Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,325: Mandalorian Shriek-Hawk (Blue and Brown Chest Armor, Pale Yellow Right Shoulder, The Vintage Collection)

MANDALORIAN SHRIEK-HAWK Blue and Brown Chest Armor, Pale Yellow Right Shoulder
The Vintage Collection 3 3/4-Inch Amazon Exclusive Special Action Figure Set
Item No.: No. G0265
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Four figures, four jet packs, four knives, five blasters
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $64.99
Availability: October 2024
Appearances: The Mandalorian

Bio: The Shriek-Hawks are a team of Mandalorian specialists skilled in jetpack operations as well as scouting and rescue missions. (Taken from the packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Click here to buy it at eBay now!

Commentary: Haven't I seen this Mandalorian Shriek-Hawk before? Yes, and no. The set uses new and old molds with new coloring, much like the prop department on the show. There are instantly recognizable elements from the show, along with some new bits. If you want to skip it, be my guest, but it's a unique (if nameless) figure.

In this 4-pack's third Mando from the left, you'll get a figure with The Book of Boba Fett Boba boots, and the bulk of the rest of the figure is based on Din Djarin Mando bits like you saw on Mandalorian Fleet Commander [FOTD #3,243] a couple of years back. The helmet seems to be a good match, too, as is the backpack. This figure also has a unique belt/holster part. I feel like a kid doing a book report from a cover, but it's worth noting the helmet is blue with a gray stripe on the top and very dark gray around the shiny black visor. I also dug the silver left gauntlet and yellow right gauntlet. It has a similar flavor to other figures, but it's unique enough to be interesting and/or somebody's 501st fan character. Articulation is on par with recent releases, as no new bits were constructed here.

The backpack is a redeco of the Fleet Commander, with a Death Watch Mandalorian [FOTD #2,926] double-grip rifle and a pistol with a unique closed trigger guard. He also has a vibroblade which I am fairly sure has never been used with another figure.

Hasbro delivered the goods here, trading on what the prop department did best. I wouldn't say it's mind-blowing in 2026 (or 2024) but it does provide us with new characters that appeared on screen without incorporating a lot of new parts. That's worth something, but at the same time, I'd be just as happy if this guy had half the joints at a lower price. It's a very deluxe figure for a fairly insignificant character, and at markdown prices is a real gem. I'd say give it a look. If you need more Mandos - and at this point, that feels less likely - get this set.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Amazon.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 3,325: March 5, 2026

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,324: Night Trooper (All-White Helmet, The Vintage Collection)

NIGHT TROOPER All-white helmet
The Vintage Collection 3 3/4-Inch Action Figure Set
Item No.: No. F9259
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster
Action Feature: Blaster
Retail: $54.99
Availability: July 2024
Appearances: Ahsoka

Bio: The Night Troopers were stormtroopers who served Grand Admiral Thrawn during his exile on the extragalactic planet Peridea, comprising the majority of his forces. (Stolen from Wookieepedia.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Click here to buy it at eBay now!

Commentary: I looked at one of the Night Trooper in 2024 and have been meaning to get back to it. This seems like a good time! Ahsoka season two is allegedly coming this year, but I'd honestly expect them to kick it back a bit with Maul: Shadow Lord and a new movie on deck. I also haven't heard any whispers of merch yet, but things have been light on new series and/or secretive in general. But I digress, we're here to talk about this figure from a set that came out about 19 months ago. It's worth less than SRP now, which is a trend on a lot of items. It's not a bad item - Hasbro (and/or partners) just overestimated the market demand for what is actually a pretty decent set of troopers.

Thanks to Hasbro's rapid improvements of its 3 3/4-inch collector line, this guy hasn't aged well. The ball-and-socket jointed hips we've been getting on new figures are so good that it makes these awkward rotating hip joints that are built like a shoulder swivel seem old-hat. They're pretty sturdy, but they're not fun. You have to actively manipulate them to achieve a pose, and it requires a lot of fidgeting. I know a lot of you hate "old" Kenner figures, but their swivel legs went from "stand" to "sit" with no ambiguity without any actual thought. Hasbro continues to use the thighs on this Night Trooper with its 2025 Sandtrooper, and I'd very much like to see them go away.

Aside from that, the figure gets the job done. The joints are all basically as good as they get, with tilty ankles and bend-and-swivel wrists, plus that double barbell beck. Everything works fairly well - minus the hips - with tight joints that retail the pose pretty well. I haven't had a lot of problems with this guy's ankles, either. Things just more or less clicked in place, which I suppose is an overall win for a figure I will likely not play with very much. His destiny is to stand, or to be stored. Maybe that will change with the second season of Ahsoka, but I'm not so sure. I feel the rapid release of Star Wars programming has taken away any desire to play with (or even think about) most new stories after airing given product drops off fast and there might be multiple shows starting and ending before we get back to these guys again. To put things in perspective, Ahsoka wrapped in October of 2023 - how much time have you spent thinking about the show? That's not a knock against the show. We've also watched Andor season 2, The Acolyte, and Skeleton Crew since the Night Troopers returned to "our" galaxy with Grand Admiral Thrawn. And then we're told two new movies are coming, and cartoons too - so playing around with the toys from that show hasn't been on my mind much, even though they are pretty slick.

The sculpt shares parts with other troopers. Hasbro cleverly configured these troopers with different "wrapped" limbs, so the three in the set all look different. If you buy multiple sets, you can swap limbs (well, maybe with boiling water) and make up some new and unique designs. This one has no gray paint on their helmet, but he does have some gold filling in his cracks and some red ribbons. It's a nice figure, as a more or less immortal zombie of some sort. Hasbro really got a lot of mileage out of its new body parts, and could probably easily make another different crew with slightly different paint that we'd all happily buy. I do not expect this to happen, unless everybody is keeping super duper secret about new season toys. After the light showing for Andor season two, I'm not placing bets.

