Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,401: Nien Nunb

NIEN NUNB B-Wing Pilot
The Legacy Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 87535 No. 93130
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #BD19
Includes: Blaster, helmet
Action Feature: Removable helmet
Retail: $7.99
Availability: September 2009
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Bio: Nien Nunb is a B-Wing pilot who attends the Rebel Alliance briefing prior to the Battle of Endor. Because of his great skills as a pilot and navigator, he is later given the temporary assignment of co-pilot for the Millennium Falcon during this crucial battle. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' old desk.

Commentary: I honestly believe that Hasbro and/or Lucas was in error by naming this figure Nien Nunb. The white Sullustian pilot was, in the 1990s, identified in publications as a prototype prop costume for Ten Numb, who wore a red suit on the film. (Unless that was a mistake, heck, maybe it is.) The red suited dude shaking Wedge's hand in the Endor celebration is, supposedly, Ten Numb. Do you see any white-suited Sullustians on screen in Return of the Jedi? I don't. It's Ten, dammit, and I admit I may be totally wrong on this but I digress. Back to the toy.

This was a pretty obvious repaint. Hasbro had a white Ten Numb which was released in 2008, and since there was a red-suited pilot of that species (despite the body being tall), it was an easy repaint. So here it is. Is it cool? Sure. Identity aside, Hasbro did a really nice job on this figure and the B-wing pilot is a pretty cool design, despite being one of the least-valuable action figures from the real Vintage action figure line. (Seriously, want a carded one? It'll cost you less than a nice meal out. $12.50 for a Power of the Force one.) This one is a lot nicer since it's super-articulated, has a really cool blaster, and is an alien. That's a big plus. The coloring is good, his big black eyes practically speak, and that giant helmet is superb. As a thing you keep around on your desk because it looks cool, this is a really nice figure and I somewhat wish I bought more on mega-clearance in 2010.

If you ignore the name and just take it as "cool Rebel pilot toy" or are less nutty about these things, I think you'll love this one. Any toy derived from Return of the Jedi (or the years following) tend to be better than toys that are not. It's science fact, don't dispute it, everybody loves Ewoks and Lumiya and Vlix.

Collector's Notes: These hung around and may still be rotting at a Wal-Mart near you. Don't overpay for it, but do consider getting one. It's certainly nice enough, whatever his name really is.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,401: October 27, 2010