Star Wars Action Figure Glossary
Here is a list of jargon and abbreviations used regularly on the website and in the Star Wars action figure collecting community. The list is a work-in-progress which will evolve as new toy lines and terminology surface.
AFA
AFA stands for Action Figure Authority. It is a company which grades Star Wars action figures.
Articulation
When collectors speak about the articulation of an action figure, they are referring to the joints in the figure.
Bandai
Bandai is currently the 4th biggest toy manufacturer in the world. The company is based in Japan and is known among Star Wars action figure collectors for their S.H. Figuarts action figure line and their Meisho Movie Realization Star Wars action figure line.
Battle Packs
Battle Pack indicates a multipack of figures.
Bernie Loomis
Bernie Loomis was a key figure in the early success of the Star Wars toy line at Kenner Products. As Vice President of Marketing and later President, Loomis played a crucial role in securing the Star Wars license for Kenner and overseeing the development of the toy line. His leadership and strategic vision were vital in bringing the Star Wars action figures and playsets to market despite tight deadlines and numerous challenges.
Under Loomis's direction, Kenner introduced the innovative "Early Bird" offer to address the absence of available figures for the 1977 holiday season. This promotion allowed fans to send in proof-of-purchase certificates for a set of Star Wars figures that would be shipped later. Loomis's forward-thinking approach and marketing expertise were key to establishing the Star Wars toy line as a major commercial success, laying the groundwork for a new era in toy merchandising and securing Kenner's legacy in the Star Wars collectibles world.
Cinema Scene
Cinema Scenes were 3-packs of figures sold during the Power Of The Force 2 series in the late 90's.
COO
COO stands for Country Of Origin. This abbreviation comes up often for vintage Star Wars figures, which refers to the country the figure was manufactured in.
Diorama
A diorama is a display of figures, which usually mimics a movie specific scene.
DTF
DTF stands for Discover The Force, which was a small Star Wars action figure line exclusive to Walmart stores in 2012.
Evolution Sets
Evolution 3-packs were multipacks of figures which showed an "evolution" of the character from movie to movie.
Force Link
Hasbro's Star Wars Force Link was an innovative toy technology introduced in 2017 as part of the merchandising for Star Wars: The Last Jedi. This system allowed action figures to interact with an electronic device called Force Link, which could activate sound effects, phrases, and character-specific interactions when the figures were brought near the device. The Force Link system, reminiscent of the CommTech chips from Star Wars: Episode I merchandise, aimed to enhance the play experience by providing more immersive features and bringing the characters to life through audio effects. The technology was featured prominently in several lines of Star Wars figures, offering a new layer of interactivity that appealed to both children and collectors. Despite mixed reviews regarding its long-term appeal, Force Link remains a notable example of Hasbro's efforts to innovate within the Star Wars toy market.
Freeze Frame
Freeze Frame figures refers to Star Wars figures from the Power Of The Force 2 series from the 1990's, which were packed-in together with slides.
Glasslite
Glasslite was a Brazilian toy company that became notable for producing a unique line of Star Wars action figures during the vintage era. In the mid-1980s, Glasslite acquired the rights to manufacture and distribute Star Wars figures in Brazil, bringing the beloved characters from the galaxy far, far away to South American fans. The figures produced by Glasslite are particularly distinctive due to their differences in materials, paint applications, and packaging compared to their Kenner counterparts. These variations, along with their relative scarcity outside of Brazil, have made Glasslite Star Wars figures highly sought after by collectors around the world. The Glasslite line is a fascinating chapter in the global Star Wars toy phenomenon, representing the franchise's wide-reaching impact and the unique adaptations made for different markets. Among the most coveted items from the Glasslite line is the figure of Vlix, a character from the Brazilian-exclusive "A República de Droids" toy line. Vlix, a rare and highly sought-after collectible, was not available in other markets and has become a legendary piece among Star Wars collectors.
Hasbro
Hasbro, one of the world's largest and most influential toy companies, has played a pivotal role in the continuation of the Star Wars action figure legacy. In 1991, Hasbro expanded its reach by acquiring the Tonka Corporation, a move that was significant for more than just Tonka's famous trucks. At the time of the purchase, Tonka owned Kenner, the original manufacturer of the iconic Star Wars action figures that first captivated fans in the late 1970s and 1980s. With the acquisition of Kenner, Hasbro inherited the Star Wars license, allowing them to continue and expand the Star Wars toy line. Under Hasbro's stewardship, the Star Wars brand has flourished, leading to the introduction of new figure lines, including The Black Series and The Vintage Collection, solidifying Hasbro's status as a key player in the Star Wars collecting community.
