Review: Star Wars Black Series The Mandalorian & Grogu Deluxe 'Build Up' Pack from The Mandalorian and Grogu
- Mephitsu
- 10 minutes ago
- 10 min read
“We’ll take out every bad guy in your deck of cards”
Ahead of the release of Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu on May 22nd, a wave of Star Wars Black Series figures was unveiled and subsequently released. The five-figure general release wave arrived in March and April across the US, where the wave also included a white box ‘first edition’ variation sold via Walmart and Target. In the UK, the wave appeared to be held until the week of May the 4th.
The general release figures use the same black box packaging as the wider Black Series, with an assigned accent colour that is a blue-purple tone and used on the name plate, the numbering, the band under the window that confirms the source as ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’ and on the artwork. In this review, we are taking a look at The Mandalorian and Grogu, the number 01 figure, and the set that launches the Galaxy Collection for The Mandalorian and Grogu. This set, while essentially part of the launch wave, is a Deluxe or, probably more accurately, what they term a ‘Build Up’ set, which means the box is wider to accommodate both Mando and Grogu and an increased level of accessories. That also means this release is more expensive, retailing around £34 in the UK vs the usual £25 for a single release.
The artwork shows Mando in an angled, side-on pose, holding his sword, with Grogu sitting on his left shoulder and looking out in the same direction. The pair are shot against the same cloudy planetary sky seen on all the other figures, but with each shot from a different angle. This artwork starts off the wider montage for The Mandalorian and Grogu, connecting into AT-AT Driver at number 02 with Grogu’s ears projecting into that box, and onward to the AT-RT Driver at 03, Colonel Ward at 04, and the general Imperial Remnant Stormtrooper at number 05 followed by the exclusive variant at number 06.
The colour-hued artwork is repeated on the back of the box, along with a short synopsis of the movie rather than the character/trooper. This is to avoid spoilers ahead of the movie hitting cinemas. The box opens via the top or bottom flap, held closed by a piece of tape. Mando and Grogu are positioned in an inner plastic tray with the various accessories surrounding both figures, the smaller ones taped into place. The figure tray sits in a blue/purple-hued backdrop by way of an inserted cardback, and this doesn’t use the incorporated planetary background but a hallway or hanger scene of sorts, which I am sure we will find out more about in the movie.
The Mandalorian's armour and outfit overall has remained virtually unchanged since he upgraded to the full Beskar suit in Season 1 of the Disney+ series. This new figure, based on the movie of course, is therefore identical to earlier releases and like most armoured figures in the Black Series currently, is assembled from cast parts that make up the brown cloth undersuit and the silver armoured pieces across the chest, shoulder pauldrons, wrist bracers, and thigh armour. These Beskar pieces are glossy enough to replicate the onscreen armour at 6-inch scale and feature the forged design elements such as the ridges, trims, and the Mudhorn emblem embossed on the right Pauldron. The right thigh armour is, as seen on screen, the only one to include some weathering with a darker base tone and then ‘scratches and rubs’ added in the brighter silver.
The costume also features an inserted inner tabard in grey, which also includes hip armour, and Mando’s belt and shoulder strap. Each element of this is overpainted where needed, with brown for the belt and silver for the buckle and the ammunition and explosives off to the left-hand side. The belt also features a working holster. Mando’s boots vary with a Shoretrooper-style armoured panel on the right knee and shin with a more traditional boot on the left. These include painted detail in additional brown tones, with the right lower leg also having an ammo strap and painted silver ammo canisters. The left leg sees a dull grey armoured knee piece with launchers included.
The helmet is the same silver gloss finish as the armour, with the black visor. It is not removable, so despite scenes seen so far with Din Djarin unmasked, this ‘deluxe’ version does not include a Pedro Pascal likeness under the helmet or as a second head option.
