Hello everyone, this is Funasen, in charge of CSM development.

Thank you to everyone who watched the live stream earlier!
If you were unable to watch it, there is an archived broadcast on YouTube, so please check it out when you have time.

So the announcement has been made!
Pre-orders for the 25th CSM release, "KIVAT BELT," and the 26th release, "Tatsurot," will begin today at 7PM!!


Product Details and reservation page have already been released, so please check it out from the link above!
To commemorate the event, we have also created a super cool promotional video!

As Kivat says in the video, "It's finally here!!" and KIVAT BELT will finally be released with "Kivat Itsume!!" included!
As one of the few "character-shaped HENSHIN BELT" in the HENSHIN BELT series, it allows you to play in line with the lines from the show and the character designs.
We had originally planned to release it for our 10th anniversary, but due to production issues, we decided to release it now (more on this later).

Of course, the voice actors are Sugita Tomokazu and Ishida Akira!
A large number of lines from the play have been recorded.
In particular, we asked Sugita-san to do the voice-over over two separate sessions, which was quite a burden in terms of volume, but we received a wonderful voice.
There are many lines from the play and many lines that are not. It is structured so that you can enjoy playing conversation games with your partner.

That's right, with this product, unlike other HENSHIN BELT, "conversational play" is extremely important in this item.
Both KIVAT BELT and the Tatsurot are equipped with the highest specs of NARIKIRI TOYS, in order to maximize the feeling that the character is your own partner, in other words, to create the feeling that the character is actually alive and present.


These are the "voice recognition system,""wireless communication system," and "accelerometer"!
The first two are gimmicks that were featured in the CSM Faiz series, especially the Delta Gear, but while these technologies were used in past products to create a "gadget-like" feel, we've included them here to create a different look, one that gives the figure a "lifelike appearance as a living organism."

First, let's talk about the voice recognition system!
After all, I would love to have a conversation with Kivat!
It is designed to give you the feeling of calling out "Kivat!" and him coming over saying "Yes, sir! Kivat kibaat!!"
Unlike Delta Gear, when you say the same "Kivat!" it will randomly respond with one of about 10 different responses.
Incidentally, just before this scene, the "resonating sound of Bloody Roses" is heard when a Fangire appears, as depicted in the film, and this sound can also be heard.
At that time, it is also possible to randomly play several different phrases like "Here it comes! It's your turn!"
The voice recognition provides responses to the maximum extent possible within the limits of the specifications of the IC that can be used in toys.
In the movie, it was usually Kivat who did the talking, so in this product, you can direct communication words, such as greetings, at Kivat or Tatsurot and they will respond.

Next up is the wireless communication system!
This was also used in the CSM Faiz series and BLAYBACKLE, but whereas those were for communication between gadgets, this product uses this gimmick to create a lifelike effect, in the form of a conversation between Kivat and Tatsurot.
You can press the dialogue button to play a specific line, and the other person will respond to it.
In the drama, the exchange between the two characters at the beginning of each episode is very memorable, and now you can actually recreate that too!
What makes it different from previous CSMs is that it transmits and receives wirelessly.
Up until now, wireless communication has been one-way, but this time each device has two functions: sending and receiving. That's what's new.
In addition to communication, radio communication is also used to perfectly recreate the transformation sequences into "Emperor Form" and "Dogabaki Emperor Form."
Kivat blows the Tatsurot Whistle → a radio signal is sent, Tatsurot appears, and the transformation sound begins to play → once the transformation is complete, a radio signal is sent and Kivat's recognition of the transformed form changes to Emperor. This allows you to recreate the scene through radio transmission!

Finally, about the acceleration sensor!
Kivat and Tatsurot make a unique flapping sound when they fly. This technology is used to recreate that sound.
The acceleration sensor is a sensor that reacts when G-forces are applied, so it will react if you hold a Kivat in your hand and move it around with a "G" sound.
This type of gimmick has been used in the past in products such as the "Furuful Rabbit Tank Full Bottle," but that product uses something called a "pendulum sensor."
However, this sensor made a rattling noise inside, so we selected a sensor with higher specifications that would not make this noise.
Of course, there is also a mode that does not play this sound.

Using the three techniques mentioned above, we were able to create a "living" Kivat Tatulot!


