The 2017 Star Wars The Black Series Maz Kanata (#49) is one of the most unexpectedly impressive releases of the Red Line’s late‑2017 wave. Despite her small stature, Maz arrives with a level of sculpting detail, accessory depth, and character accuracy that rivals figures twice her size. Based on her appearance in The Last Jedi but drawing heavily from her introduction in The Force Awakens, this figure captures the enigmatic pirate queen with remarkable fidelity — from her layered jewelry and textured clothing to her expressive face and articulated magnifier goggles.
Maz Kanata is one of the most intriguing additions to the modern Star Wars canon. A thousand-year-old information broker, smuggler, and Force-sensitive observer of galactic history, she occupies a unique space in the Sequel Trilogy. She is not a Jedi, not a Sith, not a soldier, and not a politician — yet she understands the Force and the galaxy’s power structures better than almost anyone. This figure reflects that complexity through its sculpt, accessories, and expressive design.
Released on September 1, 2017 (Force Friday II), Maz arrived alongside other major TLJ characters, including Luke Skywalker (Jedi Master), Rey (Jedi Training), Kylo Ren, and the Praetorian Guards. While many collectors initially overlooked her due to her size, Maz quickly became recognized as one of the most detailed and character-rich figures in the wave.
Technical Details & Sculpt
Overall Sculpt & Proportions
Maz’s sculpt is exceptionally detailed, especially for a figure significantly shorter than the standard 6-inch scale. The sculpt captures:
- her expressive, age-lined face
- layered necklaces and bracelets
- textured vest and tunic
- wrapped boots with colorful fabric bands
- articulated magnifier goggles
The proportions are screen-accurate, with Maz standing noticeably shorter than human characters — a detail that enhances display realism.
Head Sculpt
The head sculpt is one of the highlights of the figure:
- deeply sculpted wrinkles and facial lines
- expressive mouth and cheek structure
- individually articulated magnifier goggles
- clean paint application on the eyes and lenses
The goggles can be positioned up or down, allowing collectors to recreate her iconic “I see your eyes” moment from The Force Awakens.
Clothing & Gear
Maz’s layered outfit is recreated with impressive texture:
- Vest: removable, with sculpted seams and fabric grain
- Tunic: ribbed texture with natural folds
- Pants: subtle creasing and color variation
- Boots: wrapped fabric bands with multicolored paint apps
The sculpting density on such a small figure is remarkable, making Maz one of the most visually rich releases of the wave.
Articulation
Maz includes a surprisingly robust articulation suite:
- ball-jointed neck
- ball-jointed shoulders
- ball-jointed elbows
- ball-jointed wrists
- swivel waist
- ball-jointed hips
- swivel thighs
- ball-jointed knees
- ball-jointed ankles
The articulation supports expressive poses, including:
- holding the lightsaber hilt
- inspecting objects with her goggles
- firing her blaster
- interacting with the chest box
Despite her size, Maz is stable and well-balanced.
Paint & Deco
The paintwork is one of the strongest aspects of the figure:
- warm orange-brown skin tone with shading
- silver, gold, and bronze jewelry accents
- multicolored boot wrappings
- aged metallic finish on the chest box
- clean paint on the lightsaber hilt
The deco matches her on-screen appearance with impressive accuracy.
Accessories & Equipment
Maz includes a generous accessory loadout:
Chest Box
- opens and closes
- interior sculpted to hold the lightsaber hilt
- aged metallic paint finish
- one of the most display-friendly accessories in the wave
Luke Skywalker Lightsaber Hilt
- metallic silver and black paint
- screen-accurate sculpt
- fits inside the chest box
Blaster Pistol
- compact sculpt
- metallic barrel detailing
- fits securely in her hand
Removable Vest
- flexible plastic
- textured fabric pattern
- enhances display versatility
The chest box alone elevates this release, offering a unique storytelling accessory rarely seen in the line.
Packaging (Red Line)
Maz arrives in the standard Phase 3 Red Line packaging:
- matte black box
- bold red accent stripe
- character portrait art
- figure number #49
- large window showcasing the accessories
The portrait art captures Maz’s inquisitive expression, while the window layout highlights the chest box and lightsaber hilt.
Collector Notes
- This is the first 6-inch Maz Kanata in the Black Series.
- Includes one of the most detailed accessory sets of the 2017 wave.
- The articulated goggles are a standout engineering feature.
- The chest box is fully functional and screen-accurate.
- Essential for Takodana, Resistance, and TLJ displays.
- Pairs naturally with Rey, Han Solo, Chewbacca, Finn, and BB-8.
Display & Photography Notes
Maz photographs beautifully under macro lighting. Her goggles catch highlights well, and the chest box interior benefits from directional lighting to emphasize its sculpted details. Three-quarter angles highlight her jewelry, vest texture, and expressive face.
For dioramas, Maz excels in:
- Takodana castle scenes
- Resistance briefings
- TLJ hologram sequences
- Character interaction displays
Her sculpt supports expressive, character-rich poses that bring personality to any Sequel Trilogy setup.