Jedi Aayla Secura is the 3rd release from Attack of the Clones in the Galaxy Collection Series. She is packed into the usual Phase 4 black packaging with the red accent colour as assigned to Attack of the Clones. The slanted artwork connects to the figures either side to make a wider montage - the Phase 1 Clone Trooper to the left and we assume Ki-Adi Mundi will connect to the right once released.
Aayla is a new character to the line and is executed in her Attack of the Clones outfit including the brown leather colour top with left arm sleeve and the burgundy trousers with leather belt and brown boots. All of these are cast in their base colour with no obvious paint applications save a two tone brown panel on the front and back of the belt piece.
Aayla’s head sculpt is detailed enough in terms of Twi’lek Lekku which are also wrapped in a leather look cap and wrappings. However, the positives end there for me with the skin tone far too bright and the likeness of the face very generic in its looks and almost regressing back to the painted face details and eyes. Hasbro usually nail figures based on the Star Wars alien species, but in this case Aayla seems to be more of a generic amalgam of all her appearances across live action and animation rather than a specific match to actor Amy Allen.
The figure comes with Aayla’s lightsaber which is executed in the usual two piece format with a hilt and clip in blade piece. The hilt piece is a single silver colour and soft in detailing. While it looks a decent approximation to Aayla’s on-screen blade, it would have benefitted from some darker definition on the ridges and switches. The blade is a good blue colour while remaining translucent and the end clip section is robust enough to withstand being swapped in and out. It can be held in either hand, but I have noticed Aayla’s left hand has a trigger finger which I assume has come from another figure (I think it may be the original Rey figure) as otherwise this makes no sense for a lightsaber user. Using two handed posing is possible, but does put stress on both arm joints so is not advisable longer term - the figure really needed some more expansive shoulder butterfly joints. When not in use the saber hilt can be ‘hung’ on Secura’s belt by way of a plug on the hilt and a small socket on the left hand side of the belt.
Aayla Secura is a completely pinless upper body, while the legs are double jointed at the knees with visible pins having been re-used from a Admiral Holdo and while that brings some wider range of motion, you do have to put up with the visible pegs. The articulation on Aayla is OK and allows you to pose her in a number of lightsaber wielding positions. The right arm is a transplanted reuse from Aurra Sing and doesn't quite match up the movement of the left arm with the elbow joint much more pronounced on the older right arm section. The figure does suffer from incredibly loose ankles - an issue I thought we had moved past. We cant put this down to the re-use of the Holdo legs as Secura has new boots which are plugged into the lower leg underneath the knee. The ankle rockers have zero ratcheting and this makes Aayla very difficult to keep standing.
While I am pleased to see the release of another prequel era Jedi, I feel Aayla Secura fans have been let down by this particular execution of the character. There is nothing wrong with part re-use, and all of the shared pieces work well. But the head sculpt is off, the face print tech looks absent and the choice of blue skin tone comes more from the animated Clone Wars cartoon than the on-screen Attack of the Clones appearance. That does mean she can be used across displays for both the Clone Wars and Revenge of the Sith as you see fit, and looks good posed with the existing Commander Bly - but we are still waiting for more of the 327th Troopers for a wider display.
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About Me : As a child of the 70's and 80's I grew up in a golden age for action figures and in my youth bought and sold myself through collections of Star Wars, G.I. Joe (Action Force) and M.A.S.K. while also dabbling in He-Man, Transformers and Ghostbusters. Roll forward and I am now reliving that Youth with the action figures of today and am a collector and fan of the larger 6-8 inch figures from my favourite movie and TV licences - including the ones mentioned above, but also the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Doctor Who and the Aliens. I launched The Mephitsu Archives in 2015 with a view of creating a UK focused site or these figures where fans can pick up the latest action figure news, read reviews and get information on where to buy their figures and what is currently on store shelves. I hope I am delivering that to you guys...
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