Shae Vizla (The Old Republic) - Mini Busts

Shae Vizla was a female Mandalorian bounty hunter commonly employed by the Sith Empire for large risky undertakings. Vizla makes her first appearance in the hugely successful Star Wars: The Old Republic video game trailer.

Shae Vizla's armor was of a design similar to that of the Mandalorians. She utilized a jetpack, and her gauntlets contained holographic displays as well as flamethrowers and explosive rocket launchers. In addition, she also carried blasters.

If you have any doubts to how the Star Wars collecting climate has significantly changed in 2012 as compared to years past, look no further than some of the recent releases in Gentle Giant Ltd.’s Mini Busts line. Original Trilogy character Mini Busts are lucky to see edition sizes run over 1000 pieces, yet a video game character like Shae Vizla, who made her first appearance in The Old Republic video game trailer mind you, gets an edition size of 2500. Explain this to us please. Whether the years of oversaturation of the various Star Wars collectibles have burned collectors completely out, or maybe enough mainstream collectors have completely withdrawn from the hobby altogether, it still throws us for a loop how a character like Shae Vizla, popular or not, would “beat” a character like Emperor Palpatine [Episode VI] or the Imperial Gunner in total edition size. It’s completely perplexing to us. But instead of getting hung up on such things, it’s our job to tell you how go or bad the Shae Vizla Mini Bust is. Simply put, it’s excellently done.

Hasbro attempted to do their own interpretation of this Mandalorian bounty hunter and released her as 2012’s TVC Shae Vizla (Old Republic Bounty Hunter) (VC101) figure. Many collectors complained about this action figure, much to our shock and surprise, because they thought her likeness wasn’t good at all. We feel completely opposite about this. There are many different expressions of Shae Vizla captured in various stills of the video game. And we feel strongly that Hasbro did a fine representation of her on the action figure. But if you weren’t satisfied with the Hasbro figure, you will be floored with the Mini Bust by Gentle Giant Ltd. They have knocked her likeness out of the park. Aside from making her hair too dark (she has a bright fire red hair color), the Mini Bust is essentially flawless except for one major issue. For reasons unknown, Gentle Giant Ltd. has assembled her backpack upside down. It cannot be fixed. If you can overlook this big deal, the Mini Bust is really gorgeous. The Mini Bust comes in two parts, the main Mini Bust section and then an attaching right arm holding the massive blaster rifle she is waving in a threatening manner. Completed, Shae Vizla (The Old Republic) is so gorgeous and cool that you wish you could get to know her a little bit better.

To complete her confident-bordering-on-cocky demeanor, Shae Vizla is holding her ultra cool Mandalorian helmet in her left army grasp. Unlike the Hasbro figure, you can’t switch out portraits to give her a “helmeted” look. It’s a shame because it’s one of the neatest helmets a Star Wars character has ever owned. We would have loved to have the interchangeability here with this Mini Bust. The details sculpted into her sexy armored outfit is stunning. You literally have to digest each section a little at a time as to not overindulge in the exquisite art that has been etched into her physique. The tight-fitting armor shows her athletic curves and the weaponry that is stored in various holsters and pouches prove that she is someone you wouldn’t want to have after you. Shae Vizla’s portrait is excellent. Gentle Giant Ltd. has successfully replicated her likeness and we bet you’ll be impressed as well. Overall, we’re thrilled with the Shae Vizla Mini Bust. It’s better than the Hasbro figure and it doesn’t hog a fraction of the space the statue does of her. Shae Vizla is a must-have Mini Bust. Ensure you own one too.