Figure of the Day: Day 296: Jedi Spirits Obi-Wan Kenobi

OBI-WAN KENOBI Jedi Spirits
The Power of the Force Collection Cinema Scenes
Item No.: Asst. 84035 No. 84058
Number: n/a
Includes: Display Base
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.99
Availability: Fall 1998
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Bio: Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, and Yoda-- three individuals with lives intricately intertwined. Before Obi-Wan Kenobi was forced into a life of hiding, before Anakin Skywalker gave in to the dark side and became Darth Vader, even before Yoda was known as the last Jedi Master, a young Anakin was presented to the Jedi Council for permission to train the boy in the ways of the Force. Many years later, the Galactic Republic crumbled and the evil Empire rose in its place. Only after the defeat of the Empire, at the hands of Anakin's son Luke Skywalker, would the three great Jedi be reunited after death as spiritual guides for Luke and the New Republic. (Taken from the figure's box back.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: Hey kids, do you want a dead action figure? Obi-Wan Kenobi is here for you. Screwed to the stand (with actual screws), this figure is more of a display piece than a toy. The arms are ridiculously stiff, and you really can't pose him. And he can't hold anything. Actually, this figure can pretty much just stand there and look like a ghost-- if you don't like the idea of a blue statue, you should skip this one. If you need diorama fodder, though, this is a pretty fun set especially for its day. The sculpt is decent, but it's a POTF2-era sculpt, meaning that it isn't as realistic as it could have been, nor was the detail as good as you might expect. The set is good, so if you see it and like the idea, you should buy it. Otherwise, well, save your money for the inevitable all-new Jedi Spirits which will hit the market by 2009, were I a betting man.

Collector's Notes: So far, Obi-Wan Kenobi has had three distinct versions of himself made as a dead action figure. This one is the second. The first used the same basic sculpt as this release, but had different arms and was unpainted. The third was a totally different sculpt, which had a lot more color and articulation on it. The third release (2004 Original Trilogy Collection and 2007 Jedi Training on Dagobah set) should be the best of them-- but this one's good too if you also want an Anakin and a Yoda. Another three-pack of Jedi Spirits, which was unlicensed (or at least, not a Hasbro or Kenner product) was sold in Japan in 1998 and used a different sculpt.

Day 296: February 26, 2007