R5-D4 - TVC - Basic (VC40)

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R5-D4 is one of our favorite astromech droids from the Star Wars universe. Because of this love, we are very protective of how this droid gets realized into a 3.75-inch scale plastic figure. As collectors, we have seen this droid go through quite a metamorphosis that ranges from a horrid all-new design, like the 1996 POTF2 [R/G] R5-D4 “attack” figure, to the impressive repaint/retool, like the glorious 2006 TSC R5-D4 (SAGA 032) figure. You would think that in this modern day and age, the 2011 The Vintage Collection would bring us the best version of R5-D4 yet, but unfortunately, it has not. This opinion, of course, doesn’t mean that R5-D4 (VC40) is a poor figure, but it is a far cry from the near-perfect 2006 TSC R5-D4 (SAGA 032) figure with the stunning paint job, pop-up “bad motivator,” and overall better dome. We can’t be too harsh on the new R5-D4 figure either. It’s a repainted Build A Droid figure, much like R5-A2 and R5-C7, the predecessors utilizing this tooling, and the droid parts that compose the figure were initially part of a pack-in premium that we, to this day, are sad to see go away. So, it’s pretty easy to be fond of the new R5-D4 figure while still being disgruntled that the “better” version wasn’t updated and chosen for release in The Vintage Collection. Hasbro is finding new ways to include the popular Build A Droid figures into collectors’ hands. They used the same philosophy when adding figures to the 2011 Star Wars [Shadow Of The Dark Side] Defense Of Hoth Target exclusive set.

Still, we’re not sure if they should be overlooking what we consider to be better versions of previously designed figures of existing characters. All Hasbro needed to do to the 2006 TSC R5-D4 (SAGA 032) figure was paint the back panels properly and add one or two details in the front, and we would have had a definitive R5-D4 action figure for The Vintage Collection. The Build A Droid figures are significant, but some of the aesthetics aren’t the same high caliber as others in the lineup. And an inferior sculpt, like those glaring extra lower holes not inherent to an astromech droid’s design, coupled with a paint job that Hasbro has still neglected to update accurately, like R5-D4’s still-missing red back panels, R5-D4 has further to go before we can assess it as definitive. To date, only the Remote Control R5-D4 figure has the back panel detail correctly applied to it. But to be fair, Hasbro made advancements with the 2011 figure by correcting one error that The Saga Collection figure had. There is a thin blue panel directly underneath the dome of the droid, and Hasbro managed to capture this detail on the paint operations for the TVC release. This detail is essential and helps make R5-D4 pop out more than it already does. As a Build A Droid figure, R5-D4 rocks. But as a premium, The Vintage Collection figure? We cannot consider R5-D4 a collector-focused addition as entirely acceptable. Also, given the numerous R5 units in A New Hope, it might have been a good opportunity to introduce an astromech droid not released before in the basic figure line.

When comparing the 2006 release to the 2011 release, we don’t see a genuine need for another R5-D4 basic figure, especially one made up of Droid Factory parts. Yet, we hope we are not implying this is a disappointing figure because it isn’t. We’re just not sure how necessary it is. One thing we can tell you is that R5-D4 looks fantastic on the vintage Kenner-inspired card. The character photo is beautiful, and that almost makes the bitterness of R5-D4 being a Build A Droid figure sweeter. To date, we are now up to five unique R5-D4 figures (including the 1979 SW R5-D4 vintage figure and the remote control figure) in the 3.75-inch scale line. That is a lot of representation over the years for R5-D4. And for those of you who collected Hasbro’s 12-inch line, there was also a 12-inch Action Collection version of R5-D4 that still holds up well today. This droid has always livened up Rebel Alliance vehicles and made them look better. If you’re unaware, there are some great unofficial (and perhaps official) Expanded Universe takes on R5’s role in the universe. Rumors abound that R2-D2 sabotaged R5’s motivator to ensure R2-D2’s safe delivery to Obi-Wan Kenobi. We tend to believe that may be the case. Besides, R2-D2 has quite the passive-aggressive nature. With all of his gadgets, he seems capable of anything. But back to R5-D4, this is a fun droid to own, especially if you’re into the Build A Droid parts. Hasbro painted R5-D4 nicely, and we must give credit where credit is due, but we hope that we see the 2006 figure updated correctly soon instead.