Around the back of the figure, the rear armour panel no longer features a slot for the Amban Phase Rifle, just three slots to attach the backpack. The cape is soft goods, and this is wrapped around the neck and flows predominantly to the right-hand side of the figure. The texture is like that used on Jedi-robed figures and flows reasonably well, but hangs quite flat. The base of the cape is torn with a couple of holes. The jet pack is a silver cast piece with no additional paintwork, and this slots pretty securely into the three sockets, pushing the cape over fully to the right-hand side as it engages.
vs 2023 Glavis Ringworld Mandalorian (right)
The 2023 release of the Glavis Ringworld Mandalorian was perhaps the pinnacle of Din Djarin figures in the Black Series at the time, so it is no surprise this Mando & Grogu movie version is extremely similar on first glance, but it seems Hasbro has reworked or created new parts for this 2026 release, with slightly smaller profiles to the armour, notably at the chest and thighs. The upper legs, too, are new, removing the older thigh swivel. There is also an updated left gauntlet that no longer includes the Whistling Birds launcher. And we’ve also seen the removal of the slot on the rear of the figure for the Phase Rifle.
vs 2023 Glavis Ringworld Mandalorian (right)
There are also colour variations with the blue knee armour and central belt pieces moving to a grey on the new figure, while the belt and shoulder strap are much lighter. The cloak too is updated, with the new figure having a smaller width, but what feels like a lighter material weight-wise, but darker in colour. I found it harder to tuck and hang to the side vs the marginally heavier, yet larger, Ringworld release. I kept finding the cape hanging as a flat triangle out to Mando’s right side rather than hanging bunched and folded.
Articulation remains the same as the original figure, with 21 points in total. The upper body includes a chest pivot and dual neck joint, while the arms have a good range of movement thanks to the butterfly shoulders, elbow joint that bends to 90 degrees, forearm ‘glove’ rotation and wrist peg and pivot. The legs feature a standard hip joint, allowing Mando to kneel and sit, a knee joint, a bootcut swivel and an ankle pivot. These are all tight and secure, and once positioned, Mando holds his pose really well.
There are a larger volume of accessories vs a normal release, all for Mando and starting with his IB-94 blaster, which has been well used over the years. This one is cast in plain silver with a brown painted stock. It can be holstered or fits into Mando’s right hand, where a trigger finger engages in to the open trigger.
Next up, is the small knife Mando carries in his boot. This was featured on the Glavis Ringworld Mando, but this time around, we also get a replacement right hand with a tighter grip in order to hold it. The Knife is relatively plain in decor, but considering its size, this is not an issue. The handle is a darker gunmetal finish, with the blade a brighter silver. It works well in the extra right hand, and there is a neat socket built into the right boot where it can be sheathed when not in use.
While you have the knife hand in place, there is a bonus ‘accessory’ secreted on Mando’s person, with the first of his explosive Grav-charges on the left-hand side of his belt being removable. They connect by way of a plug and socket, and this is virtually invisible initially. This tiny piece can then be held, ideally using the knife hand, as though preparing to be thrown and detonated. This functionality is not advertised anywhere or on any promo images.
Mando obviously enjoyed using the Darksaber and has obtained a new sword for The Mandalorian and Grogu. This is a shorter blade, reminiscent of a Roman sword, with the blade in silver and the hilt in grey with a silver pommel. In scenes released so far, Mando appears to draw this from his back, but there is no obvious holster or socket. The sword fits in either of the three included hands, with a looser grip in the normal hands, while stretching the knife hand a bit too much, which will then loosen the grip over time on the knife. The sword itself is very soft, but it looks to hold its shape out of the box and into the display.
There is no Amban Phase Rifle in the set, which initially makes sense, considering it was destroyed, but we do see Mando with it in some of the footage released to date. We do get a replacement, which is an unspecified blaster rifle that bears a level of similarity in the grip, in particular, to Boba Fett’s rifle. This is a cast plastic piece, coloured in a gun metal silver with brown painted stock and main body. Detailing is relatively crisp, including on the upper sights.
