Review – Star Wars: Rebels Cikatro Vizago and IG-RM

Is this what we can expect more of now that Disney owns Star Wars? If so then I am 100% onboard with the idea of the Mouse controlling the Star Wars universe, because this second set of Rebels action figures that I opened is as much fun as the first set. I already reviewed the Wookiee pack, and now this new Cikatro Vizago and IG-RM* two-pack has me ready to race back to the store and find more action figures.

Did Someone Say Kenner?

What if Kenner’s action figure designers of the late seventies had their hands on today’s prototyping and design tools? As near as I can figure out, action figures like we find in this Cikatro Vizago and IG-RM* two-pack are exactly what we would have had in the seventies and eighties is the answer, because everything about these toys just screams retro fun. Funko’s ReAction Figures line (Amazon.com search*) is awesome, but it’s tough to compete against a concept art IG-88 action figure and a Devaronian action figure.

IG-RM

First up we have a new Rebels character that’s based on old concept artwork. In the below pic you can see IG-RM in the foreground with West End Games’ 1987 Star Wars Sourcebook* flipped open in the background. The IG-RM is everything I could have hoped for . . . well, everything except the fact the toy didn’t come with a weapon. Man, Hasbro’s really fighting to save pennies in this line when they can’t even give our droid here a weapon.

Five Points of Articulation

As I mentioned in the recent Wookie review, the action figures in this line feature the classic Kenner five points of articulation: t-hips, swivel shoulders, and a swivel neck. Period. It’s modern vintage in one fun as hell action figure and this toy would have made me as happy in 1981 as it does today. Thank you, Hasbro, for realizing that plenty of fun can be had with only five joints.

That’s Better!

I grabbed a 1980 Snowtrooper blaster and shoved it into IG-RM’s hand so that the droid was better-ready for battle . . . and it fit perfectly! So dig into your stock of vintage weapons whenever you prepare to play with the Star Wars: Rebels action figures because the new toys just aren’t as equipped for battle as they should be. But the lack of a gun for IG-RM is really my only complaint with this Cikatro Vizago and IG-RM* two-pack.

Cikatro Vizago

I’ve not yet seen enough of Rebels to have the full story, but I have seen enough to know that this seedy character is the Jabba side of the new cartoon. Hey, I actually don’t really care about the details at this point because it’s a Devaronian action figure with a holster for his blaster. Is it just me or does this ring that Han Solo in Hoth costume bell from 1980 all over again? And this holster works way better than that older one ever did.

Fantastic Toys!

Work on my current Star Wars toy book is consuming the bulk of my attention at this time. Okay, cool, but I can admit that I will be chasing down more of these Rebels action figures as I can find them in stores. I’d heard a few times about how they’re very Kenner-like in feel, but the toys have been so tough to find around here that I only recently picked up a few of them.

I will get more!

Closing Thoughts

This Cikatro Vizago and IG-RM* two-pack makes me quite happy and shows just what can be done when playability rather than poseability is the focus of toy design. Action figures with 10, 15, 20, or more points of articulation are fine for collectors, but when it comes time to sitting down and pew-pew-pewing the hell out of things nothing beats the classic Kenner five points of articulation.

Expect to see more of this line appear on battlegrip.com in the future . . . and probably before I complete my Universe Expanded book project. You’re welcome. 🙂