The trooper's paint and general vibes are good. It was nicely executed, and now you can get it on Amazon or eBay for less than it cost when I got mine. It's funny to see that often - not always, but often - collector product based on the new shows seems to struggle a bit. The recent Mos Eisley Set allegedly sold out, which either means Hasbro right-sized the run, or we're going to see some fun drama unfold later. Regardless, the Night Trooper is a good figure and the goodly gnomes at Hasbro ensured enough were made for you to build armies at a discount. If you liked the show - or at least its production design - I'd recommend the set. I just haven't opened them despite them sitting at my desk for nearly two years. I'll probably liberate the next trooper after we hear a release date for the next season for the show. Until then, take advantage of the market and get one.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Entertainment Earth. But they're sold out, so use the ">Amazon sponsored link.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 3,324: March 3, 2026

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,323: Princess Leia Organa (The Vintage Collection)

PRINCESS LEIA ORGANA That white outfit, with both hoods
The Vintage Collection 3 3/4-Inch Action Figure
Item No.: Asst. E7763 No. F9785
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #316
Includes: Two blasters, two hoods
Action Feature: Hoods unplug in back
Retail: $16.99
Availability: June 2024
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: Princess Leia Organa was one of the greatest leaders of the Rebel Alliance, fearless on the battlefield and dedicated to ending the Empire's tyranny. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at eBay now!

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary: This Princess Leia Organa figure was available for a while - you could get one, if you wanted. As of my writing this, it's funny to note Amazon sellers are asking $45 for her while the similar The Black Series figure from 2025 has been marked down 10%. They're basically the same in terms of complexity, with slightly different changes in assembly, but the resulting figure is functionally similar with the same gear. The 3 3/4-inch audience is far more interested in this character in this outfit, it would seem. My crackpot theory is that 3 3/4-inch fans tend to be more fanatical, and 6-inch fans who aren't also lifers tend to dabble more and not stick around forever. No one group is better or superior, it just seems that 6-inch prices are more likely to drop like a rock. It could be because Hasbro says "this sells for a higher price and we should make more of them" while cutting the little guys short. They don't share numbers, so you have to guess here.

This is a good figure that gets the job done. The job, of course, is giving fans a super-articulated action figure as demanded without really being concerned if that matters or not. Like with Obi-Wan's spirit, she has super-articulated legs hobbled by a long plastic dress. The only joints that really matter below her waist are the ankles, and once you have those in place she stands fairly well. She could also be a chess piece with no knee or hip joints, and you'd never miss it. The arm joints have a good range of movement, with fairly deep elbow cuts. That's great! If you don't have them completely straight or completely bent, the loop inside the arm might be visible. It's probably not a big deal given how most fans will display this figure. If you want to have her arms up like she's removing her hood? Doable. You want both hands on the Imperial blaster like she's firing down the hallway of the detention block? Doable. You want her to stand with her hands crossed just below her belt like in the cardback photo? Well... technically she can do it, but the plastic doesn't hang in a pleasing way. I am not sure cloth would be better here. So what's the solution?

Skip articulation, bring back alternate arms. Hasbro might even be able to make a figure more cheaply given how little paint there is, given there would be fewer parts to assemble in the packaging. Leia can't double-grip a blaster (like on the Blockade Runner, or the Death Star swing scene.) That's no fault of Hasbro, there are limits to what you can do with an arm of this size - but if you sculpt arms specific to a certain pose? That might work better. Give it some thought, Hasbro, especially if you're working on a big Death Star playset some day.

This Leia can't sit, so she's useless for your big Millennium Falcon scene where she goes up to Luke and goes "Yeah, it stinks Ben died, but he was my friend too. Also my whole planet asploded so get over it, putz." But if you need her standing around? This is a very good figure, with a dress that hangs well, and looks good in plastic. The waist has a really nice pivot joint too, right above the belt so it's not unsightly. Given what they were trying to do, the body turned out incredibly well. I'm just being annoying by suggesting alternate arm parts or an alternate lower body - with no articulation - could result in a more useful figures for diorama purposes.

But how's the face? Fine. The separately molded hair looks spectacular, bringing in what looks like clusters of strands wrapped around just-so. It's great. The face printing is also excellent, but at this size it's probably not perfect. Maybe a little more color, or a slight tweak to the eyes, but she's pretty fantastic for a figure with a pea-sized face. This is not a complaint - what we have as far superior to pretty much any other release of the character in this costume at this size. Hasbro's Leia figures have generally turned out better than most other original trilogy characters in recent years, so kudos on a job well done.

Given what we're seeing in Marvel Legends - $60 fancy figures with more parts - I'm wondering if we can get alternate faces or limbs at this size if Hasbro were to (finally) give up the Vintage trade dress. I'd be curious to see what a $25 super-deluxe "The Infinity Collection" figure might look like, for example, or perhaps a new sort of mini-statue figure at this scale. But that's not what this is - it's a super-articulated figure with no mobility below the legs. I'm glad she came out before retail went up to $20, and I assume every one of my complaints is mooted given she sold out and is now an expensive release. It'd be great to see Hasbro reissue her for the normies next year in time for the 50th, but that seems rarer and rarer. As such, I hope you got her, and/or that Hasbro makes an even more impressive version down the road.

