From Wookieepedia :
Kithaba was a Klatooinian male slave who worked as a skiff guard for the crime lord Jabba Desilijic Tiure on the planet Tatooine. During the Galactic Civil War, Kithaba was assigned to travel with the prisoners Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Chewbacca in a Bantha-II cargo skiff to the Great Pit of Carkoon, where they would be executed. At the pit, the prisoners had a brief exchange with Jabba, who was viewing the executions from onboard his sail barge Khetanna, before Skywalker attacked Kithaba and his colleagues with a lightsaber that the droid R2-D2 had provided him with. Kithaba was the first guard to be knocked from the skiff, but managed to avoid the maw of the sarlacc that lived in the pit for some time while it consumed several of his colleagues. Shortly after Jabba himself was killed, the sarlacc wrapped its tongue around Kithaba and swallowed him.
There was a confusion that always I thought this is Barada. Nope, this is Kithaba (VC056) and he is on the same skiff where Luke, Han and Chewbacca were on. Picked this figure up at Toys R'Us United Square back in 2013. And I have another still carded. Both are of the red bandana version which later I learnt there is also a brown bandana version out there.
Which one is more rare? After some reading, seem it depend on where you are. Brown bandana version seem to be everywhere in the US but Red is more common elsewhere. Best is not to dwell on this too much.
On screen accuracy of the Bandana's colour, it is Red without a doubt. Then it is Brown due to shadow and shade. Like Han Hoth's Jacket. It is Brown but I like it Blue. It is up to individual's preference.
I made 2 mistakes when taking these pictures. 1) Bandolier Pouches should be adjusted downwards a bit with the pouches properly sling across the lower torso and not tugging on his neck. 2) That long weapon should be a pike with the pointed end pointing outwards. I mistaken it as a hammer thus the picture has Kithaba handling it inside out. But then, Han Solo did use the blunt side to trigger Boba Fett's thruster sending him straight into the Sarlaac's stomache.
I'm not too fond of this figure due to the wonky proportion. It looks top heavy with a small hip and pair of long slim legs. Too frail to be Jabba's henchman in my opinion. It is a first release figure so lets hope it will get a better sculpt for any future release.
Onwards to the scores!
Sculpting - 5/5
Yes, another full score here for Kithaba (not to be confuse with figure design, that had it in bad proportion). The headsculpting is excellent and it has become a signature for this line of 3.75" figures. Foldings on the clothes are sculpted nicely showing a natural flow. Nothing to nit pick here.
Painting - 4/5
Stare at the headsculpt and scrutinize it and you can see the paintwork is immaculate - complimenting the excellent sculpt. A very mild wish was given overall from top to bottom. Special comment on silver paint application on the Blaster Pistol and the tip of the Pike.
But the tiny joint area are neglected. Just look at the top of the feet a tiny red bit of the joint stick out like a sore thumb surrounded by blacks. This is prevailing issues to most (if not all) the TVC figures. Some more outstanding, some less. minus 1 point for giving up at the finishing line.
Articulation - 3/5
It is the same issue as Nikto. Posing Kithaba is a chore. Head on a ball joint is the saving grace and earned Kithaba a passing score for this category. Arms and waist movement is standard for TVC figures and anything less will not be acceptable at this stage.
Major lacking in hip which can only do a front and back kick. Knee and feet able to swivel but not sufficient to make some meaningful pose. For a small figure like this, I can cut it some slack.
Accesories - 5/5
There is low expectation for accessories in an action figure that I require. A figure can do away all the bells and whistles. I will be satisfied if Kithaba only comes with a Blaster Pistol. But it also include a Pike and a removable bandolier. Exceeding expectation and what it deserves? A full score of course.
Onwards to the scores!
Sculpting - 5/5
Yes, another full score here for Kithaba (not to be confuse with figure design, that had it in bad proportion). The headsculpting is excellent and it has become a signature for this line of 3.75" figures. Foldings on the clothes are sculpted nicely showing a natural flow. Nothing to nit pick here.
Painting - 4/5
Stare at the headsculpt and scrutinize it and you can see the paintwork is immaculate - complimenting the excellent sculpt. A very mild wish was given overall from top to bottom. Special comment on silver paint application on the Blaster Pistol and the tip of the Pike.
But the tiny joint area are neglected. Just look at the top of the feet a tiny red bit of the joint stick out like a sore thumb surrounded by blacks. This is prevailing issues to most (if not all) the TVC figures. Some more outstanding, some less. minus 1 point for giving up at the finishing line.
Articulation - 3/5
It is the same issue as Nikto. Posing Kithaba is a chore. Head on a ball joint is the saving grace and earned Kithaba a passing score for this category. Arms and waist movement is standard for TVC figures and anything less will not be acceptable at this stage.
Major lacking in hip which can only do a front and back kick. Knee and feet able to swivel but not sufficient to make some meaningful pose. For a small figure like this, I can cut it some slack.
Accesories - 5/5
There is low expectation for accessories in an action figure that I require. A figure can do away all the bells and whistles. I will be satisfied if Kithaba only comes with a Blaster Pistol. But it also include a Pike and a removable bandolier. Exceeding expectation and what it deserves? A full score of course.
Final words, Kithaba is a skiff guard and it is an auto buy from me. I'd say he is not for everyone more like an acquired taste. If you wanted one and you sees one - at sane price, go get it.
Who knows the next moment he becomes the Sarlaac's meal.
These screen grab confirms the correct bandana colour which is red.
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