A lot is going on this May to celebrate 25 years of the prequel trilogy kicking off in The Phantom Menace—a way for us to reflect, and look back on how remembrance and appreciation of the film has wildly evolved over the last quarter century. But it also gives ups an opportunity, as Star Wars always wants, for merchandise: and it’s only natural everyone’s favorite Gungan is included there, too.
After teasing it earlier this month, today Bandai lifted the lid on on a figure that’s been in the works for quite some time in its Star Wars line: a brand new S.H. Figuarts Jar Jar Binks. Being sold as an exclusive through Bandai’s Tamashii Nations webstore in Japan for 11,000 yen—about $70—Jar Jar comes with alternate hands for posing, as well as some very goofy alternate head options. As well as a standard, closed-mouth head, there’ll be an open-mouthed option, which can be displayed as is or used with few extra options, like a waggly tongue or even a gorg, for him to create the moment in Phantom Menace where he mistakenly snacks before purchasing from a vendor in Mos Espa.
It’s all delightfully silly, but it’s nice to see Jar Jar be re-embraced, if only from Star Wars’ beloved merchandising standpoint, for the 25th anniversary. Jar Jar was a huge part of Phantom Menace’s early merchandising pushes given his status as the big new alien character of the film, akin to Chewbacca in the original trilogy—but after the less-than-diplomatic reaction to the character over the years since it’s release, he’s kind of just been pushed to the background. As people begin to re-appraise just how fandom reacted so horribly to the character, and the actor behind him in Ahmed Best, it’s nice to at least see some official acknowledgement of Jar Jar as part of the celebratory proceedings… even it’s a chance to celebrate him via 70 bucks plus shipping.
Pre-orders for the S.H. Figuarts Jar Jar Binks are now live in Japan, but as a Tamashii Nations webstore exclusive, accessibility world wide either through imports or local channels is currently unknown. He’s set to actually release well after Phantom Menace’s 25th anniversary next month however—Jar Jar won’t drop until October 24. In the mean time, click through to see a few more pictures!
