Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,214: Mae (Assassin, The Vintage Collection)

MAE (Assassin)
The Vintage Collection 3 3/4-Inch Action Figure
Item No.: Asst. E7763 No. F9790
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #327
Includes: Cloth cloak, face mask, 2 daggers
Action Feature: Backpack and holster are removable
Retail: $16.99
Availability: September 2024
Appearances: The Acolyte

Bio: Set at the end of theHigh Republic, a former Padawan reunites with her Jedi Master to investigate a series of crimes, but the forces they confront turn out to be far more sinister and personal than anticipated. (Taken from the figure's cardback. Yes, it's the same non-bio Osha got.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Click here to buy it at eBay now!

Commentary: In many respects, it's a shame people didn't show up for The Acolyte. The story will never be finished, the figure line will likely go underserved, and fans will miss some of Hasbro's best work like this Mae (Assassin) figure. I really liked the retro Kenner one, and this one is also quite excellent. The only thing she has gong against her is that she isn't from a Star Wars that most people bothered to watch... which seems like most of them, nowadays.

Mae looks just like Osha, but different. Both are played by the same actress and Hasbro uses different plastic wigs, but similar paint. Both have glossy eyes with a lively sparkle, and shiny lips that give her a little more life than your average figure. Mae's hair is a little longer in front, plus she has an optional mask you can use to change up her look. You have to remove the black cloth around her neck - which I found tricky - by sliding it forward, and then the mask clamps over her neck without your having to decapitate her. Nice work, Hasbro, I wish there was a manual or a picture explaining this to me before I tried popping her noggin off. The mask fits well, and Hasbro did a nice job with some very tiny, fine detail in her hair. I have no snark here, Hasbro did a good job.

The costume was similarly well-executed, with sculptors and painters translating cloth and metal - with signs of wear and actual tear - to the figure's limbs quite nicely. You're getting your money's worth with this one, with so many textures and moving parts that don't seem to clash. The elbows swivel well, the wrists easily hold the tiny daggers, and despite having a lot of moving bits she stands without falling over too easily. I especially like her cloth cloak, as the hood sits on her head nicely. My one complaint with the figure was that my sample was assembled oddly, with the lower part of her robes twisted funny and it took me some doing to finagle the waist, skirt, and legs in the right position after opening the package.

My main gripe about this figure - indeed, most figures - is that The Acolyte seems to be doomed to a small figure line and we probably won't get The Stranger or the other characters from the show that would make it even more fun to collect. If Kenner only made Luke, Leia, Han, and Chewbacca in 1978 I don't think we'd be talking about toy collecting today. If you don't have any thrust behind your figure line, there's no reason to collect it. You'll be missing out, but probably also feeling good about not buying as much stuff to keep around. Hopefully Hasbro and Lucasfilm will build out bigger collections for future shows, especially as The Acolyte currently has a grand total of checks notes one 3 3/4-inch figure now.

Both Mae and Osha were packed at one per case, and their prices seem to be dipping. I assume there will be units at Ross or Ollie's this year, and I'll probably buy a second of each if the price is right because of Mae's choker and easily lost daggers. If she winds up around $3.99, it's cheaper than buying another one later and paying for shipping. Even if you didn't watch (or don't care about) The Acolyte, it's a great figure with amazing detail and is a handy way to get an Amandla Stenberg figure or two if you're a fan of her work. Also this is one of the best costumes in the Disney+ era of Star Wars, and one of Hasbro's best figures of said work. Maybe they're showing something fancier at Toy Fair in a few weeks, but this is a high bar and I don't assume it will be easily surpassed. Go get one if you see her, you're good for it.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Entertainment Earth.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 3,217: February 20, 2025