R5-J2 - TSC - Basic (SAGA 058)

One of the greatest things about Repack & Repaint waves is that they offer the opportunity for cool Star Wars characters that would normally never see the light of day in a basic figure line actually see release. Such is true for R5-J2. Technically the figure is inaccurate to its appearance in the film (if you can even make out the details from far away – you can’t, so don’t waste your time trying). If you look however at the promotional stills from Return Of The Jedi, you’ll see that R5-J2 is spot on as far as deco is concerned. They got all the panels right thankfully, but the errors exist on the dome unfortunately. R5-J2 is a rework (a term we like to use to call repaints that are made to be different characters) of 2006’s TSC R5-D4 (SAGA 032) figure, so this means that the droid has three “flat” grommet-like photoreceptors on the front. The actual prop in the film has two protruding photoreceptors akin to what we saw on the 2002 POTJ R5-D2 Star Tours figure. Despite the inaccuracy, there is no denying how awesome a black Imperial R5 unit is and we applaud Hasbro for the attempt. The figure is done so well that we would likely remain happy if they never corrected the error.

R5-J2 also has an interesting back-story as it was being prepared for the basic figure line. There are two black R5 units on the second Death Star. And Hasbro initially confused the two of them. If you’re an observant collector, you’ll notice that the droid pictured on the figure’s artwork has a different color scheme/pattern than the figure in the package. That’s because R5-A1 is represented by the artwork and R5-J2 is the actual action figure in the package. The droids are so similar that we understand how Hasbro could have made this easy mistake. What’s even more perplexing however is that a third, yet unidentified, black R5 unit (with different markings) has the traditional three silver photoreceptors. It all gets very murky quite honestly. Still, we’re glad to have an Imperial R5 unit in our collections now. Between the stark shiny black body and the contrasting silver outlines throughout it, the droid has such an attractive look to it. It is then only enhanced by the orangey colors that accent it. R5-J2 is one of those figures that you’re proud to own because you know you’ll likely never get another chance at getting more into your collection unless a new opportunity is confirmed by Hasbro.

R5-J2 has all the bells and whistles that came with R5-D4. The antenna is removable and the “bad motivator” action feature is still in place and functioning, something we could have lived without for this figure. The droid also has a removable third leg that plugs tightly into the bottom of the figure should you decide to pose it on all three legs. The paint job is clean and neat and Hasbro even got the silver wiring in the “feet” right so you know they really did study this figure carefully (at least from the “neck” down). For a character that can barely be seen in the film, this droid will serve it purpose well as is in your collection. There is really no need to get worked up about the inaccurate dome or paint job or character name. Dig out your old 2001 POTJ R2-Q5 (Imperial Astromech Droid) or the 2009 TLC Remote Control R2-Q5 figures and enjoy them together because we really don’t know how many repeat appearances we’re going to see of them in the Hasbro line. R5-J2 is a great figure and one of the cooler looking R5 units in the Original Trilogy. And the droid maintains its coolness as an action figure in the basic figure line. We hope more are on the way. We would prefer if Hasbro paid attention to the dome differences on these droids for the future. But if they never attempt it again, this droid will be just fine.