Rey (The Last Jedi) - S.H. Figuarts

S.H. Figuarts is a new standard figure series that incorporates the Bandai action figure "Art" under the theme "Pursuing Character Expression through Humanoid Action."

Let’s admit it. Whether you liked or loathed The Force Awakens, there was great trepidation on how Rey’s character would be developed in Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi. In a surprising move, Rian Johnson gave the character depth, and although her background was barely explained, Rey came across a whole lot more believable than she did in Episode VII. S.H. Figuarts didn’t even bother making an Episode VII Rey figure for their impressive line of 6” collectibles. The Japanese are a smart bunch and are committed to making characters that will sell. Collectors want cool trooper and other armored figures, aliens and the rare human character. Not making an Episode VII Rey was a ballsy move and we commend them at not wasting their tooling budget on a character that probably wouldn’t have sold through despite a ridiculous social media movement that couldn’t see the forest for the trees. Anyway, here we are another episodic Star Wars movie in, and we’re happy to say that this was the perfect time to address Rey in the line. Dubbed Rey (The Last Jedi), she comes in a revised outfit that is gray, a different hairstyle, and some pretty cool accessories that make this action more engaging than you might expect. Let’s see how this version of her turned out. Is she worth the money this line commands?

Rey (The Last Jedi) has turned out splendidly. As you’re well aware, S.H. Figuarts utilizes “photorealistic” technology which gives the portrait an eerily lifelike appearance. Rey (The Last Jedi) has a paint job that looks great. We feel her head sculpt shape is a little too rounded, but this looks like actress Daisy Ridley, and we think they should continue to utilize this approach. It truly makes action figures look the best they can be. Rey (The Last Jedi) also comes with a more intense alternate portrait. But we feel it didn’t receive the best paint job. It’s not terrible, but it has a more chalky look to it, almost like some of Hasbro’s action figures look when they paint the faces in flesh tone instead of casting them in flesh tone plastic. We do like her expression on this portrait, but something looks off about it, and it sadly makes us want to replace the original portrait instead. Rey (The Last Jedi) is however loaded with accessories. You’ll have to spend a good portion of time to make the most of them. Included are a lit lightsaber and a lightsaber hilt. They have been tooled beautifully. There are also plenty of extra hand attachments here, and each has been given a specific purpose. There are lightsaber gripped hands, gesturing hands and pistol-holding hands. You have plenty of options here, so make the most of them.

Rey (The Last Jedi) also comes with a nicely tooled backpack which has been sculpted in a way to lay close to her body. It takes into account her body shape, and she looks incredible wearing it. Lastly, she has been given her signature blaster pistol and has the appropriate hand attachments to accommodate it as needed. Sadly, S.H. Figuarts did not include her signature staff which has been given to every Rey action figure before her. It would be nice to eventually get this in the S.H. Figuarts line one day too. Some will surely say that Rey (The Last Jedi) doesn’t come with enough accessories, but we’ll be the first to say she does. If she sells well, S.H. Figuarts should make an Episode VII version and give collectors the rest of her important accessories that were not included here. As far as articulation is concerned, Rey (The Last Jedi) can be positioned any way you want. She can attain an incredible array of positions. She can be captured in screen-accurate positions and look completely natural doing so. Some of her joints look wonky and interrupt the contour of her otherwise seamless frame. But that is the nature of super-articulated figures. Sometimes a figure isn’t going to look right thanks to those extra joints. We found her character in Episode VIII much more tolerable, and this action figure has turned out excellently. Everything is coming up Rey!