Figure of the Day: Day 926: Yoda

YODA Spinning Attack!
Revenge of the Sith Collection 1
Item No.: Asst. 85172 No. 85273
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #III-26
Includes: Cane, lightsaber hand, hand, action base
Action Feature: Wind-up figure and let it spin to hit things
Retail: $5.24-$6.99
Availability: March 2005
Appearances: Revenge of the Sith

Bio: Yoda suspects that Palpatine is behind the evil events that are destroying the Republic. On Coruscant, Yoda and the Emperor meet in the ultimate confrontation between the galaxy's most powerful masters of the Force. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' living room.

Commentary: Of the entire saga, Yoda is one of the few characters that appeals to absolutely everybody. I knew girls in high school that were crazy about her. One of my pals in college dated this chick who was bonkers for Yoda. And of course, there are fans and collectors and kids who love the tiny green Jedi master, a character who managed to go under a bit of a reinvention in 2002 with Attack of the Clones from wise old guy with cane to insane, whirling dervish (or general baadasssss.) Hasbro built this figure for modern kids who want a figure that jumps around and slashes things. Collectors will no doubt admire its authenticity-- it has a great head sculpt and a wonderful costume, but it's meant to be used as a toy more than a collector's piece. The figure has a swivel head, swivel elbows, a swivel waist, and one swivel wrist. This limited articulation was designed to allow the figure to "attack" when you futz with the figure's internal mechanisms. You twist the figure at the waist a few times to wind it up, and when the figure's feet are tilted the right way, he starts spinning around like a crazy person. The platform included with the figure makes it slightly easier to make him perform his little trick, but it's still a little touchy. The mechanism is really the reason to buy the figure given there are so many Yodas out there, so if you want a figure you can use to amuse or attack your cats, this is the one for you. Otherwise, you might be better served by a figure with more articulation or the increasingly popular animated style.

Collector's Notes: A common figure in 2005, this is one of many Yoda figures sold over the past few years. Because of this, the figure doesn't command a premium price. The figure was reissued in 2007 without his action base as part of the Target exclusive Order 66 packs, bundled with an exclusive original design of a Kashyyyk Clone Trooper.

Day 926: December 31, 2008