"And then there's that droid. Chopper or something? It's got lots of attitude for a machine."
C1-OP or Chopper as we know him best, was first released in the Star Wars Black Series in 2019 completing the Rebels crew in the real-world Black Series setting. The figure would go on to be re-released again just a year later in 2020 as the Galaxy Collection was launched, part of an updated Rebels wave where each key character received a photo-realistic paint update - while Chopper was identical to the original release.
Roll forward to 2023 and Chopper was back on our screens in the live-action Ahsoka series and was announced as part of the second full wave of Ahsoka figures. Bizarrely it was then confirmed that while Chopper was part of an Ahsoka-themed wave, he would still be badged as a Rebels release. And even more strangely the packaging and numbering would still be updated. The 2023 Chopper is, therefore, number 08 in the Rebels Galaxy Collection, and also features in the number 02 slot. The new Chopper packaging uses the same theme as the prior release but does include updated side art in the pink/purple hue assigned to Rebels.
The figure is constructed in a similar fashion to the other Astromechs we've seen to date, but he doesn't share any component parts. The central body is more squat and the orange dome wider. Across the main body are additional details and panels - including offset welded patched panels, but also missing panels with the gun metal internal components on show. Chopper’s worn and weathered features are beautiful captured on the figure with plenty of wash and weathering right across the body.
The dome includes the various photo-receptors picked out in grey and blue and the overhead antennae and transmitter dish which is fixed in place, but in a softer plastic to avoid breakages.
vs 2019/2020 release as shown on the right of the images
While this is on paper a re-release there are some paint variations to the previous two results that are more than factory variations. The stripe on the main body above the manipulator arm is now a deeper orange - on the prior releases it was yellow. The third of the dome sensors no longer has a silver painted rim. And around the back of the figure, the bottom right hexagon opening is now gunmetal silver, whereas the prior release left this in a plain grey.
Chopper features his third travel wheel that slots into the socket under the main body for that particular configuration. The legs are articulated at the top and ‘ankle’ to support the various travel positions, with further articulation at the dome which can rotate 360 degrees. You can also extend the main manipulator arm outward from its slot on the main body. There are also two further armatures tucked neatly away in the dome and once hinged outward, they can unfold into the two side arms we see Chopper use as both tools and to express his feelings.
The added value doesn’t stop there as Chopper also comes with the matching left leg we see in the Rebels episode ‘The Forgotten Droid’ and the left legs can be interchanged for another variant look for Chopper.
The final accessory/diorama part is the rocket booster that slots in the same socket as the travel wheel leg and this then fits into an orange smoking blast effect base to display Chopper as though he were taking off. The effect pieces are well done in a translucent orange with painted wispy smoke around the base of the larger section - although the overall hold of Chopper in the flight position is not overly secure and he does have a tendency to rotate around on his own.
While there is nothing wrong with Chopper as a Black Series figure, particularly considering all of the added value parts and the neat features like those unfolding manipulator arms, the key issue here is that this is essentially the same figure as the last two releases. That means we have had three identical Chopper releases in the past 4-years, and while this one had an opportunity to at least update the packaging to sit in and expand on the Ahsoka collection and artwork - it didn't take it and instead boxed collectors have a slightly strange setup for their Rebels artwork where 2 of the 8 Rebels figures released to date are Chopper.
Keep Track of all the Star Wars Black Series figures from Hasbro at our comprehensive
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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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