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

--Adam Pawlus

Day 3,323: February 26, 2026

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,322: Obi-Wan Kenobi (Jedi Spirits, The Vintage Collection)

OBI-WAN KENOBI (Jedi Spirits)
The Vintage Collection 3 3/4-Inch Hasbro Pulse Exclusive Special Action Figure Set
Item No.: No. G1395
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Three figures, one cane
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $57.99
Availability: November 2025
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Bio: As Luke Skywalker and his friends celebrate the overthrowing of the Galactic Empire, he sees the Force spirits of Anakin Skywalker, Yoda, and Obi-Wan Kenobi looking on. (Taken from the packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Click here to buy it at eBay now!

Commentary: There are some figures where you can't do much better than "meets expectations." Obi-Wan Kenobi (Jedi Spirits) is one of those figures. Whenever you're dealing with a trooper, a holo, or a ghost, getting anything more than a recolor is rare. In this case, Hasbro actually went the extra mile (and then ran back about 1,138 feet) with this one. Hasbro used Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi [FOTD #3,308] as the base for this one, and swapped out some bits. The hands and feet are now clear blue plastic, with a gradient transitioning to fleshy to ghosty in the outfit. The cloth skirt is now plastic - and kind of looks better. (There is no hook for the lightsaber hilt here.) The figure also got rid of the opaque Jedi robe in favor of a leaves-nothing-to-the-imagination blue one.

It's fine. Trying to evoke special effects from 1980 and 1983 as a physical object has been tough. In the 1990s, we got clear blue guys. In 2004, we saw some sparkly guys. This time, Hasbro split the difference and it should delight those who demand articulation above all else. I don't find that helpful here, because other than sitting on a rock once? It's not necessary. This is a figure that could have been rendered as a statue with limited neck and arm articulation, and may have been better for it. The Jedi robes being see-through just doesn't look right, because you couldn't see under his robes in the movie. I assume it is difficult, if not impossible, to come up with the right soft goods to pull this effect off as an action figure. This is why I very reasonably think Hasbro should stop trying, and just do a statue. Add an alternate "seated leg" set if needed, because the jointed ankles, knees, and hips are worthless on a figure with a long plastic skirt. If anything, I find the joints hard to get just-right for standing. Just having no joints would actually work better here, because nobody's going to put this guy in wacky combat poses. And to customizers that want blue Kenobi legs, I'm sorry, all seven of you are not worth catering to.

I really like how Hasbro handled the paint and shine here, because his head looks really good. If Hasbro kept the head and torso's look for the entire figure, with some hints of blue and glitter in the fabric on the robes, I think we'd be better off. Clear blue hands and boots don't really help the figure's overall look, but I guess for those who like vibes? It works. It's fine, but there's still room to try something else.

Nobody needs another upgrade of this guy in the future. This is fine, but I guess we're always asking the question about if there's room for improvement or any way to improve accuracy. Spirit Obi-Wan Kenobi [FOTD #1,317] from 2004 pretty much delivered a perfectly sculpted body and robes, but the 2025 figure is a bit brighter. Neither is the clear winner, but I'd like to encourage Hasbro to start ignoring super-articulation on some figures if it ruins aesthetics if and only if it's a figure that has no need to sit or go in a vehicle. That's a small last, I'm sure, but Spirit Obi-Wan Kenobi really only needs to stand around and look cool... so I bet they could deliver a better, cheaper figure using fewer pieces if they decide to try again. And if they don't? The textures, likeness, and general gimmick here are good enough. They just don't match the movie super well, and soft goods on most 3 3/4-inch figures are challenging to make look good. This one is OK - plastic would work better here..

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Hasbro Pulse. Hasbro had a Pulse Premium exclusive window on this set for about a month, in which it did not sell out, nor did it sell out in subsequent months. It shipped in November, and it's still in stock.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 3,322: February 24, 2026

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,321 Darth Vader (Force Masters / Epic World of Action)

DARTH VADER Force Masters Pack
Epic World of Action Target Exclusive
Item No.: Asst. G0363 No. G0778
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Red lightsaber, Force lightning, 4 other figures with accessories
Action Feature: Lightning grip for fists, lightning can wrap around figure
Retail: $34.99
Availability: July 2025
Appearances: Obi-Wan Kenobi

Bio: Jedi Masters take on Sith Lord Darth Vader in this 5-pack of Star Wars action figures inspired by Obi-Wan Kenobi, Luke Skywalker, Force Ghost Yoda, Ahsoka Tano, and Darth Vader. (Taken from the Target's web site. Package has no bio.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Click here to buy it at eBay now!

Commentary: This is an interesting Darth Vader, in a year with many Darths Vader. In 2025 Hasbro gave us a "basic" Vader that's pretty much the same as this one - but with some minor changes. For this release, Hasbro added red lightning to his gloves, changed his belt buckle to have an unpainted triangle for some reason, and also painted the lenses on the helmet red. It's different!

The body itself is the same basic mold we got with the Mech or on the individual cardback - and it's a very nice figure. You get bend-and-swivel joints at the shoulders, elbows, and knees plus ball-jointed hips. The whole thing is very efficient and while it isn't the joint-spree of The Vintage Collection it's also half the price. He stands easily, but I might not recommend him as a fighter pilot. Yes, the cape is removable, but the skirt piece is a little thick and may get in the way of driving the family car. Hasbro did a good job sculpting him, unfortunately the grooves and cuts aren't super deep or detailed like many of the older figures. The detail is still present - check out the silver on the chest armor, which is over the robes. Note the horizontal lines on the gloves, which is specific to Obi-Wan Kenobi, Rebels, Rogue One and Star Wars. Hasbro also sculpted the figure to have a smoother, shinier texture on the various "hard" elements of the costume. It's a clever cost-cutting measure, this way they don't need to paint it with a glossy black paint.

