Figure of the Day: Day 151: Shaak Ti

SHAAK TI Jedi Master
Saga Collection Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 84861 No. 84872
Number: 0210
Includes: Lightsaber, blast effect
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $4.99
Availability: April 2002
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: Shaak Ti is a powerful Jedi Master. Her highly refined Jedi skills are extremely useful in the battle against Count Dooku and the super battle droids. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: The toy shelves of Adam Pawlus.

Commentary: In 2002, Shaak Ti was really something. She couldn't stand especially well, but look at her! The detail was excellent, and the action pose was a nice change of pace. This statuesque alien Jedi babe was armed to the teeth and despite her limited articulation, was quite popular. With only about 4 useful joints, she is at best, a below average toy-- but a fairly nice sculpture. Stuck in one pose, what you see is basically what you get. Her outfit is exquisitely sculpted, however, her paint isn't what you would call especially great. Her difficulty standing is also a nuisance, but with a little work this figure makes for a darned fine sculpture. If you look at the textures in the robes, and the overall design, there's a lot to like-- but this is a figure for the guy who leaves his figures packaged, or for the guy who keeps figures on his computer. Kids will likely disown this one.

Most collectors while appreciate the figure for what it is, and how it's an artifact of its time. It doesn't do much for me, because it just plain doesn't do much, which is what you can say about a lot of the 2002 Jedi action figures.

Collector's Notes: Initially, this was a rare figure-- I believe it was in the UK there were shortages, recall rumors, and other zaniness usually reserved for North America. The figure became super-common as time went on, and was retooled for a Jedi High Council screen scene in 2004. An all-new sculpt Shaak Ti, which ended up as one of the best prequel figures, was released in 2005.

Day 151: October 4, 2006