R4-J1 - TLC - Build A Droid

In the first two waves of The Legacy Collection, Hasbro managed to get us four Build A Droid figures in a relatively short time. While the two R7 units were a bit of a surprising (and borderline undesired) start to the pack-in premium, it is hard to argue that we are getting extra figures in out collections at a very brisk pace. R4-J1, the second R4 unit in the series is so much more than a background astromech from Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones. In fact, it is one of the most intensely painted figures we have received on a droid in years. Looking like it weathered the harsh Tatooine suns for quite some time, R4-J1 is a joy to have as an action figure. And while not much back story or current information is available on this droid, it really doesn’t detract from how awesome the action figure is. While is briefly passes across the screen in a matter of seconds, Hasbro went all out to create an authentic and truly special droid. This magnificently made Build A Droid is so well done, it still remains one of the most prominently displayed figures in our collections and no doubt yours too. R4-J1 first became available to us in five distinct parts (found across four basic figures in The Legacy Collection’s wave 2) but once it was assembled, the droid immediately wowed us with its great construction and phenomenal paint application. Very few Build A Droid figures (and basic figures for that matter any more) get the paint application attention that R4-J1 did. He is yellowed, he has multiple colors and he has one of the most beautiful wear/battle-damage we have seen on a droid. This makes us rejoice in triplicate! As you can probably tell, we are enamored of this figure and absolutely are thrilled to have it in our collections now.

It seems as if Hasbro will be using the Build A Droid parts more than once to make new droids as evidenced by the Build A Droid figures in the first two waves. R7-T1 is a “repaint” of R7-Z0 and the same is true for R4-J1. It is a “repaint” of R4-D6. Used from the same molded parts as the R4-D6 Build A Droid figure, you would probably expect the same things from this droid, but R4-J1 is much better. And this is saying a great deal because R4-D6 is nearly perfect too. The figure is covered in a dirty yellowed wash in addition to wonderfully placed battle-damage markings. These final touches add an incontrovertible amount of detail and authenticity. This absolutely makes an action figure that much more impressive and specifically makes R4-J1 quite a piquant droid. But one of the more imposing decorations on this Build A Droid is the head. When looking at it from an aerial view, you can see how much time and effort when into painting this piece. With a pattern looking a great deal like the Star of David. The pattern is quite beautiful and the contrasting yellow and green color creates a distinctly unique embellishment. There are different box type patterns throughout the figure as well. There are multiple green geometric shapes with white outlines and others without. There are also green half circles which start and end on the bottom right and left of the figure and end on its posterior. It is a very artful and modern look for a figure from a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. It is a shame that this astromech didn’t get more screen time in Episode II than it did. There is no denying that it is quite a striking droid and a great biography on it would have been extra special. Who knows, maybe it will end up in a video game of the next great novel somewhere down the road.

In the very beginning, we were under the incorrect assumption that the Build A Droid figures would be culled from sources to match their basic figure counterparts. Clearly, this is not the case, as the Build A Droid figures have minds of their own and are typically independent of the them of the wave or case assortment. But regardless, R4-J1 will nicely complement all of the figures from The Legacy Collection but especially those from Episode II. If R4-J1 is any indication of where the Build A Droid pack-in can go then we are in for a real treat. Despite the aesthetically displeasing extra holes in the astromech’s body, we can barely find fault with the execution of these droids. There are very well crafted and again, we are so impressed with how well Hasbro is decorating these universal parts. We hope that additional revisits and new additions continue with the Build A Droid series. We are always happy to get new droid designs, but there is a large bank of R4 units that are in need of a bad upgrade, including R4-M9 and a ‘black’ version of R4-D6 (R4-I9). There are many, many others too. Hopefully the basic line will continue to utilize the Build A Droid pack-in premium for a while. It is certainly the most popular gimmick thus far and it definitely adds value and gives collector more for their money. And what a simple and fantastic way to add the droid we love so much into our collections with such significant ease. And we are clearly going to get names to many droids that we many have seen in the films but never had any idea how to identify them. Well, our worries can be suppressed. And our enjoyment of the hobby can be heightened. The Build A Droid series is such an exciting add on and we can’t wait to see what is in store for us.