I had no problems getting him to stand, even while holding his massive accessories. The big boots and tight joints keep him from doing a face-plant. This is a good design for a figure. "But Adam!" you say, "I don't like kiddo toys." Well, sure you do, we all grew up with toys and you can be an adult and admit it is OK if you buy toys for children. You've been doing it for years, it's OK, I won't make fun of you and we'd probably even be good friends if we met and if you're, you know, cool. If adult fans didn't insist on demanding features they don't want to pay for, I think collectors would see the mold and design as a good one. It's better than what we got in the 1990s, arguably cheaper given inflation, but I will admit that deco is a mixed bag.

This mold mostly replicates the looks from Rebels and Obi-Wan Kenobi with brighter than bright red lenses that are unique to this release, and kind of welcome. As we get older, or display our stuff in dark rooms, having brighter or in some way exaggerated features on small items helps a bunch. I like the light silver armor, I appreciate the belt buckle and the two lights on the chest they painted. I'm disappointed they left off the coin slots and the column ornament deco, though - it's sculpted, just blank. I also can't explain why they changed the belt buckle from being all silver to having a black cut-out for the paint mask. Some merch has this region partially black due to the vents - but the other Hasbro figures using this mold don't. I'm not sure why they would make the change. It stood out, and it's a notable difference. Hasbro also gave him some red lightning on hisi gloves which, honestly, I could do without. We got the red lightning as an accessory, and blue is the typical color whenever we see Vader lighting up some fools or being lit up himself... canon or otherwise.

But how's the gear? Good. The cape fits on the back peg hole, the lightning fits in his fist, and the cracklin' lightsaber also fits in the fist. The lightning is sort of a venus fly trap, able to grasp a figure a bit depending on its weight. It's pretty clever, as you can "grab" a guy in a distinct pose too. I know Vader is typically not canonically shown using it, but also, I unlocked all the secret characters and found the movies in Star Wars: Masters of Teras Kasi so Hasbro can do whatever they want if it's on screen somewhere.

I love that Hasbro gave him red lenses to make him stand out from the Mech Pilot, the Single Card (5 joints), the Single Card (9 joints), and of course the 2-pack with the Stormtrooper (5 joints.) Any time they include a unique accessory or deco hit to make it stand out - especially if it's weird - I'm generally supportive of the change. This might be the most interesting deco overall on this version of the mold, so I'd steer you to this set especially if it's on sale. I'd love a little more silver paint on the helmet and chest, but it's also a kid toy in a kid line that I feel is not long for this world. I would love to see more figures made in this 4-inch style (maybe not with the lightning), and I commend Hasbro for coming up with a way to make these stand out from last year's models. And I can also be cranky I've bought the sculpt about five times between the two significant molds.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Target on sale for $24.49. If I didn't overpay for Walmart's exclusives last year, I probably would've bought this one at full price and not complain. I needed that karmic price adjustment.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 3,321: February 19, 2026

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,320: Shaak Ti (The Vintage Collection)

SHAAK TI It's Been a While
The Vintage Collection 3 3/4-Inch Action Figure
Item No.: Asst. G2611 No. G2613
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #384
Includes: Cloak, scarf, lightsaber, hilt
Action Feature: Hilt plugs in hip
Retail: $19.99
Availability: January 2026
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: A wise and patient Jedi Master, the Togruta Shaak Ti fought at the Battle of Geonosis and supervised the training of clone cadets on Kamino. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

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

Click here to buy it at eBay now!

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary: Absent from the line for over a decade, it makes sense that Hasbro wanted to do a new 3 3/4-inch Shaak Ti. (It's been almost 30 years since the last EV-9D9, just putting that out there.) With a focus on Geonosis this Jedi is a distinctive figure that, despite many other releases, probably benefits from some of the upgrades. Generally speaking alien figures do not benefit from the new technology as much as humans, mostly because make-up appliances and inhuman colors help to mask a lot of imperfections in the toymaking process. Getting a tiny peanut-sized Natalie Portman head to look perfect took some time, but the 2002 Shaak Ti head looked pretty great the first time. Each figure has its pros and cons, but this is currently queen of my world when it comes to mega-articulated takes with all the trimmings.

Let's start with the head. With no hair, her lekku piece seems to be the molded-on toupee. It seems fit perfectly, with excellently painted stripes. The make-up around the eyes looks excellent, and the pink skin color seems a little brighter and more saturated than stock photography or scenes from the movie. The eyes look good, but seemingly wrong - at this size I can't be sure, so maybe it doesn't matter. The movie costume seems to have contacts to make her eyes big and black, hiding the whites. This figure has a hint of the whites around the sides, which oddly does make her face look a little off. I'm sure anyone working on this figure will say "oh come on, you have got to be kidding me" but in the age of the $20 collector figure I'm going to nitpick facial details. Everything else seems pretty good, with her face trapezoids and red painted lips. The face doesn't look goofy, either.

Much like the face, the rest of the figure seems like someone cranked up the brightness. The brown soft goods cloak is lighter than most previous toys and the film, seemingly closely matching The Clone Wars. The hood is sewn down - which would be a complaint on another figure. Due to her massive head, here it doesn't really matter. She'd never use it, so sewing it down was a good call. Oddly like other recent Jedi, her sleeves are very small. In the movie, they were these giant, wing-sized things that you could smuggle an Ewok or at least a Hoojib inside. Here, they're just reasonable sleeves. I don't know why they're going in this direction given older figures had it right. Maybe it's mobility, but I don't think anyone ever complained about the sleeves with previous Attack of the Clones releases. Probably not coincidentally, this is also how her robes look in The Clone Wars.

