Godzilla vs. Megalon was used), as well as Gigan and King Ghidorah. Zone Fighter was the first highly articulated Japanese superhero put out by Evolution Toy, who then went on to release various others (many of which I own). Based on the reviews I had seen of the first version, it appeared quite flimsy, with inaccurate proportion and various QC issues (e.g. the forearm easily popping out at the bicep swivel). This new version has been slightly tweaked and improved.












Zone Fighter has a silver body with blue arms and legs. There’s a red lightning bolt pattern running down to his torso, where he has his blue energy meter. His boots are red and green, and his alien-like face is equipped with a horn that sports a red, cup shaped light that acts as a battery replacement. When his energy is running low, a spaceship flown by his family shoots out a new one that instantly gives him a recharge. His eyes are translucent yellow, with his energy meter a translucent blue. The version 2 release came out looking more accurate to his screen counterpart, who had lanky body proportions. Everything is painted well, no skid marks or smudges noted. Evolution Toy did a fine job in capturing his goofy, alien cyborg look.













For accessories, he comes with 3 pairs of hands (fists, karate chop and open fingers), and two replaceable gauntlets for his wrists. This is his signature weapon, known as the Meteor Missile Might. Once he conjures them, they shoot a series of powerful missiles at his enemies, destroying them in a barrage of blasts and fire power. As for articulation, he sports various ball joints on his neck, torso, arms and legs. There are hinged butterfly joints in his shoulders to give the arms more range, as well as double jointed elbows and knees. His wrists can be replaced with the gauntlets by simply popping them out. I noticed the joints are much stronger; some of their earlier releases were quite flimsy and loose (such as the waist on Jumborg 9). Another thing that I immediately noticed was that replacing the hands is much easier. The holes are not too tight, so that they pop out and go onto the peg much easier. Their earlier releases were infamous for having the wrist pegs snap off easily, due to tight fitting hands and cheaper plastic. Changing out those hands was always an anxiety inducing mine field. With this figure, it’s much easier and stress free. While his engineering isn’t as modern as some of the new Figuarts releases, it still does the job in getting him to do various action and fight poses.














The tweaks and improvements they’ve applied to this Zone Fighter version 2 have resulted in an overall better figure, with a more screen accurate look, decent joint tolerance, and easier hand replacement. The last superhero figure that I purchased from this line was Iron King a few years ago, and even then, I noticed an improvement in quality. I know that they’ve released a version 2 of Spectreman, and I just might be tempted to get that one (though my first one is still good). I’m fairly happy with finally owning a decent super articulated Zone Fighter action figure. If Evolution Toy continue to improve their figures, then their future output will be something worth looking forward to.













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