Toybox REVIEW: Star Wars Black Series Nightsister Merrin

Release Date August 2025

RRP: $24.99/£24.99

With the number of different Star Wars video games there have been over the decades, Hasbro are unlikely to run out of character choices for its "Gaming Greats" range of Black Series figures any time soon. But then again, they don't really need to look to the past either when there are so many popular characters from recent memory deserving of a place. The line has been steadily building up the cast of Respawn's Jedi: Fallen Order and Jedi: Survivor games, but outside of lead character Cal Kestis the rest of the Mantis crew have been inexplicably absent. Until now that is, as Black Series Nightsister Merrin has finally been released - giving Cal a helping hand in what's mostly been a sea of rogue Jedi, Inquisitors and endless trooper and droid repaints.

Toybox REVIEW: Star Wars Black Series Clone Commander Cody (Revenge of the Sith)

Release Date: March 2025

RRP: $24.99/£24.99

2025 marks the 20th anniversary of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge on the Sith, and of course Hasbro are getting in on the celebration. In addition to some much-needed updates to characters via new sculpts and/or revised paint jobs, this new selection of Black Series figures have also been given the retro packaging treatment – matching that of the original 3.75" figures released all those years ago. Among the range is an all-new Black Series Clone Commander Cody, finally updating one of the most iconic clone troopers with an all new sculpt, removable helmet and movie-specific accessories.

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 R5-D4

Release Date: December 2023

RRP: $24.99/£24.99

Of all of the things to happen on The Mandalorian purely in the name of fan service, the droid that Luke Skywalker almost bought instead of R2-D2 becoming Din Djarin's personal astromech has to be one of the wildest. But that's exactly what happened in the show's third season, with R5-D4 finally leaving Tatooine after so many years (and several previous cameos on the show) to join the Mandalorian and Grogu on their adventures. His prominence on the show has naturally also resulted in a flurry of new figures, among them of course being a brand new Black Series R5-D4 release.

Toybox REVIEW: MAFEX The Mandalorian Ver. 2.0

Release Date: February 2024

RRP: 10780 yen

The six-inch Star Wars action figure market has become rather competitive in recent years, particularly when it comes to the most popular characters. While Hasbro will always rule to roost in terms of range with the Black Series, both Bandai's S.H. Figuarts and Medicom's MAFEX lines have become quite the rivals in regards to higher-end alternatives. Multiple seasons also mean multiple renditions of characters, and now Medicom are back with their MAFEX The Mandalorian Ver 2.0 figure. After their initial Mandalorian release back in 2021, this new version of Din Djarin takes inspiration from the second season of The Mandalorian with modifications, improvements and a tonne of new accessories.

Toybox REVIEW: Star Wars Black Series Krrsantan

Release Date: September 2023

RRP: $33.99/£33.99

While the recent string of Star Wars television series has seen a number of popular characters from Clone Wars and Rebels make the jump from animation to live-action (and in the case of Fennec Shand, the reverse), this isn't the only place they've been drawing inspiration from. The Book of Boba Fett also saw a popular Marvel Comics character make his live-action debut, namely the Wookie bounty hunter Black Krrsantan. After working alongside the likes of Jabba the Hutt, Darth Vader and Doctor Aphra during the time of the Empire, in Book of Boba Fett Krrsantan is hired the Twins to reclaim Jabba's territory. After a failed assassination attempt on the new Daimyo, Krrsantan joins Boba in his fight against the Pyke Syndicate. A much-anticipated release for the line, Black Series Krrsantan joins the range as a deluxe-sized release.

Toybox REVIEW: Star Wars Black Series Emperor's Royal Guard

Release Date: June 2017 (Original), August 2023 (Reissue)

RRP: $24.99/£24.99

While the Star Wars universe is constantly growing with new characters to be made into action figures every day, the old favourites will always return one way or another. This rings especially true for anything that can be considered an army builder, so the Galactic Empire will rarely be short of new recruits. In celebration of Return of the Jedi's 40th anniversary in 2023 Hasbro reissued a number of Black Series figures in new packaging, and among them was the Black Series Emperor's Royal Guard. Reputedly the most skilled soldiers in the Empire, they acted as the personal bodyguard to Emperor Palpatine himself.

