Yoda - TCW [R] - Basic (CW14)

Added: July 28th 2009
Category: Clone Wars [Red], The
Reviewer: Paul Harrison
Score:

Name: Yoda
Collection: The Clone Wars [Red]
Number: CW14
Source: The Clone Wars (Film)
Availability: July 2009
License: Hasbro

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Yoda goes to Rugosa to negotiate a deal with king Katuunko of Toydaria that will allow the Republic to build a supply base in the system. Count Dooku intervenes with a test for the Jedi: prove the Republic's strength by battling Dooku's droid army. Yoda accepts the challenge, and shows his combat expertise as well as the power of the Force.

Yoda, the wisest Jedi Master of all is probably the most popular as well. He was first introduced in his CGI animated form in the blue phase of The Clone Wars line which debuted on July 26, 2008. That version though unfortunately came with an awkward action feature. And even if the action figure wasn't included, the figure failed in many other ways too since it had severely limited articulation and a bizarre pose. In all honesty, it was a bit of a painful action figure but we bought it because it was Yoda. Sometimes we never learn. But it was only a matter of time before Hasbro would make a new and improved Yoda. However (and thankfully), the action feature and other limitations of the original 2008 TCW Yoda (No. 3) was abandoned and a great new Yoda was born. Hasbro probably heard the moans from the collective crowds of fans and they went back to the drawing board to create an absolute masterpiece that will probably become the definitive The Clone Wars version we will ever receive. It really is definitive in every sense of the word. It is a perfect action figure and captures all the personality of the "new-looking" Yoda. He is a completely new sculpted figure loaded with articulation. His ancestor was nearly a “disasterpiece” just for the fact that Hasbro designed it so that the arm (that shot the projectile) couldn’t move. That has all been changed and now Yoda has limitless motion and we can’t think of anything better that our little green friend deserves. And we hope that future Jedi follow this new model that Yoda has taken. Yoda has also blessed with a soft-goods robe. And though it looks a little too clean for our liking, it is a much higher valued option by collectors than a plastic molded robe. Soft-goods often get accused of looking too baggy on the figure, but we personally prefer it no matter how is looks on a figure.

We think it rarely looks bad and for the most part looks fantastic! This is no doubt due to how the vintage figures were made; we just love soft-goods. Soft-goods add extra character and definition to a figure. And with the advent of technology, Hasbro can tailor them quite well to the small action figure bodies in this day and age. The cloak also has a unique woven micro-chevron pattern which looks a bit too stylish for a humble Jedi Master, but it is not that noticeable where it is distracting. Whatever your choice, “removable outerwear” is great because it adds a new dimension and great play value to the character. Admit it, you love undressing your figures. Well, we know you will love this option for Yoda. One of the most consequential aspects of this Yoda is his face sculpt. Hasbro executed a superb likeness to the animated character and a great deal of attention was paid to capturing his concerned expression on the face. And his eyes have been replicated perfectly as well. The paint job on his face is spectacular and has different tones which give it a unique texture and different colors get picked up in different lights. His body has also been given the proper proportions and details and it too has been given an excellent paint application. There are exceptions, but Hasbro has been treating us to wonderful paint jobs on action figures that aren't clones, it appears only the clones are suffering. Yoda is undoubtedly an all-around accomplishment! We look at this figure with significant astonishment and wonderment. It may seem like a simple figure at face value, and you may be surprised about our rave, but Yoda has been intricately sculpted and we are so thrilled that he got the attention needed to make him one of the most impressive The Clone Wars figures yet.

Hasbro did obviously did something incredibly right to make this figure look beyond amazing. And we didn't expect a character like Yoda to have this impact on us. Yoda has been available in the same remix case assortment as Commander Gree (CW09) and the newly repackaged Clone Trooper (41st Elite Corps) (although Yoda is officially in a different wave from them). Perhaps this was an unaware move by Hasbro, but it plays to the spirit of Episode III, when Yoda got involved with this battalion on Kashyyyk to aid Luminara Unduli and the Wookiees in the battle against the Separatists. Yes, we again are looking into something much more deeply than needed, but we cannot help smile about the coincidence. In short, there is a big supply of ‘green’ figures in wave 1 of the red phase of The Clone Wars! And when displayed near each other, they look especially awesome! All have been wonderfully designed and decorated and bring home the point how awesome the animated line is indeed. Yoda is the main Jedi character in the television show, so if you only collect one The Clone Wars figure this year, you better bet that is should be him. But, we believe that if you do buy Yoda, it will incite you to give the other figures in this line some additional purchasing consideration. No matter what you decide, there is no denying how well sculpted and painted this brand new Yoda is. And though he wasn't released too far off from the original Yoda, he has completely replaced it in the basic figure line as the Yoda action figure to buy. And we expect him to sell through very well. We implore you not be weak-minded and skip over this figure! It would be a travesty to do so!

Collector Notes

Yoda

Status: Yoda is an all-new figure.

Articulation Count: 16 points (12 areas of articulation)

Articulation Details: ball-socket head (1), ball-jointed left shoulder (2), ball-jointed right shoulder (2), ball-jointed left elbow (2), ball-jointed right elbow (2), swivel left wrist (1), swivel right wrist (1), ball-socket waist (1), swivel left hip (1), swivel right hip (1), ball-socket left ankle (1), ball-socket right ankle (1)

Accessory Count: 3

Accessory Details: soft-goods cloak, gimer stick, lightsaber

Date Stamp: 2009

Assortment Number: 91224/87638

UPC: 653569440024

Retail: $7.99 USD

Market Value: Click here to check the latest prices based on Click here to check the market value on eBay! listings.



The Clone Wars [Red] Wave 2 (Wave 7)

General Grievous (CW01)

Obi-Wan Kenobi (CW12)

4A-7 (CW13)

Yoda (CW14)

Whorm Loathsom (CW15)

Commando Droid (CW16)

Clone Trooper Echo (CW17)



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