The Star Wars Black Series 6 inch scale Jawa was first released in 2017 on a retro inspired blister card as part of the 40th Anniversary Series. The figure was then repacked as promised in 2018 into the phase 3 packaging and released as part of wave 16.
Packaging 4/5
The Jawa is packed in the phase 3 packaging with an interesting illustration on the front which shades the Jawa's cloak and then a pair of piercing eyes peering out of the black hood. The effect is quite striking.
Like most Black Series figures, the Jawa is simply named that with no subtitle as to what film he is from. As the Jawa's have appeared in a handful of films they work well as background characters for both prequel and original collections.
The figure is number 61 in the line, and this numbering sits on the red spine and round the back of the packaging. The back of the box also carries a short background piece about the Jawa's.
"Jawas comb the deserts of Tatooine in search of discarded scrap and wayward mechanicals. Using their cobbled-together weaponry, they can incapacitate droids and drag them to their treaded fortress-homes, immense sand-scarred vehicles known as sandcrawlers."
Paint & Sculpt 3/5
The Jawa is the same sculpt and paint job as the 40th Anniversary release from the year before. The details are all in the cloak which wraps the small frame and has a sackcloth type texture built in. The cloak comes with tattered and torn sleeve ends and seams has a sackcloth type texture built in. The head is dealt with as a black swath of bandages with two yellow eyes front and centre.
The cloak is not painted as such, being cast in the brown plastic, but there is some subtle weathering around the base of the cloak with a sand brush effect applied. I would have perhaps liked some more paint on that cloak to bring out the texture and enhance the sculpt and overall finish.
Over the cloak we have a bandoleer of sorts which has front pouches and on the rear a holster for the Shock Blaster which is attached to the figure by way of a flexible hose. This strapping is well painted with a wash to weather it and metallic buttons picked out on the front.
Accessories 3/5
Our Jawa is armed with a Shock Blaster which as we see has been attached to the body. The blaster is cast in a dark plastic with painted wooden stock and panel. It does not fit at all well into the Jawa's hands which are too small to go anywhere near the trigger. When not in use it slots into the holster on the Jawa's back. This fit is tight, but it works. Be careful of pushing it too far through as it is harder to get back out again.
The other weapon is an Ion Blaster. This is cast in grey and has a metallic finish. Like the Blaster it does not fit at all well in the hand, and you end up with a carrying pose rather than having the Jawa wield the weapon ready for use.
Articulation 3/5
As such as small character articulation was always going to be a touch restricted due to the smaller size of the limbs. The cloak also impacts the poseability, and you end up with a figure whose movement essentially rotates around the arms.
Head : ball joint neck
Body : waist ball joint
Arms : ball joint shoulder, single joint rotating elbow, pivot wrist
Legs : ball joint hips, thigh swivel, double joint knees, ankle rocker
These arms are not the most mobile either and you can get a few gestures. Coupled with the hand issues in holding the weapons, a lot of poses look awkward. In fact you might be better ditching the weapon and pose the Jawa gesticulating to the droids or other Jawa's on your display. There is some movement in the head, cleverly supported by the hood being separated from the cloak.
It is good to see there is full leg articulation under the cape, and while this is not useable on this figure - it means the future cloth robed Jawa will be a lot more mobile. The figure stands really well, mainly thanks to the cloak.
Summary
The Jawa is an iconic Star Wars alien and one that fits in a number of scenarios - including being a background character for a Jabba the Hutt throne display. They work well as a grouped display and to that end it is good to see the re-release in this case from the more expensive and more sought after 40th anniversary set.
That all being said, the figure has flaws. The cloak being sculpted does mean articulation is lost from the waist down and perhaps soft goods might have been a better issue. The cloak is too clean and the paint apps lacking and the various details in the robes are lost. And then we have two weapons that can't be wielded correctly and simply hang from either hand.
I score the Jawa a 3 out of 5.
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