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Darth Vader (Obi-Wan Kenobi)

Release Date: November 2023

RRP: 9900 yen

Even amongst all of the Star Wars series that have been released on Disney+ over the past few years Obi-Wan Kenobi was particularly significant – bridging the gap between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope for the former Jedi Master. However the series was just as notable for the return of Darth Vader, who attempts to chase down Kenobi throughout the series before a final showdown with him on a barren moon. So of course the show prompted a whole range of new action figures (because what Star Wars product doesn't?), with Bandai Tamashii Nations joining in the fun with two new S.H. Figuarts releases of the iconic characters. S.H. Figuarts Darth Vader (Obi-Wan Kenobi) is their fourth rendition of the Sith Lord, following on from a Return of the Jedi version in 2015, a A New Hope version in 2018 and a second Return of the Jedi one in 2019.

Toybox REVIEW: Star Wars Black Series Pre Vizsla

Release Date: October 2023

RRP: $24.99/£24.99

If there's one thing that can be guaranteed about this era of Star Wars it's that Mandalorians won't be going away any time soon, and when it comes to action figures the more Mandalorian variants the better as far as Hasbro are concerned. Thankfully they've got plenty of instalments across the Star Wars galaxy to pull from, with certain characters long overdue immortalisation in the current collector lines. Black Series Pre Vizsla is one such example, being a key player in Star Wars: The Clone Wars whose involvement set so much in motion that's still in play today. Death Watch, Bo-Katan, Darth Maul's rule of Mandalore, the Darksaber...it all started here.

Toybox REVIEW: Star Wars Black Series Dok-Ondar

Release Date: July 2023

RRP: $44.99/£44.99

Galaxy's Edge is more than just a part of the Disney Parks, it's become a legitimate part of the Star Wars universe. In addition to the immersive experience of visiting Black Spire Outpost itself there has now been novels, comics and a whole lot of other back story as well. But part of what makes Galaxy's Edge so special are the characters that inhabit it, which is something Hasbro clearly recognised with their range of Black Series figures based on the park. Following favourites like Hondo Onaka and DJ R-3X, a perhaps lesser known but equally important character has now joined the line as a Disney Parks/Shop Disney exclusive. Dok-Ondar is the proprietor of Dok-Ondar's Den of Antiquities - a unique store that deals in various trinkets from across the galaxy. As a newly created character (as opposed to repurposed) for Galaxy's Edge, Black Series Dok-Ondar is perhaps the most interesting release from the range yet.

Toybox REVIEW: Star Wars Black Series Inquisitor (Fourth Sister)

Release Date: July 2023

RRP: $24.99/£25.99

Inquisitors have been a big part of the Star Wars universe in recent years, particularly with the spotlight being thrust upon the "Dark Times" - the rule of the Galactic Empire between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. As well as bringing a number of characters from animation into live-action, the Obi-Wan Kenobi series also introduced some new Inquisitors into the mix - such as the Fourth Sister. Though a minor character at best, the Fourth Sister appeared in several scenes alongside Reva, the Fifth Brother and the Grand Inquisitor. She was at least considered important enough for Hasbro to produce an action figure of her, even if Black Series Inquisitor (Fourth Sister) makes it sound like her title is much more important than her name - none of the other Inquisitor figures were labelled like this.

Toybox REVIEW: Star Wars Black Series Clone Commander Jesse

Release Date: June 2023

RRP: $27.99/£29.99

If there's one thing Hasbro will never run out of when it comes to Star Wars figures in both the Black Series and Vintage Collection, it's clone trooper variants. And while they've certainly been pumping them out over the last few years (particularly since they have an all-new body to work with), it's been nice to see some of the named troopers from Star Wars: The Clone Wars as well as the different coloured battalions. One such example is clone trooper CT-5597 aka Jesse - an ARC Trooper lieutenant that served as part of 501st Legion. Fighting many battles alongside Anakin Skywalker, Captain Rex and Ahsoka Tano, sadly Jesse was one of the troopers that succumbed to Order 66's brainwashing - turning against Ahsoka before perishing when their ship crashed into a moon. Black Series Clone Commander Jesse was released as a Walmart exclusive in the US and via the Hasbro "fan channel" in other territories.

FEATURE: Damiensaber Xenopixel Xeno3.0 Lightsaber Review - Use the Force with Bluetooth control!

As I much suspected to be the case with high-end lightsabers, it's impossible to just stop at one. After being so impressed with their "Luke Saber Force FX Heavy Duelling" Lightsaber earlier in the year, I absolutely jumped at the chance to take a look at what else Damiensaber had to offer in the way of replica RGB lightsabers. This time we're looking at the cream of the crop when it comes to duelling sabers, with a Damiensaber Xenopixel Xeno3.0 Lightsaber review! This is the very latest in their run of impressive Xenopixel lightsabers, which now combines the fully LED blade with both bluetooth and mobile app functionality - letting you use the Force to control your lightsaber like never before.

