Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts C-3PO -Classic Ver- (Star Wars: A New Hope)

Release Date: November 2024

RRP: 9900 yen

While Bandai Tamashii Nations could never dream of properly covering the Star Wars universe, there's still plenty of obvious candidates for S.H. Figuarts out there that they've never even touched. Nevertheless it's clear that they like to keep things both simple and classic - returning once again to Star Wars: A New Hope for a series of "classic ver" releases that revitalise some of their older releases with more screen-accurate paint jobs. S.H. Figuarts C-3PO -Classic Ver- (Star Wars: A New Hope) is particularly notable in this regard, finally returning the iconic Protocol Droid to his shiny greatness.

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Darth Vader -Classic Ver- (Star Wars: A New Hope)

Release Date: October 2024

RRP: 8800 yen

While the Star Wars S.H. Figuarts line has spread across a number of different films and shows, it seems Bandai Tamashii Nations will always come back to the film that started it all. 2024 saw them announce a new range of "Classic Ver" releases - reissuing a number of characters from the original film with updated paint jobs to make them more screen accurate. The rather lengthily titled S.H. Figuarts Darth Vader -Classic Ver- (Star Wars: A New Hope) was among the first of these releases, and the fifth rendition of the iconic Sith Lord in the S.H. Figuarts line. At this point, Bandai have now done two versions of Vader from A New Hope and two from Return of the Jedi, but still nothing at all from The Empire Strikes Back. Given how long the line has been going for now it really is beginning to feel like Bandai have something against that film...

Toybox REVIEW: Star Wars Black Series Obi-Wan Kenobi & Darth Vader Concept Art Edition

Release Date: August 2022

RRP: $55.99

Star Wars just wouldn't be Star Wars without the work of Ralph McQuarrie. Throughout the creation of the original trilogy and beyond, the artist designed the look and feel of the Star Wars galaxy that we are all familiar with. There might have been some changes as it leapt from paper to screen, but the influence is undoubtedly there. While Hasbro have paid homage to McQuarrie's original designs for these iconic characters in the past, the Black Series Obi-Wan Kenobi & Darth Vader Concept Art Edition set is the first time they are doing it in their premier six-inch collector figure line. Originally revealed at Star Wars Celebration 2022, the set releases as a ShopDisney online exclusive also available at Galaxy's Edge.

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?

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts R2-D2 (A New Hope)

Release Date: July 2017, November 2019 (Reissue)

RRP: 4620 yen

If you're going to make Star Wars toys, then making droids is a must. Battle droids, Astromech Droids, Protocol Droids - it doesn't matter where you go with it, much like doing troopers it's an excuse to produce repaint after repaint without anyone batting an eyelid. But strangely it doesn't feel like something Bandai Tamashii Nations have taken full advantage of with the S.H. Figuarts line, and it took them two years since starting the range to get to the droids that kicked the whole saga off. S.H. Figuarts R2-D2 originally arrived alongside his best friend and compatriot C-3PO back in 2017, but after a few years off the market has been reissued on his own in the lead up to the release of  The Rise of Skywalker. Not only is this perfect timing from a promotional standpoint, but unlike the previous films in the sequel trilogy the plucky droid has a far more prominent appearance in this film. And about time too.

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

Release Date: April 2018 

RRP: 6480 yen 

The announcement of Star Wars S.H. Figuarts was a huge moment back in 2015, and in the past few years Bandai Tamashii Nations haven't wasted in any time in putting that license to good use. Though there are still dozens of main characters still be released (many of which have also been on display at various events), the line has done a good job of balancing releases between the three trilogies and anthology films. Given all the Stormtroopers there are it's a brand that's never shied away from variants though, and now Tamashii return with a second S.H. Figuarts Darth Vader. Whereas the previous 2015 figure was based on the Sith Lord's appearance from Return of the Jedi, this newer release is instead based on the version seen in A New Hope.