The rest of the figure's costume is similar, with tattered soft goods "skirt" that actually looks pretty amazing. The fabric is thin and crinkled just-so. Is it a perfect match for the movie? Honestly I can't tell, but it looks good as a figure. Her scarf isn't as dark as the movie, but it hangs well, and it looks fine. Her tabard is incredibly detailed, and surely where a lot of money went. There are lots of sculpted and painted elements, and getting them sharply detailed is difficult. The same can be said about the gray lekku markings. It's a complex figure, with a lot of details to get just right. They did a generally good job, plus or minus questions of color temperature.

Articulation is fine, but not amazing. Getting both hands on the lightsaber hilt is no easier than most existing figures, and that's the kind of thing I really need out of a modern, otherwise excellent Jedi. For card ed collectors? She's amazing. To stand around in a collection? Probably perfectly fine, but still not the scene-perfect Attack of the Clones costume. When looking at The Clone Wars it would seem that robe and colors may have inspired the deco and robes, while the rest of the costume is pretty much what we saw in the movie. While this wave's Padme may be as perfect as she ever gets, Shaak Ti is one where Hasbro has ample reason to try again. If new colors and a new robe wouldn't cost a slot that would go to an actual new figure, I'd probably be happy to see it - but in this $19.99 environment I'll just say we can deal with it and move on. It's fine, just not perfect or particularly accurate to the movie photo on the cardback. But I don't make another one, we have been at "good enough" for a while and this, too, is probably good enough for most fans.

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

--Adam Pawlus

Day 3,320: February 17, 2026

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,319: Padmé Amidala (The Vintage Collection)

PADME AMIDALA That white outfit, before it gets torn
The Vintage Collection 3 3/4-Inch Action Figure
Item No.: Asst. G2611 No. G2612
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #383
Includes: Two blasters, cape
Action Feature: Blaster goes in holster
Retail: $19.99
Availability: January 2026
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: The brave Padme Amidala fought for peace as Senator of Naboo - but her forbidden marriage to Anakin Skywalker would prove to have dire consequences for the galaxy. (Taken from the figure's cardback, spoiling the picture.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

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

Click here to buy it at eBay now!

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary: The $19.99 figure price point does sting a bit, but when Hasbro makes actual all-new figures you can sometimes say "yeah, I can see it." If you compare this 2026 Padme Amidala to the ripped-shirt version from 2002 ($4.99) or the "Droid Factory" version from 2003, which also had the cape, you can see some real changes. The figures in 2002 and 2003 employed 3D scanned likenesses in the product development, with more realistic proportions and face sculpts that looked eerily similar to the real people. Paint hadn't yet caught up, but it was a radical departure from the 1990s where Kenner and Hasbro could capture personality and character, but the likenesses had a ways to go. Those 2002 and 2003 figures started to add articulation, but they were usually still given the same shoulder, neck, and hip swivels as Kenner's originals from 1978-1985.

I bring up the 2002/2003 figures because those things are almost as much of a dinosaur in 2006 as Kenner's original figures were in 2002. We've seen steady improvements in most figure likenesses, and Hasbro has delivered a Natalie Portman likeness that's about the size of a couple of peas with slightly exaggerated deco so real it seems to spit in the eye of life itself. And of course, in 20 years, we'll call this figure garbage because Hasbro will invent something even better. Padme's wig is separately molded, perfectly placed, and a consistent brown. Her eyes glisten a bit, Hasbro gave her a little much eye make-up - but at this size, it helps the peepers pop. The lips are painted pink, and Hasbro even put the smallest, intentional dot on her check for Ms. Portman's mole. Her eyebrows are also excellent. Sure, she's not screaming like the 2003 figure but it's realistic almost to a fault. The 2023 The Retro Collection figure was also very good in its restraint. This figure has none. I'd love to say something snarky here about how the head sculpt somehow doesn't seem worth the $16.99 it was designed at, or the $19.99 it costs because politics. But I can't. It's really something, and it's a shame our eyes are degrading with age so it's harder to appreciate.

And that's just the head. The body feels like it keeps the same basic outfit we've gotten over and over and over, with more articulation. The figure improves on the 2013 The Black Series 3 3/4-inch Padme with Nexu rips [FOTD #3,281], which was also amazing and very similar. I assume Hasbro has been trying to find new ways to make the same basic joints better, and has. The hips swing forward all the way without the belt getting in the way. The knees have a little bit of an overhang, hiding the ring joints. The ankles rock. Her wrists swivel, and her waist joint pivots just behind her belt. The jointing is a massive improvement, better than we'll likely ever need given most previous figures were good enough. But it's the very best, so far at least.

She has two blasters. The small one fits in her holster, the big one doesn't. She can hold it with no real problems. The cape's texture looks incredible, and being plastic it hangs nicely. It limits the poses you as a fan can do in your dioramas, and if I really felt like there were a ton of Attack of the Clones Tatooine dioramas being built that would matter. I assume this figure will mostly stand around on a shelf in a row with other figures, or maybe stay carded. In that respect, it's perfect. The sculptor nailed it, and should be asked to do more plastic versions of cloth things that hang off a figure in the future.

Could the accessories be better? Sure. I'd love them to have included her deleted scene hat/cloak parts, especially given that Qimir got a few more parts in his figure. Most of Padme is molded in color, so the deco budget has got to be lower here - but Hasbro did paint teh blaster grips. That's nice. This is a pretty great example of Hasbro's evolving an action figure from "a thing a kid can afford and play with" to "a collectible for adults to nitpick, photograph, and in some cases store in a box in a storage unit." She's a technical marvel, and like a lot of the women in The Vintage Collection feels like another figure that I could tell you may be one of Hasbro's very best. Most figures are "fine," and this one only gets more and more impressive as you compare her to other previous releases.

