This week's highlights include Kenner's classic Star Wars playsets and S.H. Figuarts' new Ultraman figures.
This week in the world of action figures and collectibles features a couple of noteworthy highlights for enthusiasts of vintage Star Wars memorabilia and Ultraman fans. While some niche and nostalgic releases surfaced, it was the intersection of retro aesthetics and modern homage that took center stage.
Kenner’s Vintage Star Wars Collection
Kicking things off, collectors will be thrilled with the continued interest in Kenner’s Star Wars lines, particularly the Landspeeder and the Land of the Jawas playset. Super-Duper Toybox shared insights on the Kenner POTF Landspeeder, a more recent addition to the classic line that manages to capture the charm of the 1978 original with updated features like a distressed paint job and enhanced suspension. Despite its more robust build tailored for the chunkier figures of 1995, it remains compatible with the slender Retro Collection figures, bringing a blend of old and new.
Adjacent to this, the Land of the Jawas playset and supplementary pieces from Cardboard Galaxy offer a more compact yet versatile setup. These additions allow collectors to expand their dioramas without the hefty cost and space demands of original sets. The flexibility in configuring these scenes with both vintage and newly crafted elements continues to foster creativity among fans.
The fascination doesn’t end at playsets; Jawas remain a particular point of interest, with newer additions to this lineup including custom and scale-model figures that fill gaps in collections, such as 3-D printed vinyl cape Jawas. Such additions are a testament to the ongoing demand for both original and bespoke figures, as collectors strive for comprehensive displays.
S.H. Figuarts’ Ultraman Expeditions
Shifting to another iconic series, S.H. Figuarts continues to deliver for Ultraman aficionados. Two recent releases have particularly stood out. The Hyper Zetton [Imago] figure reflects Bandai Tamashii Nations’ commitment to expanding their Ultraman range by showcasing not only the titular characters but also their formidable kaiju adversaries. As noted in another review, the inclusion of Imit-Ultraman surprises with its accessory options, drawing a physical link to the Ultraman’s rich lore, notably its cinematic outings. Despite the absence of the Giga Battlenizer—which must be obtained through other Figuarts releases—the imaginative decisions made in these designs evoke nostalgia while updating classic characters for the modern collector.
Overall, this week’s releases underscore a broader trend of successfully meshing nostalgia with innovation, catering to collectors who revel in displaying both timeless favorites and cutting-edge reinterpretations. While scarce knock-off retrospectives and obscure card games were referenced elsewhere, it’s the mainstays like Star Wars and Ultraman that continue to capture the imagination.
