Hasbro’s Final Star Wars Fanstream of the Year Wasn’t About Hype. It Was About the Future of Collecting.
Hasbro closed out the year with its final Star Wars Fanstream, and while the presentation leaned festive on the surface, the substance underneath carried real weight for collectors. This was not simply a holiday wrap-up. It functioned more like a quiet roadmap, outlining how Hasbro views Star Wars collecting as it moves toward 2026.
Across The Vintage Collection, Retro Collection, and The Black Series, the reveals pointed toward a more deliberate strategy. One focused less on sheer output and more on cohesion, completion, and long-term value for dedicated collectors.
For longtime fans, this stream felt intentional. Focused. Carefully assembled to speak directly to people who build shelves, scenes, and eras rather than chasing single figures in isolation.
The Vintage Collection Continues to Play the Long Game
The Vintage Collection portion of the Fanstream was the clearest indicator of Hasbro’s current thinking. Rather than chasing shock reveals, the emphasis was placed on characters and figures that strengthen the overall fabric of the line.
Several reveals from CCXP carried over into the presentation, including Obi-Wan Kenobi from Revenge of the Sith and the 212th Airborne Trooper. Obi-Wan stood out immediately. The figure features nearly all-new tooling, well executed soft goods, and carefully applied deco. This was not positioned as a refresh or repaint, but as a definitive prequel-era Obi-Wan designed to finally meet collector expectations at the 3.75-inch scale.
Beyond those carryovers, the newly revealed figures told a broader story.
Greedo’s return to the mainline Vintage Collection, presented on a classic Kenner-style green cardback, was more than a simple reissue. It reinforced the idea that cardback presentation remains a core pillar of the line. For collectors who display figures sealed, the visual continuity of the Vintage Collection is part of its identity, not an afterthought.
The Snowtrooper Commander and General Veers further supported that philosophy. These were not background filler figures. They were leadership characters that bring structure and narrative weight to Imperial displays. Veers in particular demonstrated how far likeness and paint application have progressed in the line, while still preserving the proportions and feel that define Vintage Collection figures.
The standout reveal, however, was Poggle the Lesser.
This figure represents a significant investment. An all-new sculpt, detailed wings, layered accessories, and premium detailing make it clear this was not an inexpensive character to produce. Hasbro choosing to move forward with Poggle signals a willingness to prioritize completion and world-building over guaranteed top-tier name recognition. For collectors building out Geonosis or Clone Wars era displays, this was a meaningful and long-awaited addition.
This entire Vintage Collection wave was announced as a Fan Channel and Amazon exclusive with a unified preorder date. That approach continues a growing trend of encouraging early commitment and focused retail engagement, particularly for collector-driven lines.
Retro Collection Shows That Nostalgia Can Still Evolve
The Retro Collection segment was smaller in scale, but no less important.
R4-M9 was revealed as part of an upcoming Retro Collection six-pack. While the Retro line remains rooted firmly in Kenner aesthetics, this reveal highlighted a subtle but meaningful update. The astromech features a removable third leg, a play feature that aligns with modern expectations while remaining visually consistent with the retro style.
It is a small change, but an important one. It shows that Hasbro is not treating the Retro Collection as a static novelty. Instead, it is allowing the line to evolve carefully, addressing long-standing limitations without compromising its visual identity.
As major Star Wars anniversaries approach, this willingness to thoughtfully modernize nostalgia could become increasingly relevant.
The Black Series Leans Into Depth Over Volume
The Black Series portion of the Fanstream revealed what may be the clearest philosophical shift.
Rather than a large slate of single releases, Hasbro emphasized curated two-packs and expanded universe material. The Scar Squadron two-pack featuring Cav and Misty is a prime example. These characters originate from Star Wars comics, not films or Disney Plus series. Their inclusion signals continued support for publishing-based Star Wars content within The Black Series.
This approach rewards informed collectors and encourages engagement beyond on-screen media. It also reflects a growing confidence that the Black Series audience is willing to support deeper cuts when they are presented thoughtfully.
The Clone Wars two-pack featuring Plo Koon and Clone Commander Wolffe followed a similar philosophy. Wolffe’s upgrade to the newer clone body, along with refined armor and improved sculpting, makes this set particularly appealing even to collectors who already own earlier versions. The improvements are tangible and justify the release rather than simply duplicating what came before.
An updated Season One Mandalorian rounded out the reveals. Featuring improved soft goods, updated hands, refined weathering, and articulation tweaks, this figure was presented as a refinement rather than a replacement. It demonstrated that Hasbro is still willing to revisit popular characters when meaningful upgrades can be delivered.
What This Fanstream Ultimately Communicated
This Fanstream was not about spectacle. It was about confidence.
Across all three lines, Hasbro leaned into depth rather than volume. Completing squads instead of scattering releases. Honoring packaging history. Investing in all-new tooling for niche characters. Building out eras, scenes, and factions rather than isolated figures.
For collectors who approach the hobby strategically, this matters. These are figures meant to anchor displays, not impulse purchases destined to be forgotten.
As Star Wars collecting moves toward 2026, the message from Hasbro’s final Fanstream of the year was clear. The future is less about chasing the next reveal and more about building something cohesive and intentional.