Prequel fans or fans of impressive action figures, get one. It exceeds expectations, and is somewhat eerie. Also, Hasbro has shown us just how well they can do a human face now. It makes a few classic figures from last year, like Han and Obi-Wan, look a little worse by comparison. Maybe it's just that her face is more conducive to being reduced in size and cast in plastic, but Hasbro did a great job and I am excited to see what we'll see at Toy Fair this weekend.

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

--Adam Pawlus

Day 3,319: February 12, 2026

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,318: The Stranger (Qimir, The Vintage Collection)

THE STRANGER (Qimir)
The Vintage Collection 3 3/4-Inch Action Figure
Item No.: Asst. G2611 No. G2786
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #382
Includes: Two lightsabers, hilt, helmet, cloak
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.99
Availability: January 2026
Appearances: The Acolyte

Bio: Adopting the alias Qimir, the Stranger acts as a shiftless drifter. Little is known of this dark sider who trains Mae Aniseya in secret, hiding his face from his pupil. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

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

Click here to buy it at eBay now!

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary: One of the few figures I wanted after seeing The Acolyte was The Stranger (Qimir), who makes a pretty strong case for "hey maybe release some figures before the show starts." Is it a spoiler? Sure. Does it matter? No, it's so cool that seeing a figure like this might make you go "I want to watch the show now and I want to know more." The Acolyte was loaded up with considerable talent in front of and behind the camera, and decided to shoot itself in the foot. There were some great things in this show. There were some terrible aging make-up effects, and all it took was for one song so uncool that I found pretty much any discussion of the show's positives could be unraveled simply with the phrase "the power of many." For a show jam-packed with neato stuff, that's a real shame.

Manny Jacinto got to strut around nude - a first in Star Wars - denying me the part I was clearly born to play. But he did so with aplomb, getting to play an a-grade weirdo and a pretty compelling baddie with some great costumes and lack thereof. Like so many things in the recent saga, it's a shame that developments seem to conspire to keep him from coming back. Why? Because this is a great figure with a wonderful costume. He's got huge pants, a great shirt, and some of Hasbro's better bare arms. The brace on his left arm do a good job keeping him from having wrist cankles, but the right arm is a little bulky around the wrist. The range of motion is good, but it doesn't seem quite as muscular as the arms appeared on-screen. Can't win 'em all, I s'pose, you wouldn't want to accuse him of being some sort of master of the universe. The hands have no problems holding the lightasbers, and I've found the giant pants to be very good at helping him be posed in a stable way. I really like how Hasbro translated the design to a plastic man.

The head is top-notch, with a separately molded wig on a face that looks pretty great. That modern printing keeps getting better, and the simple deco on this figure is hard to ruin. Hasbro nailed the sculpted figure. The lightsabers are all decent, but you can't connect them in any way. The hilt fits like a glove in a socket on the belt, making this a figure with tons of good features that just plain work. Normally I'm fighting the pose or the lightsabers, but here? Everything is smooth. I love it.

To make things even more interesting, we get a cloth cloak and a plastic helmet. The helmet is another one of the great props, probably one of the highlights of the Disney era. It's gleefully creepy with a toothlike mouth and no eyes on a worn metal dome. I suppose the implication with all of the wear and tear is that this is a man who's been hit on the head a few times, which is more comical than cool, but it looks awesome enough that you might not think about that. I think it turned out great.

I don't love the cloak - as with other figures, I'm thinking we're hitting the limits of what cloth can do. It doesn't have a lot of weight to it, so it looks sort of like what the barber swings around you when it's time to get a haircut. The plastic one in The Black Series looks nicer, and I think I'd rather have something like that here. The material is good, but it just doesn't feel right for this particular figure. There are two layers of cloth and if I had this figure in my hand before I saw the show, I'd just say it looked like an awesome figure.

Loud, proud fans of The Acolyte are few but I think it's worth seeing the show. It's not my favorite series, but there's a lot in there that shows winning imagination and great work on the part of the writers and designers. Also, some of the most embarrassing stuff. The bulk of the non-Jedi costuming is all amazing, with unique armor and clothing to delight and frustrate. Maybe they'll find a place to reuse this stuff, as the Stranger's helmet seems like something that has had other owners and could be passed down. But I digress - this is the best The Acolyte figure, and it'll look awesome in other displays too. The pre-prequel show won't ever have a big collection of toys, so I'd still recommend picking up a few to put in other scenes or to just enjoy as a neat action figure. This review is way more positive than I was expecting, mostly because I was assuming I'd find fault with the deco, articulation, or five accessories. Even at $19.99, this is a figure that feels like it's better at pulling its weight. Bravo.

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

--Adam Pawlus

Day 3,318: February 10, 2026

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,317: Anakin Skywalker (Jedi Spirits, The Vintage Collection)

ANAKIN SKYWALKER (Jedi Spirits)
The Vintage Collection 3 3/4-Inch Hasbro Pulse Exclusive Special Action Figure Set
Item No.: No. G1395
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Three figures, one cane
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $57.99
Availability: November 2025
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Bio: As Luke Skywalker and his friends celebrate the overthrowing of the Galactic Empire, he sees the Force spirits of Anakin Skywalker, Yoda, and Obi-Wan Kenobi looking on. (Taken from the packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Click here to buy it at eBay now!

Commentary: If there's a short list of figures I never expected to see again, it would be something like this Anakin Skywalker (Jedi Spirit) thanks to its alternate head. If I were Hasbro, I'd have sold one Sebastian Shaw figure, and one Hayden Christensen figure, but not a double-header. The sculpts are excellent. The deco is good. The soft goods are also present.

