Figure of the Day: Day 997: Yoda

YODA Firing Cannon!
Revenge of the Sith Collection 1
Item No.: Asst. 85173 No. 85344
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: III-03
Includes: Firing Cannon, cloak, lightsaber
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $5.24-$6.99
Availability: March 2005
Appearances: Revenge of the Sith

Bio: The wise Jedi Master Yoda leads the Republic's clone army into battle on the Wookiee world of Kashyyyk. He is assisted in this fateful mission by mighty Wookiee warriors Chewbacca and Tarfful. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam's toy room.

Commentary: Oh, Yoda. For a character with five movie appearances and now several TV appearances, your action figures lack variety. The little green Jedi master has basically one outfit with some slight changes, and yet there are over 20 different Yoda action figures. It's quite amazing when you think about it. This particular one was designed to be from Revenge of the Sith, but I'm pretty sure it's either from Hasbro's imagination or a deleted scene.

The figure itself isn't horrible, but could be improved on. The cannon is pretty worthless-- Yoda never fired a gun as far as I can tell, so into the junk drawer it goes. The figure's main body is actually pretty great. He has ball-jointed feet and shoulders, articulated wrists, articulated hips, and of course, a ball-jointed head. A waist would be nice, as would shoulders, but in 2005 that was a little more uncommon on a short figure. Today, it's pretty reasonable to expect. Since the figure can be posed fighting or standing around, it's pretty easy to enjoy. Unfortunately, the cloak accessory is basically a shell placed over the figure, and not a garment where he can slip in his arms (like in the movie.) Later releases of this figure sported a cloth coat, but that still doesn't quite work. As Yodas go, this may be one of the best-overall prequel versions of the character, but it could absolutely be improved upon. I'd say get it, but be prepared to be left wanting. Thankfully it's cheap and available with numerous accessories or gift sets, so if you want it, it shouldn't be hard to get cheap. (Hell, I may have extras, I'll send you one. Postage due, of course.)

Collector's Notes: Hasbro loves this Yoda. It has since been repackaged as-is many times, plus a few other times with new and/or different cloaks and weapons. Odds are you own this Yoda in some form or another.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 997: April 9, 2009