Toybox REVIEW: Star Wars Black Series Grand Inquisitor

Release Date: July 2022

RRP: $24.99/£25.99

Between The Bad Batch, Andor, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Jedi: Fallen Order and its sequelJedi Survivor, the Dark Times is quite a popular focus point of the Star Wars universe right now. As the Empire began to truly consolidate its power, the remaining Jedi were hunted down and killed by the Inquisitors – former Jedi that pledged themselves to both the Empire and the dark side of the force. After initially appearing in both Rebels and the ongoing Marvel comic series, the Inquisitors finally made their live-action debut in Obi-Wan Kenobi. Among them their leader, the Grand Inquisitor – a Pau'an and former Jedi Temple Guard. As a popular character across various Star Wars media, it's great to see Hasbro release the Black Series Grand Inquisitor so soon into their run of Obi-Wan Kenobi figures.

Toybox REVIEW: Star Wars Black Series Boba Fett (In Disguise)

Release Date: July 2022

RRP: $33.99/£38.99

If Hasbro are ever in doubt about what to release as a convention exclusive, they can always be sure that a Boba Fett variant will go down well. Not only is his Mandalorian armour one of the most iconic designs in all of Star Wars, but there are so many colour variants that it'll be a while before Hasbro run out of options. For 2022's San Diego Comic Con Hasbro turned their attention toward the more recent Marvel Comics, releasing the Black Series Boba Fett (In Disguise) as both an SDCC and fan-channel exclusive. Based on the War of the Bounty Hunters comic event from 2021, the story sees Boba don an all-black look to enter fighting pits after a complication arises in delivering Han Solo to Jabba the Hutt.

Toybox REVIEW: Star Wars Black Series Fifth Brother (Inquisitor)

Release Date: July 2022

RRP: $24.99/£25.99

Outside of the long-awaited return of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader, one of the great things about the Obi-Wan Kenobi series was how it finally brought the Inquisitors into the live-action portion of the Star Wars universe. Previously seen in Star Wars Rebels, Jedi: Fallen Order and the ongoing comics, the Inquisitors are an organisation of force-sensitive dark side agents that served the Galactic Empire in hunting down the remaining Jedi. While the Obi-Wan series introduced many new Inquisitors into the mix, it also brought back one familiar face from Rebels. The Black Series Fifth Brother (Inquisitor) is among the initial wave of figures released by Hasbro for Obi-Wan Kenobi, joining both Reva (Third Sister) and the Grand Inquisitor to bolster the Empire's forces.

Toybox REVIEW: Star Wars Black Series Reva (Third Sister)

Release Date: July 2022

RRP: $24.99/£25.99

A new Star Wars project is always exciting news, but when it's something as long-awaited as Obi-Wan Kenobi then the very least you expect is for all the merchandising companies to be prepared. Hasbro haven't been too quick off the mark with a lot of series recently (just look how few Book of Boba Fett figures there are), but when it came to this one they were ready. The release of Obi-Wan Kenobi on Disney+ was shortly followed by a release of a number of figures from the series, including Black Series Reva (Third Sister). One of the Sith Inquisitors commanded by Darth Vader to hunt down the remaining Jedi, Reva is the primary antagonist of the series and fights Kenobi with her own secret score to settle.

Toybox REVIEW: Star Wars Black Series Axe Woves

Release Date: October 2022

RRP: $24.99/£25.99

Back in the day, the Star Wars toy line was known for giving an action figure to pretty much every character or alien no matter how long they appeared on screen. That isn't quite as true anymore, but if Hasbro can get an easy figure out of existing mould they will. Calling Axe Woves a background character as such might be a little much, but compared to fellow Mandalorians Bo-Katan Kryze and Koska Reeves he didn't really stand out from the crowd as much. Nevertheless, the arrival of Black Series Axe Woves completes the Nite Owl trio from season two of The Mandalorian.

FEATURE: Damiensaber Lightsaber Review - Be one with the Force!

These days Star Wars fans are pretty spoilt for choice when it comes high-end lightsaber replicas. Jedi or Sith, no force wielder is complete without arguably one of the most iconic weapons in science-fiction history. In this special review we'll be looking at one of the models from Damiensaber, a lightsaber company specialising in both replica and custom RGB lightsabers suitable for display and duelling.