Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,102: R4-X2

R4-X2 with Y5-X2
Star Wars Droid Factory
Item No.: ???
Manufacturer: Disney
Number: n/a
Includes: R4-X2 and Y5-X2 figures
Action Feature: Comes apart
Retail: $19.99
Availability: ca. Fall 2017
Appearances: The Last Jedi

Bio: All different types of astromech droid populate the Star Wars galaxy. Each droid is different and has their own unique personality and colors. These Resistance droids are assigned to the main cruiser of the embattled Resistance forces. May the Force be with you... and your droids! (Taken from the packaging)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at eBay now!

Commentary: I got too many droids, and also, there are a few I infuriatingly was not able to get. But I did get the very nice R4-X2, which riffs on R2-X2 from the original film. Because you apparently can't trust your lying eyes, that droid was originally made as a black figure, but later as a dark green figure, and subsequently this fella and Y5-X2 were made in a similar style using the Disney droid molds... which were based on Hasbro molds.

One of the reasons I didn't open this set until last month was a lack of curiosity - there were no new parts and I mistakenly thought they were pretty straightforward repaints. Not so! The body is very similar to R2-X2, with black and silver painted elements. The dome looks very late-1980s, with green block patterns that remind me of the Industrial Automaton logo. The nice addition that really struck me was the Resistance logo on the front and back of the dome, which is something we just usually never see. Ziro had a droid with a faction symbol, and it's possible R2-X2 did too (I haven't seen reference photos from behind of the actual prop), I don't remember another droid with this symbol on it. It's kind of funny you'd think it would be a handy tool for subterfuge. A Stormtrooper could just roll one of these in a Rebel base and hope nobody asks any questions. If you can paint Chopper black, who's to say it won't work?

The dome is white plastic with green detailing, plus silver and black elements. There's a lot going on here, so it's interesting to look at and, for better or for worse, one of the more exciting figures from that movie. (Hasbro's line gave us a few new faces and also some very samey figures.) I like this one, although after seven year it is notable that the sequel trilogy's sophomore installment hasn't been expanded on in merchandising much, and the entire saga sort of just flailed around and avoided making new and interesting ships and playsets. It would be nice to have a place to put this figure, which is the only real knock I have against it. You don't own a Resistance capital ship, therefore you likely have no need for figures to fill one out.

The price of this set just makes my head hurt - they sold us two droids for $20 back then, and now it's one for $15. (Back then it was one for $13.) At its original price this set was a great - if obscure - pairing, and while arguably not exciting with two nearly identical droids, at least you felt like you got your money's worth. Prices have gone up on this set, but it's charming.

Collector's Notes: I got mine in 2017 and I'm pretty sure my pal Shannon picked it up for me - but it's been in my "to open" pile for seven years! Well, thanks Shannon.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 3,102: January 25, 2024