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Review: Star Wars Black Series Chirrut Imwe from Rogue One, Galaxy Collection Rogue One Fan Channel Wave (2021)



"And I fear nothing. For all is as the Force wills it”


In 2021 Hasbro marked the 5th Anniversary of Rogue One with a number of releases in the Black Series line as part of their new Galaxy Collection packaging and connective artwork boxes. Within this were a number of new releases, but also a reworking of five of the original Rogue One figures giving most of them a makeover both in figure decor and in packaging.  The wave was a Fan Channel release.


The fourth figure in the Rogue One Fan Channel wave for 2021 was Chirrut Imwe whose cyan coloured artwork connects between K-2SO and his fellow Guardian of the Whills Baze Malbus in the larger Rogue One montage.

Chirrut, like the rest of the wave, is an update on his original 2017 figure. He comes in his black outfit overlaid with soft goods lower skirt in black and red. These soft goods have been shortened from the original release, a small change but one that helps Chirrut look more accurate with his on-screen costume length and for some reason makes him look a bit more ‘ready for action’. The costume is concluded with a cream strap that connects to some components on the front around the waist, and too a black cape in soft plastic around the rear. The device on his belt, and a second on his left wrist and hand, contain the majority of the detailed paintwork with red, grey and silver painted components. 

vs 2017 version (right)


The head is the same sculpt as in 2017 but with the facial printing technology now used to create a much stronger likeness to actor Donnie Yen. The likeness is not the same level of improvement seen on Jyn Eros and is possibly more down to the shape of the original sculpted head which looks a bit off in terms of Yen’s overall facial proportions. There is a much more accurate finish to the eyes on this newer figure reflecting the character's visual impairment. 

Chirrut features two different weapons, starting with his Lightbow which is a brown colour with gold detail and also features articulation allowing the arms to be folded in or out and the front barrel rotated by 90 degrees for horizontal or vertical firing positions. The Lightbow is intended to sit in the right hand of Chirrut with the flexible trigger finger sitting in the grip. The further grip towards the bow end can be held with the left hand. In Rogue One, Chirrut carries this weapon holstered on his back - but sadly there is no engineered option for this on the figure - although you can get away with tucking it under the softer plastic cape and it will hold in position. 

The second piece is Chirrut’s staff, a more simplistic piece sculpted to look like carved wood with a painted silver tip and grip part way down the length. This can be held in either or both hands and used as either a weapon or a walking staff.

Articulation is 16 points in total with visible pins at the knees, although these are hidden by the soft goods. The elbows will just about get to a right angle bend which helps in wielding the Lightbow but not in full-on firing poses which would require more range in the elbows and perhaps some butterfly shoulders. The staff is the more expressive weapon with the articulation available with single and two-handed poses open to Chirrut for display. Like the original release, there doesn’t seem to be as much ratcheting on the right ankle joint as there is on the left which does create some minor stability problems in certain poses. 

All in all, Chirrut Imwe is another solid enough upgrade with a bit more work done on the robes rather than just adding facial printing to the head sculpt. In the grand scheme he may have benefited from a full reworking, particularly the likeness - but as a relatively minor character this is probably as good as we will get and I am thankful that he was chosen from some of the earliest releases to get the facial printing update.





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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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