Yoda - POTF2 [R/G] - Basic

HEIGHT: .65 meters
STATUS: Jedi Master
CLASSIFICATION: Unknown
AFFILIATION: Rebel Alliance
WEAPON OF CHOICE: None
WEAPON OF CHOICE: None

For over 800 years, the diminutive Jedi Master known as Yoda trained the most committed students in the ways of the Force, guiding them into their roles as Jedi Knights, protectors of peace in the galaxy.

Yoda's origins are steeped in mystery. His home is the swamp planet, Dagobah. There, among the plants, trees, and alien life-forms which glide through the mists, Yoda trained Luke Skywalker. One of his most successful students was a young man named Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Eventually the servants of the dark side of the Force brought down the ranks of the Jedi. As an era of despair grew in the galaxy, Yoda withdrew deeper into Dagobah, using the Force and the planet's natural defenses to discourage visitors as he waited for the tasks in his future.

When Yoda was over 900 years old, and walking with the aid of a gimer stick, he met a student of Kenobi's. Yoda knew that the young Luke Skywalker was one of the last hopes of the Jedi, so he began to train the brash youth in the ways of the Force. Yoda knew the dark secrets that lay hidden in Luke's past, and that the boy might turn to the dark side if not properly trained. When Luke called his training short to rescue his friends on Bespin, Yoda knew that the boy was rushing to face an uncertain future.

Luke later returned to Dagobah to complete his training, but Yoda's time in the physical realm was at an end. The Jedi Master's last student proved adept at his lessons though, and used his training to help bring down the evil Empire. After the Alliance's victory, Yoda appeared once more to Luke. Yoda had become one with the Force, while Luke was now and forever, a Jedi.

One of the greatest figures of the vintage Kenner era was Yoda. Sure, he had a goofy smile and had multiple skin and snake colors, but none of us cared much at all. His wealth of accessories, small statured charm, and the character’s knowledge of the Force made us all want his action figure in the 80s. Very few characters have clung to the popularity that Yoda has, so it made complete sense that we started bugging Kenner for a modern interpretation of him once The Power Of The Force “2” line was announced. Do you believe it took an astounding 15 years to give us a “more” modern version of this classic character. With an extra surprise, and ultimately less accessories, Yoda was released in a The Empire Strikes Back themed wave into the welcoming hands of collectors all over the world. The figure itself ranks about “average” to “good” by most collectors. He certainly isn’t perfect, but the figure does have significant detail enhancements that just didn’t make it to the vintage Kenner version.

If you compare the 1981 Kenner version versus the modern 1996 version, you’ll find that the head sculpt are more similar than different. They ears in particular have been sculpted in nearly the same manner. But it is the modern figure’s updated paint operations and enhanced sculpting that brings the 1996 version to a whole new level. The expression on the face is pretty great, and while we’re suckers for the 1981 Yoda, we can’t help but comment that we like the direction Kenner is taking the character towards better authenticity and accuracy. Sadly, Yoda comes with less articulation than the vintage Kenner version had, and we find that to be a disappointment. The worse thing about the figure is the hinge-jointed lower body. It comes without independently articulating legs, which is a huge setback. Also, this point of articulation is a bit loose, which makes Yoda fall forward a little bit. In other words his posture is a little too “old man” for this old man.... if that makes any sense.

The big deal with Yoda is that he comes with a Jedi training backpack which interacts with wave mate Luke Skywalker (In Dagobah Fatigues). He fits into it quite well actually, but his arms inhibit how far (and how straightly) you can situate him into the blue backpack. Once fully assembled and with a little bit of patience, you can make Luke Skywalker (In Dagobah Fatigues) and Yoda interact quite beautifully. It’s quite impressive actually how much thought went into assuring that these figures worked with each other. We feel it’s a big success. In addition to the Jedi training backpack Yoda comes with his infamous gimer stick (or cane or club for R2-D2) if you’re so inclined to pose him with it. Because he doesn’t have a whole bunch of movement in the arms, what you can do with his cane is limited, but it’s still a nice accessory to have. There aren’t any soft-goods included here, and no snake. Both omissions are big disappointments. But soft-goods just aren’t a part of the POTF2 line yet. Hopefully that will change. In the meantime, this is what have.