Figure of the Day: Day 259: Anakin Skywalker (Deluxe)

ANAKIN SKYWALKER Lightsaber Slashing Action
Saga Deluxe Collection
Item No.: Asst. 84859 No. 84882
Number: n/a
Includes: Lightsabers, slice-apart Geonosian victim
Action Feature: Push button for Lightsaber Slashing Action
Retail: $9.99
Availability: Summer 2002

Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: Battling for their lives in the arena, Anakin and Obi-Wan Kenobi clash against thousands of Geonosian Warriors in a grueling confrontation. As Geonosians attack, Anakin uses the Force to retrieve a second lightsaber and prepares to defend himself at all costs. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: In a movie year, there are going to be lots of Anakin Skywalker action figures. In 2002, there were something like 3 basic figures, and 2 more deluxe ones-- and in the end, none of them were really all that great. While a better version would be made in 2005, all the versions from 2002 had their pros and cons-- this one had a quasi "Soft Goods" tunic, which was flexible and allowed the figure additional movement. Of course, that's all well and good, but when you have the Ridiculous Screaming Open Mouth, the figure is usually beyond redemption-- it's just goofy. You want to cram things in the mouth at this point, so the question is really how good is this figure once you get past the head. Again, not very-- he has a very distinct pose which is necessary for his slicing-and-dicing action which, I should add, isn't very good in the first place. If you have to have all things Anakin/Vader, this is an excellent item. But for collectors that just want a single Anakin figure, go get the one in the Anniversary Tin or the Evolutions pack-- this one isn't capable of much other than looking goofy and falling over.

Collector's Notes: In 2005, the same basic figure came out in the Jedi vs. Separatists Battle Pack, except Anakin had a different head and Hasbro swapped the blade colors on the lightsabers. As the figure is pretty iffy, we wouldn't say either one is worth tracking down over the other.

Day 259: January 20, 2007