Figure of the Day: Day 185: Chief Chirpa

CHIEF CHIRPA Battle of Endor
The Saga Collection
Item No.: Asst. 85770 No. 86910
Number: 039
Includes: Headdress, staff, knife, stand, bonus holographic figure
Action Feature: Knife fits in holster on belt
Retail: $6.99
Availability: Summer 2006
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Bio: Chief Chirpa is the wise, gray-furred leader of the Ewok tribe that befriended a Rebel strike team sent to the forest moon of Endor to destroy the Imperial shield generator. After some initial hostilities, it was he who accepted the Rebels into his tribe. A fierce defender of his people, he had been looking for a means to effectively resist the Imperial occupation, and did not hesitate to assist the Rebels by committing his forces to battle. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelf. The 2006 Trilogy shelf.

Commentary: It's no secret I'm a fan of the Ewoks. Chief Chirpa is the newest plastic entry in this race of space guinea pigs, and he was also one of the very first two Ewoks made in 1983 (along with Logray). This time around, though, he's much shorter, much more detailed, and yes, totally out of scale with the rest of the Ewok toys ever made. Old or new. Which is good and bad-- he's probably the closest to the "right" size any modern Ewok has been, and he's absolutely perfect. Or darn close to it. He has a ball-jointed neck plus the normal articulation at the shoulders, hips, and wrists. He can move just enough to keep the same awkward positioning as see in the movie, and his accessories are surprisingly well done too! What you see is basically what you get, but it's worth noting that he's also very very small. Compared to other new sculpted figures in 2006, you will feel like you got a bad deal. Still, if you're like me and when it comes to basic figures, money is almost no object (as long as it's "fair"), this is a spectacular action figure that is well worth buying for any fan of Endor, aliens, tubby little rodent people, and so on.

Collector's Notes: This figure proved to be fairly popular at release and it's not expected to have a long run at retail. As such, buy it if you see it if you care. Otherwise, save $7.

Day 185: November 7, 2006