Anakin Skywalker - TBS [P1] - Basic (#03)

As Padawan to Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker learns the ways of the Jedi and becomes a hero as the Clone Wars engulf the Republic.

You’ll find more often than not that third time is the charm in Hasbro’s quest to make a certain Star Wars character definitive. This especially applies to Anakin Skywalker based on his appearance from Attack Of The Clones. If you have been a longtime collector, you know that we got a fairly decent Episode II version of Anakin Skywalker in 2005’s ROTS Anakin Skywalker To Darth Vader Evolutions set. In fact, it instantly became the “go to” figure for Hasbro whenever they needed to include this version of the character in any of their many multipacks and basic figure lines. We could list all of his appearances ad infinitum, but you can probably think of plenty of your own examples of his many appearances at retail since his debut in 2005. The last basic figure use of this sculpt of Anakin Skywalker was 2009’s TLC Anakin Skywalker (BD 50) figure. (It was also re-released in the red phase of the Legacy Collection line too with a different sequence number.) But after than Hasbro tweaked the figure (quite a bit actually) for 2010’s LC Anakin Skywalker Droideka (3 of 6) Geonosis Arena Showdown TARGET exclusive two-pack. This later version quickly became the definitive Episode II Anakin Skywalker figure. It’s held that title until now. Because Hasbro took Anakin Skywalker to the next level with The Black Series release. Interestingly, they used much of this figure's history to bring us the best version yet.

Anakin Skywalker is a complicated kit-bashed action figure. We actually don’t feel completely comfortable wholly calling this action figure kit-bashed because there are just as about as many new parts as borrowed parts. But here it goes. You’ll have to decide for yourself. The head has been take from the 2010 LC Geonosis Arena Showdown figure. The arms date back to the 2005 ROTS Evolutions figure. And the thighs have been reused from 2010’s TVC Darth Vader [Anakin Skywalker] (VC13) figure. But the torso, the belt and lower tabards combination as well as the lower legs (including his feet) are all-new. That’s a healthy dose of new parts and as a result collectors are treated to a brilliant new version of Anakin Skywalker based on his appearance from Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones. And even if some of the parts have been reused, when cobbled together with new parts, they all work together to create what we happily consider an “all-new enough” figure. As a result, Hasbro has created a definitive version of Anakin Skywalker, using the cream of the crop of existing parts along with new parts. The figure is a triumphant success and every fan of Anakin Skywalker and Attack Of The Clones should consider this new version a must-have.

There are some other wonderful details about Anakin Skywalker that should interest collectors. Hasbro was extremely careful to match the various shades of browns painstakingly to recreate a truly screen accurate version of Anakin Skywalker in his Padawan role. If you spend enough time comparing, you’ll soon notice that previous versions of Episode II Anakin Skywalker action figures have been off, even if only a little, in the past. We love how Hasbro has abandoned the use of soft-goods here. Everything part of Anakin is sculpted plastic. And without a doubt it makes Anakin look incredible, the best he’s ever looked in the action figure line. This is the first time that an Episode II version of Anakin Skywalker comes with ball-jointed hips. Although they’ve been reused, you should count yourselves fortunate that Hasbro decided to upgrade Anakin in this way. Anakin Skywalker comes with a lit lightsaber. He has a hole in his belt for a lightsaber hilt, but Hasbro didn’t include one here. He also comes with an interchangeable cybernetic hand, the same one we have received since the 2005 ROTS Anakin Skywalker To Darth Vader Evolutions set. Obviously collectors may believe that Anakin Skywalker is another obligatory release, but the enhancements made to the sculpt are more than noteworthy. Don’t take Anakin Skywalker for granted. He will indeed be the sleeper hit of the wave. Trust us.