Hello, readers! Here I am, back as promised! Today I will be reviewing the Black Series™ 3.75" figure of Rey in her Jakku outfit. I'm super excited about this, you guys, so I hope you like it as much as I do!
I'd like to start off with my buying experience of this figure because I feel like it's important. Also, I feel like animetropolis deserves more attention (not that they're at all struggling, but still). So, as I mentioned in my previous post, I sought this out on eBay after comparing the basic figure and the Black Series figure through JediBusiness.com, only to find that the most inexpensive price listed for it in mint condition was somewhere around $70 AUD. I was not willing to spend that much, so I dug a little deeper. I found a really great deal for it from the Taiwan-based seller animetropolis, who had it for $34. I was willing to pay this, seeing as she's a rare figure from a limited release of the series. And I really really love Rey, so it was worth it, I reckon.
The shipping costs were free, and that came with the expectation that the package would take quite a bit longer to ship than usual. I was okay with this, provided the package came within the expected delivery time frame. Before shipping I had asked the seller if they were able to ship to me the best-looking figure out of their stock; they were more than happy to oblige my request, and very understanding of it also. For such a collector-based stocklist, I'm sure they are asked this quite often. I ordered it on Tuesday the 9th of August; they delivered it to the post office on the 10th and the package shipped on the 12th. The delivery arrival time estimated between the 25th and the 7th of September, and so I waited. I was admittedly a little nervous about the purchase, seeing as the price was so much cheaper than everyone else's and I was hoping I hadn't been scammed.
My package arrived on Tuesday 23rd, two days before the earliest estimated delivery date!! I know that might sound like a long time, but for me, it's lucky for me to get anything within two weeks if I've ordered from overseas. The fact that it was quicker than items I've bought with extra shipping costs both surprised and delighted me. I wasted no time opening the package, and the product I received was amazing. Seriously, the seller took my queries into consideration and really delivered on them. The figure I received had no flash or excessive flaws in the paint and the accessories were super cool!
Rey (Jakku)
The first thing I'd like to address here is why I chose the 3.75" series and not the more expansive 6" series. I'm a traditionalist when it comes to Star Wars collecting: since the beginning of Star Wars, the accepted action figure format was 3.75 inches. My dad collected them when he was younger and we all grew up with these; before the 6-inch set the prequel series also followed the same format, admittedly with much more articulation. So, when TFA rolled around, it was a no-brainer. That, and quite honestly - while the 6" Rey does come with a BB-8, she also looks like a man. The little Rey is much more feminine, much prettier, and - in my opinion - much more similar in appearance to the actress herself, Daisy Ridley. That's my reasoning for you. But I do have to admit, the 6" line looks good for those who want to move on from the classic style and get a larger format. No judging here.
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| The figure is very well balanced on its own, but has holes on both heels should you want to attach it to a stand. |
The flaws to watch out for: the eyebrows seem to be missing a little bit of paint in the middle of the brow at either end - it's a little bizarre, and I might end up fixing that myself, but not all that noticeable until you get up close and personal. Also, the majority of the flesh tones - wait - all of the flesh tones on the figure are painted on rather than cast plastic. You have two pieces, it seems; a brown plastic head and a tan plastic body, also with mustard-coloured plastic gloves. The skin colour is painted, and if you aren't careful you could end up with a really shitty paint job. I have a tiny bit of streaking here and there, but again, it isn't incredibly noticeable unless you're a nit-picker. I have seen some pretty fucked up paint jobs on the internet, so I think I got pretty darn lucky with mine.
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| There is a strange dot matrix application for the blush on the cheeks, but it isn't incredibly noticeable. |
Weird manufacturing choices: they've obviously cast the majority of the plastic in the dull tan colour of Rey's Jakku outfit - this means the pegs for the joints, too. Since the joints are quite tight and stiff (at first) I imagine this is why they chose not to paint them. The result is a little annoying, with the tan joints showing at the knee and the ankles; unless you are an elitist this shouldn't be too irritating. Nothing's perfect, guys. The hip joints are pretty weird, too - I don't know what the actual name of the joint is, but instead of moving the leg back and forth, they actually move side to side; as in, out and in. It is pretty cool for action poses, but irritating if you want to put her in a running pose. You'd have to twist the leg out and the knee joint back in to make it do so. Also, Hasbro made the choice to create Rey specifically in her Jakku outfit; this means she comes with gloved hands rather than bare hands, a fact that pisses off many collectors - I personally like it, and it's still a faithful representation of the character anyway.
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| My posing ability is lacking, but this should give you some idea - also, check out that cool cowl and backpack! |
Things to love: the likeness to Daisy Ridley is definitely there, and the proportions of the body also bear resemblance to the character. The figure is really well sculpted and highly accurate to the film, and the articulation is super awesome, and definitely the winner to this figure. If you're buying Black Series, you are looking for articulation, after all. Everything has been assessed with the highest detail, even down to nailing the actress's proportions herself and in comparison to other characters in the movie. The figure stands well both posed and unposed, and the accessories are super easy to use. The joints are nice and firm - a bit stiff at first, but with a bit of moving around they loosen up a bit. This figure is definitely the superior of the bunch (both of all the Reys in circulation as well as all the other Black Series releases this year), and I highly recommend you get it if you love Rey, and if you love Star Wars.
God, this is cheesy, but - thanks for reading, and may the Force be with you!
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| The Black Series™ 3.75" figure of Rey in her Jakku outfit. |
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