Figure of the Day: Day 920: Obi-Wan Kenobi

OBI-WAN KENOBI Mustafar Redux
30th Anniversary Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 87500 No. 87541
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #0801
Includes: Lightsaber, display stand
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: January 2008
Appearances: Revenge of the Sith

Bio: Obi-Wan holds onto hope that he and Padmé can turn Anakin back from the dark side. But on Mustafar, he realizes that all is lost and Anakin has been consumed by evil. Obi-Wan is vicously attacked by Anakin and battles for his life in a climactic duel surrounded by molten lava rivers. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' TV tray. The Mustafar base isn't included with Obi-Wan, rather he sports the typical rectangular grey display stand.

Commentary: It's rare for Hasbro to take a popular figure and reissue it with more articulation and a new head. That's exactly what they did with this Obi-Wan Kenobi, making it one of several significantly different releases of the mold over the past three years. The main differences between this one and the others are its head, its partially cloth "skirt" piece, and its ability to swing its legs out to the sides. Kenobi's new head is presently exclulisve to this release, and sits a little higher on the neck than others. It's a little off-putting at first, but you get used to it. He also looks a little sweatier, which works. He's still super articulated, and generally has the same range of movement as all the descendants of the 2005 "Pilot" figure aside from the extra hip movement.

It would have been really cool to have a lightsaber hilt included with the figure, but Hasbro opted not to throw one in. As such, you'll need to raid your stash. The lightsaber is fine, as is the display stand. This particular Obi-Wan exists mostly as an upgrade and as a double (ha-ha) dip on the mold and character. If you only get one Kenobi from this movie, it may as well be this one.

Collector's Notes: This is one of several Episode III-specific Kenobis, and is also one of several Mustafar-specific versions of the character. Hasbro isn't shy about being redundant, but articulation fiends will note that this is the best of them so far. It's unlikely we'll see one much better than this, but hey, Hasbro is known to surprise.

Day 920: December 23, 2008