Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Stormtrooper (A New Hope)

Release Date: October 2019

RRP: 5800 yen

Despite there being so many different characters in the Star Wars universe Bandai Tamashii Nations  could choose to make figures of, they do seem quite content in just bringing out new versions of the same ones every couple of years in the S.H. Figuarts line. But then again, that shouldn't be all that surprising when its fairly common practice for any company making Star Wars toys in general. Although a standard Stormtrooper was one of very first figures produced in the line, new films and slight mould tweaks have resulted in the iconic design being rolled out multiple times already. Not counting some of the more unique variants, the S.H. Figuarts Stormtrooper (A New Hope) version is the third. The general retail figure was released alongside the new Return of the Jedi Darth Vader - the second Return of the Jedi version in the line and also the third Vader figure in total. Maybe Bandai just really like doing things in threes?

Despite there being three different Stormtrooper releases now and the Star Wars Figuarts packaging not having a whole lot to offer in terms of variety, there are thankfully a few telltale signs with each one that let you know exactly what you're getting. The original 2015 release came in a slimmer box with no reference to a specific film from the Star Wars saga, while the 2017 Rogue One version had a larger box, more weapons, the Rogue One logo on the front and a red backing card inside. Finally this version goes back to the standard Star Wars box template, but with the wider standard-sized box. The A New Hope labelling is also there though not especially clear, written in tiny letting alongside the 'Stormtrooper' katakana. But then of course if all else fails you can just peer into the window and look for the accessories unique to this release. The back of the packaging has a nice array of images showing off the figure's features and accessories, then inside you'll find it all neatly packaged on a moulded plastic tray.

Bandai may be able to freely roll out Stormtrooper figures over and over again, but that doesn't mean that they haven't been trying to make some improvements along the way. Getting the helmet shape just right has been a consistent problem for the S.H. Figuarts line so far, but it seems they've finally managed it on the third try because this figure looks great. The helmet sculpt is really sharp with not a single detail lost, and that glossy finish on the white is a perfect match for that plasticky "clearly not effective at anything" material the Empire use for their armour. While admittedly there isn't a whole lot of detailing on the design in regards to paint apps, the actual moulding itself is flawless - particularly on the legs and their bizarre asymmetrical knee pads. Turn the figure around though and you'll discover an interesting little design choice Bandai have decided to make on this figure - one that certainly benefits articulation but doesn't do a whole lot for the seamlessness of the sculpt when viewing it from behind. The ensure the maximum amount of articulation in the hips, the crotch area and the top of the legs are only connected by a thin piece of joint work - leaving big exposed areas on either side. It's completely invisible from the front because of the raised leg armour, but from the back it is rather visible. But then how often are you going to be looking at the figure from the back at butt-level? Other than that it's pretty much everything you could want from an Imperial Stormtrooper.

The Stormtrooper's belt features a removable panel, which the blaster rifle holster can then peg into in its place. Given the number of different Stormtrooper patrols and all the different tasks they carry out, the option to choose whether or not the holster is attached is an unexpectedly thoughtful feature - especially with how long and cumbersome said holster is. However if you do choose to attach it, the holster not only pegs in firmly but also has an additional latch to ensure the rifle stays properly in place. Simply unpeg the latch, slip the rifle into place and then re-connect the latch over the top of it.

While I didn't own them myself so can't comment on either of them specifically, the general consensus seems to be that the previous Stormtrooper releases also had some issues when it came to articulation (the 2015 one especially). If that is the case then those issues have largely been ironed out for this version, which has a fairly impressive range of movement. The figure has a ball jointed head and neck, with swivel hinge shoulders, raised ball joined shoulder pads, bicep swivels, double hinge elbows, ball jointed wrists, ball jointed torso and waist sections, ball jointed hips, thigh swivels, double hinge knees, swivel hinge ankle rockers and single hinge toe sections. Unfortunately as usual the armour design does result in some restriction in certain places, with most frustratingly the elbows unable to manage much more than a 45 degree bend. The loose pieces that hang down from the belt are also rather pointless and only seem to serve to get in the way of hip movement. But where this figure does succeed, it does it magnificently. The clearance on the shoulder pads is some of the best I've ever seen on a Figuarts, with the piece able to swing all the way down to the bicep in order to give the shoulder joint full movement. The bend on the knees is brilliant, as is the range of movement on the torso, waist and ankles. Finally while that break at the top of the legs might be rather unsightly from a sculpt perspective, when it comes to giving the hips that full range of movement it does exactly what Bandai intended it to do.

Of course the other thing that separates all of these Stormtrooper releases are the accessories, with this one featuring a brand new assortment of weapons to add to your Imperial arsenal. Altogether the figure comes with three pairs of swappable hands (closed fists and two different pairs of weapon holding hands), a standard E11 blaster rifle, a T-21 Light Repeating Blaster and an RT-97C Heavy Blaster Rifle (both used by Sandtroopers, though the latter was also used by Jumptroopers in Star Wars Battlefront). Getting the worst out of the way first, I unfortunately encountered a rather usual problem with my own Stormtrooper - without barely any force at all the thumb on right hand completely snapped off when simply trying to put the hand into place. Thankfully superglue seems to have done the job and the there hasn't been any problems with the thumb breaking off again. This doesn't seem like it would be a common QC problem, but it seems worth mentioning just in case.

The E11 blaster is something that should come standard with any Stormtrooper so there's very little to say about that other than it being well moulded. The other two weapons are far more interesting though, if only because Bandai must have really been scanning the background to pick these two guns up as being from A New Hope. Both are moulded in the same gunmetal grey plastic as the E11, although the T-21 also has a brown stock as well as a movable disc section at the top. While both are far more interesting weapons than the E11 and give the Stormtrooper much more of a shelf presence, sadly neither of them fit in the included hands quite as well. The T-21 isn't too bad as it's thinner, but the hands just don't seem to be able to get a good grip around the RT-97C at either end. 

The biggest problem with Stormtroopers (and Clone Troopers for that matter) is that it's nearly impossible to settle for just owning one. Because of this, lesser versions such as the Black Series figure are actually somewhat more preferable because they're far more affordable to army build. However if you are able to settle for just one or need one for your squad that can do a little more than the rest of his comrades, than you can't really go wrong with the S.H. Figuarts Stormtrooper (A New Hope) figure. Despite some hand woes the mould itself is excellent, with Bandai finally nailing the design and producing a well-articulated figure at the same time. While not perfect, the additional guns were the perfect way to further distinguish it from previous releases and vary up your Stormtrooper arsenal. Maybe sometimes one good Stormtrooper is all you need.