The gun is slightly tricky to engage in Mando’s trigger hand, but once in place, it can be wielded in a number of positions, including having the left hand cradle it for two-handed positions. Like the Boba Fett rifle, these two-handed and firitng positions do see the rear stock bent off to the side and bends and warps at the point the looped connector fastens it to the main body of the gun. Over time, this will cause some damage, while it also looks odd with a solid wooden stock bent round and under an arm.
The rifle's scope does detach, as seen in some scenes released so far, rather than plugging in, it employs two posts on the bottom of the scope that line up with two ‘clips’ on the weapon. This is less secure than a plug and socket solution we’ve seen on other weapons that break down into components, and with no immediate benefit visually, as once disconnected, the scope still has two pronged pegs underneath. As a standalone accessory, it can be held by Mando and used as a scope. We’ve also seen Grogu use the scope in scenes, but the included Grogu figure is unable to hold this in his left hand; he can grip it in the right, but as we will see, this right hand is permanently engaged, holding him in place on Mando’s back.
And so to Grogu, and so far over the many Grogu releases we’ve had a very static standing or sitting Grogu with an articulated head, arms and hands. This time round, we have a Grogu designed to ride on the Mandalorian’s back by way of a fully reworked body that is pivoted halfway and extends the legs and feet out in front of itself. The protruding feet are flat and can be rotated, while the arms are ball-jointed with a rotating wrist. The articulation, 7 points in total, concludes with the head.
Each part is cast in a base colour, with the robes given a lighter touch around the collar and sleeve cuffs. The feet and hands are left in the base green, while the head has painted black eyes, and some detailing around the face and the inner ears. There is the faintest of hair over Grogu’s head, painted in a white/grey finish
Grogu has been designed to integrate with Mando with no immediate changes to the Mandalorian body; even the change to the back armour has no influence on how Grogu connects. What the setup relies on is a gripping right hand on Grogu that holds onto the larger of the two ‘aerials’ on the jetpack. With this key point of contact engaged, Grogu’s flat feet, one set back further than the other, sit around the shape of the side of the jetpack, leaving his head and left hand to articulate within the scope of the joint while riding on Mando’s back.
While this works to a degree, I found it incredibly difficult to hold in place, especially if I went on to move the figure around. Grogu is always going to need to be the last thing you add to the figure once posed, as any movement in the body or left arm in person will dislodge him. I think the preference here, considering the Grogu body has no other functionality than the riding position, would have been to have plug-in feet to add security to the position, albeit that would have left visible sockets on the jetpack when Grogu was not used. In the end, for display, I have used a touch of museum putty to hold Grogu in place.
If we compare this Deluxe ‘Build Up’ release of Mando to the 2023 Ringworld figure, the accessories are comparable to the point that both figures have a sword, and include the same jetpack, blaster and knife. That leaves the extra hand and the new blaster rifle as over and above in the new set, along with Grogu himself. While Grogu's body is newly tooled, the Mando figure is more or less a direct re-use from the 2023 release. When you then look at this vs the £34 RRP, then Grogu and a rifle are setting you back around £9, which is OK, but not exceptional value in the current market. A couple of extra parts, even ones already in circulation like the Phase Rifle, would have bolstered the value for money.
What we do get is an arguably enhanced Mandalorian figure, which had very little room for improvement considering the strength of the Glavis Ringworld release. This is accurate to the film and able to mirror the scenes with Grogu riding on Mando’s back. Articulation is great, paintwork and decor are fine, and the detail of Mando’s armour is impressive, including the various ammunition storage belts, the Mudhorn symbol, and we’ve even now got a removable Grav-Charge. Grogu works, but is little more than an accessory and would have benefited from a more secure fitting.
This is as good a replication of the early movie posters and scenes, but I do suspect a follow-up version will be incoming with an unmasked Mando and a likeness that mirrors the Marvel Legends Mr Fantastic release. I can also see the return of the Amban Phase Rifle, and I suspect Grogu will get a release in his armour, either in another Build Up pack or solo with his ‘acquired’ hover pram. This is the Way!
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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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