Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,552: Tusken Raider Child

TUSKEN RAIDER Tusken Child
Saga Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 84861 No. 84864
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #0208
Includes: Gaffi stick, Tusken Mother
Action Feature: Toddler fits into pouch on back
Retail: $4.99
Availability: April 2002
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: Also known as Sand People, these dangerous savages live in the rocky Jundland Wastes on the planet Tatooine. The Tusken Raiders engage in an inevitable confrontation with Anakin Skywalker after he tries to rescue his mother from their camp. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' Jabba shelves.

Commentary: I'm not quite sure what the deal with this Tusken Raider Child's pose is, but the sculpt is pretty good. A simple figure, this one is jointed at the shoulders and is designed to sit in a pouch on the back of his (or her, they all dress the same) mother. For a figure from 2002 the deco is quite good-- I don't think they could do a much better job today. There are numerous shades of brown, a wipe, and a black visor painted on this tiny figure.

The sculpt is great, there is plenty of detail, and it stands without a problem. This is one of those rare, great figures that Hasbro probably couldn't be expected to do a whole heck of a lot better, plus it's a weird one. One of my favorite sub-segments of the line (along with astromech droids) is collecting every different flavor of Tusken Raider I can get, so I'm jazzed they made women and children. And Jedi. And ones you can decapitate. Now that I think of it, the only thing for Tusken Raiders that I'd really love to see (but never got) is some sort of action feature one. If you could push a button and it raised its arms and could yell (or I could yell) that'd be awesome. Did you know the sound of a Tusken Raider is some sort of donkey or mule thing? (But I digress.)

This is a great little figure. I consider it essential because it's so unique, so be sure to add one to your collection. And his mom too. But man, these little dudes are neat, aren't they?

Collector's Notes: This one has been released twice-- the original carded figure in 2002, and a Battle Pack with a Bantha and some Tusken Raiders for Toys "R" Us a few years later. If you're after loose figures, it should be cheap. Collectors also take note that there's a red redeco from a variant of the Battle Pack.

Day 1,552: May 26, 2011