R2-Q5 (Imperial Astromech Droid) - 1:6 Scale Figures

From Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, Sideshow Collectibles is proud to present the R2-Q5 Imperial Astromech Droid Sixth Scale Figure.

As everyone’s favorite astromech R2-D2 fought alongside his friends for the Rebel Alliance, his lesser known Imperial counterpart, R2-Q5, played a critical role in the background as a spy for the Galactic Empire. Specializing in starship diagnostics and repairs, the sleek black and bronze R2 unit was charged with maintaining the Death Star’s elaborate weapons and security systems, as well as storing the Emperor’s plans against the Rebel Alliance. Ready to roll with retractable tripedal treads, hinged panels, and an articulated light-up dome, this delightful droid is perfectly equipped to join the ranks of any Star Wars collection.

Sideshow Collectibles is certainly making the most of their astromech droid tooling. For us, we’re surprised by the amount of these units we have in our 1:6 Scale Figure collection already. There are more coming, and we expect more announcements in the future. Sideshow Collectibles is being a little bit too safe however. With just one exception so far, they’re focusing on droids that have been staples in Hasbro’s 3.75” line. Perhaps they’re banking on the popularity of the 3.75” action figures to propel interest in the 1:6 Scale Figures line. We don’t know. But while we’re excited to see any new astromech in Sideshow’s collection, we’d really prefer seeing “out of the box” characters that maybe Hasbro has or hasn’t done yet, but are truly unique and special to the 1:6 Scale Figures line. For example, how about any of the R3 units or R4 units from any of the Original Trilogy films? How about brightly colored R5 units like R5-K6 or R5-A2. Don’t get us wrong. It’s cool to see R2-Q5 (Imperial Astromech Droid) get realized in the 1:6 Scale Figures line. We just want to see aggressive color and tooling instead of the obligatory repaint. These figures are expensive and we believe that Sideshow Collectibles should be confirming with collectors that the sky is the limit for this line. And that they’re willing to make any astromech droid under the sun, regardless of its designation, color or affiliation.

Based on 2016’s R2-D2 (Unpainted Prototype) sculpt, R2-Q5 (Imperial Astromech Droid) enters the 1:6 Scale Figures line confidently and proudly. Mostly visible in deleted scenes from Star Wars Episode VI: Return Of The Jedi, eagle-eyed fans of Return Of The Jedi swear they can see this droid in some of the scenes during Vader’s and Emperor Palpatine’s arrival on the second Death Star (Death Star II). Regardless, probably none of us will have a better look at this droid now thanks to the workmanship of the artisans at Sideshow Collectibles. R2-Q5 (Imperial Astromech Droid) is absolutely stunning. They found an exquisite black plastic that they cast the droid in that looks exactly like the onscreen prop. It literally glisten in any level of light. What’s more, the copper-like panels and the silver detailing couldn’t look better either and solidify the fact that Sideshow Collectibles means serious business when it comes to figure/character authenticity. We couldn’t be more impressed with the paint operations and tooling on this figure. And we expect that other collectors are going to be equally impressed as well. With the same articulation and features as 2016’s R2-D2 (Unpainted Prototype) 1:6 Scale Figure, R2-Q5 (Imperial Astromech Droid) doesn’t break too much ground, but when a company like Sideshow Collectibles is creating the next R2 unit, we have to question do they really need to break new ground?

R2-Q5 (Imperial Astromech Droid) comes with the typical holoprojector and light-up eye that previous astromech droids from Sideshow have. It looks great in the dark and we’re thankful that Sideshow Collectibles has decided to add features like this into the 1:6 Scale Figures line. You have to remove the droid’s dome to access the battery compartment, but once you do you just simply have to touch the droid’s dome to activate the light-up feature. R2-Q5 (Imperial Astromech Droid) comes with great articulation in its legs. Swivel “shoulders” and hinge-jointed “feet” allow the droid to be placed in an array of configurations. The third leg can be tucked up into the droid’s body when not in use and the functionality is flawless. Sideshow Collectibles utilized a spring-locking feature that works like a charm. It is the perfect convention for astromech droid figures in this scale. And R2-Q5 (Imperial Astromech Droid) looks fantastically whether standing on two legs or three. Sometimes astromech droids sit at an awkward angle on three legs as evidenced by some of the figure’s in Hasbro’s line, but R2-Q5 (Imperial Astromech Droid) looks just like a miniature prop from Episode VI when you place it on three legs/feet. We love Star Wars Episode VI: Return Of The Jedi, but we’re anxious to see Sideshow Collectibles think a little bit more outside of the box for the next release. We’re really hoping for an R3 unit for Sideshow’s next release.