Jawa - TBS [P3] - Six Inch Figures (61)

Jawas comb the deserts of Tatooine in search of discarded scrap and wayward mecahnicals. Using their cobbled-together weaponry, they can incapacitate droids and drag them to their treaded fortress-homes, immense sand-scarred vehicles known as sandcrawlers.

The Jawa is one of the most basic and core characters for any Star Wars toy line. It took Hasbro quite a few years, however, to get this character out in The Black Series 6” line. Hasbro saved him for the 40th anniversary celebration of the line, and Hasbro gave the figure nostalgic vintage Kenner inspired packaging. It was a marvelous release. Now, as promised, Hasbro re-releases the Jawa figure (without any changes from what we can tell) in The Black Series [Phase III] red and black box line look. It is a wise repack (although this version comes with some deco differences) and it satisfies the need for those wishing to army-build this excellent action figure. The Jawa is a fantastic action figure. It comes with a great sculpt with every attention to detail etched into its form. It has a “simple” paint job. Hasbro sacrificed some much-needed deco on this figure, but it certainly is passable as is. More dirt and that “lived in look” is missing from this figure. Then there is the articulation system. While it feels a little too familiar at this point, no one can criticize Hasbro for giving us premium articulation in the 6” action figures, especially a character as petite as a Jawa. Aside from wishing that Hasbro would think outside of the box a little bit more when it comes to approaching characters you need to army build but look, all the same, this figure should meet your requirements of what makes a great action figure.

No no one should complain about The Black Series [Phase III] 6” Jawa action figure. But for us, even though we’re able to acknowledge how nice it is, it feels like there should be something else “more” here. Whether that means they should have included an interchangeable head sculpt or a second figure packed in with it, or a bevy of new accessories, what you get in this box is too light and more feels desperately needed. When it comes to the Jawa character, each is unique from one another. Their heights vary. Their outfits vary. And their weapons vary. Hasbro appeared to pick the best of all worlds here making as generic of a Jawa as possible, but this is not something that collectors will be able to army build because of the diversity that exists within the species. Since the dawn of time in the Hasbro modern Star Wars line, Hasbro has always included either a second DIFFERENT Jawa figure or a corresponding droid with each successive release. To get a plain old Jawa with nothing else to accompany it isn’t unfair, it feels lacking. So that’s probably where the lack of excitement derived from with this release. The deco is light, but not without merit. Hasbro did include some dirt collection at the hemline of the Jawa’s robe, But the rest of the Jawa is too brightly colored and lacking dirt, grime, and disgust. Remember, these are supposed to be filthy little creatures per C-3PO.

The design of the Jawa is nice. The hood and the head are two separate pieces, but Hasbro has permanently attached the hood to the head in what we assume to be a concerted effort to keep the face/eyes perfectly centered at all times within the opening of it. There is no need to worry, however. Collectors are treated to a full range of movement within the neck/head area aside from some aesthetics issues (the break of the hood because of the separately head), Hasbro did a fine job here. Hasbro articulated the rest of the figure beautifully. The Jawa comes accessorized, but for us, it still feels lacking. You get the standard ionization blaster. This figure has been tooled beautifully and sized accordingly. You can also place it in the Jawa’s hands with little issue. Then we get a blaster/bandolier combination piece (which is removable by the way – albeit difficultly removed) too. The blaster is attached by a cable, and then it can be holstered when not being used. It’s a bit clumsy, but we suppose it ultimately works. More is needed here. Again, if we’re not getting a second differently looking Jawa or one of the droids from the sandcrawler, we’re likely not going to be too impressed here. These figures are $20, and the small-statured Jawa does not possess a value of this hefty price tag. If they could cost out two super-articulated Jawas for a little over $10 in the 3.75” line, they should certainly give us two figures for $20 in the 6” line.