Princess Leia Organa (Boushh) - TBS [P2] - Six Inch Figures (#16)

If you want to see proof that Hasbro is producing cookie cutter action figures (and we don’t necessarily mean to imply that this is totally a “bad” thing), you needn’t look any further than The Black Series [Phase II] Princess Leia Organ (Boushh) (#17) 3.75” action figure compared to Princess Leia Organa (Boushh) (#16) 6” figure. Although two completely differently scales, they share nearly identical sculpts and even some of the same features and articulation points. In all actuality, both versions are admirable executions. But that assessment is only true from a certain point of view. We’re going to explain this in explicit detail. Some collectors are overly critical of anything that has come out post-The Vintage Collection. Honestly, we share their concerns because there is room to be “on the defensive” with Hasbro in this day and age. The collector quality stuff has been hard to stomach as of late. Ever since the demise of The Vintage Collection, it seems that character selection, consistency and quality have all gone out the window. Sure, there is an impressive release here and there, but mostly it’s been one mistake repeated after another. However, it is figures like Princess Leia Organa (Boushh) that give us a glimmer of hope, even despite her imperfections. You probably aren’t sure what we mean, so let’s talk about the big white elephant in the room. Princess Leia Organa (Boushh) is huge. Hasbro already set a precedent with 2013’s TBS [P1] Princess Leia (Slave Outfit) figure of how she should appear in the 6” scale. (On a side not, the Princess Leia (Slave Outfit) figure may be the death of Hasbro. Not only does it properly show us the princess’ true scale in the 6” line, this figure was the root of controversy as many blamed Hasbro that it’s the only version of Leia they cared about producing. (The latter was complete nonsense by the way. If anyone whining had been collecting for the last 20 modern years they would have known Hasbro made a ton of beautiful Leia action figures.) We clearly digress. Let’s get back on track.

Princess Leia Organa (Boushh) is gargantuan, especially next to the properly sized 2013 TBS [P1] Princess Leia (Slave Outfit) figure. To make matters worse, Hasbro actually put the blame of the size difference of the collecting community. Apparently we complained that Princess Leia (Slave Outfit) was too light with accessories and that meant that Hasbro needed to improperly size the Princess Leia Organa (Boushh) (#16) release to make up the difference. They claimed it was so we would feel that we were getting more substance for our $20+. Have you ever heard a more ridiculous explanation in your life? And what fan sites are Hasbro reading anyway? All we have complained about is the inability of Hasbro to re-release 2011’s TVC Ponda Baba (Walrus Man) (VC70) and 2012’s TVC Emperor’s Royal Guard (VC105) figures (3.75” scale mind you). We don’t know one person who complained about Princess Leia (Slave Outfit) other than the figure was a total debacle, ugly and poorly painted. (Oh, and that she came with a field day award ribbon material for her soft-goods). We honestly are OK with the toy line if characters aren’t to scale exactly perfectly. What we can’t handle at all is when the SAME character isn’t even remotely close in size to the previous release in the same line. So we reject their excuse. This is where we struggle with this release. If this is something you can overlook then more power to you. But for us it just makes us feel that Hasbro isn’t even trying anymore and that the adult collectors are more of a collective hemorrhoid for Hasbro than a population of people they care to serve. We don’t mean to make this sound like it’s personal or even dramatic, but come on now. Princess Leia Organa (Boushh) is a beautiful action figure by itself. Collectors want to build a collection of these things to scale to one another. We don’t want “one off” action figures. Why couldn’t Hasbro just made her a tad smaller so she would have fit into the line like a charm? She isn’t 100% perfect, but we found solace in the fact that she was made so well. Collectors should give her a chance, even if they’re annoyed by her scale issues.

With all that being said, we actually think that Princess Leia Organa (Boushh) is a pretty sweet action figure. Don’t get us wrong. She has some issues, but for the most part this is the Princess Leia Organa (Boushh) action figure we’ve wanted to see for years now. If you find the one with the right paint operations the portrait is actually rather attractive. If you get the wrong one, well, she could look like a train wreck. We had the opportunity to choose from three different samples. Two of the three had nightmarish deco on the face. We think the figure featured in our photo gallery resonates a pretty accurate likeness to the onscreen character. Princess Leia Organa (Boushh) is built very similarly to the 3.75” counterpart, or is it vice versa. What came first form the digital files? The chicken or the egg? We don’t know, but we can tell you that Princess Leia Organa (Boushh) (#16) comes with five awesome accessories. The removable helmet fits nicely and tightly over her head and is beautifully painted and screen accurate. The staff/force pike is long and thin and excellently detailed, yet has substance and won’t bow too easily. The bandolier is nicely detailed and the attached soft-goods cape isn’t too large and possesses a nice drape. The removable canister pack is also nicely detailed with Aurebesh (or perhaps Ubese in this case) and provides the necessary resources for when Boushh is unable to breathe in the atmosphere to prevent lung damage. The best part however is the thermal detonator. It is a separate accessory that fits into her hand as well as a plugs onto her belt when not in use threatening the local Hutts. The coloring of the figure is spot on and unlike the 3.75” sample we have, Hasbro painted the foot portion of her boots in the correct color tan (as evidenced by published resource materials) which makes her look like she is actually wearing boots and not leg wrappings. All in all, aside from the annoying scale issues, Princess Leia Organa (Boushh) is a satisfying addition to The Black Series [Phase II] line. We think Hasbro went out with a bang in this line look for both ranges. Princess Leia Organa (Boushh) is a fine specimen. She is still shorter than her male counterparts and of course Chewbacca, but Hasbro should have tried harder here.