Anakin Skywalker (Padawan) - TBS [P3] - Six Inch Figures (110)

A hero in the Clone Wars, Anakin was caring and compassionate, but also had a fear of loss that would prove to be his downfall.

When you think of Anakin Skywalker (Padawan), most of us see the young boy featured in Episode I. In the next chapter of the Star Wars saga, Attack Of The Clones, most of us see Anakin Skywalker as a Jedi Knight. But Anakin is indeed a Padawan learner in Episode II. It would be some time before Anakin would attain the title of Jedi Knight. It took Hasbro A LONG TIME to get Anakin Skywalker (Padawan) into The Black Series [Phase III] line. With a renewed interest and attention on the many characters from Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones, Hasbro is slowly but surely adding prominently featured characters in the Battle of Geonosis to the 6” scale. Anakin Skywalker (Padawan) is a decent-looking action figure. But it isn’t free of a couple of issues. The biggest grievance we have is the omission of a soft-goods cloak. We shouldn’t have expected one. Hasbro made it abundantly clear that they rarely include soft-goods on the 6” figures, but we’ll complain until they start. A line with an MSRP set at $19.99 should come with a significant amount of accessories. But, for Anakin Skywalker (Padawan), all collectors get are a lightsaber hilt and lightsaber blade. It doesn’t feel like nearly enough to outfit this action figure. Collectors will continue to get frustrated with the lack of accessories included with the figure in The Black Series 6” line.

Let's review some of the issues with the figure. Of course, we’re quite unsettled by the lack of a soft-goods robe. That’s an accessory that Hasbro must include with Jedi action figures. It’s egregious not to include them. The lightsaber hilt is incorrect too. Hasbro added Darth Vader’s lightsaber hilt with this figure, and it looks too thick and chunky and is decorated differently than the prop in Attack Of The Clones. More importantly, Hasbro neglected the green lightsaber Anakin Skywalker utilizes for a large chunk of time in the Battle of Geonosis. Anakin Skywalker has the lightsaber up through the confrontation with Count Dooku. In our opinion, the lack of its inclusion here is a colossal error. Again, these figures cost $20 each. Why can’t they come with more accessories? The figure’s likeness is excellent, but Anakin Skywalker (Padawan) falls under the “better in person than in pictures” banner, especially when it comes to “head-on” shots. The profiles of this figure look much more like the on-screen character than a front-forward view. The Photo Real application looks clean and neat, but again, you have to appreciate it in person and not enlarged. Otherwise, it doesn’t seem proper. Hasbro neglected to add the multicolored beads in the figure’s hair braid. We don’t know why they ignored them, but all we get is a braid, and nothing else. We feel that was a reasonably significant detail to miss, and we’re quite disappointed.

The rest of Anakin Skywalker (Padawan) is excellently sculpted and tooled. Few collectors will find any fault or take exception with how Hasbro approached the figure in that regard. The paint job is relatively excellent as well. The Photo Real is fantastic, and the brown outfit with dark brown leather details looks professionally executed. Anakin Skywalker (Padawan) has an excellent articulation like most other Hasbro Star Wars 6” figures. The skirt has the proper cuts not to inhibit lower body movement, something that Hasbro often struggles with getting right in The Vintage Collection 3.75” line. There are no butterfly joints in the shoulders, so getting the arms close enough to hold the lightsaber hilt with both hands is a bit of a chore. You have to be patient and careful not to bend the hilt while situating the figure in this manner. Overall, we’re quite pleased with how well the Anakin Skywalker (Padawan) 6” figure turned out. It looks like actor Hayden Christensen and has a superior articulation system to achieve some incredible action poses. As we get more and Jedi Knights and Jedi Masters in The Black Series 6” line, more and more people will appreciate Anakin Skywalker (Padawan). Recreating the Battle of Geonosis is a popular subject for dioramas. And we’re just scratching the surface of characters that appeared in those action-packed scenes. Anakin Skywalker (Padawan) is one to add to that display assuredly.