The body seems to be a mix of new and old parts. I noticed right away that the boots looked like The Journey of Anakin Skywalker's "Darth Vader" [FOTD #3,285], and the legs seem to match as well. They're cast in clear blue. The left hand seems similar to that figure, but I am not able to easily remove it to check. It isn't obvious to me that the arms are shared, and the torso is unique as it has a pull-out chest attached to head. I think that's a brand-new feature with this figure.

The quality of work is, as always, very good. There are a lot of joints and textures sculpted on the figure, and the Sebastian Shaw head's gray hair looks great his distinctive smile. Unfortunately the deco left off the pronounced eyebrows, which really stand out on the original movie scene and the ultra-rare carded figure packaging. It's a good head, it's shiny, and it looks like him - but it could look more like him.

The Hayden Christensen head is really good. The messy hair is just perfect, and a little darker than the aforementioned Darth Vader. It's not the same sculpt either - it's a little more lively. The face looks great with a slight smirk that feels like he's thinking "Thanks, kid" with a perfect scar and eyes. It's really good. I was trying to pop it off to swap with the Vader figure, but it was not easy to do - and I don't want to break it. As such, I'll just say Hasbro could sell me a Revenge of the Sith Anakin with this head for twenty bucks and I'd pay it. Each head has a slightly different robe "plug" that easily fits in a cavity in the figure's chest. I really admire the sculpting work done here.

I don't like the blue robes. While it does evoke a bit of that magical shimmering light that exists only in movie magic, there's one problem: you can see through it. In the movie, you can't. This may have been the only solution Hasbro had with this figure format, but that's the problem: not every figure should be in The Vintage Collection. This figure would benefit greatly from being a "salt shaker figure," because the lower robes hinder all articulation and he's likely to face-plant with his ankles. In the movie, he only looks around and moves his head - Hasbro could've sold us 3 mostly-statues for $45 or $50 and as long as they were clear with robes molded to them you'd hear no complaints from me. I realize this is ridiculous nerdery, but your clothes don't turn partially invisible when you're a ghost. At least, as far as I know, all I've seen is the movies. It's not like vengeful spirits in horror movies are accidentally flashing libidinous teens at summer camp.

I realize the power of The Vintage Collection to move (higher priced) product, but this figure - and this set - would be better off as low-articulation figures. Even at the same price, mini-statues would be a better solution to delivering action figures with some hard-to-represent characteristics. I would also have been fine with a slightly less sheer cloth robe, but let's be honest: I'm a nutty collector. Any collector that insists Ghost Anakin needs bend-and-swivel wrists, or elbows, or knees is nuttier than I am. I would want any Jedi with a lightsaber to have joints for fun poses.

We have had a few Sebastian Shaw figures (1984, 1998, 1999) and all of which have their pros and cons - but this one might be the best overall execution of the concept so far. But I'm not happy with it - I hope Hasbro tries again, and understands that fans will most likely be very accepting of swapping a few joints for a better-looking figure. No kid is going to play with Spirit Anakin, no ship needs him as a pilot. Statue it up, and I'll throw down another $20. But please, keep the alternate heads, and these head sculpts. They're very good. (Plus or minus some eyebrows.)

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Hasbro Pulse. Hasbro had a Pulse Premium exclusive window on this set for about a month, in which it did not sell out, nor did it sell out in subsequent months.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 3,317: February 5, 2026

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,316: Mandalorian Shriek-Hawk (Brown Chest Armor/No Rangefinder, The Vintage Collection)

MANDALORIAN SHRIEK-HAWK Brown Chest Armor, No Rangefinder
The Vintage Collection 3 3/4-Inch Amazon Exclusive Special Action Figure Set
Item No.: No. G0265
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Four figures, four jet packs, four knives, five blasters
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $64.99
Availability: October 2024
Appearances: The Mandalorian

Bio: The Shriek-Hawks are a team of Mandalorian specialists skilled in jetpack operations as well as scouting and rescue missions. (Taken from the packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Click here to buy it at eBay now!

Commentary: I had this Mandalorian Shriek-Hawk for over a year before opening the set - there's a lot of toy action to absorb! Each figure has individually customized armor and stands out as an individual, but none of them have names or individual packaging. It's one big set, which is kind of a neat throwback to the Kenner era when you got names like "Rancor Keeper" or "A-Wing Fighter Pilot" because nobody wanted to dig deeper. Four figures share this name, and this is the one on the far right of the boxed set.

This figure has brown chest armor, a green left shoulder, a yellowish right shoulder, and Kenner-ish red and gold-ish gauntlets. The arms and legs share elements with Axe Woves and Mando, the chest armor seems to be unique, the helmet is unique, and the belt and codpiece are also unique. The helmet has a unique cracked - but articulated - rangefinder, which makes this guy stand out. Since all of the figures in this set have blue helmets and generally brown and gray bodies, it feels like a group but not a terribly cohesive one. And since there aren't a ton of clear images (or names) to easily compare costumes to figure, I'll leave it at "this is good enough for now." It might be old age, but it certainly feels like I'm at a point in my life where I can say "close enough, let's move on to something new next."

This figure has a distinctive holster, plus a vibro-blade... or kinfe... or whatever it is. The set on has one big rifle to share among them, which is a shame. It's a neat figure, but not one that stood out or one that was featured in a book or trading card or anything I've come across to make me bounce up and down, point, and demand it.