Jim Swearingen
Jim Swearingen is a legendary toy designer, he played a crucial role in the development of the vintage Star Wars action figure line. As a key member of the Kenner team, Swearingen's insights and vision were instrumental in shaping the franchise's toy offerings. One of his most significant contributions was the decision to make mock-ups of Star Wars figures in the 3.75-inch scale, something he came up with by simply kit-bashing Fisher Price Adventure people. This innovative choice was pivotal, as it allowed for a broad range of characters and accessories to be included alongside vehicles while keeping costs manageable and enabling more figures to be packed into each retail space.
Kenner
Kenner Products, founded in 1947, became a household name in the toy industry, but its association with Star Wars cemented its place in collectible history. In 1977, Kenner secured the license to produce Star Wars action figures, just as George Lucas's groundbreaking film was about to release. Faced with tight deadlines, Kenner's first wave of figures did not hit the shelves until 1978. Despite the challenges, Kenner's innovative approach, including the introduction of the "Early Bird" offer and the iconic 3.75-inch action figures, became a massive success. The company's figures captured the imaginations of fans and set a new standard for toy merchandising.
Kenner's Star Wars line included a diverse range of characters, from the core heroes and villains to various alien species and droids. The figures' attention to detail, combined with a wide array of playsets and vehicles, helped fuel the Star Wars phenomenon and make it a global sensation. Kenner's legacy endures through its pioneering contributions to the action figure market, and its vintage Star Wars figures remain highly prized by collectors today. The company's influence is evident in the continued popularity of Star Wars merchandise, demonstrating Kenner's lasting impact on both the toy industry and the Star Wars franchise.
Kit-Bashed
If a figure is Kit-Bashed it simply means it uses various body parts which have been used by Hasbro before on other action figures.
Lily Ledy
Lili Ledy was a company in Mexico in the 70s and 80s which produced and distributed Star Wars toys. Most vintage Star Wars figures produced by Lily Ledy are unique and look different to their Kenner counterparts, which makes them attractive to collect.
MECCANO
Meccano was the french licensee for Kenner toys during vintage times.
Mini Rigs
Mini Rigs were small vehicles released by Kenner during vintage times. These small vehicles never appeared in any of the original movies.
MINT
MINT refers to a condition that is in pristine, nearly perfect shape. When a figure is described as "Mint," it means that the item is in the best possible condition, with no visible flaws, defects, or signs of wear. This term often applies to both the figure itself and its packaging. For collectors, a "Mint" figure usually means it is unopened and retains its original packaging in flawless condition, often commanding higher value in the market.
MISB
MISB stands for Mint In Sealed Box.
MOC
MOC stands for Mint On Card.
NIB
NIB stands for New In Box.
OTC
OTC stands for the Original Trilogy Collection, which was released at the end of 2004.
PARKER
In the 1970s and 1980s, Kenner's Star Wars figures made their way to Germany through a partnership with Parker, a well-known toy company in the region. Parker, which was a subsidiary of General Mills like Kenner, was responsible for distributing Star Wars action figures and toys across Germany. The packaging for these figures often featured Parker's branding alongside the Kenner logo, making them distinctive among European releases. These figures were part of the early wave of Star Wars merchandise that captivated German fans, helping to establish Star Wars as a cultural phenomenon in Germany. Today, Kenner figures distributed by Parker are sought after by collectors, particularly for their unique packaging variations that reflect their German origins.s
PFP
Plastic Free Packaging (PFP) was an initiative that Hasbro introduced in 2021 as an effort to make their Star Wars action figure packaging more environmentally friendly. The goal of PFP was to eliminate plastic from the packaging process, replacing it with alternative materials in order to reduce environmental impact and promote sustainability. This shift was part of a broader trend within the toy industry to address growing concerns about plastic waste and environmental conservation.
However, the transition to Plastic Free Packaging was met with considerable resistance from collectors. Many fans expressed concerns that the new packaging made it difficult to see and verify the figures before purchase, leading to dissatisfaction with the overall product presentation and the inability to inspect the items properly. As a result of the backlash, Hasbro decided to revert to their original plastic packaging style for Star Wars action figures, balancing their commitment to sustainability with the preferences and needs of their collector base.
POA
POA stands for points of articulation, which refers to the number of joints in a figure.
POTF2
POTF2 stands for Power Of The Force 2, which was a Star Wars toy line from 1995 until 2000. The packaging of the toys stated Power Of The Force (without the "2" on it), but collectors refered to it as POTF2 (with the number 2) in order to not confuse the toys with the previous vintage Power Of The Force line from 1985.
