Obi-Wan Kenobi (Episode I) - S.H. Figuarts

S.H. Figuarts is a new standard figure series that incorporates the Bandai action figure "Art" under the theme "Pursuing Character Expression through Humanoid Action."

If we reflect honestly about how Episode I merchandise was marketed, we’d probably have to use words like “inundated,” “browbeaten,” and “overloaded.” It was the biggest Star Wars marketing event in years, so it made sense why so many licenses were involved making as many new Star Wars products as they could. Throughout the years, there would be a collective sigh when a company like Hasbro would produce a wave of figures based on Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, but they nonetheless continued to bring new characters into the toy line in addition to repeating the main characters. In short, they did a great job of balancing old and new while keeping the line fresh. That didn’t, however, make us the happiest of collectors. We were on to bigger and better things by the time the third Prequel Trilogy film was released. Then we had an anniversary. Then came The Vintage Collection. Hopefully, you catch our drift. Episode I from a merchandising perspective evidently ran its course. It took some years before fans started itching for new Episode I products. And by the time 2012 came around, the debacle that was The Phantom Menace 3D put an even worse taste in our mouths for merchandising. We’re not criticizing the film, so don’t misinterpret the jibing here. But licensees went NUTS with rehashed (and very old) products that didn’t have enough support from those who bought Star Wars toys.

We say all that to hopefully express that it has been a rough road for The Phantom Menace related product. It started off with a bang but met with an untimely and devastating death both times there was a focus on it. What’s that expression “Shame me once….”? Anyway, we wondered ourselves what it would take to spark interest in Episode I (from a toy/collectible perspective) since all of us are wary of any focus on it today. We have to say that it is Bandai’s S.H. Figuarts line. With about a dozen characters released within its first year, S.H. Figuarts has taken the action figure line to a whole new level. These are indeed collectibles, but they’re made with excellence, durability and the ability to attain any pose you want. That is no small feat, and we’re thrilled with every figure we have seen in the line to date. There are some flaws like a consistent scale for example. But these figures are met with such precision that we believe it is quite easy to overlook whatever flaws they do possess. But, you will have to decide that for yourself. For Obi-Wan Kenobi (EpisodeI), we have once again been wowed beyond measure. The unorthodox approaches taken with this figure are so impressive that we hope that other licensees can follow suit because we truly believe that these are some of the best ways to approach the modern action figure. Jointed boots and multiple points of articulation in the shoulders show that S.H. Figuarts mean business with these beautiful figures.

Obi-Wan Kenobi (EpisodeI) has a fantastic articulation system. That’s a given. He can attain any position you want. Period. Some of his hand attachments are difficult to add once removed, but with a little patience and determination this becomes easier and easier with each successive take. He comes with two head sculpts. Once has a calm expression while the other has a more determined expression. (Neither look happy or angry, yet they have their unique trait. S. H. Figuarts did a remarkable job with the sculpting.) But what is especially impressive is it looks like the whole face deco was approached like a face transplant. Granted, on one of our head sculpts, it looks the slightest bit “off to the right” but the other head sculpt is dead to rights Ewan McGregor. We’ll chalk it up to the mass production process and machines not being calibrated properly if this looks off to you in any way. If you get the right sample, you’re going to have an Obi-Wan Kenobi (Episode I) action figure with the greatest likeness to the actor to date. This looks like a 1:6 Scale Figure shrunken down to 6”. In addition to three extra pairs of hands, Obi-Wan Kenobi also comes with a lightsaber hilt (with plug), his fully lit lightsaber – with a removable bottom to slide through the gripped hands easily), the aforementioned interchangeable portrait and Qui-Gon Jinn’s lit lightsaber. You get a lot of “stuff” with Obi-Wan Kenobi (Episode I), and for us, he is worth every penny. He will be worth it to you too.