Now, while we have taken the above steps to perfect it as a character belt, it is of course a "transformation item," so we have also carefully recreated the transformation scenes from the movie.
As mentioned earlier, the sound of "Bloody Rose" as well as the sound of the pattern that appears on Watari's face when Kivat bites him, the sound of the belt appearing, the transformation sounds, the various form change sounds, the sounds of various special moves, and more, are all perfectly reproduced using the sound effects used in the main story!
Just like in the movie, Dogabaki Form can only be activated after reading three whistles! This one can finally be recreated!
Combine it with the included background music to enjoy the Darkness Moonbreak scene to the fullest!
All of Kiva's BGMs are memorable. When you transform into Emperor Form to the awesome insert song "Supernova," you'll definitely be in fortissimo excitement!!! There's no doubt about it!!!


And the surprise element this time is... the recording of the voice of "Kivat-Bat IV"!!!
He appeared in the final episode and spoke just one line. This time, he can transform into World IV mode with a special activation.
Sugita-san helped me prepare for the role of the IV character and recorded a variety of lines.
He will say things like, "Let's go, Masao!", so you can pretend NARIKIRI Masao Kurenai. What a thing!
The wings are actually orange, but if you have the money, you could buy two and repaint one of them.
The eyes are white, so I think it will be fine to use the included eye parts as they are.
That's right, we've created "replacement eye parts" this time, so it's now possible to recreate Kivat's permanently red eyes!
This is another big evolution point. And those distinctive eyes of the Emperor Form!!!



Finally, let me say a few words about the price.
Some of you may be wondering about the fact that the price is higher than the most recent CSM series.
As I explained when we released DOUBLE DRIVER ver. 1.5, while raw material costs have increased, there are manufacturing reasons that are unique to KIVAT BELT and Tatsurot.
To put it simply, the reasons are "to faithfully reproduce the distinctive paintwork of KIVAT BELT" and "to reproduce the eyes in Emperor Form."​

The belt strip of the CSM series is made of a soft plastic material called "PVC", but if it is molded to a hardness that allows it to bend to this extent, the paint will not adhere very well to it.
Until now, most CSM belts have been "silver" or "gunmetal" in color.
These two types adhere well, so they are fine, but other metallic colors and glossy primary colors cannot withstand the temperature changes after painting, and the color will peel off.
Fortunately, previous products have been available in "silver/gunmetal," but Kivat is different.
It absolutely had to be that metallic red belt.
In other words, until now it has been technically impossible to deliver the product without any problems.

By the way, the belt on BLAYBACKLE is red, but in fact it is not a painted color but a molded red color, which is what we ended up using on the product.
Since the above technology did not exist at that stage and the prop's appearance consisted of a solid red color, we were somehow able to commercialize it.
When developing BLAYBACKLE, we tried over 50 different combinations of PVC material, packaging material type, and paint type, but it was impossible to paint the product red without causing any problems.

However, we now have technology that solves this problem, so although we weren't able to deliver it in time for the 10th anniversary, we are now able to do so.
Using special paint and painting methods and processing, the color does not transfer or peel off and is firmly fixed.
However, this does incur costs, which is reflected in the price of this product.
In order to avoid raising the price any further than it is now, we have managed to keep the price down by only painting the front side and not the back side of the belt.
We hope you will understand.

In addition, the above painting method was used not only for the belt, but also for recreating the Emperor Form's eyes.
The Emperor Form's eyes have a gradient, which cannot be reproduced using normal painting methods.
Also, even if you were to print, the mesh has many round grooves, so it is normally not possible to print there.
For example, the faceplate of SENGOKU DRIVER and the colorful designs of GAMER DRIVER are printed rather than stickers, but this is possible because they are "flat surfaces."
However, Kivat's eyes are round and bumpy, with three-dimensional curves.
Even designs that are difficult to print can now be printed using the new painting method and processing used on the belt strip mentioned above.
KIVAT BELT Tatsurot was created only through the accumulation of new technologies in terms of the paint surface and gimmicks.
We will deliver high quality products, so please look forward to it.

Also, due to production schedule and manufacturing capacity issues caused by the above technology, we have decided to split this product into two rather than a set.
Although there is no "full set version" as usual, we would like you to pick up both sets and experience the fun of combining the two to complete the game.

Today's blog gives a brief overview.
From next time, we will gradually announce more about the product's appeal.

This KIVAT BELT Tatsurot will be on display at the CSM event tomorrow and the day after, so be sure to come along to the venue!!
Finally, we will also be exhibiting three "future HENSHIN BELT prototypes" which can only be seen over these two days.
Here is the exterior! It looks like this!







Each one has its own appeal that can only be conveyed through "movement," so be sure to come and witness it for yourself at the venue!!


That's all for today's blog.
Please come to the event!