Review: Star Wars Black Series Paploo, Return of the Jedi 40th Anniversary Series
- Mephitsu
- Apr 17
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 18
“Oh, this is no time for heroics! Come back!”
As Return of the Jedi celebrated its 40th Anniversary in 2023, Hasbro released a third set of Black Series anniversary figures from the original trilogy, carded rather than boxed, and using the original Kenner card artwork. The Return of the Jedi Anniversary series was spread over 3 waves, supplemented by further exclusive carded figures as well as a boxed pack of Jabba the Hutt.
Paploo’s only release so far in the Black Series was as part of the Heroes of Endor multi-figure set for SDCC in 2020. This made him a slight anomaly in the Return of the Jedi Anniversary Series, with nearly every other general figure released in the three main waves having already had a single mainline release prior to 2023 or, in the case of the new-sized R2-D2, a subsequent release in standard packaging.
Paploo’s cardback uses the same design and imagery as the original 1983 Kenner ROTJ card before he was repacked onto the Power of the Force design. This includes the tramline border and the use of the original yellow coloured figure backing panel and name plate. Hasbro have branded these with Kenner on the front rather than using their own logo’s with the only new element vs the 1983 cards is the top left 40th Anniversary logo. Around the back of the card and there is a blended approach to the design with elements retained from the Kenner figures of 1983 but with the use of the modern Black Series logo as well as a checklist of the other 40th Anniversary figures, notably the other figures in this 2nd Wave of ROTJ Anniversary figures including the Stormtrooper, Bib Fortuna, Chewbacca, and Emperor Palpatine. As it was in 1983, the card cannot be opened without some level of damage, so these are aimed more at MOC collectors.
Paploo uses the Black Series Ewok body originally sculpted for Teebo, with a deep-furred texture throughout the main body and the arms and legs. The body is cast in the brown base colour of Paploo’s fur, but there are some paint apps over the top to create some variation in fur shading, although these are subtle. We get additional paintwork around the hands and feet with a lighter brown skin tone and painted finger and toenails. Around the waist of the figure, Paploo is wearing a simple tied belt in a lighter brown soft plastic with a sculpted knife in a sheath - this is not removable
vs 2020 'Heroes of Endor' release (right)
Over the main body, Paploo is adorned with his Ewok hood, utilising more soft plastic in a beige finish. Sculpted details of feathers and trophies adorn the hood, and each are painted individually with shades of white, grey, orangy-brown, and dark brown. The head sculpt is individual to Paploo and includes an open mouth with sculpted and painted teeth detail. Aside from the same fur decor as the rest of the body, the head also features black gloss painted eyes and detailing around the lips, nose and ears. The hood itself can be removed if you feel the need. This is likely more beneficial for those customising additional Ewoks out of the base figures we currently have access to.
Paploo stands about 4 inches tall and is in scale with the human characters based on what we see on screen during the events on Endor. Articulation is 14 points in total, all worked into the furred body detail in a similar fashion to the execution of joints on the Wookiees. The squat body does limit movement, and the stubby arms and legs have a more limited range of motion. The head too is restricted, more so by the hood, while it is the waist that provides more rotation for Paploo when posed. For those that didn’t buy Heroes of Endor, I can also confirm that there is enough movement to get Paploo onto a Black Series Speeder Bike
The only accessory is Paploo’s spear, the same one included within Heroes of Endor. This piece is individual to Paploo and features a light brown shaft with a central furred section in darker brown, and a wrapped two-pronged end. These are constructed as three different parts that are then fixed together, which means there is a crisp transition between each section, but also presents a weak spot which can snap if mis-handled (guess what happened to one of mine).
The spear fits into the rudimentary grip on either of Paploo’s three-fingered hands, and there is sufficient movement in the arm joints for some two-handed posing and a handful of dynamic attack stances to face off against the Imperial Stormtroopers.
I personally am a huge fan of Ewoks and am pleased that Paploo gets a wider release in the 40th Anniversary Series, even though a part of me really wanted a Chief Chirpa or Logray. The design and execution of the Ewoks, including Paploo, has been solid by Hasbro with an accurate sculpt matching the onscreen physical costumes supported by appropriate hood and belt adornment and weapon. There is little to criticise with Paploo, who even sports a fairly robust set of joint articulation considering his squat frame.
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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