BEN (OBI-WAN) KENOBI Original Trilogy CollectionOriginal Trilogy Collection
Item No.: Asst. 85213 No. 85215
Number: n/a
Includes: Lightsaber, cloak
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.99
Availability: Fall 2004
Appearances: Star Wars
Bio: Obi-Wan Kenobi, later known as Ben Kenobi, was a dedicated and legendary Jedi Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi had a long and tumultuous career that has helped shape the fate of an entire galaxy. He taught both Anakin and Luke Skywalker in the ways of the Force, therefore indirectly forging the foundation stone of the New Jedi Order. (Stolen from Wookieepedia.)
Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.
Commentary: One of the most important things you have to know, as a collector, is that there were 12 figures released in 1978 on 12-backs. Because these figures were released in the first series of figures on these 12-backs, figures like Obi-Wan Kenobi have been elevated to near-mythical status and resulted in special edition figures like this one. As you know, this Obi-Wan Kenobi was released on an original-style cardback that people really dig. The figure itself, well, it's not so great. Yes, the figure has soft goods, and wrists, and over 10 points of articulation-- but under the robe, the figure is clunky and the robe itself is overly baggy and looks more like some sort of mutant pajama thing. The figure's arms on opposite sides of the elbows feel like they were sculpted by separate people. The head has a sort of quasi ball joint, but it's backward-- the head has a ball on the bottom of the neck, rather than a socket, so it's sort of similar to 1980s G.I. Joe figures. So, in short, the figure is by no means the definitive figure it aspires to be, the likeness is basically the same as the 1995 figure, and the lightsaber is also basically the same as that that came with the 1995 figure with new paint. So it doesn't have the flair at the bottom that its cohorts in the Vintage line feature, and it seems like one of the two worst figures in the (so far) two dozen or so modern "vintage" figures, along with C-3PO. So if you're feeling cheap, don't by this one. If you hate bad figures, don't by this one. If you do buy this one, be sure to let Hasbro know that it sucks. A new one would be very nice to see because in 2005, Hasbro cranked out some top-notch Jedi figures with great cloaks and Hasbro could easily beat the living snot out of this figure without so much effort today, so hey Hasbro, let's see a new one please. Because this one sucks.
Collector's Notes: This is one of the vintage figures which has, as of yet, never been rereleased in any form. No boxed sets, no basic cards, nothing. It's also the last "old" non-spirit Obi-Wan Kenobi figure Hasbro has released since 2004. The 2004 Spirit figure was an overall stronger release, despite being made from some very old parts with far less in the way of articulation. If they ever recolor it in "living" colors, you should go get that.
Day 510: September 28, 2007
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