Figure of the Day: Day 280: Anakin Skywalker

ANAKIN SKYWALKER Jedi Hero
Revenge of the Sith Evolutions
Item No.: Asst. 85553 No. 85662
Number: n/a
Includes: Robot hand, lightsaber, blade, Geonosis arena chains
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.99
Availability: Fall 2005
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: Experience the evolution of the greatest villain the galaxy has ever known! These figures capture the fall of Anakin Skywalker and the rise of Darth Vader! Anakin is a young Jedi who fights for all that is good. He emerges as a hero of the Clone Wars but is lured to the dark side of the Force. He joins the evil Sith and becomes the menacing Darth Vader. From hero to villain, his power and influence change the destiny of a galaxy! (Taken from the figure's box.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: In 2005, Hasbro decided it was time once and for all to combine the super-awesome articulation of its 2004 Vintage line with extra accessories providing limited customization like many fans have begged for. The results were mostly awesome, with figures like Anakin Skywalker being able to do things that few Anakin figures before it could do. For example, this seems to be the only figure that can sit in the Anakin's Speeder vehicle from 2002 without damaging the figure, or severely cramming it into its seat. He has ball joints all over, with the only missed opportunity for "perfection" in articulation being the ankles-- which have no joints. There's soft goods for part of the Jedi garb and "pleather" for the rest of it, allowing this figure to sit pretty much any way you would please. Hasbro, this is how figures should be done. Hats-off to your sculptors and your articulation-masters, whatever they're called.

As far as deco goes, it's a little harder to be as nice to the figure. While the sculpt is certainly there, the face suffers from "I've got a bad paint job" syndrome, which means you get a stupid looking expression on what should have been a mostly good face sculpt. The hair color is good, the costume color is excellent, it's just that with action figures, so much personality is derived from the face-- and AOTC Anakin figures have a pretty ugly record for having utterly ridiculous faces. This is one of the better ones, but it still has a little bit of room for improvement. As I'm no painter, I offer no constructive criticism here. Just the bad kind.

Few figures have as many accessories as this one. First, Anakin has a lightasber with a removable blade, and a belt on which to hang the lightsaber. He has the chains that go with the columns from the Geonosis Arena pillars. He even has a robot hand for re-enacting his post-AOTC and pre-ROTS battles as chronicled in the Clone Wars. If you want, there's a soft good Jedi Robe included with the ROTS Anakin from this boxed set, and you can give that to the younger version if you're so inclined. One of the reasons fans hold Evolutions in such high regard is this set-- and for good reason. Get it if you have the chance.

Collector's Notes: The same figure, but with significantly fewer accessories, was sold in the Episode II Tin gift set as part of the 30th Anniversary Collection line. The figures are almost completely identical otherwise.

Day 280: February 10, 2007