Figure of the Day: Day 507: Yoda

YODA & Chian
Saga Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 84861 No. 84969
Number: 0315
Includes: Chair, Lightsaber, Cane, Chian
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $4.99
Availability: Summer 2003
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: Diminutive and unassuming, Jedi Master Yoda is one of the wisest and most recognized members of the Jedi Council. For over 800 years, Yoda has trained Jedi Knights and young pupils such as Chian in the ways of the Force. He instructs them to be calm, passive, at peace; to be aware of the present and midful of the future; and to use the Force only for defense, never for attack. In these dire times, the dark side has begun to cloud even Master Yoda's insight into the future -- into the fate of the Republic's encroaching war and the uncertain destiny of the young apprentice Anakin Skywalker. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: While many Yoda figures have been made, starting in 2002, things started to get weird-- for example, the little green Jedi Master started to have two extra toes on the bottom of his feet all of a sudden. This weirded me out, as now depending on what movie Yoda is in, he'll have very different numbers of toes-- 3, or 5. The figure itself isn't half bad-- he has no holes in his feet (for hoverchair-themed reasons), a single "unileg", no waist articulation, normal shoulder joints, swivel elbows, and the typical neck joint. As part of a set of figures, he's pretty great. All by himself, not so much. The detail is OK, the paint on the face tends to vary from figure to figure to figure so examining it up close prior to purchase is a good idea. Also, the expression is very weak-- he's not expressing any emotion, and most figures usually have an amused look, a hint of rage, a tiny smile, or something. This just looks like an untouched digital model from the movie where they forgot to tweak an eyebrow or something. As such, you can do better, but if you want a figure that can sit in a floating chair, this is the only game in town.

Collector's Notes: This Yoda mold proved to be popular, and the figure (without the chair) would be offered again elsewhere. In 2005, it showed up in the Jedi vs. Sith Battle Pack, which has just been reissued/repackaged in 2007. (The version of Yoda reviewed in this column is essentially identical, but with more accessories, so we won't be examining the Battle Pack version as there's nothing new to point out.) Also in 2005, it would be recolored and sold as a holographic figure for a Toys "R" Us exclusive. It's also worth noting a few more things: one, that the set was available on both 2003-style Saga cardbacks (the one with the orange nameplate, and the one with the gold stripe on the side of the package indicating the movie). Two, that almost all of the first shipments of this set came crushed, bent, or damaged in every single case I saw-- it doesn't mean they're all this way, but every one I saw certainly was.

Day 507: September 25, 2007