POTJ
POTJ stands for Power Of The Jedi which was a Star Wars toy line from 2000 - 2002.
Re-pack
The term re-pack is used if a previously released figure has been re-released again without any changes to it.
Re-paint
A re-paint is an action figure which has been painted differently compared to its previous incarnation.
Re-work
A slightly re-worked action figure means that the figure has been tweaked compared to it's previous release.
ROTS
ROTS stands for Revenge Of The Sith, which refers to the Star Wars toy line from 2005.
Retro Collection
The Retro Collection was a 3 3/4" Star Wars action figure line which started in 2019. The action figure line consisted of re-makes of the original vintage Kenner figures from the '70s and '80's and new figures which were sculpted in a simplistic and limited in articulation Kenner-style. The packaging was also classic vintage Kenner with a flimsy cardboard and one plastic bubble to keep the figure in place. You can find all the figures in this series on here on J.B.: Star Wars Retro Collection.
Shelf Talker
A shelf talker refers to advertising which decorates the shelf and promotes the products on it at the same time. You'll very likely come across this term in regards to vintage Star Wars collecting.
SOTE
SOTE stands for Shadows Of The Empire, which was a multi-media event in 1996. Hasbro released several action figures in their SOTE toy line.
Steve Sansweet
Steve Sansweet is widely regarded as the "godfather of Star Wars collecting" due to his unparalleled dedication to amassing the world's largest private collection of Star Wars memorabilia. A former journalist and Lucasfilm's Director of Content Management, Sansweet has become a legendary figure in the collecting community. His vast collection, housed at Rancho Obi-Wan in Northern California, features over 500,000 unique items, making it the most comprehensive Star Wars collection in existence. Sansweet has also authored several essential books on Star Wars collectibles, sharing his expertise and passion with fans around the globe. His influence has been instrumental in shaping the Star Wars collecting culture, making him a revered and respected figure among fans and collectors alike.
SWS
SWS is an abbreviation for the Star Wars Saga toy line, which ran from 2002 - 2004.
TAC
TAC stands for The Anniversary Collection, which refers to the 30th Anniversary Collection toy line (2006 - 2008).
TBS
TBS stands for The Black Series. The Black Series is Hasbro's umbrella name for a variety of different products, including boardgames, 3 3/4" and 6" Star Wars figures, role playing lightsabers and helmets, a short-lived die cast vehicles and die cast 3 3/4" action figure line. The Black Series was launched in 2013. Typically when collectors refer to TBS they are referring to Hasbro's 6" Star Wars action figure line. You can find all the figures in this series here: Star Wars The Black Series Fall 2020 - Today.
TLC
TLC stands for The Legacy Collection, which was the name of a toy line from 2008 - 2010.
TOLTOYS
Toltoys was an Australian toy company that played a significant role in the distribution of Star Wars merchandise in the late 1970s and early 1980s. As the official licensee for Star Wars toys in Australia, Toltoys was responsible for bringing Kenner's iconic action figures, vehicles, and playsets to the Australian market. While the toys were largely the same as those sold in the U.S., some Toltoys packaging featured unique logos and slight variations, making them highly sought after by collectors today. Toltoys' Star Wars products are a notable part of the global legacy of Star Wars merchandising, reflecting the international impact of the franchise.
Toylines
The term toy lines refers to a specific look and feel of the packaging. In most cases the toy line is given a name, such as The Vintage Collection for example. Typically a new packaging style is introduced every few years in order to promote current media.
Tri-Logo
The Kenner Tri-Logo figures are a distinct and collectible series of Star Wars action figures released in the mid-1980s, primarily in Europe. These figures are named after the unique packaging that featured three logos—English, French, and Spanish—reflecting the broad international market they were intended for. Unlike the standard Kenner packaging used in the U.S., the Tri-Logo cards had a different cardback design and often used alternate character images. The figures themselves were generally the same as those released elsewhere, but the packaging differences and regional distribution make Tri-Logo figures highly prized by collectors today, representing a unique chapter in the history of Star Wars toy merchandising.
TVC
TVC stands for The Vintage Collection. The Vintage Collection is a 3 3/4" Star Wars action figure line which started in August 2010. You can look at all the figures in this series here: Star Wars: The Vintage Collection.
Unpunched
Unpunched stands for an unbroken tab on the top of the card. The tabs are usually removed when employees hang the figures onto the store pegs. "Unpunched" indicates that the figure came very likely straight from a case.
Vintage
Vintage refers to the vintage Star Wars toys which were released between 1978 and 1985.