Hasbro probably got to this as quickly as possible, and that was a solid 18 months after they appeared on TV. It's an afterthought of a set. That's a bad choice - these figures aren't a spoiler, and they probably would have made people more excited for the show (and toys) had they been released before we knew they weren't anything super duper special. Imagination is worth a lot, and giving fans something to dream about is a lot more exciting and engaging than giving fans confirmed nobodies down the road.

See also, locking up the Rey/Luke story between The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi. It's more rewarding for all parties to do something like a Sneak Preview wave, because - honestly - anybody that sees the bulk of figures and go "you ruined the show" needs to be bonked upside the head. Sure, a presumed-dead guy coming back is a spoiler. Yes, a decapitated figure or maybe even a disguised figure could be something that ruins the fun. But after 10 years of Disney-era Star Wars in live action, I don't think a single toy would tell me something that would in any way alter my enjoyment of the movie or TV show. Quite the opposite - getting to gawk over and speculate about a costume provides much more when it comes to anticipating the show, plus I'll even keep an eye out for it on-screen. Hopefully Hasbro and Lucasfilm can get more things like this out prior to airdate, because they'll only enrich the fan experience. The "no spoilers, I don't even want to see a trailer" crew can't be reasoned with nor should anyone try. They're lost. Make money off the rest of us. But I digress.

The figure's boots look great, the armor is nicely dented, and the armor is incredibly clean. There aren't any real signs of wear in the deco, and since we never really dwell on it, it looks fine. It'll be great in that diorama you won't build, because there's no actual shriek-hawks to herd or spires to climb, or cities to fly around in. A figure without vehicles, or playsets, or other toys to interact with can still look amazing, but I'd say it may never be fun. He can stand, he can hold his gear, and he looks incredibly distinctive. I love the glossy visor! But other than hanging out by the Armorer's Forge, I can't do much else with him. If you don't have thousands of figures, this is a good set and Amazon marked it down - it's great for the price. If you've got too much stuff, well.... this won't help that.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Amazon.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 3,316: February 3, 2026

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,315: IG-11 (Speeder Bike / Epic World of Action)

IG-11 & Grogu with Speeder Bike
Epic World of Action Amazon Exclusive
Item No.: No. G1422
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Red blaster, gray rifle, red rocket, clear gray rocket launcher, brown basket, IG-11 figure, Grogu figure, multi-piece speeder bike
Action Feature: Bag connects to figure and vehicle, rocket launcher fires and connects to bike, bike explodes
Retail: $19.99-$21.99
Availability: July 2025
Appearances: The Mandalorian

Bio: After his reprogramming, IG-11 tracked down Grogu and rescued him from Scout Troopers on a Speeder Bike. (Taken from the packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Click here to buy it at eBay now!

Commentary: Timing is everything. This awesome IG-11 & Grogu with Speeder Bike set came out in August 2025. Their debut on The Mandalorian with this vehicle was December 27, 2019. To put that in perspective, it would be like if Kenner put out Ewok figures in 1989, when the line had been dead for four years. Could you imagine something awesome being on TV when you were in kindergarten, and then the toy didn't come out until you were almost done with the sixth grade? It's a shame this couldn't have been out for season two. Or three. But I'd say all of Epic World of Action and Epic Hero Series was a spectacular line defeated by some pretty horrible timing.

At least the toy is good.

While The Vintage Collection had an IG-12 with Grogu and an Anzellan for $25, Epic World of Action did a trade-off where $20-$22 (or under $10) could get you a whole Speeder Bike with Grogu and IG-11. Each item has its advantages, but a vehicle with a wheel for $20 and two figures strikes me as a really good deal. I feel like a jerk getting it on sale, but Amazon has had a proclivity to mark down their Hasbro exclusives in recent years and I hate overpaying for everything.

Grogu is more or less the same figure with the hover pram or the N-1 starfighter. He has glossy, painted fur trim around his collar and sleeves. Otherwise, he's the same basic figure you've already purchased. This makes him just different enough to make you mad. He is articulated at the neck and shoulders.

IG-11 is a whole new animal with an all-new mold, but like many of the Disney-era toys it appears to be derived from the same basic sculpt we got with other IG-11 toys. The fingers look a lot like The Vintage Collection claws, and it's sadly missing the bandolier vest piece. This feels like a notable absence, and I'd have traded the blasters or rocket launcher for it. Maybe kids wouldn't. The detail is quite good, and he has exceptional articulation for an Epic kiddo figure. Check out actual ball jointed shoulders, bend-and-swivel elbows, ball-jointed hips, and bend-and-swivel knees. If Hasbro gave us this level of articulation on a lower-priced The Vintage Collection figure, I would be pretty happy. The red shoulders look great, and the metallic coloring is good. The hands easily grip the pistols or bike handlebars. Hasbro did a real nice job here, minus the lack of ammo belt vest.

IGgy has no problems sitting on the bike with his feet on the pedals and his hands on the bars. His butt may hover slightly, but it works. You can plug the bag on the roll behind the seat, or on the side of the bike. The clear gray rocket launcher also plugs into the side. This bike has added "battle damage" detail too, making it visually different from the other releases thus far.

Compared to the 1996 $9.99 Power of the Force POTF2 Speeder Bike, this is an amazing toy. Adjusted for inflation, it's priced comparably with a second figure and more action features baked in the bike. You don't have the easily lost flaps or jointed legs, but I kind of prefer the rolling wheels and bumper car action. I would actually recommend the entire line to figure fans as it's not very big and shows what Hasbro can do with toys when they set their brand plan to it, and you know what? I'd like more of this sort of thing. I don't believe Hasbro will give it to us, but it just proves they're still very good at making actual toys when they are allowed.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Amazon on sale for $6.25 around Black Friday. After Christmas it was under $9.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 3,315: January 29, 2026