Figure of the Day: Day 1,138: Saesee Tiin

SAESEE TIIN Jedi Master
Revenge of the Sith Collection 2 and beyond
Item No.: Asst. 85174 No. 85358
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #III-30
Includes: Lightsaber blade, lightsaber hilt, display stand (2005 only), cloak (2006 and beyond), coin (2007 only), clone gear (2008-2009)
Action Feature: Spring-loaded rocket launcher
Retail: $5.24-$7.99
Availability: August 2009
Appearances: The Clone Wars CG TV series

Image: Adam's TV tray. Version pictured is the Jedi vs. Darth Sidious Battle Pack release, which was the first with the cloth robes accessory.

Bio: Jedi Council member Saesee Tiin is well known for his exceptional starfighter piloting skills and daring space battles. His telepathic abilities and strong connection to the Force make him a powerful member of the Jedi Order. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Commentary: Arguably the best Jedi figure out of Hasbro's 2005 lineup, this amazing Saesee Tiin has been in circulation for quite some time. While the initial release lacked the cloak, this figure really worked well with the added garment packaged with later releases. If you're going to just get one of the releases, I do suggest you get the cloak because, as seen here, it actually wraps around his head nicely with his horns holding the hood in place. Unlike other figures, where the hood just sort of sits there awkwardly.

The figure itself is pretty close to perfection. While some fans may cry about the lack of ball-jointed elbows, or any ankle joints, Tiin pretty much has everything else more than taken care of. He can sit easily because Hasbro engineered a cloth lower body, his knees bend just fine, and he has no problem being posed in most battle-ready positions. The head can look around nicely, the detail in his garments is sculpted on par with anything you might see in stores today, and the deco is excellent. There's a good reason Hasbro kept this one in circulation over the past few years-- it's some of their finest work.

If Hasbro ever does go back and redo it, which history says they probably will, I would expect a lightsaber that can attach to the belt and some added articulation in the arms and legs. Perhaps some coloring may change slightly, but as it is this is one of the better Jedi Knights to come out of the Revenge of the Sith line, which was packed with some of the best Jedi figures ever seen before or since. This is a figure you should absolutely make sure is in your collection, even if it is rather common with all the reissues. Hasbro deserves a big pat on the back for this one.

Collector's Notes: This figure has been kept in circulation since 2005, appearing in the many incarnations of Saga Legends as well as in Battle Packs. The 2005 release includes a display stand, other releases include a cloth cloak (pictured) and sometimes a bonus accessory like a coin or a box of weaponry.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,138: October 23, 2009